Basics of RFID that you can't ask about now!

An easy-to-understand explanation of the relationship between EPC and GS1 codes! You will be able to understand the basic technologies of barcodes and RFID.

Have you ever seen the barcodes attached to products in stores? This barcode is called the "GS1 code" and is used under a common set of rules worldwide. Recently, a new technology called RFID has started to be utilized as an alternative to this barcode. Are you familiar with the EPC system used by RFID? This time, I will explain the terms EPC and GS1 code and their relationship. ■ What is EPC? EPC stands for Electronic Product Code, which is an area that stores information used to identify RF tags. The memory capacity of EPC varies depending on the type of IC chip implemented in the RF tag, but generally, 96 or 128-bit chips are used. The information written can be read and written using a reader/writer. ~ Points to note when writing information to EPC ~ (1) Write in hexadecimal (note that you cannot directly write letters G-Z or symbols). (2) Write information that fits within the memory capacity of the EPC. (3) Write a unique value (a value that is not the same as other RF tags' EPCs).

basic information

What is a GS1 code? It is an international standard code established by the General Incorporated Foundation, Distribution System Development Center, for product identification. A typical example is the 13-digit GTIN (also known as the JAN code in Japan) that is often printed on products. While it may seem sufficient to write the GTIN directly into the EPC of an RF tag, as noted in point (3) of the aforementioned "Cautions when writing information to the EPC," it is necessary to write a unique value into the EPC. Therefore, we use the GS1 code. For example, the SGTIN, which is a GS1 code that adds a serial number to the GTIN, follows a numbering rule that includes the company code, product item code, and serial number, and the converted information is written into the EPC. Earlier, I explained the SGTIN, which is a unique identification code for products, but there are multiple code systems within GS1 codes depending on the type of management target. *For details, please download the materials.*