This post was last updated on August 9th, 2019 at 09:04 pm
Here’s a new type of RFID reader that makes new applications possible : a building block in the Internet of Things
We are always interested to discover new RFID products and this long-awaited Nordic ID UHF RFID reader is just that. The AR85 is going to make a whole range of new RFID applications practical and it works with the industry standard RAIN RFID (EPC Global Class 1 Gen 2) tags.
The AR85 reader looks simple enough on the outside – it’s just a fairly enigmatic box – but inside is a reader, antenna and electronics that make it possible to not only recognise tags but also to detect tag movement and the coordinates of tags within the reader field.
Internet of Things & AR85 Nordic ID UHF RFID Reader
For example – an AR85 located on the ceiling of a factory space, could detect up to 1000 tags per second over an area of 120 square meters. The reader can be tuned to slower read speeds (e.g. 200 or 350 tags per second) to provide better sensitivity in applications where high read rates are not essential. Better still, a number of AR85 readers can be connected together (versions offer wifi and ethernet connectivity). In this way tags can be checked across a wide area, identifying just where on a site key assets are located. By configuring multiple AR85 readers it becomes possible to implement a real time location system that was previously only practical with proprietary tag technology or active RFID.
Find out more details by downloading the AR85 Fact Sheet.
And, of course you can buy the AR85 reader at our on-line shop.
The AR85 is supported by Nordic ID’s new Radea software system, which has been designed to make it easier to implement multiple-reader applications. As the reader is Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) capable, no separate power supply is needed on PoE networks (although a DC power supply is available as well).
The diagram left, shows how the reader identifies the location of tags in various beams of the reader’s antenna field. Disabling different beams allows the reader to give the best results in different positions such as in a doorway or overhead in a room. The AR85 User Guide provides useful guidance on setting up the reader’s beams. Two external antennas can also be attached for even more flexibility in design of the tag-capture array.
You can learn more about the RAIN RFID initiative to promote the use of UHF RFID standards at the web site of the RAIN RFID Alliance.
And, find our more about the Internet of Things on our IoT page.
