Here comes battery powered passive RFID tag which is expected to bridge the gap between passive UHF and active RFID. Also known as semi passive tags, battery assisted passive RFID tags comprise of small sized carbon zinc batteries which are eco friendly and are known to increase RF signal strength which leads to longer read ranges and faster read when compared with passive RFID. It also works well in difficult environments such as metals or liquids.
The good thing about battery powered passive RFID is that these passive tags minimize the price and performance gap existing between pure passive UHF and active RFID along with less costs and complications.

It offers most of the benefits of active tags at relatively lower costs and most of the battery assisted passive tags available in the market are compatible with existing Gen2 RFID architecture which brings down the cost of integration when compared to existing active systems.

Since it involves simple architecture these tags can be manufactured in larger volumes by deployment of conventional printing processes and the small size makes integration easier when compared to active RFID.

Given below are some of the areas where battery assisted passive RFID tags could offer benefits in terms of cost, time and visibility:

 Manufacturing and Supply Chain: Inventory management and asset tracking of parts, materials, work-in-process or finished goods in factories, warehouses and distribution centers can increase accuracy and visibility, while reducing labor time and cost and minimizing waste.
 Asset Management. Tracking and tracing of assets - such as reusable pallets and containers, tools and equipment, computers and other IT hardware, or essential files and documents - can save time and costs, improve asset control, and minimize loss and theft.
 Healthcare, Security and Public Safety. ID badges or wristbands can be used to track the whereabouts of people in secure buildings, health care and medical facilities, at large public events and disaster management/evacuation sites.
 Retail. "Smart case" and "smart shelf" systems can help reduce shrinkage due to misplaced merchandise or theft, and can also help retailers improve inventory accuracy to minimize overstocks and out-of-stocks.