EM4100 & T5577 vs. RAIN RFID / EPC Gen2
Comparing 2 standards across 14 specifications. 14 key differences identified.
EM4100 and T5577 represent the foundational low-frequency (LF, 125 kHz) RFID transponder ecosystem. The EM4100 (EM-Marin) is a factory-programmed, 64-bit read-only identity chip, while the Atmel/Microchip T5577 is a rewritable EEPROM transponder used to emulate and clone various 125 kHz LF protocols.
RAIN RFID (ISO/IEC 18000-63 / GS1 EPC Gen2) is an Ultra-High Frequency (UHF, 860–960 MHz) wireless standard utilizing electromagnetic backscatter coupling. Enabling simultaneous inventory reading of hundreds of passive tags per second over distances up to 12 meters, it is the global standard for retail apparel, aviation baggage, and logistics supply chains.
Specification Comparison Table
14 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Frequency Bands
|
100 to 150 kHz (125 kHz nominal) | — |
|
EM4100 Memory Structure
|
64 bits (9 header bits, 40 customer/ID bits, 15 parity/stop bits) | — |
|
T5577 Memory Capacity
|
330 bits (10 blocks of 33 bits EEPROM) | — |
|
Modulation Schemes Supported
|
Manchester, Biphase, FSK, PSK | — |
|
Data Rates (Typical)
|
RF/64, RF/32, RF/16 clock divisors | — |
|
Cryptographic Protection
|
None (Plaintext transmission) | — |
|
Operating Frequency Band
|
— | 860–960 MHz (865–868 MHz EU / 902–928 MHz US) |
|
Standard Specifications
|
— | GS1 EPC Gen2 v2 / ISO/IEC 18000-63 |
|
Communication Mechanism
|
— | Passive Modulated Backscatter (Far-field EM) |
|
Typical Read Range
|
— | 5 to 12 m (passive tags) |
|
Inventory Read Speed
|
— | Up to 1,000 tags/sec |
|
Forward Link Modulation
|
— | DSB-ASK, SSB-ASK, or PR-ASK (PIE encoding) |
|
Return Link Modulation
|
— | FM0 or Miller Subcarrier (40 to 640 kbps) |
|
Memory Banks
|
— | Reserved (Kill/Access passwords), EPC, TID (Factory ID), User Memory |