Chainway - UR1A Integrated RFID Reader

Stationary UHF RFID reader with built-in antenna

Order the Chainway UR1A and you receive a stationary UHF | RAIN – RFID reader that ships as a true all-in-one device. The reader module and the antenna are housed in a single enclosure, which removes the need for an external panel antenna, RF coaxial cabling and a separate mounting bracket. Material costs drop, commissioning is faster, and the UR1A becomes the practical choice for dock doors, choke points, hand-over zones and workstations where a full UHF RFID reader system has to be deployed without complex RF wiring.

Inside, a self-developed module built around Impinj E-Series silicon with Gen2X support handles the air interface. In real-world numbers, this translates into read rates of more than 1,300 tags per second, a receive sensitivity below −84 dBm and adjustable output power from +5 dBm to +30 dBm in 1 dB steps. The UR1A is fully compliant with EPC Class 1 Gen 2 / ISO 18000-6C and covers the relevant global UHF frequency bands at 865–868 MHz, 902–928 MHz and 920–925 MHz – so the same RFID reader platform can be rolled out across European, North American and APAC sites.

The integrated right-hand circularly polarised antenna (RHCP) is available in two variants: a high-gain 9 dBi version with a narrower 60° × 55° beam for directional reading at gates and conveyors, and a 6 dBi version with a wide 105° × 95° beam for short-range, area-style read zones. Power is provided either through a 12 V DC supply, PoE per 802.3af (13 W) or PoE+ per 802.3at (25.5 W), so a single Cat-5e/Cat-6 cable is enough for both data and power.

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

• UR1A_9-U7E – Chainway UR1A in the EU configuration for the European ETSI band 865–868 MHz, fitted with the high-gain 9 dBi panel antenna (60° × 55°), RS-232, Ethernet (RJ45) and GPIO interfaces, plus PoE+-capable power input. The correct choice for European warehousing, logistics and manufacturing sites that need a directional, long-range read zone at dock doors, hand-over points or conveyor lines.

Mechanically, the UR1A uses a plastic-and-aluminium-alloy housing rated IP65 against dust and water jets, with an operating temperature range from −25 °C to +65 °C – which is enough for unheated halls, outdoor canopies and refrigerated areas. Connectivity is covered by RS-232, 10/100 Base-T Ethernet (RJ45) and GPIO, so the reader plugs straight into existing WMS, MES, PLC and IT infrastructures. For the current Chainway UR1A price, available stock and volume pricing, please contact IDCRAFT – your Value Added Distributor for UHF | RAIN – RFID hardware.

Technical Highlights

• EPC Class 1 Gen 2 / ISO 18000-6C compliant – guaranteed compatibility with all standard UHF tags
• Read rate above 1,300 tags/sec – bulk capture at gates, conveyors and inventory checkpoints
• Adjustable RF output +5 to +30 dBm – fine-tune the read zone to the installation environment
• IP65 sealed, −25 °C to +65 °C – suitable for industrial, outdoor and cold-storage environments
• PoE / PoE+ over RJ45 – single-cable installation for data and power

Applications

• Warehouse and inventory automation – fixed read points at receiving and shipping
• Production line and WIP tracking – continuous batch reads at work cells and stations
• Library and archive systems – fast stock counts and document/book tracking
• Banking and secure asset identification – controlled access to valuables and records

Anyone looking to order the Chainway UR1A online is choosing an RFID reader that strikes a clean balance between industrial performance and straightforward integration. The combination of Impinj E-Series engine, integrated 9 dBi antenna and PoE+ power covers exactly the kind of use cases where a separate reader-plus-antenna setup used to be the only option – for example dock-door installations in mid-sized warehouses, RFID read points along conveyor lines or library and archive gates.

For software integration, the UR1A exposes a standard RJ45 Ethernet interface with the usual communication protocols, so it connects directly to common middleware, ERP and WMS platforms. GPIO inputs and outputs add the hooks needed for light barriers, traffic lights and barrier gates, while the adjustable RF power makes it easy to keep the read zone tight enough to avoid cross-reads between adjacent gates.

As a specialised Value Added Distributor for UHF | RAIN – RFID, IDCRAFT supplies the UR1A together with up-front technical consulting, matching UHF tags and labels and, on request, configuration and integration support. Volume discounts, project pricing and short-term availability are available on request, including a recommendation on the right antenna variant (9 dBi or 6 dBi) for your specific mounting location.

Looking to order the Chainway UR1A or need a custom quote for larger quantities? Contact IDCRAFT GmbH – your Value Added Distributor for UHF | RAIN – RFID hardware.