Trade · 6 pages · 12 min

How RFID differs from a barcode

RFID reads a tag by radio, often without seeing it, while a barcode is printed ink that a reader must look at.

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From the opening

A barcode is a printed pattern that a light or a camera has to see. An RFID tag carries a circuit that answers a radio signal, so the identification travels on that radio link rather than on a view of the ink. The opening covers printed bars must be seen, a tag answers by radio, and many tags can reply together.

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Inside

Printed bars must be seen
A tag answers by radio
Many tags can reply together
The stored number is a separate choice
Where the idea stops applying
A distinction worth keeping

Sources

Radio-frequency identification
Optical barcode scanning

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How RFID differs from a barcode

From the opening

Inside

Sources

Also on the desk