RFID 태그는 어떻게 데이터를 저장하나요?

목차

소개

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology has become a cornerstone in modern logistics, retail, healthcare, and industrial automation. At the heart of RFID systems lies a deceptively simple but powerful question: How do RFID tags store and transmit data?

Understanding this process isn’t just academic. For engineers designing smart supply chains, developers building RFID-integrated apps, and IT managers overseeing large-scale asset tracking, the underlying mechanics of RFID memory, data encoding, and security protocols are critical for performance, interoperability, and data integrity.

RFID 태그

RFID란 무엇이고 어떻게 작동하나요?

What Is RFID?

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a wireless technology that automatically identifies and tracks objects using electromagnetic fields. Unlike barcodes, RFID doesn’t need direct line-of-sight and can store more data directly on the tag.

Key Components of an RFID System

  • RFID 태그 (Transponder): A chip and antenna embedded in a label or object that stores data.
  • RFID 리더기 (Interrogator): Sends a radio signal to activate the tag and receive its data.
  • Middleware/System Software: Processes, stores, and routes data to databases or applications.

How Data Transmission Works

When the RFID reader emits a radio frequency signal, the tag’s antenna picks it up and powers the chip (if passive). The chip then modulates and sends its stored data back to the reader. This communication varies by frequency:

  • LF (Low Frequency): Short range, good for animal tracking.
  • HF (High Frequency): Common in NFC and smart cards.
  • UHF (Ultra High Frequency): Longer range, faster read speeds – ideal for logistics.

Engineering Tip: Passive UHF tags are most commonly used in industrial supply chains because they’re low-cost and can transmit up to several meters.

Beginner’s Guide to Programming RFID Tags

Programming RFID tags can unlock powerful capabilities — from customizing product data to enabling secure access control. While many tools and approaches are available, the specific method depends on the tag type, frequency, and application.

We are currently working on verified code examples and practical walkthroughs for programming RFID tags safely and effectively. This section will soon include:

  • Hands-on tutorials for using Arduino with RFID modules.
  • Encoding data using TagWriter (Android) for NFC-compatible tags.
  • Using RFID SDKs and desktop writers for enterprise applications.
  • Tips on selecting the right memory format (ASCII, HEX, EPC).

Want to start now? We recommend exploring these resources in the meantime:

Need help writing data to your RFID tags or choosing compatible tools? Contact our technical team 를 통해 맞춤형 지원을 받을 수 있습니다.

How RFID Tags Store Data Internally

At its core, an RFID tag is a tiny storage device with specific memory banks. Understanding the internal memory layout is critical when planning what kind of data to store — and how much.

Types of Memory in RFID Tags

  • ROM (Read-Only Memory): Data written during manufacturing. It can’t be changed.
  • EEPROM (Electrically Erasable): Rewritable; most commonly used in modern RFID.
  • RAM: Temporary storage, often used during active transactions.

Common Memory Types

  • Read-Only (RO): Cannot be changed. Used for fixed IDs.
  • Read/Write (RW): Can be modified with compatible readers.
  • WORM (Write Once, Read Many): Once programmed, data is locked.

Memory Banks in EPCglobal Gen2 Tags (UHF)

Memory BankContentsWritable?
(주)에프씨씨Product ID (96-128 bits typical)
TIDUnique tag/chip identifier
사용자 메모리Application-specific data
ReservedPasswords for access/kill commands✅ (Restricted)

Best Practice: Use EPC for SKU or product identifiers, and User Memory for extra data like timestamps, lot numbers, or logistics metadata.

Bit & Block Formatting

  • Memory is divided into blocks (16 or 32 bits).
  • Each block can be addressed individually.
  • Data encoding must respect block size and tag specs.

Example: A tag with 512 bits of User Memory has 64 bytes available for encoding – plan your data structure accordingly.

RFID 태그

How Secure Is Data on RFID Tags?

As RFID technology becomes more integrated into supply chains and consumer products, data security has become a top concern. Understanding how RFID tags protect — and sometimes expose — data is crucial for secure deployments.

Can RFID Tags Be Hacked?

Yes — but context matters. While basic low-cost tags can be cloned or skimmed, most modern RFID systems implement multiple layers of security, including access control and encryption.

Security Mechanisms in RFID Tags

보안 기능설명Protection Level
비밀번호 보호Blocks unauthorized reads/writes중간
Access Control BitsDefine read/write permissions per memory bank높은
Encryption (AES, DES)Used in high-security tags (e.g., banking, access control)매우 높음
Kill CommandsPermanently disable a tag to prevent misuseContextual

Common Vulnerabilities

  • Eavesdropping: Attackers intercept tag-reader communication.
  • Cloning: Copying tag data onto another tag.
  • Replay Attacks: Reusing captured transmission data.

Best Practices for Secure RFID Deployment

  • Use password-protected or encrypted tags for critical data.
  • Avoid storing sensitive information directly on tags — store only references or IDs.
  • Implement secure backend databases to validate tag data.
  • Shield or deactivate tags after usage in sensitive contexts.

How Much Data Can RFID Tags Store?

One of the most common questions engineers ask is:
“How much data can I store on an RFID tag?”

