This article describes why the Elo RFID reader is not reading at 960 MHz.

NFC (Near Field Communication) and RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) readers are generally designed to operate at a specific frequency range, and they are optimized to read tags that operate within that range.

Elo's NFC/RFID Readers are designed for specific frequency ranges.

• E001004 NFC/RFID Reader (obsolete) operates in the 13.56 MHz frequency band only.
• E673037 Edge Connect 5127CK RFID Reader (Current Product) operates in 124KHz, 13.56MHz, and 2.44GHz frequency ranges.

Here’s what happens when trying to read outside the specified range:

1. NFC Readers:

• Typical Frequency Range: NFC typically operates at 13.56 MHz.

• Capability to Read Outside This Range: NFC readers are specifically tuned to this frequency and usually cannot read tags operating at other frequencies, such as those in the UHF RFID range (860-960 MHz) or LF RFID range (125-134 kHz). The hardware and firmware of NFC readers are not designed to detect or process signals outside this specific frequency range.

2. RFID Readers:

• Frequency Bands: RFID operates in several different frequency bands:
  • Low Frequency (LF): 125-134 kHz
  • High Frequency (HF): 13.56 MHz (used by NFC)
  • Ultra-High Frequency (UHF): 860-960 MHz (Not currently supported on Elo readers)
  • Microwave: 2.45 GHz 

• Capability to Read Outside Specified Range: RFID readers are typically built to operate within a specific frequency band. A reader designed for UHF frequencies, for example, will not be able to read LF or HF tags. This is because the antennas, signal processing, and communication protocols are optimized for a particular frequency range. Attempting to read tags outside this range would result in no signal detection or communication.

Why They Can't Read Outside Their Range:

• Antenna Design: The reader’s antenna is tuned to resonate at a specific frequency. Reading outside this frequency range would require a different antenna design.
• Signal Processing: The reader’s signal processing electronics and firmware are configured to handle specific frequency bands. Signals outside this range would not be correctly interpreted.
• Regulatory and Power Constraints: Operating at unintended frequencies might cause interference with other communication systems and could violate regulatory standards.

In summary, NFC/RFID readers are not designed to read frequencies outside of their specified range. Each reader is optimized for a specific frequency band, and operating outside this range is not supported by the hardware or software of the reader.