User's Manual

Tags User Manual PRF-TAG’s
Page 6 of 15
NOTE:
The PureRF Initializer is a device used to configure tags and to set up their
operational parameters, such as: Tag On/Off, Tag Type, Sensors On/Off,
transmissions timings, alarms and so on. The Initializer is the only device that
can perform two-way communication with tags using a combination of the RF
and LF channels that are incorporated in each tag.
1.2 What is a PureRF Tag?
The PureRF Tag is Vuance’s RFID tag. RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. An
RFID tag is an electronic PCB combined with an antenna in a compact package. The
packaging is structured to enable the RFID tag to be attached to an object or a person to
be tracked. It can be attached to or incorporated into a product, animal or person for the
purpose of identification and location detection using radio waves. Tags can be detected
from varying distances depending on the surroundings influence on radio waves
propagation.
After a PureRF tag is activated by a PureRF Initializer, it broadcasts at random timing a
signal that contains its unique identifier that is picked up by one or more PureRF receivers.
The current position of the tag is determined by the receiver that picks up the strongest
RSSI (signal strength) value. More information is provided in the What is a PureRF
Receiver? section on page 7.
PureRF tags also contain a short-range LF receiver that can pick up signals transmitted by
PureRF activators and Initializers. PureRF activators are deployed throughout the
monitored space and continually transmit a short-range uniquely identifying signal.
When an activator’s ID is picked up by a PureRF tag, the activator's ID is included in the
PureRF tag’s message transmissions. This indicates the tag’s location with more precise
accuracy (compared to the RSSI method described earlier) because the PureRF tag must
be physically very close (approximately within 2 meters/6 feet) to this activator in order to
pick up the activator’s signal.
1.2.1 PureRF Tag Events
A tag can broadcast a variety of types of PureRF messages which are picked up by the
receivers, which transfers them to the user's application in response to its request. These
messages are broadcasted by the tag repeatedly at random intervals as defined during
setup, such as:
NOTE:
The location of a tag can be determined according to the receiver(s) that picks up
the strongest signal.
• Routine Transmissions: The tag's routine transmissions are broadcasted at a random timing
to indicate its ID and status. The timing of this message is random according to parameters
defined during the tag's setup. The definition of these may vary according to the application
requirements.