RFID active tags at 13.56 MHz

Hi

Is it possible to use active tags at 13.56 mhz and compatible readers. I am trying to evaluate whether there is a need for using rfid for one of our applications. Following are the requirements-

1. Range - upto 3m
2. Small form factor of reader - micro
3. Card sized tag - passive/active.
4. Conformance to iso15963

Could someone tell me whether this would be possible? Most of what i read and what is available limited the read range to < 1m. I was wondering whether using active tags would increase the read range to say 3m. Because i read somewhere that passive tags dont function beyond 1m. Are there any existing apps. which use such devices.? any architecture/design docs? Would really appreciate the help

rgds john

I suggest you contact the experts at....

Savi Technology

...Jim Thompson

Hi John,

With an active tag 3m should be no big deal. Just remember that 13.56MHz is often referred to as the 'international dummy load frequency'. That's where all kinds of hardcore noise is generated, from small devices all the way to diathermia equipment and industrial welding gear.

So while it may work in one location, another might cause failures because the signal is swamped by strong interference.

Regards, Joerg

Is that 3 meters or 3 miles??

I am sorry, what is meant by dummy load frequency..I was under the impression that 13.56 Mhz rfid systems offers high immunity to noise ???

Hi John,

I am not sure where that statement came from but my experience is different. As I said, 13.56 MHz is an ISM frequency that is extensively used where, for example, a production process needs lots of RF power. Whether that is the treatment of steel or a medical application such as diathermia, this often requires hundred of Watts that need to be generated cheaply. The low frequency allows the use of standard tubes or transistor. I have even seen where they left off the capapacitor in the power supply just to save some more Dollars. I couldn't believe it but the tube was fed a raw half wave at a power level of about a kilowatt. Pretty disgusting but that's the stuff you have to deal with when

Regards, Joerg

It's poetic justice though, considering where the second harmonic ends up :)

Sidebands.

Hi Dave,

Yes, but 27.12MHz is also dedicated as ISM.

Regards, Joerg