FAQs
What is RFID?
What is RAIN?
What is the relationship between RAIN and AIM?
What will the RAIN Alliance do?
When was the RAIN RFID Alliance formed?
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?
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?
Does the RAIN RFID tag contain any information about me?
How much information does the RAIN RFID tag contain?
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=