RFID Antennas

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
B82450A1855E001 TDK EPCOS	TRANSPONDER COIL 8MM 18.52MH 3%	0
1967.000.00.00 FEIG ELECTRONIC	ID ISC.ANT40/30-A ANT 50 OHM	0
AFAR3026-SN Abracon	RF ANT 13.56MHZ PATCH	196
PLT-RFID-ANT-EL6E-EU ThingMagic, a JADAK Brand	EL6E RFID ANTENNA KIT EUROPE	5
1462360031 Woodhead - Molex	RECTANGLE STANDARD NFC ANTENNA 4	8704
FXR.06.52.0075X.A Taoglas	ANTENNA	176
SDTR1103-0720J Premo S.A.U.	X/Y SMD RFID TRANSPONDER COIL EP	100
W3580 PulseLarsen Antenna	NFC FERRITE LOADED ANTENNA	0
B82450A1004A000 TDK EPCOS	TRANSPONDER COIL 1MH SMD	462
RR-IDISC-ANT8-6-B Texas Instruments	RFID ANT TYPE-B 600X800 13.56MHZ	2
B82451L4814E402 TDK EPCOS	TRANSPONDER COIL 4.81MH 40.7 OHM	1388
000468	MUX ANT 1356-25X25-800	0
ANFCA-5035-A01 Abracon	NFC STAMP FLEX ANTENNA 50X35MM	0
3DC15-S-0247J Premo S.A.U.	SURFACE MOUNT 3D RFID TRANSPONDE	250
ANFCA-4545-A01 Abracon	NFC STAMP FLEX ANTENNA 45X45MM	0
B82453C0301A000 TDK EPCOS	3D-TRANSPONDER XY6,3MH Z11,0MH	841
1462360001 Woodhead - Molex	RECTANGLE STANDARD NFC ANTENNA 1	10055
000467	MUX ANT 1356-25X25-300	0
B82451L7804E402 TDK EPCOS	TRANSPONDER COIL 7.8MH 84.5 OHM	1185
ANT-1356M RF Solutions	ANTENNA RFID COIL 13.56MHZ	0

RFID Antennas

1. Overview

RF/IF (Radio Frequency/Intermediate Frequency) and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) antennas are critical components in wireless communication systems. These antennas enable the transmission and reception of radio frequency signals for data exchange between devices and RFID tags. Their importance spans industries such as logistics, healthcare, automotive, and retail, where they drive applications like asset tracking, access control, and inventory management. RFID antennas operate across low-frequency (LF), high-frequency (HF), ultra-high-frequency (UHF), and microwave bands, adapting to diverse environmental and technical requirements.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functional Characteristics	Application Examples
Dipole Antennas	Balanced radiation patterns, linear polarization, wide bandwidth	UHF RFID readers, warehouse management systems
Loop Antennas	Compact size, high magnetic coupling efficiency	HF RFID access control, contactless payment systems
Fractal Antennas	Multiband operation, reduced physical size	Mobile RFID readers, IoT devices
Planar Inverted-F Antennas (PIFA)	Low profile, high efficiency, impedance tunability	Smartphones with NFC, wearable RFID tags
Flexible Antennas	Conformal design, durability in dynamic environments	Logistics tracking, textile integration

3. Structure and Components

RFID antennas typically consist of conductive elements (copper, aluminum, or printed silver ink), dielectric substrates (FR4, Rogers materials), and impedance matching networks. Dipole antennas use two symmetrical conductive arms, while loop antennas form closed-loop structures. Fractal designs employ self-repeating geometric patterns for multiband functionality. Flexible antennas integrate conductive polymers or textiles for bendable applications. Advanced models incorporate RFIC (Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit) chips for signal processing and impedance matching.

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Description	Importance
Operating Frequency	Defined band (e.g., 125kHz, 13.56MHz, 900MHz, 2.4GHz)	Determines compatibility with RFID protocols and regulatory standards
Gain (dBi)	Signal directionality and strength	Affects read range and interference resistance
Impedance Matching ( )	50 or 75 standardization	Ensures maximum power transfer and minimal signal loss
Polarization	Linear, circular, or elliptical wave orientation	Impacts performance in orientation-sensitive applications
Environmental Tolerance	Temperature (-40 C to +85 C), humidity, and vibration resistance	Guarantees reliability in industrial settings

5. Application Fields

Logistics & Supply Chain: UHF RFID portals for pallet tracking
Healthcare: HF antennas in medical equipment monitoring
Automotive: LF antennas for tire pressure sensing systems
Retail: Circularly polarized antennas for anti-theft systems
Manufacturing: Industrial RFID readers for asset lifecycle management

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

Manufacturer	Representative Product	Key Features
Alien Technology	ALN-9662	UHF R420 reader antenna with 8dBi gain, IP68 rating
Impinj	ItemSense Platform	High-accuracy UHF antenna arrays for inventory tracking
Nordic Semiconductor	nRF52840 DK	Multiband BLE/NFC antenna reference design
Texas Instruments	RI-AMC-4C18-EM	HF 13.56MHz antenna for contactless payment systems
Honeywell	XF5800	Industrial RFID reader with adaptive polarization control

7. Selection Recommendations

Key considerations include:
- Frequency alignment: Match antenna bands with RFID protocol requirements (e.g., ISO 14443 Type A/B for HF).
- Environmental factors: Choose waterproof (IP67+) models for outdoor use.
- Read range: High-gain antennas (>6dBi) for long-range UHF applications.
- Integration constraints: Flexible antennas for curved surfaces or wearable devices.
- Cost-efficiency: Passive antennas for low-power systems, active designs for extended coverage.

8. Industry Trends

Future developments include:
- Millimeter-wave RFID: 60GHz+ antennas for sub-centimeter accuracy in RTLS (Real-Time Location Systems).
- AI-optimized designs: Machine learning-driven impedance matching for dynamic environments.
- Energy harvesting: Integrated solar/RF energy collection for battery-free IoT nodes.
- Biodegradable antennas: Eco-friendly cellulose-based substrates for disposable RFID tags.
- 5G convergence: MIMO antenna arrays supporting both RFID and cellular IoT protocols.