How to Select an RFID Reader

Do you want to find a article to solve of how to select the appropriate rfid reader ?  We will provide a particular introduction from hardware selection of the rfid reader. It is very lucky finding this article from thousands person. 

Mainly doubts to confirm for your real needs:

* In what environment will the RFID reader be used? Will it be used in difficult conditions, in oil a nd gas or other harsh environments?

* What label do you want to use?

* Which frequency tags do you need to read?

* What type should it be? Fixed or mobile?

* How far should the product read?

1. Facilitating your selection, we have created a list of the main parameter that determine the differences in RFID readers:

a. Antenna ports – the number of reading points required depends on the application, and the possibility to extend them and or add more quantity depends on the number of RFID antennas. The number of antennas that can be deployed is directly related to the number of antennas served by the reader. Therefore, the number of antenna ports available on the reader has to be considered into the selection process. The readers are usually available in 4 port and 8 port versions. 

b. Communication method – if the application does not require the reader to be placed in the network, it may be connected directly to host computer through RS232, Ethernet cable or USB cable. If the application needs to connect the reader to the network, you can use Ethernet or WiFi. Using RFID system in the network will help reduce price if we are using configuration with many readers, because we do not need to equip each reader with a host.

c. Operation area– The country or the federal government has its own regulations to define RFID UHF transmission. For the implementation of RFID systems, it is important to choose a reader that operates within the rules of a specific country/region. If the reader is configured to transmit at 902-928 MHz in countries where RFID standardizes a bandwidth of 865-868 MHz, such use will be inconsistent with local frequency regulations. In Europe, the regulation is 865-868 MHz.

d. Reading Range – Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology uses radiated and reflected RF power to identify and track a variety of objects. A typical RFID system consists of a reader and a tag. The RFID reader has the task of requesting and receiving information from each tag. An RFID reader contains an RF transmitter, one or more antennas and an RF receiver. The power level is the amount of RF energy emitted from an RFID reader. Read distance is related to the transmitted RF power from the reader. In layman’s terms, the higher transmitted power, the higher read distance. Of course, even the kind and the size of the used tag, especially its antenna, affect the reading range.

2. What is the difference between integrated and Fixed RFID readers?

a. The integrated RFID reader connects the RFID reader and RFID antenna in one device, so no external antenna is required. If additional antennas are required, the integrated reader can provide services for additional external antennas.

b. The fixed RFID reader does not have a built-in RFID antenna. It services many external antenna (from4 to 8), depending on the model of reader and detection area.

A solution that requires use of traditional, non-integrated reader will be relatively cheaper than a solution that uses integrated readers. However, the possibility to own many antennas significantly increases area that can be covered. Additionally, because no antenna is built in, non-integrated FRID readers provide flexibility of choice for the user, free combination of the antennas to get the achieve effect, from proximity antennas of low amplification to long range antennas of great amplification.

3. Basic options and functions of RFID readers

Each year, new models of RFID readers appear on the market. It is important to know advantages and disadvantages of each of them as well as any additional functions that can influence RFID solution. Before digging deep into functions available in RFID readers, you should get to know two main categories of readers:

a. Fixed RFID readers are usually high efficiency devices with four, eight antenna ports. They provide significant power, are often designed to operate in difficult external conditions.

b. Handheld RFID readers, that can be classified in two groups:

1). mobile terminals with integrated RFID antenna – no additional antenna ports,

2). mobile readers that gain RFID functionality only after adding additional scanning handle. Communication between handle and reader is based on Bluetooth/NFC or a special corrector.

4. Charging RFID readers

The charging mode is one of the first options that should be checked when buying an RFID reader. In some industrial or logistic applications, charging points are limited or inaccessible, which greatly reduces the range of options. Four charging options are available for RFID readers:

a. AC adapter – the most common way to charge an RFID reader is connecting it to electrical socket with a power supply. Before use, you should check if the socket is close to the place where reader is installed.

b. PoE (Power over Ethernet) –a popular way to charge RFID reader. PoE uses Ethernet cable to charge the reader as well as to send and receive data. The advantage of PoE (in comparison to power supply) is that there is no need for charging infrastructure, and there are more possibilities to install the reader in inaccessible places.

c. Battery – a typical charging for handheld readers. The batteries provide necessary power and enable wireless and mobile work.

d. Car charging – there are RFID solutions installated on vehicles (such as forklift, trucks) that can be powered by charging available in the vehicles.

5. RFID Reader Communication Interfaces:

RFID readers can connect to host devices (computers, smartphone, tablet,..) or networks and communicate data in various ways. The main interfaces are:

a. LAN: uses an Ethernet cable to join a network. Once on the network, the reader can interact with programs and other connected devices;

b. WiFi&4G:provides a cordless, flexible option for RFID solutions;

c. Bluetooth: allows the reader to connect to a host computer while remaining wireless. Bluetooth options are generally available on mobile for connecting to smart devices like pc, phones and tablets(cirfid not provided currently);

d. Serial port: RS232, Com, UAR7, are some of the most common serial interface for direct connection with host computer. Serial connection is optimal for simple solution with one reader and computer, with no need to use additional network functions.

6. GPIO (general-purpose input/output)

GPIO, general-purpose input/output are used in RFID readers to operate optional devices, such as signal columns, motion sensors, etc. Input signal is sent by external device, e.g. motion sensor can order RFID reader to work in a given moment. Reading or no reading of a given RFD tag may trigger action, such as turning on green light or sound signal.

If you have any questions regarding selecting the right RFID reader for your application or if you need more information,

check out our website, our YouTube channel, comment below, or contact us.