Imagine every product having its own unique "identity card" that can be precisely identified and tracked whether it's in a warehouse, in transit, or on a store shelf. This is the power of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology. At the heart of this digital identification system lie two crucial components: the EPC (Electronic Product Code) and user memory. This article provides an in-depth analysis of EPC structure, user memory functionality, and offers practical guidance for selecting RFID tags based on these parameters to build efficient, reliable RFID systems.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a contactless automatic identification technology that uses radio waves to identify objects and retrieve related data without human intervention, functioning effectively in various challenging environments. A typical RFID system consists of three components:

• Tag: Attached to objects, storing electronic data containing product information. Tags come in passive (no battery), active (with battery), and semi-passive varieties.
• Reader: Device that reads and writes data to tags through radio frequency communication.
• Application System: Processes reader data for practical applications like inventory management and product tracking.

With advantages including contactless operation, rapid reading, large data capacity, and environmental resilience, RFID technology has found widespread use in supply chain management, logistics, retail, healthcare, and asset tracking.

The Electronic Product Code (EPC) is a unique identification system for physical objects, enabling global product tracking and management. As an advanced version of traditional barcodes, EPC identifies not just product categories but individual items.

EPC codes contain multiple fields with specific meanings:

• Header: Indicates EPC format and length
• EPC Manager: Identifies the organization managing the code
• Object Class: Specifies product category or type
• Serial Number: Unique identifier for individual products
• Filter Value: Enables quick tag identification
• Partition: Defines field length allocations

Key EPC standards include:

• SGTIN-96: For individual retail items
• SSCC-96: For shipping containers
• GRAI-96: For returnable assets
• GIAI-96: For fixed assets

Consider these factors when choosing EPC standards:

• Application requirements
• Product type
• Code length
• System compatibility

User memory provides additional storage capacity on RFID tags beyond the EPC section, allowing custom data storage like product details, production dates, batch numbers, and maintenance records.

Typical uses include:

• Product information storage
• Production traceability
• Quality control records
• Maintenance history
• Anti-counterfeiting measures

Security features for user memory include:

• Password protection
• Read/write locking
• Permission controls

Key considerations when selecting RFID tags:

• Determine required EPC standard
• Calculate needed storage capacity
• Select appropriate tag model

• Identify data types to store
• Estimate total data volume
• Choose suitable tag capacity

RFID tag memory varieties:

• ROM (Read-Only Memory)
• OTP (One-Time Programmable)
• EEPROM (Electrically Erasable)
• FRAM (Ferroelectric RAM)

• Read/write cycle limits
• Data retention duration
• Security requirements

EPC codes and user memory form the foundation of effective RFID systems. Careful consideration of storage capacities, memory types, durability, and security features enables organizations to implement robust tracking, inventory management, and asset control solutions that enhance operational efficiency and competitiveness.