Times-7 – A5531C Circularly Polarized Ground Antenna — Low-Profile Tracking for People and Assets
The Times-7 A5531C is a circularly polarized ground antenna designed for tracking moving products, assets, and people in applications where traditional side-mounted antennas are unsuitable. At 10mm (0.4″) thick and 1.2m (4ft) long, it lies flat on the ground and can be concealed under a mat while still supporting payloads over 200kg (440lbs), including foot traffic, wheeled carts, and occasional vehicular traffic. RHCP polarization ensures reliable reads regardless of tag orientation as items pass overhead, making it well suited to conference and sporting event attendee tracking, race timing, and industrial asset tracking where locating missing components quickly keeps production moving. The A5531 range also includes vertical (A5531V) and horizontal (A5531H) linear polarization variants for applications requiring a fixed read orientation, all built in New Zealand and available in ETSI or FCC frequency bands.
Specification
Physical Characteristics
- Unboxed Dimensions: 47.24″ x 7.67″ x 0.39″ (1200 x 195 x 10mm)
- Boxed Unit Dimensions: 51.18″ x 13″ x 1.57″ (1380 x 330 x 40mm)
- Net Weight: 5.9 lbs (2.7kg)
- Gross Weight: 8.37 lbs (3.8kg)
- Thickness: 0.4″ (10mm)
- Length: 4ft (1.2m)
- Radome Material: Fire retardant ABS
RF Characteristics
- Frequency Range: 864-868 MHz / 902-928 MHz
- Polarization: RHCP (Right Hand Circularly Polarised)
- Nominal Impedance: 50Ω
- Maximum Input Power: 3W
Performance
- Far-Field Gain: 9.5dBiC typical
- Far-Field 3dB Beamwidth: 13° in XZ, 85° in YZ
- VSWR: 2.0 typical
- Front-To-Back Ratio: -18dB
- Anti-Static Protection: Yes, DC grounded
- Antenna Detection: 10kΩ resistance
- Maximum Point Load: 100 psi (7kg/cm²)
- Maximum Distributed Load: 1100 lbs (500kg)
- Payload Rating: Over 440 lbs (200kg)
Connectivity
- Connector Type / Position: SMA female side fly lead
- Cable Type / Length: 195 type / 11.7″ (298mm)
Environmental Ratings
- Environmental Rating: IP53
- Operating Temperature: 32°F to +122°F (0°C to +50°C)
- Storage Temperature: -22°F to +140°F (-30°C to +60°C)
Regulatory Compliance
- RoHS Compliant
- CE Compliant
- Built in New Zealand
Benefits
At just 0.4″ thick, the A5531C lies flat on the ground and can be concealed under a mat or covering, letting conference organizers and event staff track attendee movement without altering walkways or floor space.
Rated for point loads up to 100 psi and distributed loads up to 1100 lbs, the A5531C withstands hand trolleys, rubber-wheeled carts, runners, and bicyclists without antenna damage during continuous operation.
Circular polarization reads tags regardless of orientation as products or equipment move across the antenna, helping manufacturing and industrial sites locate missing components before they cause production delays.
Related Products
The ID RWA40.30-USB is a versatile desktop reader designed for contactless data exchange with common 125 kHz transponders. It is suitable for various office, administration, and industrial applications. With its USB interface, it allows for easy power supply and data exchange with a computer or other equipment. The reader has its own local intelligence, enabling both online and offline operation.
- Dimensions: 144 mm x 84 mm x 18 mm
- Weight: approximately 105 g
- Housing: Plastic (ASA) / Acrylic glass
- Color: white / black
- Protection class: IP42
- Operating frequency: 125 kHz
- MTBF: 500,000 h
- Supply voltage: 5 V, USB Bus powered
- Current consumption: max. 140 mA
- Antenna: integrated
- Interface: USB Full-Speed (12 MBit/s)
- Optical indicators: 2 LED (Green: Power and online/offline Blue: Transponder communication)
- Operation mode: Polling-Mode
- Supported transponders: 125 kHz Read Only transponders, 125 kHz Read / Write transponders
- USB CDC device driver: Windows 2000 SP4, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP SP2, Vista 32 Bit
- EEPROM: 512 Byte (1 x 106 write cycles)
- FLASH: 128 Byte (firmware update in application possible)
- Temperature range: Operation: -20 degree C up to +60 degree C, Storage: -40 degree C up to +85 degree C
- Relative air humidity: max. 95% (non-condensing)
The ID ANT.U280/210 is a versatile UHF flat-panel antenna, engineered for peak performance in compact spaces. With a height of just 8mm, this ultra-flat antenna delivers a robust reading range of up to 4 meters, making it ideal for Smart Shelf applications and environments with limited installation space. Its circular polarization ensures optimal performance, while integrated mounting holes allow for easy installation on any flat surface. The ID ANT.U280/210 is constructed from durable, fire-retardant ABS material and features an IP54 protection rating, ensuring reliable operation in various industrial, production, and retail environments. Compatible with several FEIG UHF readers, this antenna is designed to meet the demanding requirements of modern RFID applications.
