5dBi Desktop Low-Profile UHF RFID 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.

ETSI 865–868 MHz antennas are tuned for the European UHF RFID band (ETSI EN 302 208), while FCC 902–928 MHz antennas cover the North American band (FCC Part 15). The two bands do not overlap, so an antenna optimized for one will have degraded VSWR, gain and read range on the other. Choose the version that matches your reader’s regional profile.
Airplux manufactures both variants with matching mechanical designs — e.g., the ETSI 865–868 MHz panel series and the FCC 902–928 MHz series are available at the same gain levels (3–15 dBi). For global or multi-region deployments that need one SKU for both markets, the wideband UHF 860–960 MHz antenna line covers both bands in a single antenna, ideal for asset tracking and smart retail projects shipped worldwide.

It is not recommended. A 915 MHz antenna is resonant around 902–928 MHz; at 865–868 MHz its impedance match detunes, VSWR rises, and radiated efficiency drops — typically reducing RFID read range by 20–40% or more, and in some regions pushing the system out of regulatory compliance. Always match the antenna to the device’s operating band.
If your hardware must serve both Europe (865–868 MHz) and North America (902–928 MHz), use a genuinely wideband model instead of compromising with a single-band antenna. Airplux’s UHF 860–960 MHz RFID antenna series maintains consistent gain and low VSWR across the entire 860–960 MHz range, so one antenna design can be certified and deployed in both regions.

The main differences are gain, beamwidth, and physical size. The Airplux APRIA8005CS provides 5 dBi gain with a 100° × 100° beamwidth and measures 135 × 135 × 20 mm. The APRIA8008CS provides 8 dBi gain with a narrower 65° × 65° beamwidth and measures 230 × 230 × 20 mm. The 5 dBi model may suit more compact installations with broader angular coverage, while the 8 dBi model is worth considering when more concentrated coverage is required. The choice should reflect the intended reading area and installation conditions.

Yes. A compact RFID antenna can be integrated into a suitable display cabinet or retail fixture to identify tagged products within a designated reading area. The Airplux APRIA8005CS measures 135 × 135 × 20 mm and weighs approximately 0.1 kg, making it easier to accommodate in installations with limited space. Before installation, consider the cabinet material, tag positions, and distance between the antenna and products. Metal structures can affect RF performance, so test the antenna in the final fixture.

A 100° horizontal and 100° vertical beamwidth describes the approximate angular width of the antenna’s main radiation pattern in both directions. The Airplux APRIA8005CS has a relatively broad and symmetrical beam pattern, which can be useful when tagged items are distributed across a wider area around the intended reading zone. These angles describe the radiation pattern rather than a guaranteed physical reading area. Actual coverage depends on mounting position, tag orientation, reader power, and RF reflections.