What does the acronym RFID stand for?

RFID stands for radio-frequency identification.

The technology uses electromagnetic fields to identify and track objects carrying tags. A basic system has a tag, an antenna, and a reader. When the reader sends a radio signal, the tag returns stored information, commonly a serial or inventory number.

RFID is especially useful in warehouses and supply chains because tags can often be read without direct line of sight, unlike traditional barcodes. Multiple tags may also be read in a batch, helping businesses locate goods, monitor shipments, and improve stock accuracy.

A common mix-up is confusing RFID with GPS, NFC, or barcodes. GPS determines location through satellites; NFC is a short-range technology based on RFID standards; and barcodes require optical scanning. RFID tags may be passive, powered by the reader's signal, or active, using an internal battery. The abbreviation became associated with the technology in a 1983 patent granted to Charles Walton.