User's Manual Part 2

76 R110PAX3 User Guide 9/7/2004 58981L-001 Rev. 1
RFID Guidelines
Overview
Overview
The R110PA X 3 “smart” label printer-encoders serve as dynamic tools for both printing and
encoding RFID labels, tickets, and tags. The print engine encodes information on ultra-thin
UHF RFID transponders embedded in “smart” labels. It then immediately verifies proper
encoding and prints bar codes, graphics, and/or text on the label’s surface. For more
information about RFID media, see Table 3, Types of Media on page 27.
Functionality of an encoded “smart” label depends on factors such as where the label is placed
on an item as well as on the contents of the item (such as metals or liquids). Contact the
supplier of your RFID transponders for assistance with these types of issues.
Transponder Placement
The transponder, which is sometimes called the RFID tag, is usually comprised of an antenna
that is bonded to an integrated circuit (IC) chip. The IC chip contains the RF circuit, coders,
decoders, and memory. If you hold a “smart” label up to the light, you can see the
transponder’s antenna embedded within the label, and you can feel a bump in the label where
the IC chip is located.
Communication between the “smart” label and the print engine is established when the
transponder lines up with the print engine’s antenna. The optimal transponder position varies
with the transponder size, its configuration, and the type of RFID IC chip used.
Print quality may be affected by printing directly over the transponder. In particular,
there is an area on each label immediately around the location of the IC chip where the print
engine may print with low quality. Design your printed label around the location of the
chip in the type of approved “smart” label that you select. For the list of approved
transponders and related placement specifications, go to http://www.rfid.zebra.com.
Important • It is important to use transponders that have been specifically approved for use in
this RFID print engine. Failure to do so may result in the inability to read or write to the
embedded RFID tags. As new transponders become commercially available, Zebra will
evaluate them for compatibility with this print engine. For the list of approved transponders,
go to http://www.rfid.zebra.com.