RFID

As the world's leading supplier of identification systems, with SIMATIC Ident Siemens offers a unique integrated and scalable range of RFID and optical identification systems for flexible and cost-effective identification solutions.

RFID systems are offered for the most diverse requirements on performance, range, frequency range as well as HF and UHF. Easy integration of the RFID systems via communications modules and pre-configured software blocks in the world of Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) significantly reduces the work and costs necessary for commissioning, diagnostics and maintenance.

Thanks to many years of experience in the area of RFID, Siemens is a competent partner for implementation of the most diverse solutions in all sectors, but especially in the areas of production and logistics.

In addition, SIMATIC Ident supplies production data to cloud applications such as MindSphere – the cloud-based, open IoT operating system from Siemens. This makes SIMATIC Ident a key technology for the digital enterprise. Our solutions close the gap between the real and the digital worlds – and open up new added value potential for our customers.

SIMATIC RFID systems in the HF range

Siemens offers the following two RFID systems for the HF range:

• SIMATIC RF200 – compact solutions for the mid-performance range:
  SIMATIC RF200 is the compact RFID system in the HF range. The product line includes attractively priced readers that are ideal for applications in internal logistics or small-scale assembly lines. Readers with an IO-Link interface are available for particularly simple and open identification solutions.
• SIMATIC RF300 – high performance RFID system in the HF range:
  The RF300 mode with separate transponders is ideal for the most demanding requirements in terms of speed, data volume and diagnostics functionality. The high-performance RFID system can be operated with ISO 15693 transponders to meet average performance requirements.
• SIMATIC RF1000 – for access control to machines and plants:
  SIMATIC RF1000 Readers provide an RFID-based solution which enables simple and versatile implementation of electronic authorization management. Existing employee ID provides the basis for identification.

SIMATIC RFID system in the UHF range

Siemens offers the following two RFID systems for the UHF range:

• SIMATIC RF600 – the high-performance UHF RFID system for transparent processes in the digital enterprise:
  SIMATIC RF600, the high-performance UHF RFID system, combines factory automation with the world of logistics to create gap-free supply chain solutions. The product line includes a scalable portfolio of readers, antennas and transponders for a wide range of applications in production and logistics. In addition to a long read/write range at a distance of several meters, it also offers fast reading speed and a bulk capturing option.

Meaningful data from the outset

The RFID systems ensure that meaningful data accompanies a product or object from the very beginning. The transponders are attached to the product, product carrier, object or its transport or packing unit and are recorded, read and written by contact-free methods. This means that all the application-specific data is located on the transponder. This is true whether you are dealing with vehicle body parts in the automotive industry or order picking boxes. Up to 64 KB of data can be stored and individually read and supplemented when required at the various workstations or manufacturing stations. This all means that the material handling and data flow is synchronized optimally.

Contact-free data transfer and a high degree of industrial compatibility

Powerful readers (write/read devices) in a range of designs and high degrees of protection (up to IP67) ensure fast and reliable data transfer between transponders and higher-level systems (e.g. PLC, PC, cloud).

The data and power are transmitted inductively by an electromagnetic alternating field. This principle of contact-free data transfer also works in the presence of contamination or through numerous non-metallic materials.

Perfectly matched components

The RFID systems consist of perfectly matched individual components:

• Readers / Compact readers / Mobile readers
• Antennas
• SmartLabels/Transponders
• Communications modules for connection to the automation system (e.g. PROFIBUS, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, OPC UA)
• Software for system integration

For a wide range of applications in all sectors

Siemens offers SIMATIC Ident, a uniquely integrated and scalable portfolio, for all these challenges. This enables identification tasks in production und logistics (e.g. production control, asset management as well as tracking & tracing) to be implemented as efficiently, cost-effectively and flexibly as possible.

Production control

All over the world, consumers want more and more individual products. Versatile production and material handling control with industrial identification handles these requirements for growing product variety throughout the manufacturing process. This enables reliable, efficient and cost-effective make-to-order production.

Asset management

Assets such as tools, system components and containers are crucial for production and logistics. Industrial identification ensures they are used efficiently. Inventories can be acquired in real time and their status exactly determined. This means that the utilization of assets can be monitored perfectly at any time and optimized specifically for stock quantities, capacities and maintenance.

Supply chain management

Competitive production on an industrial scale relies on global supply chains of individual parts and components. Industrial identification makes these supply chains transparent and predictable, and facilitate optimum planning. This means that supply bottlenecks and downtimes can be avoided, inventories can be optimized and profit margins improved.

Wide range of transponders

A wide range of different transponders is available using a variety of storage technologies and geometric designs. Their strength is not only their high level of data security but also the excellent high degree of protection against ambient conditions such as contamination, temperature fluctuations, washing water or shock load.

Transponders for RFID systems

• Flexible and economic solutions thanks to the complete and scalable portfolio for the field of industrial identification.
• Simplified engineering, commissioning, diagnostics and maintenance through seamless integration into Totally Integrated Automation:
  • Integrated bus connection to an automation system such as SIMATIC, SIMOTION or SINUMERIK via communication modules with PROFIBUS and PROFINET.
  • Simple S7 software integration via ready-to-use function blocks.
  • Extensive status and diagnostic functions.
• High degree of investment protection thanks to:
  • Open standards (e.g. ISO 15693).
  • Software compatibility between the RFID and optical reading systems of Siemens.
  • Standardized communication interfaces.
• Openness through connection possibilities to various bus systems from different manufacturers and PC environments via communication modules.
• Worldwide service and support.

Simple integration into the automation level

With our SIMATIC Ident portfolio we can offer you the right solution: Using communications modules and convenient function blocks, it is easy to connect SIMATIC Ident systems to PLCs, such as SIMATIC, or embed them in the IT landscape. This ensures that you have a system-wide, uniform software architecture and saves considerable outlay and costs in engineering, commissioning and maintenance.

Integration in Totally Integrated Automation

Connection to third-party systems

A wide range of communications modules, function blocks and function libraries permits quick and easy integration into the application.

And best of all: SIMATIC RF is part of Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) and can be integrated easily and cost-effectively into the SIMATIC world.

For more details on the connection possibilities, see the section "Communications modules".

We are one of the few vendors to offer an integrated portfolio – consistent from the field level up to the cloud:

SIMATIC Ident supplies data to cloud platforms

¹⁾ All current approvals can be found on the Internet at http://www.siemens.com/rfid-approvals

SIMATIC Ident Configuration Guide

You can find a compact configuration guide for setting up RFID systems here:

https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/ww/en/view/67384964