Decoding The RFID Tag: How RFID Works in FASTag

If you travel on highways quite frequently, you are probably well aware of FASTag, the range of benefits that it offers to users and everything else about it. However, there are many who are still not familiar with the technology that makes FASTag tick. One part of it is UPI payments, where your FASTag account is linked to a UPI payments app and the toll tax gets deducted from there. The other part is the RFID technology.

In this blog, we will help you decide what the RFID tag is, how does the RFID chip technology works and more. 

What is an RFID tag?

The word RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. RFID is a form of tracking system, which consists of a microchip and an antenna, which is used to track down animals, vehicles, or even individuals. RFID works in sync with radio waves and can also store information. An RFID is something like a barcode, to draw an example.

Now, each RFID has an individual code which sets it up differently from any other RFID. Radio waves from an RFID transfer data to the reader, which then sends information to a computer. But this is how RFID works in itself. 

In the next section, we will explain how RFID works with FASTag to pave the way for a better toll booth payment experience, that is cherished not just by drivers, but also makes toll booth management simpler for the highway authorities.

Read more: Why should you use FASTag on Indian highways?

How does RFID work with FASTag?

FASTag has been made mandatory by the government of India across all the national highways of the country. Here’s how your FASTag works with RFID whenever you cross a toll plaza:

You set up your FASTag on your car

FASTag is usually installed on the windshield of your car.

Install the RFID tag attachment

Your FASTag will have the RFID chip inside it and a tiny antenna. 

The technology behind the RFID

There is a unique 13-digit electronic code that is linked to your vehicle and your FASTag account. Do remember that this technology does not consume any power. It completely depends on the RFID readers that are installed at toll plazas.

The toll booth readers do their work

The toll booth readers are present across all national highways, inside a toll booth lane. Whenever your vehicle with FASTag installed in it enters that lane, the FASTag RFID is scanned by the readers that are there.

Data is exchanged

Your FASTag gets charged and sends data to the toll booth readers. The RFID reader then sends the unique code to the central server, which then identifies the owner of the FASTag and the vehicle.

Payment is processed

After reading the account number from the server, the money is automatically deducted from your FASTag-linked bank account. The money deducted is based on your location, distance travelled and other details.

Payment is finally confirmed

Once the payment is complete, the toll booth lane gates will be opened, and you are free to go.

We hope that you now have a much better understanding of how RFID works with FASTag. 

Read more: Everything you need to know about FASTag

What are the benefits of adding RFID technology to FASTag?

Here are some of the biggest benefits of adding the RFID technology to FASTag:

• Adding RFID to FASTag has added the convenience factor. You won’t have to pay cash, wait for manual booth stops to clear out and more. Everything is automated.
• Saves time and fuel for all the vehicles. Reduced fuel consumption also means lesser carbon emissions on our national highways.
• Accurate funds management because the entire toll collection process is now automated. 
• There is no human interference required, in the entire process.
• FASTag has become a quick favourite and almost every car or truck out there is FASTag enabled. This shows that there has been a large-scale acceptance of this feature.
• Link your FASTag account with a UPI app and the funds will get deducted automatically from your linked bank account.
• Toll booth management has also improved considerably, after the implementation of FASTag

Read more: Here’s all the steps on how one can recharge their FASTag

Download the Airtel Thanks app to recharge your FASTag

Are you on the lookout for a quick and easy platform that recharges your FASTag account very easily? Then download the Airtel Thanks app. Complete recharges, bill payments, pay your utility bills, pay insurance, get personal loans, credit cards and much more, all from one single app!