Posted to News on 7th Mar 2013, 10:14
UHF RFID systems for reliable product tracking
Product tracking has never been a bigger issue for manufacturers, logisticians and retailers, so the introduction of the new variant of the DTE800 series UHF RFID system from ifm electronic Ltd is a welcome step.
Marked out by the use of the 865-870MHz band (there is also a 902-928MHz variant for the North American market) this new system offers flexibility on a standard platform. New to the DTE800 series is the DTE810 (DTE910 for the USA) which is equipped with an Ethernet/IP interface to transmit the data to the plant control.
Flexibility comes from the selection of antennae on offer from ifm electronic; for the European range 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 a tag 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 the simple Ethernet IP standard interface. The software for configuring the system of reader with up to four antennae attached comes supplied with ifm's robust DTE810 reader unit. Any required parameter setting is achieved via an Ethernet TCP/IP connection.
Further integration into an automated system is made possible with coordinating input and output signals on the reader. So a read sequence can be triggered by an external event, and sorting carried out directly via the DTE read unit. All units, reader and antennae, naturally come housed in industrial designs featuring IP65 and standard industrial connectors. A selection of co-axial leads for the antennae, Ethernet patch cords and M12 power and I/O connectors form part of the overall offering.
For further information about the DTE800 series UHF RFID system, email [email protected], or visit the website at www.ifm-electronic.co.uk.
