Active RFID

Radio frequency identification technology where battery-powered tags actively transmit signals at regular intervals. Communicates over much longer distances (30-100+ meters) than passive RFID and enables real-time tracking. Commonly used for tracking high-value assets, vehicles, and personnel. Tags are more expensive but offer superior range and functionality.

RFID technology where tags contain batteries to actively broadcast signals, enabling longer read ranges (50-100 meters) compared to passive RFID. In industrial environments, active RFID tags transmit at programmable intervals (typically 1-60 seconds) at frequencies of 433 MHz, 868-915 MHz, or 2.4 GHz. Battery life ranges from 3-7 years depending on transmission frequency and environmental conditions. Active RFID provides only zone-level positioning accuracy (knowing which reader detected the tag) rather than precise coordinates.

Common applications include container tracking in ports, vehicle tracking in yards, and tool tracking in large facilities where precise positioning is unnecessary. Tags cost $15-50 per unit, significantly more than passive RFID but less than UWB or other precision positioning tags.