Nordic ID Technology
All our RFID readers are equipped with Nordic ID Technology,
a leading RFID solutions brand since 1986.
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Robust RFID readers
Dependable, practical, robust. Discover our fixed and portable RFID readers with unique and proprietary antennas.
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Accurate RFID antennas
Accurate, slim, and cost efficient. Our beam-forming and circular polarisation antennas enhance read range and accuracy.
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The right RFID reader
Which RFID reader type does your business application need? Consult our RFID specialists before deciding.
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What are RFID readers?
RFID readers can identify hundreds of items and assets every second without needing line of sight. This makes them ideal to monitor inventories, and to read and write to several RFID labelled items simultaneously. An RFID reader is an electronic device with multiple RFID antennas to send and receive radio wave signals that can identify RFID labelled objects from a distance.
At customisable intervals, RFID readers send radio signals through a radio frequency transmitter and RFID antennas. These radio signals are reflected back by RFID labels and RFID tags via backscatter reflection, similar to a radar system. The RFID readers receive information including the RFID label or RFID tag’s unique Electronic Product Code (EPC). The RFID label or RFID tag’s unique code can be linked to a specific item in any inventory, including work-in-progress production, warehouse storage, vehicles and tools, office furniture assets and facility gates or doors in the case of access control applications. In this way, RFID readers can automatically track and collect information on any RFID labelled item within read range.
RFID read range and read accuracy are determined by the RFID technology (active-passive), frequency of the RFID reader (Ultra High Frequency, High Frequency or Low Frequency), and the RFID label or RFID tag (on-metal or off-metal, label antenna size). Distance between the RFID labels and RFID reader antennas, and metal rich physical obstructions co-determine read range and read accuracy. Because of this, RFID reader setup is best done with expert support.
Automated inventories, automated access control, automated cargo checks, anti-theft and anti-counterfeit applications, asset localisation, asset status and even automated asset environmental data can be enabled by RFID readers. The highly accurate, automated and real-time data can support decision making both on a tactical and strategic level.
RFID reader types
RFID readers are usually split in two large categories: fixed RFID readers and portable RFID readers.
They can also be categorised by:
- frequency (low frequency, high frequency, ultra high frequency)
- UHF frequency range (ETSI, European Union: 865 - 868 MHz and FCC, United States: 902 - 928 MHz)
- connectivity (Wi-Fi, LAN, Serial, USB, Bluetooth)
- onboard processing capability and available antenna ports (1 to 16)
RFID reader compliance
RFID readers need to comply with a number of regulations. These can vary per region or country and govern power emission and certification of produced or imported equipment. Some countries also documented how fast RFID applications should hop frequencies within their allocated frequency range, and where RFID can be used.
RFID reader frequency
Compliant radio frequencies can vary per country. Radio frequency bands are typically allocated to specific types of communications on the national level. This allocation avoids interference between various radio applications, including aviation transmissions, satellite and first responder communications.
RFID reader power emissions
When RFID systems exceed their permitted power emission level, they could interfere with other radio applications in close proximity. This interference may include failures to read or even unintended activation of other applications, e.g. a door opening. For this reason almost all countries regulate RFID system power emissions. RFID power emissions are measured as ERP (Effective Radiated Power) or EIRP (Effective Isotropic Radiated Power).
RFID reader safety
Next to avoiding interference, RFID reader compliance is also required for the safety of humans and animals. Like all radio communication technology, RFID emits energy in specific frequencies. The strength of the emitted energy must stay within harmless limits. The Wi-Fi technology we all use every day for example, uses the same frequency as a microwave oven. (2.4GHz). By keeping the signal strength low, certified and monitored, technological advantages can be enabled without creating safety risks.
RFID reader certification
Certification of used, produced and imported RFID readers is required, before they can be used, in most countries.
RFID regulators are organised on the regional or national level. In the EU, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) governs radio frequency compliance. In the US this role belongs to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
- ETSI EN 302-208 (EU): governs shared operation, transmit power, mandatory listen time, continuous transmission time and minimum pause time.
- FCC part 15 (US): governs frequency hopping, maximum peak output power, energy level exposure limits and power spectral density.
The main relevant standardisation organisations for RFID technology are:
- International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO)
- Global Standards 1 (GS1)
- International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
Main standards include:
- ISO 14223, ISO/IEC 18000-2: low frequency RFID (LF RFID)
- ISO 15693, ISO/IEC 14443: high frequency RFID (HF RFID)
- ISO 18000-6C: ultra high frequency RFID (UHF RFID)
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