Chainway - SR160

Two technologies, one pistol grip – UHF RFID and 2D barcode in a single device

The Chainway SR160 ships as a dual-purpose handheld scanner that combines UHF RFID capture and 2D barcode scanning inside one pistol-grip housing. It targets operators who need both identification technologies side by side in their daily workflow – wherever RAIN RFID tags and traditional 1D or 2D barcodes have to be processed in the same process step. A dedicated mode button lets you select UHF only, 2D only, or both in a single trigger pull, which is faster on the floor than juggling two separate devices.

At the heart of the SR160 sits a self-developed UHF RFID module based on the Impinj E310 (CM-3N reference design) with Impinj Gen2X support. Output power is adjustable from 1 to 25 dBm with a precision and flatness of ±1 dBm, which translates into a configurable read/write range of 7 to 100 cm – the recommended working distance is around 30 cm. That envelope covers everything from short-range bulk reads to controlled single-tag operations at a shelf or a packing station. A built-in circular-polarized antenna delivers consistent capture regardless of tag orientation.

On the optical side, an integrated 2D scan engine handles Code 39 down to 4 mil, UPC at 7.8 mil (60%), PDF417 at 5 mil and Datamatrix at 5 mil – including barcodes that are scratched, dirty, damaged, poorly printed, or shown on a screen. Acoustic and visual feedback comes from a buzzer and individual LEDs for UHF, 2D, power and Bluetooth, so each successful read is unambiguous to the operator.

The following part numbers are available in the IDCRAFT online shop – each variant is designed for a specific use case:

• SR16U-2CM2-U3E – Chainway SR160 in the wired configuration with a 2 m USB-RJ45 cable and HID USB profile. The right pick for stationary workplaces at checkouts, goods-in or packing benches where the device is plugged directly into a PC or POS terminal – with no battery management to take care of.
• SR16B-2CM2-U3E – Chainway SR160 as the wireless model with a 2,600 mAh battery, Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0 (BT HID) and a USB Type-C charging cable. Built for mobile users who roam across warehouses, retail floors or assembly lines and pair the scanner with a tablet, smartphone or host PC over BLE.

Both variants come in a sturdy plastic pistol-grip housing measuring 154.0 x 87.8 x 65.0 mm and survive drops from up to 1.5 m. Power and scan keys are clearly separated, and the function mode (UHF, 2D, combined) is selected via a dedicated button. Current Chainway SR160 pricing along with stock levels and volume conditions are available on request directly from IDCRAFT – your Value Added Distributor for UHF | RAIN – RFID hardware.

Technical Highlights

• ISO/IEC 18000-6C (EPCglobal C1G2) – RAIN RFID compliant capture of all standard UHF tags
• UHF engine CM-3N (Impinj E310) with Impinj Gen2X – strong single-tag read/write performance
• Frequency bands 865-868 MHz, 902-928 MHz and 920-925 MHz – one model for global rollouts
• Adjustable output 1-25 dBm at ±1 dBm precision – read/write range tunable from 7 to 100 cm
• Integrated 2D barcode engine plus BLE 5.0 (wireless variant) – RFID, barcode and wireless link in one handheld

Applications

• Retail and POS – fast stock counts and checkout processes with barcode and RFID on the same device
• Goods-in and dispatch in logistics – RAIN tag bulk reads combined with 2D document capture
• Inventory control in the warehouse – cordless operation through the BLE 5.0 wireless variant
• Assembly stations in manufacturing – clear identification of components and order paperwork

The operational case for the SR160 is straightforward: one device replaces two in your workflow. Instead of switching between a UHF handheld and a separate barcode scanner, your staff handle both identification tasks on the same hardware – via assignable buttons and without any software switch. The result is lower hardware spend, less training overhead and shorter cycle times per transaction.

Integrating the scanner with existing systems is equally low-friction. Through HID USB on the wired model or BT HID on the wireless model, the SR160 appears as a keyboard input to the host – which means it works out of the box with virtually any ERP, WMS or POS software without dedicated drivers. Separate status LEDs for UHF and 2D give operators an immediate confirmation of which sensor fired and whether the capture succeeded.

When you order the SR160 from IDCRAFT, you tap into the full scope of a value added distributor for RFID hardware: technical advice on choosing between the wired and wireless variant, recommendations for compatible tags and labels, and commercial terms for pilots as well as full rollouts. Ordering online via shop.idcraft.com delivers the scanner with its factory-supplied cables and accessories – ready to deploy with minimal setup.

Looking to order the Chainway SR160 UHF RFID & Barcode Handheld Scanner or need a custom quote for larger quantities? Contact IDCRAFT GmbH – your Value Added Distributor for UHF | RAIN - RFID hardware.