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At what range can these type 5 be read/written at using iOS / Android

DNye.1
Associate

Hello everyone, I have been doing some research on these tags for an upcoming project. Its very exciting to read that they can be read/written at up to 1.5 metres. However, what is the maximum range that a iPhone or Android can do this in passive mode, what is the maximum range under active mode? I have been unable to find out this information. I suspect that it will involve antenna size, materials its travelling through etc so something like a best case and average expected case would be superb. In active mode, we have a budget of around 50mAh.

Many thanks

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

Accepted Solutions
JL. Lebon
ST Employee

​Hello,

As you well understood, there is no easy answer to this question. It really depends on many factors: tag antenna size, tag antenna tuning, reader power and antenna size, proximity or metal, etc.

Nevertheless, don't expect 1.5 meters with a smartphone! The range with a smartphone will not exceed a few centimeters. To achieve distances close to a meter, one will need large antenna on reader and power in order of a watt or more, nothing possible in a smartphone, only with industrial readers.

With smartphones, in best conditions (class 1 antenna for the tag, which means credit card size), expect something around ~8 to 10cm with high good smartphones (iPhones, Samsung Galaxy S etc.). With smaller antennas (class 6, 20x25mm), expect ~3/4cm.

With smartphones, there will be no significant difference when tag is powered through vcc or not  This only provides some improvement for powerful long range RF readers where you want to achieve more than ~50cm.

Best regards.

View solution in original post

1 REPLY 1
JL. Lebon
ST Employee

​Hello,

As you well understood, there is no easy answer to this question. It really depends on many factors: tag antenna size, tag antenna tuning, reader power and antenna size, proximity or metal, etc.

Nevertheless, don't expect 1.5 meters with a smartphone! The range with a smartphone will not exceed a few centimeters. To achieve distances close to a meter, one will need large antenna on reader and power in order of a watt or more, nothing possible in a smartphone, only with industrial readers.

With smartphones, in best conditions (class 1 antenna for the tag, which means credit card size), expect something around ~8 to 10cm with high good smartphones (iPhones, Samsung Galaxy S etc.). With smaller antennas (class 6, 20x25mm), expect ~3/4cm.

With smartphones, there will be no significant difference when tag is powered through vcc or not  This only provides some improvement for powerful long range RF readers where you want to achieve more than ~50cm.

Best regards.