“Having the correct RFID antenna mounting hardware is very important. Learning how to select the best type of brackets & clamps can help you optimize your operations greatly.”
Antennas play an essential role in the working of any RFID infrastructure. They are responsible for facilitating communication between the readers and the tags. For proper functioning, users need to properly mount these devices in their facility. This includes location, height, and orientation angle; allowing them to get the most functionality out of their investment. That’s why, there are many RFID antenna mounting hardware available in the market.
Today, we will discuss about these components, their types & how to select the correct ones for yourself.
Different Types of Mounting Hardware for RFID Antennas
RFID technology has become deeply ingrained in most industries and led to the introduction of newer applications that optimize business operations. This directly led to the development of newer and more diverse hardware designs.
We have access to antennas in shapes, sizes, and weights. Then comes the subtle changes in designs like mounting bolts, patterns, etc., differing from one manufacturer to another. Meaning that there is a variety of mounting options suitable for different types of antennas. So, let’s discuss the major types of mounting hardware you can find at EnCStore.com.
(A). VESA Pattern Bracket
A VESA pattern is a type of mounting configuration available for holding up electronic components. This pattern consists of four mounting holes allowing for equal weight distribution along the mounting bracket. Our VESA pattern bracket is made from die-cast aluminum and compatible with being mounted on walls, poles/mast, and a VESA plate. This bracket features two hinge joints, oriented to allow rotation along both the X & Y axis.
(B). Pole Mounting Bracket
As the name suggests, these types of brackets are designed to provide a strong mounting structure on the circular surfaces of a pole or a mast. These feature a U Clamp that allows the bracket to strongly grip around a pole’s surface.
The U clamp allows complete 360° rotation along a single axis, and the bracket also features a curved track for one of the screws for the clamp, allowing rotation up to 60° along the opposite axis. The opposite end of the bracket can adhere to walls or use a mounting plate to attach to antennas.
(C). Mounting Plate
Not all antennas can directly attack to mounting brackets. Antennas can have both inbuilt screws and holes for screws on the mounting brackets. To prevent damage to the antenna, from regular tightening and loosening of screws, manufacturers have come up with a solution.
A mounting plate is a thin flat surface that acts as a barrier between the antennas and mounting brackets. Therefore, anytime the antenna has to be disconnected from the bracket, the users work on the screws affixed to the mounting plate.
(D). Fully Articulate Bracket
These are very special in terms of their functionality. Unlike other mounting hardware that have hinge joints to allow movement along a single axis; our Fully Articulate Bracket features two ball-socket joints. These joints allow the entire mounting structure to have complete rotation capabilities along all the axes.
These brackets have multiple holes to allow for multiple patterns of screw alignments, making them compatible with a variety of antennas & backplates.
How to Select the Right Mount for Your Antennas?
One of the important and a bit difficult tasks while setting up an RFID infrastructure inside your premises, is selecting the right components. The same goes while browsing for mounting hardware. There are certain things to remember while selecting RFID antenna mounting supplies, to make sure that you pick the correct one.
(A). Mounting Hole Pattern
Antennas and brackets use screws to attach to each other securely, generally using more than one screw. Depending on the manufacturer and the shape of the product, these screws can be in different patterns.
This is why many mounting plates and brackets have the same-sized holes in different positions and distances. This feature allows them to become compatible with more than one product. While selecting a bracket, check if its mounting holes match with those of your antenna.
(B). Weight Classification
When it comes to mounting structures or basically any securing apparatus, load specifications are always the first thing to pay attention to. Mounting brackets come with different load ratings, depending on factors like size, materials used, attachment surface, etc. Attaching a load greater than the rating to a bracket can result in a failure of operation and damage to your equipment.
That is why, it is very important that you check the load ratings of brackets and confirm that your antenna’s weight is under the load-bearing weight limit.
(C). Surface Compatibility
Lastly, you need to look for the surfaces with which your bracket is compatible. A bracket is just the middleman of an infrastructure meant to mount antennas. Brackets allow antennas a strongly adhering surface and movement. However, you also need to mount the bracket to a surface like walls, masts, or poles.
Your requirement can differ based on your application and the design of your organization’s premises. That is why you must conduct an audit of your facility first, to determine the mounting points. Then select the brackets that are compatible with that surface.
Conclusion
There is a variety of different types of antenna mounting hardware available in the market. From mounting plates, and clamps to brackets; all different in shapes and design. But, you don’t have to worry about the burden of a choice. Here at EnCStore.com, you can find the most popular and high-quality mounting components for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How does an RFID antenna work?
An antenna is an electronic component that can broadcast and receive electromagnetic radiation. An RFID antenna is responsible for transmitting and receiving radio signals within a particular frequency range.
When a reader sends electric signals to an antenna, the charges travel along the antenna surface. These charges vibrate at a specific frequency, as they move towards the edge of the surface, the antenna stars propagating electromagnetic waves carrying the signal. While receiving the signals, this entire process is reversed.
Q2. What is RFID antenna gain?
An antenna doesn’t broadcast signals in the form of a perfect sphere. In reality, the propagation of radio signals happens in a specific shape, depending on the design of the antenna. There is a peak reign where the maximum power output, hence the signals from an antenna travel. An isotropic antenna is a hypothetical antenna that is capable of sending signals equally in all directions.
Gain refers to the difference in the power output of a real antenna vs an isotropic antenna, in a particular direction at the same distance.
Since isotropic antennas broadcast equally in a spherical pattern, their power will be divided equally. Meaning, the angle of the coverage will be more than a real antenna, but the power of the signal in the direction of the peak signal of a real antenna will be less.
Q3. What is the price of an antenna bracket?
The price of antenna brackets can differ based on a variety of factors like brand, load rating, materials, etc. However, you can get a decent quality mounting bracket anywhere from ₹9000 to ₹10,000.
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