Radio frequency identification tags

Radio-Frequency IDentification tags are used to identify and locate items using radio signals. They consist of a microchip and an antenna which transmit a signal to a 'reader'. RFID tags have been suggested as replacements for barcodes in some areas: because they use radio waves, RFID tags can be 'read' out of the line of sight and at distances ranging from a few centimetres to over 100 metres. They also enable individual items to be given a unique identification number, rather than just a product code.