What is the difference between RFID and ANPR?

Introduction

Think of a world where technology is dictating the traffic management, car parking management, preventing shoplifting, tracking of vehicles and much more.

Today technology like RFID and ANPR are crucial tools in transforming, modifying, and remodelling the daily lives of people in different departments.

RFID helps in seamless stock management and property management through wireless data transmission. At the same time, ANPR accelerates the process of rendering licence plate information for monitoring the information of a particular vehicle for security purposes

Although they have different functionalities, there are some places where they can and they do unite with efficiency and effectiveness.

In this article, we will delve into this topic and differentiate ANPR and RFID. In this article, we will also tell you about their capabilities as well as their limitations which will lead you to understand these technologies in detail.

WHAT IS RFID and what is the meaning of RFID?

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a technology that uses radio waves to automatically Identify objects (the objects could be anything like animals, cars, books, etc.) with the help of high-tech barcodes and readers. This technology requires tags that send digital information (Data) to the reader when activated by a signal from a nearby RFID reader device. This information can also be used to trace a particular vehicle if you want to and can also be used to catch shoplifters.

WHAT IS ANPR and what is the meaning of ANPR?

ANPR stands for Automate Number Plate Recognition. These are the cameras that collaborate with the technology to identify a vehicle, find its location, and many other details. Some ANPR cameras also use Infrared technology to recognize the number plates in low-lighting conditions. The ANPR camera or system identifies the Number Plates of a vehicle from the image and then saves the information it reads. The information that was captured from the ANPR camera or system is then utilized for traffic management purposes and various law enforcement.

ANPR stands for Automate Number Plate Recognition. These are the cameras that collaborate with the technology to identify a vehicle, find its location, and many other details. Some ANPR cameras also use Infrared technology to recognize the number plates in low-lighting conditions. The ANPR camera or system identifies the Number Plates of a vehicle from the image and then saves the information it reads. The information that was captured from the ANPR camera or system is then utilized for traffic management purposes and various law enforcement. Get to know about the pay and display parking machines.

 

HOW DO THEY WORK:

How does ANPR Work and what does ANPR check?

The ANPR (Automated Number Plate Recognition) system works with the OCR system (Optical Character Software) and then uses cameras to capture vehicle registration plates. The ANPR system reads the numbers and letters to compare them to different types of Information and then saves the image for confirmation. This saved data is then checked for security purposes, and traffic management by providing live updates and helping in accomplishing tasks such as checking the speed of a vehicle, detecting unauthorised vehicles, and parking Management.

 

What is inside ANPR?

ANPR system Consists of some major components like:

 

1.     Camera:

This is the Primary component of the ANPR system. This includes many types of cameras such as Infrared cameras, handheld cameras, moving cameras, etc.

 

2.     OCR (Optical Character Recognition) Software:

This is the software used to identify and recognize the number plates and then extract the numbers from the separated licence image plate. OCR (Optical Character Recognition) accurately extracts the alphanumeric characters from the number plate in ANPR system.

 

3.     Database:

ANPR merges with databases that have information on registered vehicles like details of the owner, status of the vehicle, registration number of the vehicle, and if the vehicle is stolen or wanted. The database then cross checks the information that is taken out of the number plate for identification and implementation procedure.

 

4.     Communication Interface:

The communication interface is also seen as the backbone of the ANPR system that enables smooth data transfer, linkage with external systems, distance management, security, scalability, and in handling errors. The community ensures that the operations for traffic management and security are efficient and effective.

 

5.     Application software:

Application software handles tasks like data analysis, decision-making, and reactions using the details of the car number. Application software is very important to fulfil the needs of different businesses across various industries.

 

6.     Feedback Mechanism:

The feedback mechanism blends the review process for continuous improvement. Feedback mechanism is an important tool because it enhances the effectiveness of the system and the reliability of the system.

 

7.     Power Supply:

ANPR systems need a power supply to operate which involves a direct connection to the electrical networks such as solar panels or battery power. Power supply also ensures that the ANPR system can work continuously and providing a reliable power supply is very important for ANPR system.

 

What is RFID and what do they check?   

This technology the RFID tags are attached to the object that we want to track. The RFID reader constantly emits Radio waves and whenever the object that has the RFID tag on it comes within range of the Reader the RFID tag sends its response signal to the reader. The technology used in the barcode is similar to the technology used here. But where RFID excels is that this technology is not the line of sight technology unlike the technology used in barcode. In this technology as long as the object with the tag is in the range of the reader it can be identified and not only that we can also identify the multiple objects at the same time.

 

What is inside RFID and what are Electronic tags?

The RFID technology consists of 2 major components which are RFID Reader and RFID Tags.

First, we will talk about RFID tags:

RFID TAGS:

RFID tags are the devices that respond to the radio frequency that emits from the RFID reader. The range, memory and read and write capabilities may vary depending upon the type of RFID tags: 

There are 3 types of RFID tags:

 

1. ACTIVE TAG:

Active tags are the tags that have their own power supply to share the input signal back to the RFID reader, they rely on their power supply. These tags have the longest range among the three.

2. PASSIVE TAG:

These are the tags that do not have their own power supply and they rely on the Radio waves coming from the RFID reader for the source of energy. These types of tags have comparatively less range than Active and Semi-passive tags. These are the types of tags that are used mostly because these tags do not require any power source and are cheaper comparatively.

3. SEMI-PASSIVE TAG:

These are the tags that have their own power supply but they rely on the signals coming from the RFID reader to transmit the feedback back to the RFID reader. 

RFID Readers:

Usually, an RFID reader is directly connected to the computer. RFID Readers can be of different shapes and sizes. They can be as small as a handheld reader and can be as big as a door (as you can see inside the Shopping malls).  

RFID readers consist of 3 building blocks:

 

1.     RF Signal generator:

Signal generators generate radio waves which are transmitted with the use of an antenna. Also to receive the Input signal which emits from the tag. The Signal generator also has the receiver of a signal detector to process the Information which is sent by RFID tags,

 

2.     Microcontroller:

We would say that the Microcontroller serves as the brain of the RFID system and plays a crucial role in processing data, controlling operations, and Interfacing with the other components to enable the efficient and secure functioning of the technology.

3.     Signal Detector (Receiver):

Signal detectors play a crucial role in enabling the detection, measurement, and analysis of RFID signals to ensure the reliable and efficient operation of RFID systems.

Difference Between ANPR and RFID:

CONCLUSION:

To summarise, both ANPR and RFID technologies provide significant benefits with certain challenges. ANPR performs exceptionally well in instances related to law enforcement and traffic management, where its abilities to recognize licence plates and analyse vehicle data are beneficial.

While, RFID technology shines in situations that aim at vehicle tracking, shoplifting, and access control, utilising the efficiency in wirelessly sharing data and assisting secure identification of vehicles and objects. Each technology should be used for what it excels in, it is up to us which system we want to use on a particular application to maximise the benefits and prevent the potential limitations of a system.