High Frequency RFID transponders operate on the 13.56-mHz International Scientific and Medical (ISM) band, which is available worldwide.  High-frequency (HF) RFID tags generate their signal through inductive coupling.

HF antennae are typically made in a three step manufacturing process:  a coil or loop with several turns is made from Parmod® conductive ink or is etched, a dielectric is placed across the coils (at the lower left in the diagram below), and a jumper is printed which connects one end of the loop structure to the other.  A chip is then attached with conductive adhesive or other method as shown in the photo below.

HF transponders have been commercially available in volume since 1995, and grew with the inception of the global ISO 14443A/B and ISO/IEC 15693 standards in 1999. In 2002 Japan became the last major country to harmonize the HF frequency and power levels.  Today, both frequency and power levels are the same across the world facilitating movement of both information and tagged items.

The learning curve is well established for tag manufacturing, as well as for data protocol sharing and the necessary infrastructure to build a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) application. Several hundred companies supply antennae, chips, inlays, labels, readers, printers and software as well as proprietary HF products. HF technology has been commercially deployed in markets such as transit, library systems, textile rental and industrial laundry, with a high success rate.