Can we use UHF tags and readers at other frequency ranges?

Published: August 13, 2011

Can we use UHF tags and readers at other frequency ranges, such as LF, HF and microwave? Do the the readers and tags operate independent of frequency range?

No. Readers are designed to operate at a specific frequency or frequency range and can only communicate with tags designed to operate at the same frequency or frequency range. That is because the antennas in the tag and reader are tuned to a specific frequency or range. Also, LF and HF tags communicate in the near field (the tag has to be within one wavelength of the reader), using inductive coupling and UHF tags operate in the far field and use backscatter, a completely different communication technique.

—Mark Roberti, Founder and Editor, RFID Journal