Asset Tracking places its own demands on the antenna: the link budget, the interference environment and the physical install all differ from a generic rfid antennas deployment. This page works through those requirements and maps them onto specific models.
What the application demands
This deployment sets its own constraints on the antenna: the link budget, the interference environment, the physical mounting and the environmental exposure all have to be specified together rather than one at a time.
Turning that into a specification
- Take the operating band from the radio datasheet, including any guard at the band edges.
- Decide the coverage shape first, omnidirectional or sector, and only then take the highest gain that still fits it.
- Measure the feedline run and subtract its loss before comparing antenna gain figures.
- Confirm the connector on the radio and order the matching interface rather than adapting in the field.
Models used for Asset Tracking
| Model | Band (MHz) | Gain | Polarization | Length | Connector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AW-BL0827-3 | 698–2700 | 3 dBi | Vertical | 110 mm | SMA-Male |
| AW-FPC0827-3 | 698–2700 | 3 dBi | Linear | 55 mm | IPEX MHF (U.FL) |
| AW-CL0827-2 | 698–2700 | 2 dBi | Linear | 50 mm | IPEX MHF (U.FL) |
| AW-PCB0827-2 | 698–2700 | 2 dBi | Linear | 55 mm | Solder pad |
| AW-SPR0827-2 | 824–960 | 2 dBi | Linear | 26 mm | Solder pad |
| AW-CP-BD-2535 | 1561–1606 | 28 dBi | RHCP | 25 mm | IPEX MHF (U.FL) |
| AW-CP-GPS-2525 | 1575–1576 | 4 dBi | RHCP | 25 mm | Solder pad |
| AW-FPC2458-4 | 2400–5850 | 4 dBi | Linear | 55 mm | IPEX MHF (U.FL) |
| AW-CP-GPS-1818 | 1575–1576 | 3 dBi | RHCP | 18 mm | Solder pad |
| AW-CP-BD-MINI-1212 | 1561–1606 | 2 dBi | RHCP | 12 mm | Solder pad |
| AW-CP-GPS-1212 | 1575–1576 | 2 dBi | RHCP | 12 mm | Solder pad |
Grounding and surge protection
Most RFID antennas are indoor and require no lightning protection; outdoor yard-management deployments should follow standard surge-protection practice.