Scanning Multiple RFID Tags

Other Miscellaneous
1

I have an application that needs scanning of multiple RFID tags (about 30-40) in a range of about 1 meter at max.

I came across the M6E module from Sparkfun.

Will that be a right fit ?

Also, while browsing about the module, it needs EPC Gen2 tags, which do not seem to be available on the Sparkfun website.

Are there any alternatives for the same ?

Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks

2

A question on scanning multiple RFID tags was handled before viewtopic.php?f=118&t=59584. The Sparkfun RFID library handles a subset of the larger MercuryAPi and these “GEN2 Tag connection settings” are not included.

As for the tags they are available https://www.sparkfun.com/products/20228

3

Thanks for reply @paulvha

So, I ll use these tags (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/20228) with the M6E module (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/14066)

PS - I am not using any Python library. I ll use Arduino itself.

So, following this guide(https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/si … okup-guide) should help my application - of scanning multiple tags (about 20-30 tags) in a range of max 1 meter work, right ?

Just confirming once before I make the purchase.

4

I am concerned it will work.

For sure the M6E can read multiple tags, but

  1. you will find that the tag that receives the strongest RFID signal will be detected most of the time.

  2. Multiple tags responding at the same time can/will cause collisions and thus not being detected correctly.

  3. Even if it works, you will need an external UHF antenna. (e.g. https://www.sparkfun.com/products/14131)

  4. You will need a very strong power supply to allow the maximum RFID signal (27db)

As indicated in the other forum post, the bigger MercuryAPI has the possibility for GEN2 tag settings. It will allow you to instruct a tag NOT to respond again for a certain period, increasing the opportunity for the other tags to be detected. That option GEN2 option setting is NOT part of the Sparkfun library.

5

Alright. Thanks @paulvha

As you suggested - I must use the MercuryAPI, which is not a part of the Sparkfun library. So, can I use it with the Sparkfun board itself? Or I should use it on a Standalone computer like R-Pi (using some Python wrapper like - https://github.com/gotthardp/python-mercuryapi) and then connect the RPi with the Sparkfun M6E nano board (using the Serial UART interface.

If so, what would the hardware connection between the RPi and M6E Nano be like - connecting TX ↔ RX, RX ↔ TX, GND - GND, Vcc - Vcc ?

6

you can use it with the Sparkfun board and then either connect it directly to serial pins or connect it to USB and use the USB to Serial converter to a Raspberry PI