This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
Types of RFID Interrogators
The three types of RFID interrogators are
- Fixed
- Hand-held
- Mobile interrogators
Table 3.1 highlights the major characteristics of each type of interrogator.
Table 3.1. Interrogator Types and Their Characteristics
|
Interrogator Type |
Characteristics |
|
Fixed Interrogators: |
Can read tags as well as write to tags, depending on the type |
|
Can be mounted to walls, doors, or other structures Can be integrated with stationary devices, such as conveyors, door portals, sortation systems, manufacturing lines, and others Need an external power source Typically can accommodate multiple antennas Can be hard-wired or wirelessly connected to the local area network (LAN) |
|
|
Hand-held Interrogators: |
|
|
Hand-held interrogators can be either tethered or wireless. |
Are much smaller than fixed interrogators and usually come in the shape of "a gun" or a tablet Have capabilities similar to those of fixed interrogators but are much smaller Can be used not only to read from tags but also to write to tags (some models, however, are just read-only) Have an antenna built into the unit Are primarily used for exception processing due to their portability and capabilities Can be used in low-volume applications for tag data verification, case, and pallet association or tag searches Can have both barcode and RFID functionality |
|
Tethered interrogators |
Are tied directly into the IT infrastructure Don't need their own power because they are typically connected to a power source through the attached tethered cable Have limited mobility due to their wired connections to other devices and to their external power source |
|
Wireless interrogators |
Are connected to the network through a wireless LAN protocol or device-specific protocols Need a power source (battery) built into the device Are able to achieve greater mobility due to their wireless capability |
|
Mobile Interrogators: |
|
|
These interrogators can come in different forms (for instance mobile phone, PDA, or vehicle mounted). |
Can have PCMCIA cards to connect to laptop PCs Differ from hand-held interrogators in size and form factor Usually are powered from their own power source (battery) or by the vehicle they are mounted on Typically have wireless connectivity |
|
Mobile phones and PDAs |
Are very small in size but have fairly advanced functionality Are a proven technology Are attractive to industrial applications |
|
Vehicle mounted interrogators |
Are typically mounted on forklifts or clamp trucks Are built to withstand environmental extremes Are placed for minimal contact with material being handled |