	Alliance Activities : Publications : RF-Enabled Applications and Technology : Technology Features

RF Technology Features

Technology Features (Current Products)	Low frequency RF	Ultra high frequency RF	High frequency RF - ISO/IEC 15693	High frequency RF - ISO/IEC 14443
Technology name	RFID	RFID	RF-enabled contactless smart card	RF-enabled contactless smart card
Standard (for communications link)	Proprietary for access control. ISO/IEC 11784 & 11785 for animal tagging	EPC Gen 2, now ISO 18000-6 for inventory control tags	ISO/IEC 15693	ISO/IEC 14443 ISO/IEC 7816, parts 4 & above for application/security standards
Carrier frequency	125/135 Khz	902 - 928 MHz	13.56 MHz	13.56 Mhz
Operational range	Medium: < 20 - 60 cm	Long: 3.5 to 10+ m	Medium: < 70 cm	Short: < 10 cm
Data transfer rates	< 10 Kbps	20 - 100 Kbps	26 Kbps	106 - 848 Kbps
Chip types supported	Memory only	Memory only	Memory Fixed logic	Memory Fixed logic Microcontroller Crypto processors
Memory capacity range	Hundreds to low kilobytes	Hundreds of bits today	256 and 2K bytes	64 to >72 Kbytes
Read/write ability	Read/write	Read/write	Read/write	Read/write
Factors affecting security	Longer range Fixed logic chip Limited flexibility in communications protocols	Long range Fixed logic chip Limited flexibility in communications protocols	Longer range Fixed logic chip Limited flexibility in communications protocols	Short range Programmable microcontroller Counterfeiting and tamper-resistance features More flexibility in communications protocols
Available form factors	Tag Plastic card Key fob Watch	Tag Plastic card	Tag Plastic card Key fob Watch	Plastic card Key fob Watch Mobile phone
Typical applications	Access control Animal identification Inventory control Automobile immobilizer	Inventory tracking	Inventory tracking Physical access control systems	Secure ID cards and documents (epassport, PIV) Credit and debit card payment Transit payment Physical access control systems