An RFID smart card is like a regular card but better! It has a tiny computer chip inside like a small brain and is protected by a mini controller. The card can be connected to a reader using direct contact or without touching anything.
Smart cards are incredible because they are so private and make people feel safe using them. They are better than regular cards because they are not only plastic pieces; they are like high-tech bodyguards. Smart cards provide additional features such as reliability, first-level security, and many other benefits.
The smartness of the RFID Smart Cards is that they can be used for all kinds of good things, such as knowing who you are, controlling who has access to certain places, and even allowing you to make payments without handling cash.
These RFID smart cards are superheroes for various fields, such as medical care, schools, farms, making things, and more. For example, every school student gets a special smart card with an ID. When they wave their card in front of a particular machine, it can do many good things like check who they are, decide where they can go, and even let them buy things without cash. So, instead of carrying many cards or money, students need only one incredible smart card!
Type of RFID Smart Cards:
Smart cards were first used in 1984, since then, they have changed a lot, and now there are different types with new features. It is essential to know the primary way to tell them apart.
One way is how they read and write information:
Contact Cards: they have a smart chip embedded in the card’s surface. They need to contact the card reader to share information.
Contactless Cards: they do not need any physical contact! They communicate without touching, like magic!
There are different types based on the kind of radio technology they use. It is like classifying them into groups:
- Low frequency (Lf)
- High Frequency (HF)
- Ultra High Frequency (UHF)
Another way to classify them is based on the type of brain they have:
Memory Cards: The most common and affordable smart card is the “memory card.” They are like small storage units that store information using EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) and not volatile memory. Although they are simple, they are capable of standard security levels. For example, they ask for an essential 4-digit PIN before sharing their secrets!
Microprocessor Card: This is the wisest with a tiny brain inside called a microprocessor. This small computer helps them store and protect information. These cards, like EMV credit or debit cards, have the ability to do cool security stuff using secret codes and clever math.
How RFID Smart Cards Work?
RFID smart cards come into two main types; contactless smart cards and contact smart cards. Now, let’s look at how these two works.
- Contact Smart Cards:
Smart contact cards are just like credit cards with a metal chip on the outside surface. To use them, you must physically insert the card into a reader. It’s like when you slide a credit card in a store. It makes the metal chip touch the reader, which is how the information is read or written and works.
- Contactless Smart Cards:
Contactless smart cards do not have metal chips outside; instead, they come with a secret chip that is integrated with an antenna. You only need to bring the card closer to a particular machine called the reader to use it. It’s like when you touch your phone to pay. The card has a magical range within which they are able to talk to the reader without touching it. However, the range on which they are able to operate depends on which frequency band they communicate on – either Low Frequency (LF), High Frequency (HF), or Ultra-High Frequency (UHF).
- LF Smart Cards (low frequency): These cards work at a frequency of 125 kHz. They are often used for things like access cards or loyalty cards because they don’t work from large distances.
- HF Smart Cards (high frequency): these are the most common cards that work at a frequency of 13.56 MHz. They are used for many things, such as hotel keys, access cards, and even payment cards.
- UHF Smart Cards (Ultra High Frequency): These cards have a more extended read reach than others. They are helpful for things like opening doors from a distance, paying tolls without stopping, or accessing restrained areas without getting too close.
What’s Inside the Smart Cards?
Inside a smart card, there are plastics or PVC layers stacked like a sandwich. These layers are printed separately and then strongly joined to produce a solid card. The card is then cut using a unique process called “die-cutting” to place it in its final form.
Now, depending on the type of smart card:
- Contactless Smart Card: if the card is contactless, a special layer is inside with a chip and an antenna attached to the top. This chip is like the brain of the card.
- Contact Smart Card: if it’s a contact smart card, there is an integrated metal chip in the upper layer. One or two layers may be at the top, with a small opening to fix the chip. This chip can also have a mini-computer inside.
Uses of RFID Smart Card:
The Smart RFID card is like a high-tech assistant used in various places, such as hospitals, banks, schools, shops, and more. Here are five great things that these cards can do:
- Security: The RFID smart card is like a super-secret key. In large buildings, it helps control who is entering and leaving. Only people with unique cards can open doors, ensuring no sneaky people can enter.
- Data Tracking: These cards are like small detectives. They keep a record if someone enters or leaves a place. It is like having a small notepad that registers when people check in and leave a building.
- Identification: RFID smart card technology is widely used in applications that need high protection of their personal information.
- Cash-free payment: These cards are like magical wands for payments. You can buy things without even touching your wallet! Simply touch your card, and the payment is done. It is fast and super safe.
- Easy Online Shopping: Do you wish to buy things online as easy as waving your hand? Well, these smart cards are making it possible! They allow you to buy things online without entering a lot of details. Just tap, and your purchase is on your way.
Choosing the right Smart Card for your Company:
Choosing the right smart card for your company is like choosing the perfect tool for a job. Here’s a guide to help you decide:
1. Read/Write Method:
Contactless Smartcards: They are faster, safer, cleaver, and more reliable than typical magnetic stripes contact smart cards. Many companies today are switching to contactless smart cards. Now, look at their pros and cons to know them better.
Pros of Contactless Smartcards:
- Faster transactions
- Provide additional security
- Less germ transfer because there is no physical contact
- More reliable than old magnetic stripe cards
- More Versatile
Cons of Contactless Smartcards:
- Limited availability because not all machines can read them.
- While they are more reliable than magnetic striped cards, there may still be occasional reading problems, but they are less likely to happen.
2. Memory/microprocessor:
Once the company has decided between contactless and contact smart cards, the next step is to choose how much memory and security they need. If you only need a simple card to store and rewrite the basic information, you can use less expensive memory cards.
But, if a company wants more security and different memory options such as ROM, RAM, and EEPROM, you should choose smart cards with a microprocessor. It’s like choosing between a primary and super intelligent card.
Contactless Reading Range:
Now, if a company chooses the contactless smart card, they must decide how far they should communicate:
- For typical tap-and-use cards, such as loyalty and IDs, they should choose Low-Frequency smartcards at 125 kHz.
- If they need cards for hotels or control keys that only need a short range, then high-frequency smartcards at 13.56 MHz are ideal.
- For things like parking lots or entry points for vehicles that require a little more distance, ultra-high-Frequency smartcards at 865–960 MHz are the best choice.
So, it is all about choosing the right security, memory, and reach for your company depending on your needs.
FAQ:
1. What encryption and communication protocols are used by an RFID smart card?
Answer: RFID smart cards use different encryption and communication protocols to make data transmissions safe and secure. Commonly used protocols include AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) for data encryption and ISO 14443 or ISO 15693 for communication between the card and the reader.
2. What are some smart card applications?
Answer: Smart cards have diverse applications across industries. Some typical applications include:
- Access Control
- Payment Systems
- Healthcare
- Transportation
- Education
3. How do RFID smart cards protect user privacy?
Answer: RFID smart cards contribute to user privacy through encryption techniques. The data transmitted between the card and the reader is often encrypted, making it challenging for unauthorized people to intercept and decipher sensitive information.