Type of Proximity Cards are classified primarily by the frequency at which they operate.
Based on Frequency:
-
Low Frequency (LF) RFID:
- Operates at 125 kHz.
- Short read range (a few centimeters).
- Used for basic access control, animal identification, and proximity cards.
- Examples: HID Prox, Indala Prox.
-
High Frequency (HF) RFID:
- Operates at 13.56 MHz.
- Longer read range (up to 10 cm).
- Used for contactless payments, access control, and data exchange.
- Examples: MIFARE, ISO 14443 Type A and Type B.
-
Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) RFID:
- Operates at 860-960 MHz.
- Long read range (several meters).
- Used for supply chain management, inventory tracking, and asset management.
- Examples: EPC Gen2, RAIN RFID.
Based on Power Source:
- Passive RFID: Derives power from the reader’s signal, making them smaller and cheaper but with shorter read ranges.
- Active RFID: Contains a battery, enabling longer read ranges and more complex applications.
- Semi-passive RFID: Combines features of both passive and active tags.
Other Types of RFID Cards:
- Smart Cards: Combine RFID technology with integrated circuits for enhanced security and data storage.
- Dual-Frequency Cards: Operate at multiple frequencies for added versatility.
The choice of RFID card type depends on the specific application and required features.