Chipless RFID: Looking into the Technology’s Uses

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Throughout the 21st century, RFID (radio-frequency identification) technology has become integral to an array of different industries. However, few are aware of the differences between chipless RFID tags and standard RFID tags. Fundamentally, chipless alternatives possess a longer range, which has been instrumental in growing various sectors. But what are the other differences? Well, let’s look at chipless RFID technology and consider what the future holds for radio-frequency identification.

How Does Chipless and Standard RFID Differ?

Although some sectors are yet to embrace chipless RFID technology, radio-frequency is becoming commonplace in numerous markets. In the sports industry, Paragon ID reports that RFID is typically used to locate items. As such, the microchip-based system has established itself in golf, with players using the technology to find mishit balls. Not only that, but such tags are also of utmost importance in digital entertainment markets, such as at online casinos.

Nowadays, operators such as NorgesAutomaten rely heavily on RFID’s advanced capabilities. At the casino platform, bettors can immerse themselves in numerous opportunities, ranging from video slots to live dealer games. Although slots don’t use RFID technology, real-time games do. Through the tag-orientated system, dealers can automatically keep track of dealt cards before using that information to forecast hand strength and a player’s statistical prospect of winning.

In many ways, chipless RFID, on the other hand, is something of an umbrella term. According to the RFID Journal, the concept covers two types of radio-frequency identification transponders. Of these, one utilises conductive polymers, while the other use reflective technology to return radio waves. Compared to pre-existing barcode RFID tags, chipless alternatives can function without a communication protocol due to differently-tuned antenna frequencies.

What Does the Future Hold?

In light of the forward-thinking nature of chipless RFID systems, the technology undoubtedly possesses the potential to grow further over the coming years. Because chipless alternatives ensure greater efficiency, Allied Market Research reports that its respective market will grow to a value of around £3.4 billion by 2027. If this prediction comes true, it will mark a 23.1 per cent compound annual growth rate increase from 2020 to 2027. Although North America held the largest share of the market in 2019, that could change in the coming years with applicational sectors across the globe likely to embrace chipless technologies.

“RFID logo” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Christiaan Colen

In Japan, retailers recently experimented with RFID readers to make products self-discounting. Not only that, but IDTechEx reports that sectors working with tickets, banknotes, secure documents, and high-value logistics, for example, will reap the rewards of embracing chipless RFID technology. Furthermore, it could also become a much-needed system within industries that require the identification and tracking of people and animals.

Chipless RFID May Become Integral to Society

At the time of writing, non-chipless RFID systems are commonplace in many walks of life. Because of that, there’s reason to believe that the chipless alternative will have a similar impact over the coming years. If applicational sectors can maximise the technology’s capabilities, society may be looking at a future full of chipless radio-frequency identification systems.