Typical RFID Memory Capacities

태그 유형Memory Range사용 사례
저주파(LF)64–256 bitsAnimal IDs, access cards
High Frequency (HF/NFC)128–4,096 bitsSmart cards, inventory
Ultra High Frequency (UHF)96–8,192 bitsLogistics, industrial tracking
능동 RFID32 KB+Sensor data, large payloads

Factors That Affect Capacity

  • Tag frequency & chip model.
  • Use of encryption or checksum data.
  • Application type (e.g., EPC encoding vs user-defined).

What Type of Data Is Typically Stored?

  • Product identifiers (EPC)
  • Batch or lot numbers
  • Timestamps
  • Sensor data (temperature, pressure) in active tags

Tip: Store only the minimal data necessary on the tag and link to external databases for details. This reduces memory requirements and improves performance.

Passive vs. Active RFID: Data Storage Capabilities Compared

Choosing between passive and active RFID affects cost, data capacity, and range.

특징수동 RFID능동 RFID
전원Powered by reader내장 배터리
데이터 용량96–8,192 bits32 KB or more
범위Up to 10 mUp to 100 m
수명Unlimited (no battery)Limited by battery life
비용<$0.10 per tag$10–$50 per tag

Which Should You Choose?

  • Passive Tags: Ideal for inventory, retail, access control.
  • Active Tags: Best for real-time asset tracking, logistics, IoT sensors.

Real-World Examples — What Data Is Stored on RFID Tags?

Let’s look at how RFID data storage works across real industries.

In Retail

  • Product ID (EPC)
  • Pricing, SKU, and lot numbers
  • Shelf location or category data

의료 분야에서

  • Patient ID
  • Medication dosage information
  • 장비 추적

In Logistics

  • Shipment IDs, timestamps
  • Container codes
  • Route and checkpoint tracking

In Animal Tracking

  • Breed ID, vaccine records
  • GPS or location identifiers (in active tags)

Pro Insight: Most enterprise systems link tag IDs to cloud databases (ERP, WMS), reducing the need to store large datasets on the tag itself.

How Data Is Written to RFID Tags (Encoding Process)

Hardware Requirements

  • RFID Writer or Reader/Writer Module
  • Compatible Software (TagWriter, Arduino IDE, or SDKs)
  • RFID-Compatible Tags

Typical Encoding Workflow

  1. Connect your writer to the system or microcontroller.
  2. Select the tag type and frequency (LF, HF, UHF).
  3. Choose data format (EPC, HEX, or ASCII).
  4. Write data to the tag using software commands.
  5. Verify data using a read function.

Common Encoding Formats

체재사용 사례
EPC (96-bit)300833B2DDD9014000000001Product ID
HEX0xA1B2C3D4Binary data storage
ASCII“ITEM00123”Readable strings

Need industrial-grade encoders? Browse our RFID writer kits for UHF and NFC systems.

RFID vs. Barcode vs. NFC: Data Storage Comparison

특징무선 주파수 식별(RFID)바코드근거리 무선 통신
데이터 용량64 bits–32 KB12–20 charactersUp to 4 KB
읽기 범위1–100 m0.2–1 m0-10cm
재작성 가능?아니요
Simultaneous Reads100s of tags한 번에 하나씩한 번에 하나씩
내구성높은낮은중간

주요 요점

  • RFID: Best for high-speed, high-volume data environments.
  • Barcode: Simple and cheap for static IDs.
  • NFC: Ideal for secure, short-range interactions (e.g., payments).

Thinking of upgrading from barcodes to RFID? Get a free implementation quote.

FAQs About RFID Data Storage

Can RFID tags be rewritten?

Yes — most HF and UHF tags support multiple write cycles until memory wear occurs.

Up to 10 years or more for passive tags, depending on the chip quality.

Some tags support AES/DES encryption; others rely on password protection.

Yes, if they are NFC-compatible (13.56 MHz) and your phone has an NFC reader.

TagWriter, Arduino IDE (with libraries), or manufacturer SDKs.

The Future of RFID Data Storage

The future of RFID lies at the intersection of IoT and AI — where tags don’t just store data but actively communicate with cloud systems and sensors.

Emerging Innovations

  • Increased memory density with micro-EEPROM technology
  • Integrated sensors that store temperature or motion data
  • AI-driven RFID analytics to automate decision-making
  • Blockchain-backed traceability for product authenticity

Conclusion: Summing It All Up

RFID tags are small but powerful data carriers that form the foundation of modern automation.
From basic memory structures to advanced encryption, understanding how RFID tags store and transmit data empowers engineers, developers, and businesses to build smarter, more secure systems.

Key Takeaways:

  • Choose tag types based on range, capacity, and application.
  • Use secure, password-protected encoding for sensitive data.
  • Integrate RFID with backend systems for scalability.

Need help designing or programming your RFID system?
팀에 문의 for custom RFID solutions, hardware sourcing, and implementation support.

Ray Zhou 사진
레이 저우

이 글은 업계에서 10년 이상의 경력을 쌓은 RFID 기술 전문가인 Ray Zhou가 작성했습니다.

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