Low Read Range with the SRTR M6e Nano

Components & Accessories Power
1

I am working with the SparkFun Simultaneous RFID Reader - M6E Nano.

[https://www.sparkfun.com/products/14066]

I have connected it using it as a shield and through loose wires to the Arduino Uno following the pin out below.

Nano GND to GND

Nano VCC to 5V

Nano TX to pin 2

Nano RX to pin 3

I am using the onboard antenna and the SparkFun SRTR sketches on Arduino IDE. I am able to read tags through both set ups but only with a range that seems to be around 2 inches. I am not sure why the read range is so low but I am assuming it might be with how I am powering the device. How can I increase the read range with the onboard antenna to read around 1-2ft?

I am powering it through the Arduino Uno DC Barrel Jack (the one mentioned in the SRTR Hookup Guide). I’d like to read tags in constant read mode. Am I giving it enough power with this connection for the module to avoid Brown-out/Damage?

2

De read range is indeed low on 500 dBm, but setting that higher … can make the Nano unresponsive.

Connecting to the Arduino UNO DC barrel jack is actually not very helpful. The 5V on the Arduino is created with a power regulator (NCP1117ST50T3G ) which can produce 1A output. The Nano can take up to 900mA and needs that power in a burst (when reading/writing). The Nano is very sensitive to power.

It is better therefore to provide the extra power directly to the Nano Board (on the separate connection 3.7V - 5V). Make sure it is strong enough (e.g. has capacitors to handle the burst mode).

Of course an external antenna can already help and increase the range.

Last but not least… more power means more heat from the Nano M6E. If you do not provide enough cooling it will shut down if it gets to hot.