RFID

Technology & Computing abbreviation · Telecom

RFID
Stands forRadio-frequency identification
CategoriesTechnology & Computing

RFID stands for Radio-frequency identification, a telecom abbreviation.

Technology that uses radio waves to read data from small tags attached to objects, animals or cards, often without batteries or line of sight. Uses include inventory tracking, toll payment, building access badges, library books, passports and pet microchips.

Example: The warehouse scans whole pallets at once with RFID instead of reading barcodes one by one.

Usage notes

Passive tags are powered by the reader's radio field. Frequencies range from low-frequency (125 to 134 kHz), used for animal microchips, through high-frequency (13.56 MHz), which includes NFC, to ultra-high-frequency (860 to 960 MHz) for retail and logistics. A precursor was "The Thing", a passive listening device hidden in the US ambassador's residence in Moscow and discovered in 1952.

More telecom abbreviations

  • PTT – Push-to-talk
  • PUK – PIN Unblocking Key
  • QAM – Quadrature amplitude modulation
  • RAN – Radio access network
  • RCS – Rich Communication Services
  • RF – Radio frequency
  • RJ11 – Registered Jack 11
  • RSSI – Received signal strength indicator
  • SAR – Specific absorption rate
  • SDR – Software-defined radio
  • SIM – Subscriber Identity Module
  • SMS – Short Message Service

See all 114 telecom abbreviations →