Enhanced security. Convenient usage. Long read ranges.
Those are just a few of the reasons to administer an RFID access control system on your property or within your facility, and at Card Lock Company, we can help bring these benefits to fruition. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at just how an RFID system works, the types of RFID access control systems and more of the benefits associated with these types of systems. Read on for more information:
RFID Explained
RFID, or radio frequency identification, is a popular technology that’s being increasingly utilized in security systems in properties throughout the world. So how does an RFID access control system work? Typically, users are given key cards or fobs with an RFID chip or tag embedded within it. The tag or chip that is embedded within the key card or key fob is then activated when it is near a reader, should that individual have the necessary credentials to gain access. This reader is typically integrated with a property or facility’s security system, thereby granting access to the individual when activated.
RFID access control systems are popular security systems that are often implemented to gain access to certain facilities or access to certain areas of facilities. They can also be integrated into elevators, parking garages and marinas. In the next section, we’ll take a closer look at some of the different types of RFID access control systems.
Types of RFID Access Control Systems
Passive vs. Active Systems
There are two main types of RFID access control systems in terms of how the tags communicate with the main reader: passive and active. Active RFID tags are much more advanced and typically have more than just an RFID chip embedded in the key card, but often a power source and transmitter as well. Active tags are more expensive than passive ones, but tend to have ranges that can extend up to more than 300 feet. These systems aren’t so much utilized for access control security, but more for tracking and keeping stock of valuable assets.
Passive systems, conversely, are the type of systems that are commonly used in security applications. In these systems, the key card or key fob includes technology that sends a signal to the reader, which thereby activates the system. The ranges are shorter, but passive tags tend to be cheaper, more compact and also more versatile than active systems.
Frequency Types
There are three main RFID frequency types: low, high and ultra-high. Here’s a closer look at each:
- Low (LF): Low frequency systems have a much shorter read range, usually of only a few inches. In an access control system, users would have to swipe them in very close range of the reader in order to receive access.
- High (HF): High frequency systems have much longer ranges than LF systems, often up to several feet. They’re ideal in more luxurious business environments, as they can “detect” an authorized individual coming in from several feet before they reach the reader, thereby prompting hands-free access. HF systems are also ideal in loading docks or storage rooms where hands-free entry can benefit workers or individuals.
- Ultra-High (UHF): Access control systems with ultra-high frequency can have a range of up to about 40 feet. They’re often utilized in parking garages and gated communities where systems can detect those with authorization from further away, thereby allowing entry with minimal wait time.
Contact Card Lock Company Today
For more information on RFID access control systems, passive vs. active systems and frequency types, contact Card Lock Company today. As a leading provider of RFID door lock systems, we’ll assess your facility and suggest the security solution that best suits it, helping you and your associates fully realize the benefits of such a system while also keeping it secure. Contact Card Lock Company today for more information.
