FAQs

What is RFID?

RFID is a wireless technology that allows the easy and inexpensive allocation and detection of the identity of an item or thing. A “tag” is placed on the thing, and a reader is used to interrogate the tag. There are several different types of RFID. RAIN RFID is the brand name for passive UHF RFID.

What is RAIN?

RAIN is both an industry alliance much like the Bluetooth SIG and Wi-Fi Alliance and a technology. Membership in the Alliance is open to any organization that has an interest in passive UHF RFID.

What is the relationship between RAIN and AIM?

RAIN is an AIM Global Alliance. AIM is the AIDC industry leader dating back to 1972.

What will the RAIN Alliance do?

RAIN will promote awareness, education, and initiatives to accelerate UHF RFID growth and adoption in business and consumer applications worldwide. RAIN will deliver consistent, focused messaging about the benefits of UHF RFID to end users and consumers alike.

When was the RAIN RFID Alliance formed?

The RAIN RFID Alliance is an organization founded in April 2014 by Google, Intel, Impinj, Smartrac and AIM.

What is the RAIN RFID standard?

RAIN RFID is not one standard. The technology uses the GS1 Gen2 UHF RFID specification, incorporated into the ISO/IEC 18000-63 air interface standard. There are many other standards related to the use of RAIN depending on which data system is used with the tag. To find out more about the many standards involved see https://rainrfid.org/downloadpdf?link=https://rainrfid.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/RAIN-RFID-Relevant-Standards-V.1.2.pdf&title=RAIN+RFID+Relevant+Standards

What is RAIN RFID used for?

RAIN RFID provides the identification, location, and authentication of the thing that the tag is attached to. It can also be used to connect to sensors or actuators. Examples of applications that use RAIN RFID are retail, healthcare, and aviation where the rapid accurate collection of information is essential for efficient business.

What is the relationship with GS1?

GS1 was the original creator of the EPC Gen 2 air interface. This work was then taken into ISO as the foundation of the ISO/IEC 18000-63 Standard. RAIN and GS1 work hand in hand on the technology and have agreed that the technology should be called RAIN RFID and the GS1 data system is the EPC Code.

How do I know if a product has RAIN RFID?

Products can have RAIN RFID attached as a label, a swing tag, or embedded in them. The labeling of the item usually shows if RAIN RFID is present. The label may include the RAIN logo, the EPC symbol, or the European RFID emblem.

Does the RAIN RFID tag contain any information about me?

The information in the RAIN RFID tag is related to the item that it is attached to. This information could be a product identifier, a date, etc. There is no personal information encoded in the tag unless the tag is acting as an identification badge for a person.

How much information does the RAIN RFID tag contain?

Most RAIN RFID tags only contain a simple number, usually 96 or 128 binary bits (12 or 16 characters). This number is used as a lookup in a database to identify the item the tag is attached to.

What does RAIN compliant mean?

The RAIN Alliance does not test for compliance. To be compliant a tag or reader should follow the GS1 Gen2 UHF RFID specification or the ISO/IEC 18000-63 air interface standard and follow the appropriate data encoding rules.

What is the RAIN Reader Communications Interface (RCI)?

The RAIN Alliance has developed a universal interface for systems to talk to readers and then tags. This interface has been implemented by several reader manufacturers, making it easier for a solution provider or end-user to change readers in a system. https://rainrfid.org/downloadpdf?link=https://rainrfid.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/RAIN-RFID-RCI-v4-final.pdf&title=RAIN+Reader+Communication+Interface+Guideline+-+V.4.0

What data should be encoded on the RAIN tag?

This depends on the data system that is being used. There are many systems available, and the correct one for the application should be used. It is important that the data is encoded in the correct format so that:

The application understands the data
There is no confusion or interference with tags from other applications (so called Acid RAIN) See: https://rainrfid.org/downloadpdf?link=https://rainrfid.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/RAIN-TechNote-Item-Numbering-and-Tag-Data.pdf&title=RAIN+Item+Numbering+and+Tag+Data And https://rainrfid.org/downloadpdf?link=https://rainrfid.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AdvNote-Item-Numbering-to-avoid-tag-interference-v1.pdf&title=RAIN+Item+Numbering+to+Avoid+Tag+Interference

Where can I get more information about RAIN and encoding data?

First download the RAIN E-Book:
https://rainrfid.org/downloadpdf?link=https://rainrfid.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/What-is-RAIN-E-Book-Winter-2019-Spring-2020_v3.1.pdf&title=What+is+RAIN+RFID%3F++-++E-Book
Next read some of the technical documents on the web site:
https://rainrfid.org/resources/?c=rain-alliance,rain-rfid&t=advisory,technical-note&s=