Rfid UHF tests on RFD 8500, PPE and laundry mobile monitoring

The aim of this page is to show you what can be done with Rfid on Uhf Rfid readers, such as tracking PPE or washing, dry-cleaning, etc..

We’ve made a double test application for you: one part is an inventory that lists tags read in the reader’s vicinity (it reads far away), and the other part is software for locating a tag (i.e. an attached object) chosen from the list.

We’ve made a quick video to demonstrate the speed, scope and simplicity of these machines! First of all the video (1mn 06s) of the RFD8500 and the UHF inventory and localization test application (on Decathon chips):

Explanations of the RFD 8500 demonstration: speed, distance and wall crossing

Here we see that taking an inventory of a hundred tags (Rfid UHF from Décathlon) is a matter of seconds. The reader itself is capable of 600 readings per second. Imagine how little time you’ll need to inventory your store!

We also see that reading doesn’t stop at proximity, but also at distance: indeed, the reader can read up to a “nominal” distance of 6 meters, so more is possible. With our software, we can “capture” this distance and give the user a useful search indication.

It also appears that chips buried under a pile of other chips (in the crate: another video on the same channel), as in a laundry bag, are potentially read and especially read through the partition of a plastic crate (cardboard boxes too, but not metal). It is possible, and therefore to be taken into account, that readings can be read beyond sight, as through a thin office partition, a laundry bag.

We can therefore imagine applications for tracking PPE, safety clothing, linen for retirement homes, counting the number of times laundry has been done, identifying the owner of the linen.

Smartphone adapter for this RFID reader: We selected an adapter that allows any smartphone or rugged terminal to be attached to or removed from the Zebra RFD8500 at will.

Without going into the code itself, as a publisher we have basically integrated the SDK (the low-level code made available by the machine’s manufacturer) and thus provided you with commands that can be easily used in the rapid development software.

Secondly, for Bluetooth connection, pairing must be performed once beforehand by the user; this pairing is recalled on opening by the terminal via the application, and it quickly reconnects to the “Sled” Rdf85500.

Two other lines that detect the name “RFD” in the device name and in other “events”: this is a programming of simple events that occur or may occur: pressing a particular button, on a zone of the screen, detection of Bluetooth or rfid tags, etc. …a minimum of training is required to get started in good conditions all the same.

A checkbox activates the inventory: all you have to do is point the reader in all directions: the table fills up and is displayed when you uncheck it, assuming you’ve caught everything in the net of waves!

Select a tag from the list (it turns blue) and pull the trigger as you approach various locations: two visual distance indicators and an audible one guide you to the result of your approach to the tag you’re looking for.

The code can be adapted to any other UHF Bluetooth sled.

We’ll be happy to help you design your first Rfid application.