RFID asset tracking antenna? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: PwrElectronics
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2025, 12:37:05 pm
content: Coming into my office today, 2 workers were doing something with the drop ceiling right by the stairs (2nd floor). I asked what was going on thinking maybe a roof leak, etc as they had a ceiling tile out. RFID asset tracker they said.There was a flat white plastic object about 1/2 meter square and a few cm thick with mounting brackets and a cable they were installing above the ceiling panels. I assume some sort of antenna.Would this be like the setup they have at some retail stores to catch shoplifting? But, that would require those special decals or tags on the items right?There are 4 stair cases and a elevator that one can use to access my office floor so I wonder if each gets one of these. One of those stairs is in a storage area so no drop ceiling to hide it. I am suprised if they are worried about something leaving the building, why have these at the upper floor stairs?EDIT: Now I am wondering if this is to read the ID badges all employees use to get in the building? This would tell security the general area someone is depending on how many reader locations they are putting in (and if folks have their ID badge on their person after entry).

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2025, 03:02:31 pm
content: Badge tracking seems the most reasonable, but slightly scummy if not announced explanation

author: PwrElectronics
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2025, 09:24:04 pm
content: Update: I have since found out the goal is to track the location of test equipment. Some folks (usually the software folks) will have some gear on their desks (scope, DMM, maybe a signal generator, etc) or in a drawer. I am not sure why they put the antennas where they did rather than a more room-central location(s) for better signal converage though. At some point, I expect a memo to go out to have a tag attached to said gear.

author: mpmarquez
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 25, 2025, 05:56:03 pm
content: I worked for a large defense contractor about ten years ago and a colleague of mine was tasked with finding a lot of test equipment that went missing. I was trying to help him and I thought it would be a great idea to have some sort of RFID system. It didn’t have to track every movement of it just be able to go into a lab with a gun style reader to indicate if it was close by or not.

author: ftg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2025, 04:19:55 pm
content: Quote from: PwrElectronics on April 24, 2025, 09:24:04 pmI hope you folks then don't work with anything sensitive to one watt of frequency hopping RF on 902 - 928MHz.They might have also sarted out the build out at the egress points, because they are used to doing instals for warehouses and logistics.

author: PwrElectronics
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2025, 07:05:16 pm
content: QuoteHmm. We don't do any receivers in this building but another facility they do work on GPS stuff. But, I think that is a different band? Not my area. I should bring this up with somebody over there as they may have concerns for other things.