5.5dBi UHF RFID Reader Antenna

An 865–868 MHz antenna is designed for UHF RFID and low-power wireless applications operating in the European ETSI SRD band. Typical uses include UHF RFID readers (EPC Gen2 / ISO 18000-6C), asset tracking, warehouse management, access control, smart retail, race timing, and IoT/M2M systems deployed in Europe and other regions following ETSI regulations.
Airplux offers this band across multiple product families: the ETSI 865–868 MHz RFID antenna line (3–15 dBi PCB, panel and mat antennas), near-field RFID antennas, narrow-beam antennas, and ETSI UHF integrated reader antennas. For example, the 3 dBi circular-polarized PCB antenna APRIA8003CM-137 suits compact desktop readers, while high-gain panel models support long-range portal and gate applications.

Read range depends on reader power (up to 2 W ERP in Europe), antenna gain, tag sensitivity and environment. With a typical ETSI-compliant setup: 3 dBi antennas read roughly 1–3 m, 8 dBi antennas 4–8 m, and 12–15 dBi panel antennas can exceed 10 m in open space. Indoor metal racking, liquids and dense tag populations reduce these figures.
Airplux’s high-gain ETSI models — the 8 dBi APRIA8008CM-206 PCB antenna, the 9 dBi underground/ground-mat antenna APRIA8009CE, and the 12 dBi APRIA80012CT floor mat — are engineered for long read range with stable circular polarization. For precise figures in your application, share your reader model, tag type and mounting environment with our engineering team for a link-budget recommendation.

The APRIA8005CA specifies a 65° horizontal beamwidth and a 55° vertical beamwidth. These values describe the angular spread of its main radiation pattern and help characterize how RF energy is directed toward the intended reading area. This relatively focused pattern can be useful when planning a defined RFID reading zone. Actual coverage still depends on installation position, tag placement, and nearby reflective materials.

Circular polarization can reduce the sensitivity of RFID reading to tag orientation compared with linear polarization. This is useful in asset management applications where tagged items may be stored or presented in different positions. The APRIA8005CA uses circular polarization to support more flexible tag orientation, although reliable identification still depends on tag placement, antenna positioning, reader configuration, and the surrounding environment.

Before connecting the APRIA8005CA, confirm that the RFID reader supports the 865–868MHz frequency band, 50Ω impedance, and SMA-Female connector interface. The antenna has a specified VSWR of ≤1.4 and a maximum power rating of 50W. Also check the cable arrangement and mounting position. The reader’s RF output should remain within the antenna’s rated power limit and comply with applicable regional regulations.

The APRIA8005CA has a specified operating temperature range of -40°C to 70°C, making it suitable for consideration in low-temperature RFID installations. It can be used as part of a freezer management system to identify tagged products or stored items. However, the antenna’s temperature rating does not automatically apply to the RFID reader, tags, cables, or connectors. All system components should be checked for compatibility with the operating environment.