Gen2 V2: The Next Step In The Evolution of RFID
Introduction
Set by
GS1, the current standard for all UHF Passive RFID readers and tags is the Gen2 protocol (or Class 1 Generation 2 protocol). GS1 and the Hardware Action Group created the current protocol in 2004 to address the problems with the earlier versions, Class 0 and Class 1. These protocols set requirements for all RFID readers and tags that operate in the passive UHF bandwidth of 860-960 MHz.
This year, GS1 has released a new protocol for UHF Passive RFID - Gen2 V2 (or G2V2 for short). This new protocol adds sought after features to UHF
RFID passive tags, including measures to protect consumer privacy. Gen2 V2 tags will also be fully backward-compatible with all other versions of Gen2 tags, which means different versions of Gen2 tags can be used seamlessly within the same RFID system.
G2V2 Offers 5 New Features:
Anti-Counterfeiting Measures
Authenticate a tag as genuine. This feature will ensure that no tags can be faked or spoofed because each tag has the ability to respond by using a stored secret key.
Security
Modify tag information securely. User memory banks can only be accessed via privilege. Access privileges include reading, writing, and locking.
File Management
Create files and assign access privileges. Currently all user memory on a tag is in one file. G2V2 allows the user to keep multiple files separate of each other in the same user memory bank.
Untraceability
Hide tag data to protect consumer privacy. This allows the user to hide certain memory banks, or certain parts of memory banks, which is ideal for applications such as retail, ID cards, and healthcare.
Loss Prevention
Use a tag for EAS (Electronic Article Surveillance). By including a "store" and "sold" code on each RFID tag, the facility will know if the item was actually sold or was stolen when the tag is read.
These five features are individual options on each tag. An RFID system can contain bare tags with none of the five features above as well as tags with 2 out of 5 features, etc. Depending on the application, users can activate the features specific to what they need. Because G2V2 tags are backwards compatible, it is not necessary to purchase new RFID readers - a simple firmware update will suffice. This new protocol was ratified in October of 2013 and these tags will start selling early to mid 2015.
Conclusion
If you have any questions about G2V2 tags, don’t hesitate to contact us or leave a comment below. For more information on all things RFID, check out our website and our YouTube Channel.
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