Posted to News on 19th Feb 2011, 18:29
UHF RFID systems available with a choice of antennae
ifm electronic is introducing a new UHF RFID system for product tracking. Using the 865-870MHz band (there is also a 902-928MHz variant for the North American market), this system is described as offering flexibility on a standard platform.
Flexibility comes from the selection of antennae on offer from ifm electronic; for the European market there are five different antennae. The more compact ultra-low and low range will read tags in close proximity without seeing adjacent tags, making them the most selective. A mid-range antenna will pick up data from a tag up to 2m away, while the long-range options can even read tags at 7m.
Bulk reading of the standard tags is also well within the capability of the new system, which is based around the worldwide ISO 18000-6C, EPC, Global Class 1 Gen 2. The information read from the tag is presented to the outside world through a simple Ethernet TCP/IP standard interface. The software for configuring the system of a reader with up to four antennae attached comes supplied with ifm's robust DTE800 reader unit.
Further integration into an automated system is made possible with co-ordinating input and output signals on the reader. A read sequence can therefore be triggered by an external event, and sorting carried out directly via the DTE read unit. All units, reader and antennae, are sealed to IP65 and use standard industrial connectors. A selection of coaxial leads for the antennae, Ethernet patchcords and M12 power and I/O connectors form part of the overall offering. Follow the link for more information about the new UHF RFID system.
