User's Manual

Performance Verification
Using several test eartags of the types to be used with the Panel Reader, the user can
verify read range and read zone area of the installed system using only the green light
as an indication of when the Panel Reader is correctly reading the eartags. Under
optimum conditions and without interference from aforementioned compromising
influences, the read ranges listed in Table 4 are typical expected performances.
Table 4 - Nominal Read Distance Performance
Panel Reader Model
Transponder Type /
Input Voltage
PNL-2530-001 PNL-4060-001 PNL-60120-001
HDX/HP @ 6 VDC 60 cm 80 cm 100 cm
HDX/LW @ 6 VDC 45 cm 55 cm 75 cm
FDX-B @ 6 VDC 45 cm 55 cm 75 cm
HDX/HP @ 12 VDC 72 cm 95 cm 120 cm
HDX/LW @ 12 VDC 55 cm 65 cm 90 cm
FDX-B @ 12 VDC 50 cm 60 cm 80 cm
Among many influences, the read distance performance of the Panel Reader will be
affected by the following:
Eartag Orientation - For maximum reading distance, the axes of the eartag and reader
antenna coils must be optimally oriented (see Figure 5).
Eartag Quality - Each manufacturer’s eartag differs in (a) the amount of exciter signal
energy necessary to sufficiently operate the eartag’s internal circuitry, and (b) the signal
level of the ID Code information that is returned to the reader. Consequently, it is normal
for eartags of a common type (FDX-B, for example) made by different manufacturers to
exhibit different read range performance characteristics.
Eartag Motion - The Panel Readers have different size antennas, and the smaller antennas
produce smaller effective “read zones”. Panel Readers are generally designed for reading
eartags while in motion, both translating and rotational. An eartag that is moving quickly
through the read zone while simultaneously changing orientation may not be present within
the reader’s read zone sufficiently long for all the ID Code information to be obtained.
Eartag Size - Physically larger eartags generally contain larger antenna coils which produce
longer reading distances than smaller eartags having small antenna coils.
Eartag Type - HDX eartags generally exhibit greater reading distances than FDX-B eartags
of comparable size.
Proximal Metallic Objects - Metal objects located near the eartag or Reader can attenuate
and distort the electromagnetic fields generated in RFID systems, and thus diminish read
distance performance.
Electrical Noise Interference - RFID eartags and readers use electromagnetic signals as a
premise of operation. Other electromagnetic phenomena – radiated electrical noise from
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