RFID: The Oncoming Wave

There are active and passive tags that range in capabilities from simple, unique “license plates” to encryption, memory and read/write ability. Passive tags are less complex than active ones, because the reader provides them with their operating power. They’re small, lightweight and inexpensive, and can last more than 10 years. But their range of transmission is shorter, so RFID systems with passive tags require a higher-powered set of readers.