Radio Frequency Identification, Automatic Number Plate Recognition & Traffic Monitoring
Our technologies
TagMaster uses a number of different technologies for Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and Traffic Monitoring.
Radio Frequency Identification or RFID is used for automatic identification of objects. The RFID technology’s applications are widespread, as is the technology itself.
There are several frequency bands allocated to RFID operations, ranging from low frequency systems to ultra high frequency systems. In general, high frequencies permit greater data transmission rates. The transmission rate influences the time it takes to actually read an ID tag, limiting at what speed a vehicle may be moving while the ID tag is being identified. Higher frequencies also provide better antennas and a better-defined coverage area (read-lobe).
Low frequency RFID systems (<100 MHz) typically work by induction between the reader and the ID tag and are therefore generally used at short ranges.
RFID Frequency Bands
Proximity systems:125 kHz, 13.56 MHz
Long-range systems: 433 MHz, 860-930 MHz (UHF), 2.4-2,5 GHz, 5.8 GHz
TagMaster provides a number of high performance systems with frequencies ranging from 125 kHz to 2,45 GHz in the product portfolio. TagMaster readers and tags provide high performance identification of ID tags from a distance of up to 14 meters (46 feet).
Automatic Number Plate Recognition or ANPR, is a surveillance method that applies optical character recognition to images to read vehicle registration plates. ANPR can use existing closed-circuit television, roadside enforcement cameras or devices specifically designed for the task.
ANPR can be used to store license plate numbers as well as the associated processed images captured by the cameras. Overview images can also be added to the ANPR event data. Systems commonly use infrared lighting to allow the camera to take pictures at any time of the day.
ANPR provides a unique set of challenges: plate condition, variable fonts, variable reflection properties, different colours, high speeds, acute angles and many other factors which can make the process very demanding. Unlike many other ANPR providers, TagMaster designs and develops both hardware and software in-house, usually achieving recognition levels that meet our customers’ highest expectations.
Furthermore, TagMaster offers advanced analytics with which we perform recognition algorithms on overview images. This Vehicle Recognition (VR) software enables output of not only the license plates of passing vehicles, but also their makes and colours.
Traffic Monitoring is a wide application area where a number of different products, implemented using several very different advanced technologies, are being used.
TagMaster provides solutions for counting, analyzing and classifying vehicles using inductive loops. Digital signal processing is applied to the captured signal to get the highest possible accuracy.
Another technology used for Journey Time Measurements is wireless communication sniffers. These will capture and analyze MAC addresses. The corresponding software can then, using in-house developed algorithms, accurately estimate traffic flow and mean traffic speed.
Weigh-in-motion or weighing in motion (WIM) devices are designed to capture and record axle weights as vehicles drive over a measurement site. Unlike static scales, WIM systems are capable of measuring vehicles traveling at a reduced or normal traffic speed and do not require the vehicle to come to a stop.
Radar is an object-detection system that uses radio waves to determine the range, angle, or velocity of objects. TagMaster provides radar products used for vehicle detection and cycle detection.
For all Traffic Monitoring products can the resulting data be collected and analyzed in a highly modularized SW tools provided by TagMaster.