RFID technology has been widely applied in many fields such as warehouse management, medical management, library operations, etc. However, many people still do not understand what IC RFID is? Our article below will help you answer this question in the most detailed way.

What is RFID IC?
RFID IC, also known as RFID chip, is the main component of an RFID card. RFID ICs are integrated circuits, containing all the components of the controller, memory and microprocessor. RFID chips work by receiving energy through the waves emitted by the antenna from the RFID card reader, using that energy to transmit signals back to the reader.

Types of RFID Chips Commonly Used in UHF RFID Tags
There are many types of RFID chips on the market today from different suppliers, of which the two most popular UHF RFID chips are Impinj and NXP Semiconductors.
Impinj RFID IC
Impinj RFID ICs are high performance, long-range read capabilities, meeting the demanding requirements of today’s RFID applications. Impinj RFID chips are often used in high-performance applications such as supply chain management, real-time tracking of goods, and applications that require high accuracy.
Popular RFID IC lines include Monza R6, Monza X, Monza 5,…
NXP Semiconductors RFID Chips
NXP Semiconductors RFID ICs are suitable for many different RFID applications, with high customization capabilities. Accordingly, this RFID IC line is often used in RFID access control technology, contactless payment RFID, etc. Commonly used NXP Semiconductors RFID chip lines include: UCODE GEN2, ICODE SLIX, etc.
RFID chips operate at different frequencies, of course, this affects the reading distance and reading speed of RFID cards. In addition, the size of the chips also affects the size of RFID cards. Some RFID ICs are also shockproof, waterproof, integrated with other sensors, etc.
Table of common RFID chip types
Abbreviation | Number | EPC Memory | User Memory | TID Prefix | TID Memory |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Higgs 3 | Alien Higgs 3 | 96-bit | 512-bit | E200 3412 | 64 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number |
Higss 9 | Alien Higgs 9 | 96/496-bit | Up to 688-bit | – | 48 bits of serialized TID with 32-bit serial number |
Higgs 4 | Alien Higgs 4 | 128-bit | 128-bit | 64 bits of serialized TID with 32-bit serial number | |
M4D | Impinj Monza 4D | 128-bit | 32-bit | E280 1100 | 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number |
M4i | Impinj Monza 4i | 256-bit | 480-bit | E280 1114 | 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number |
M4QT | Impinj Monza 4QT | 128-bit | 512-bit | E280 1105 | 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number |
R6-B | Impinj Monza R6-B | 96-bit | – | E280 1171 | 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number |
R6 | Impinj Monza R6 | 96-bit | – | E280 1160 | 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number |
R6-A | Impinj Monza R6-A | 96-bit | – | – | |
R6-P | Impinj Monza R6P | 96/128-bit | 64/32-bit | E280 1170 | 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number |
M730 | Impinj Monza M730 | 128-bit | – | E280 1191 | 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number |
M750 | Impinj Monza M750 | 96-bit | 32-bit | E280 1190 | 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number |
M770 | Impinj Monza M770 | ||||
M4E | Impinj Monza 4E | Up to 496-bit | 128-bit | E280 110C | 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number |
X-2K | Impinj Monza X-2K Dura | 128-bit | 2176-bit | – | 96 bits of serialized TID |
X-8K | Impinj Monza X-8K Dura | 128-bit | 8192-bit | – | 96 bits of serialized TID |
im | NXP im | 256-bit | 512-bit | E280 680A | 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number |
M5 | NXP UCODE 5 | 128-bit | 32-bit | E280 1102 | 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number |
R6 | NXP UCODE 6 | 96-bit | – | E280 1160 | 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number |
U7 | NXP UCODE 7 | 128-bit | – | E280 6810 | 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number |
U7XM+ | NXP UCODE 7+ | 448-bit | 2K-bit | E280 6D92 | 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number |
U7XM-1k | NXP UCODE 7XM | 448-bit | 1K-bit | E280 6D12 | 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number |
U7XM-2k | NXP UCODE 7XM | 448-bit | 2K-bit | E280 6F12 | 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number |
U8 | NXP UCODE 8 | 128-bit | – | E280 6894 | 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number |
U9 | NXP UCODE 9 | 96-bit | – | E280 6995 | 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number |
UDNA | NXP UCODE DNA | 224-bit | 3K-bit | E2C0 6892 | 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number |
UDNA C | NXP UCODE DNA City | 224-bit | 1K-bit | – | 96 bits of serialized TID |
UDNA T | NXP UCODE DNA Track | 448-bit | 256-bit | 96 bits of serialized TID | |
I2C | NXP UCODE I2C | 160-bit | 3328-bit | 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number | |
G2iM | NXP UCODE G2iM | 256-bit | 320/640-bit | E200 680A | 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number |
G2iM+ | NXP UCODE G2iM+ | 448-bit | 512-bit | ||
G2iL | NXP UCODE G2il | 128-bit | – | E200 6806 | 64 bits of serialized TID with 32-bit serial number |
IC Cards And What You Need To Know
IC cards, also known as RF cards or contactless cards, consist of an integrated circuit that can store data. The information stored on this card is in binary format and can be read-only. IC cards operate with a unique IC number for each card, commonly used for payment cards, identification cards, membership cards and access control cards. IC cards are made from a variety of materials, typically plastic and PVC, which are resistant to abrasion.

