LF RFID Technology Overview

LF RFID, also known as Low Frequency RFID, is a specialized RFID technology used mainly for access control and livestock tracking. It is low power with a very strong signal and offers very short read ranges up to 10 centimeters.

The LF frequency band covers a range between 30 KHz and 300 KHz with most LF RFID Systems operating at 125 KHz and some operating at 134 KHz. Standards for LF RFID animal tracking systems are defined in ISO 14223 and ISO/IEC 18000-2. The LF spectrum is not considered a truly global application because of slight differences in frequency and power levels throughout the world.

RFID Frequency Diagram showing difference between LF, HF and UHF RFID

RFID Frequency Diagram showing difference between LF, HF and UHF RFID

LF RFID has a slower data transfer rate vs UHF and HF RFID however is not very sensitive to radio wave interference increasing readability near metals and liquids. Due to the specialized nature of LF RFID, costs for tags can be higher and may be harder to find hardware that works with both the tags and reading software.