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Astra-EX

2-Port Integrated UHF RFID Reader

More details

  • Integrated Reader & Antenna, optional 2nd external antenna
  • Supports a wide range of application environments
    • Power Over Ethernet (IEEE 802.1af)
    • Integral Wi-Fi networking with AC power adapter
    • +10 to +30 VDC input voltage permits 12V battery operation
  • Ease of installation
    • Single-wire installation with no coax reduces installation costs by as much as $600 per reader
    • Easy integration with light stacks or sensors via GPIO
    • Flexible mounting. Accommodates standard antenna bracket or can be flush-mounted to a wall or can be recessed into ceiling tiles

Astra-EX is an easy to install, unobtrusive, integrated 2-port reader/antenna designed for office and commercial environments. Driven by ThingMagics powerful Mercury6e (M6e) UHF RFID Module, Astra EX’s Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) and Wi-Fi options allow for flexible, low cost, single cable installations. Astra-EX blends in well with corporate IT infrastructures and office layouts, and offers full support for ThingMagic’s enterprise-class MercuryAPI software.

Key features of Astra-EX reader include:

  • High performance, EPCglobal Gen2 (optional ISO 18000-6B) support with anti-collision Dense Reader Mode (DRM) and advanced anti-jamming functionality.
  • A fully integrated 8.5 dBic circularly-polarized antenna and an RP TNC connector to support an optional secondary external antenna.
  • Power over Ethernet (PoE) reduces cabling and electrical outlet proximity requirements.
  • WiFi option, providing low cost integration with existing enterprise WiFi networks. Supports enterprise WiFi security standards including TKIP, AES and EAP-TLS.
  • 32MB of flash and 64MB of DRAM available for reader-hosted applications.
  • LLRP v1.0.1 with multiprotocol extensions.
  • A small form factor (10.2”H x 10.2”W x 3”D).
  • An easy to use Development Kit for customized applications, settings, deployments and management.

 

High-performance capabilities and application-specific features include:

  • Separate read and write levels, adjustable from 5 dBm to 30 dBm on the integrated antenna and up to 31.5 dBm on the external antenna port.
  • A ‘fast search’ mode for reading tags affixed to fast-moving objects.
  • Read rate over 750 tags per second with high-performance feature settings.
  • Read range up to 30 feet for Generation 2 UHF RFID tags.
  • The ability to rapidly adapt to changing tag populations.
  • The ability to obtain 128 bytes of data with every tag read.
  • Support for the full cool-Log™ command set for IDS SL900A sensor tags.

 

Astra-EX is available in North America and EU versions. 

RFID_M6 & ASTRA_UG

Data Sheet for the ThingMagic M6 and ASTRA reader

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RFID_ASTRA-EX_DS

Data sheet for the ThingMagic Astra-EX Reader

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DescriptionPart-Number
Astra-EX Reader - POE_ North AmericaA6-NA-POE
Astra-EX Reader - POE_ EuropeA6-EU-POE
Astra-EX Reader - POE_ IndiaA6-IN-POE
Astra-EX Reader - WiFi_ North America_ AC adaptor sold separatelyA6-NA-WIFI
Astra-EX Reader - WiFi_ Europe_ AC adaptor sold separatelyA6-EU-WIFI
Astra-EX Reader - WiFi_ India_ AC adaptor sold separatelyA6-IN-WIFI