System MT RFID Solution for Industrial Applications

The MTT3000 and MTT6000 family of long-range RFID systems operate at 2.45 GHz and provide up to six meters of read-range.  This RFID system is self-contained, with the reader and network interface integrated in a single industrial housing.  These long range RFID readers feature built-in Ethernet TCP/IP, RS232 and RS485 ports, along with integrated frequency hopping to ensure maximum read-reliability.  The IP65 housing with high visibility LED indicators allows for installation in most industrial environments. 

“Long range RFID is indispensible when trying to track products that have a lot of position variability, which is pretty typical in large parts tracking, automotive assembly and access control applications,” says Helge Hornis, Ph D, Manager Intelligent Systems Group.  “The MTT3000 and MTT6000 RFID reader family is an economical and robust long range solution ideally suited for flexible manufacturing systems where short-range read heads are impractical due to tag mounting or other mechanical limitations.” 

The RFID readers provide three digital inputs used to control the reading operations.  Integrated outputs are used to indicate when tag data has been sent to the host.  This simple digital interface makes these solutions ideal for PLCs with limited communications ability.  Read-only tags feature a unique code number that never requires reprogramming.  Read-write tags provide up to 71 bytes of read/write memory.

“Our long range readers come with firmware that facilitates full barcode emulation,” says. Dr. Hornis.  “In older automation systems a person may have used a handheld reader to scan a barcode on a work order and then perform the desired action.  MTT3000 and MTT6000 replace this process and make it far more efficient because tags are automatically read, and tests or control systems can be automatically controlled.”

Readers can be configured with 93 different frequency channels, or configured for conventional or adaptive frequency hopping, allowing several units to be mounted close together without any concerns for mutual interference.  Readers are designed to work out of the box without any required software; for users who wish to customize termination and prefix characters, string length and/or other parameters, configuration software is available.

The low-cost RFID tags that are completely sealed with integrated batteries, allowing them to be mounted in the harshest conditions.  They are designed such that reading or writing the RFID tag does not deplete the tag memory any quicker, with typical tag life spans of five to seven years.  Tags have a low battery indicator for timely replacement, as necessary.