RFID reader to fix on quadcopter ?

[darweesh]

Hi all,

I'm working on project but I'm not a technical guy, so I need your help badly if possible

in short , I'm looking for an RFID reader module that can be fixed on a small drone (quadcopter), it should work on battery and should be lightweight (maybe less than 0.5 kg).
it will read a passive 870mhz tag from at least 3 meters height.
there will be many other tags on the ground like every 2 meters, so the reader should read within 2 meters width range in order not to pick the other tags.

what module (specific model) should I use and also what antenna?

your help is much much appreciated !

[burley]

We do not have any readers capable of reading from a distance of 3m. 10-15cm is the maximum for the most part. For a 3m read distance you would need to look for something other than 125kHz technology, or active tags (i.e. with a radio transmitter in them).

[frodegill]

For a 3m read distance you would need to look for something other than 125kHz technology

He does mention 870MHz tags, and there are plenty of antennas that will read passive 870MHz tags at 3m. Fixing these type of antennas to a quad is a very different story...

[darweesh]

So, does it depend more on the antenna or the reader?
do you have any reference or link on the internet for a product that I can use?

[frodegill]

So, does it depend more on the antenna or the reader?

The distance is very dependent on the antenna. Reading tags at 3 meters requires a quite large (or narrow-beamed) antenna.

do you have any reference or link on the internet for a product that I can use?

I have not been remotely close to a 3 meter range quad-lifted requirement (My quad lifts about 1.5 kilo, so it only lifts cameras ) . If your are about the same size, you will have problems lifting a computer, RFID reader with a good enough antenna and battery to power it all. For actual products, look for a wide range antenna and reader at Kathrein or similiar.