When you touch the IC card to the card reader, the card reader reads the data and validates it with the information stored in its database. It then completes the transaction/identification process. This is also the most fundamental difference between IC cards and RFID cards, their contact nature makes them slower than other contactless cards.
IC cards are equipped with many security features that make them safe and secure. In addition, these cards also solve the duplication problem that is common with magnetic stripe cards.
RFID Tags Overview
RFID tags or RFID Tags are tags designed to store and transmit information via radio waves and identify objects. RFID tags are a tracking system that uses radio frequencies to find, identify, track, and communicate with items and people.

RFID tags have the ability to store a lot of information, which allows product information including origin, manufacturing process, etc. to be stored and retrieved easily. Accordingly, there are 3 types of RFID tags: low frequency RFID tags, high frequency RFID tags and ultra-high frequency RFID tags, meeting different customer needs. These tags have diverse applications, including transportation, access control and inventory tracking.
To better understand RFID tags, please visit the article: “Popular Types of RFID Tags and Their Applications”
Xem thêm bộ sưu tập nhãn RFID tại IT Nam Việt:
Comparing IC Cards With RFID Cards
To help customers consider and make the most correct decision, we would like to summarize the advantages and disadvantages of the two types of IC cards and RFID cards below:
Comparison Criteria | IC Card | RFID Card |
Storage Capacity | IC cards have more advanced microprocessors, allowing them to store a larger amount of data, making them ideal for banking and financial transactions. | RFID cards have a smaller storage capacity compared to IC cards. |
Security | While both types of cards offer a certain level of security, IC cards tend to be more secure due to physical contact requirements. | RFID technology is highly regarded for its safety and high level of data security. |
Physical Contact | IC cards require physical contact to complete transactions, making them less convenient than RFID cards. | Cards can be read wirelessly via radio waves, without the need for physical contact. The reading range can vary from a few centimeters to hundreds of meters depending on the card type (active or passive) and RFID frequency. |
Reading & Processing Speed | Due to the need for contact, the data reading and processing speed is generally slower than with RFID cards. | RFID systems can read multiple cards simultaneously, increasing efficiency in inventory or asset management. |
Applications | Common applications for IC cards include bank cards, identification cards, public transport cards, etc. | RFID applications are found in various fields such as warehouse management, employee badges, smart parking cards, hotel door access systems, etc. |

Should You Choose an IC Card or an RFID Card?
Whether you choose an IC card or an RFID card depends on many factors, including: usage needs, security requirements, application areas, investment budget conditions, etc. If you prioritize speed, security and the ability to not need physical contact, then an RFID card will be the ideal choice for you. In case you require advanced data protection and secure transactions, an IC card may be a more reasonable choice.
In many cases, these technologies can be integrated into the same card (for example, a bank card with both an IC chip and RFID contactless payment capabilities), providing flexibility and combining the advantages of both types.

IT Nam Viet specializes in consulting, designing and providing reputable RFID technology
IT Nam Viet is proud to be a trusted partner of hundreds of large and small businesses in the RFID field. We specialize in consulting, designing and implementing professional RFID systems, committed to providing customers with optimal solutions at the lowest cost, increasing competitive advantages compared to competitors in the same industry.
We understand that each business, whether small or large, has its own needs. Therefore, we not only provide quality, genuine RFID products and accessories, but also focus on in-depth consulting, from the initial survey stage to design and implementation, meeting the requirements of functionality and long-term efficiency. From warehouse management, asset tracking, access control to automation solutions in production, we can customize to meet all requirements.
IT Nam Viet constantly updates new technology, ensuring to bring you stable and sustainable RFID solutions. If you need our advice on RFID solutions, please contact us via Hotline (+84) 962.888.179!
My name is Le Nam Viet, currently FOUNDER & CEO of Nam Viet IT Company, I graduated from Ho Chi Minh Polytechnic University. I have more than 3 years of experience providing RFID chip technology solutions, RFID scanners, barcode labels and barcode readers. It’s a pleasure to share my knowledge with readers.