Mid Range RFID Readings M7E Hecto

Sensors NFC & RFID
1

Hi,

I’m integrating the SparkFun M7E-Hecto (link) with an ESP32-S3 for a wrist-mounted UHF reader.

Here are my project requirements :

  • Tags type: EPC Gen2 / ISO 18000-6C

  • Range target: 2–2.5 m

  • Read rate: ≥100 tags/s

  • Region: EU 865–868 MHz

  • Power budget: ≤2 A @ 5 V

  • Form factor: compact antenna preferred (≤70×70 mm absolute max)

My Asks :

  • Any proven antenna recommendations (model + connector) that have achieved ~2 m with M7E-Hecto in EU band on a portable platform?

  • If possible, include your measured setup: cable type/length, TX power, inventory params (Session, Target, Q), BLF/modulation, typical tags used, and enclosure or on-body detuning mitigations (ground plane, spacer thickness, matching tweaks).

Looking for something that is known to work reliably in this range, even if linear polarization is used (Idk if that range is possible with circularly polarized antenna though).

Thanks,
Arnaud

2

2-2.5m is actually pretty far for RFID, the only antenna we carry that manages distances that long or longer is UHF RFID Antenna (RP-TNC) - SparkFun Electronics - which obviously won’t work for a wearable but should accomplish the rest of what you’re after

I think it’ll be hard to source a suitable antenna, even this one Vulcan RFID p11 UHF RFID Antenna (FCC/ETSI) is about 4x too large based on the description above