EPC Tags are Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags that are compliant with Electronic Product Code (EPC) standards. EPC RFID tags are designed to be affixed to items and tracked using non-line-of-sight RFID readers. EPC tags are designed to eventually replace the bar code to fully automate tracking as well as offer increased functionality.
Electronic Product Code Description. The EPC standard is a family of coding schemes that are similar to the standards used for bar codes, but are used for RFID tags. The EPC was created as a low-cost method of tracking goods using RFID technology. EPC tags are designed to identify each item manufactured, as opposed to just the manufacturer and class of products, as bar codes do today.
Key EPC Tags Terms
To understand EPC tags and what you can use them for, you need to know some key definitions. Below are some definitions that are in part taken from the GS1 ECP Global Glossary.
Electronic Product Code Definition. An identification scheme for the universal identification physical objects via RFID tags and other means. An EPC construct consists of an EPC Manager Number, an object class identification, and a serial number used to uniquely identify the instance of the object.
EAS-enabled Tag. A tag that includes features supporting Electronic Article Surveillance applications. These are the security tags that you see in stores. RFID tag vendors are now providing EPC tags that can not only track items in the supply chain, but also offer theft protection within the retail store.
EPC Reader. An RFID reader that complies with EPCglobal Standards. A RFID reader is a device that communicates with RFID tags. Readers encode commands to send to tags, and decode responses from the tags. Readers communicate with tags by modulating the encoded commands on to waveforms to send to tags and by demodulating the replies from waveforms that the reader receives back from the tags. Readers send the decoded tag responses to software systems, typically for subsequent business analysis. Readers and interrogators are the same thing.
EPC Tag. An RFID tag that complies with EPCglobal Standards containing an Electronic Product Code (EPC). A RFID tag is basically a microchip attached to an antenna that sends data to an RFID reader. These tags come in all types of shapes and sizes depending on functionality and environmental considerations.
EPCglobal Inc. A joint venture between GS1 and GS1 US. EPCglobal is a neutral, not-for-profit organization entrusted by industry to establish and support the Electronic Product Code and the global adoption of the EPCglobal Network.
EPCglobal Network. The EPCglobal Network is a community of trading partners engaged in the capture, sharing and discovery of Electronic Product Code-related data using EPCglobal-certified hardware and software components and standard interfaces.
Gen2. The EPCglobal Class-1 Generation-2 UHF RFID Protocol for Communications at 860 MHz – 960 MHz.
GS1. GS1 is a leading global organization dedicated to the design and implementation of global standards and solutions to improve the efficiency and visibility of supply and demand chains globally and across sectors. The GS1 system of standards is the most widely used supply chain standards system in the world.
For more on EPC tags, see the following resources: GS1 EPC Global Glossary, Wikipedia – Electronic Product Code