Passive RFID Tags Vs. Active RFID Tags

An RFID tag is a small device that can be attached to or incorporated into a product and transmit data to a reader using radio waves. RFID tags have antennas that allow them to receive and respond to radio-frequency queries from an RFID transceiver.

RFID tags come in two varieties: active and passive. Active RFID tags have a built-in power supply, such as a battery, as well as electronics that perform specialized tasks. By contrast, passive RFID tags do not have a power supply and must rely on the power emitted by an RFID reader to transmit data. Thus, if a reader is not present, the passive tag cannot communicate any data. Active tags can communicate in the absence of a reader.

The remainder of this article discusses other differences between the two types of tags that may influence your decision to choose one type over the other when deploying your RFID application.