- Dimensions: 275 mm x 214 mm x 8 mm
- Weight: 500 g
- Housing: ABS, fire-retardant
- Color: Black
- Protection Class: IP54
- Gain: Approx. 5 dBic
- 3 dB Beam Width: 60 x 80
- Polarization: Circular (RHCP)
- Antenna Connector: SMA (female)
- Operating Frequencies:
- EU Variant: 865 MHz – 868 MHz
- FCC Variant: 902 MHz – 928 MHz
- Temperature Range:
- Operation:-20 degree C to +55 degree C
- Storage:-30 degree C to +65 degree C
- Compatibility:
- ID LRU500i UHF Long Range Reader (with cable type B)
- ID MAX.U500i
- ID LRU1002 UHF Long Range Reader (with cable type A)
- ID LRU3000/ID LRU3500
- ID MAX.U1002
- ID MRU102 UHF Mid Range Reader (with cable type A)
- ID MRMU102 UHF Mid Range Reader Module (with cable type A)
- Accessories:
- ID ANT.C2-A UHF antenna cable SMA / SMA 2 m
- ID ANT.C2-B UHF antenna cable SMA / TNC 2 m
- ID ANT.C6-A UHF antenna cable SMA / SMA 6 m
- ID ANT.C6-B UHF antenna cable SMA / TNC 6 m
The UHF near-field antenna ID ANT.U82/82 is a compact and high-performance antenna that is ideal for use in enclosed spaces. With its small form factor and defined near-field reading area, it can be installed almost anywhere. It operates in a wide frequency range of 864-928 MHz, making it suitable for worldwide use.
- Dimensions: 82 mm x 82 mm x 9.5 mm
- Weight: approximately 50 g
- Housing: ABS material
- Color: anthracite
- Max. input power: 1 W
- Antenna connector: SMA (female)
- Anti-static Protection/Antenna Detection: 60 Ohm DC Resistance (typical)
- Operating frequencies: 864 MHz up to 928 MHz
- Temperature range:
- Operation: 0degree C up to +50degree C
- Storage:-30degree C up to +60degree C
The ID ANT240/180 Pad Antenna is a highly efficient and compact solution for contactless data exchange with RFID transponders. Its flat and sleek design allows it to seamlessly fit into desktop environments, making it ideal for file tracking, library applications, and office use. The antenna provides an impressive read range of up to 42 cm, ensuring reliable performance in close-range RFID applications. Equipped with an optical feedback feature via a blue LED, the antenna offers real-time operational status updates. It connects easily to RFID readers using the included coaxial cable, providing a hassle-free installation process.
- Dimensions: 240 mm x 180 mm x 13 mm (9.45 in x 7.09 in x 0.51 in)
- Weight: 0.36 kg (0.8 lbs)
- Housing: Upper part Plastic ABS, lower part Plastic plate
- Color: Black (Pad), White (Upper part, RAL 9003)
- Protection Class: IP30
- Operating Frequency: 13.56 MHz
- Max. Transmitting Power:5 W
- Antenna Connection: RG174 coaxial cable with SMA connector (50 ohm), 2.2 m long
- Indicator: 1 Blue LED for operational status (switchable via DC voltage)
- Operating Temperature: -25degree C to +55degree C (-13F to 131F)
- Storage Temperature: -25degree C to +70degree C (-13F to 158F)
- Relative Humidity: 5% to 95% (non-condensing)
- Standard Compliance: EMC EN 301 489, Safety & Health EN 62368-1, EN 50364
The ID ANT800/600-DA HF Loop Antenna is a versatile and high-performance antenna designed for use with HF readers. With a read range of up to 100 cm and a transmitting power of 8 W, this antenna is capable of delivering reliable and efficient RFID communication. Its easy setup, integrated dynamic antenna tuner, and IP65 protection class make it suitable for various applications.
- Dimensions: 852 mm x 620 mm x 40 mm
- Weight: approximately 2.5 kg
- Housing: Plastic ABS
- Color: Black
- Protection class: IP65
- Operating temperature range: -25 degree C up to +55 degree C
- Storage temperature range: -25 degree C up to +60 degree C
- Relative air humidity: 5% up to 95% (not condensing)
- Operating frequency: 13.56 MHz
- Max. transmitting power: 8 W
- Permitted transmitting power:
- EU (EN 300 330): 4 W
- USA (FCC Part 15): 2 W
- Canada (RSS-210): 2 W
- Read range: up to 100 cm*
- Antenna connection: 1 x SMA plug (50 ohm)
- Antenna connection cable: RG58, 50 ohm, approximately 3.6 m
The Dynamic Antenna Tuner ID DAT is a versatile device designed for automatic tuning and retuning of RFID Long Range Antennas operating at 13.56 MHz. With its easy “Plug & Play” functionality, it eliminates the need for additional tuning devices. The tuner can be driven via HF connection and allows for parameters or calibration status to be sent to the host. It also features an electronic switch to disconnect the antenna circuit when necessary.
- Dimensions: 118 mm x 90 mm x 19 mm
- Weight: approximately 100 g
- Operating frequency: 13.56 MHz
- Supply voltage: 7 – 12 V DC
- Current consumption: maximum 150 mA (DC)
- Transmitting power: maximum 10 W
- Antenna switch: electronic switch (mind maximum antenna power!)
- Antenna connection: cable terminals (d = 2 – 9 mm)
- Reader connection: SMA socket (50 ohm)
- Triggering reader: via RF connection
- Signal indicator: 1 x “Run”-LED (green), 2 x “Protocol”-LED (red)
- Outputs: 3 x open collector: 5 V DC / maximum 15 mA
- Carrier frequency: 13.56 MHz
- Impedance: 50 ohm
- Tuning range inductivity: 0.7 – 2.5 microH
- Quality: 10 – 50
- Temperature range:
- Operation: -25 degree C up to +75 degree C
- Storage: -40 degree C up to +85 degree C