Testing the $700 CSL CS203 Integrated RFID Reader

Convergence Systems Limited claims their CS203 integrated UHF reader and antenna is an all-weather reader with IP68 rating for outdoor operations. They even say it’s passed Mil Standard 810 testing. But what’s most surprising is the CS203 has a suggested manufacturer’s retail price of only $700.00, making it the lowest cost UHF reader on the market. In this edition we’re going to put the CS203 to the test and see just how well the lowest cost UHF reader really performs.

The CS203 is an EPCglobal UHF Class 1 Gen 2 and ISO 18000-6C integrated UHF reader and antenna from Convergence Systems Limited. Recently upgraded, this unit is IP68 rated for indoor or outdoor applications and has a Mil Standard 810 rating for shock and vibration. Designed with versatility in mind the CS203 reader can be used in a variety of environment including warehouse, parking lot gate, livestock farm, or any location where asset visibility is essential. At only $700.00 this is the lowest UHF reader on the market.

We put the CS203 through a variety of tests. The first such test involved 25 different takes utilizing a van moving at various speeds with a series of tags in the windshield. The van passed under a CS203 reader mounted 5.2 meters above the ground. The reader read all 5 tags without fail.

The next series of tests involved two different CS203 units and a variety of passive – RFID labels, metal mount, and battery-assisted – tags. Overall, the results were good with the reader showing a very respectable read range, especially given the unit’s low price point.

ATTRIBUTES OF THE CS203

• ISO 180000-6C Compliant
• IP68 rated for dust and water
• 810 Mil Standard rating for shock and vibration
• Connects via Power over Ethernet (POE)
• Available with either a left or right hand circular polarized antenna
• Read Zone Control

CS203 RFID Integrated Reader/Antenna Benchmark Testing

Our team performed benchmark testing using a variety of commercially available tags affixed to cardboard and metal.

RFID Read Performance Miscellaneous

Using the CS6820-2 CSL on a person and the CS6710 CSL on our van’s windshield as it drove by the reader at various speeds our team found the CS203 does have a fairly comparable read distance to other fixed readers.

RFID Read Performance on Cardboard

For our RFID tag performance benchmarks on cardboard, we used several recently released tags which we have not tested before. We utilized the UPM Raflatac DogBone, AD-826 and the PowerID PowerG tags. As you can see below the PowerID PowerG achieved and amazing 56ft of read distance with the CS203.

RFID Read Performance on Metal

Using our best performing tags as a baseline, the Omni-ID Prox™, Omni-ID Max™, the Omni-ID Max Pro™ and the latest PowerID PowerM, our team found the CS203 could achieve read distances of up to 62ft.

Physical Characteristics

Height: 30 cm; Width: 30 cm; Thickness: 7.5 cm; Weight = 2 Kg

Protocol

ISO18000-6C, EPC UHF Class 1 Gen 2, Dense Reader Mode available

Frequency Range

One of the following: 865-868 MHz, 902-928 MHz, 952-954 MHz, 919-928 MHz, 910-914 MHz.

Polarization

Circular Polarization Antenna, choice of LHCP or RHCP.

External Control

2 x GPO and 2 x GPI.

Environment

• Operating Temp: -200C to 600C (-40F to 1310F)
• Storage Temp: -400C to 850C (-400F to 1850F)
• Humidity: 98% Non-condensing
• Dust & Water: IP68, works in outdoor environment
• Shock: MIL-STD-810F Method 516.5 Procedure V, 75g, 6ms, 2 shocks per axis
• Vibration: MIL-STD-810F Method 514.5 Category 24
• Mechanical Impact Resistance: Free falling ball impacting test at 1 meter in height with weight of ball at 500 grams loads

Connectivity

• Ethernet, with POE
• Other Connectivity: Compatible with Ethernet-to-USB bridge, Ethernet-to-WiFi bridge and Ethernet- to-GSM/CDMA bridge

Power Supply

12 Volt DC supply, or use POE.

Transmit Power

1W (30dBm) Conducted.

Regulatory Certification

The CS203 has obtained the regulatory certifications from the FCC (USA and most South American nations), Industry Canada, CE (Europe), and Telec (Japan).

Other Features

• Ruggedized (Mil Std 810) integrated reader with long read range.
• Dense Reader Mode (DRM) available.
• Global frequency coverage.
• Ethernet connectivity, with POE (Power-over-Ethernet).
• Unique offering: choice of Left Hand Circular Polarization or Right Hand Circular Polarization for dock door implementation.
• Best of breed antenna performance: excellent axial ratio to give best read zone control.

Final Impressions

We found the CS203 to have strong performance compared to similar integrated readers. Its compact form factor – containing both the reader and antenna and ease of installation, make it an ideal solution in tight spaces. The IP68 rating for indoor or outdoor use combined with a Mil Standard 810 rating for shock and vibration make it an ideal choice for harsh environments. Finally, given the low price point, the CS203 is an RFID reader to be considered no matter what your requirements.

Regulatory Certification

Order Code: CS203ETHER-NXHCP N=1: 865-868 MHz (CE for Europe, India), N=2: 902-928 MHz (FCC for USA, FCC ID: UB4CS203ETHERC1G2), N=3: 952-954 MHz (Telec for Japan), N=4: 919-928 MHz (NCC for Taiwan, ACMA for Australia, also for Malaysia, Hong Kong), N=7: 920-925 MHz (SRRC for China) X=L: LHCP; X=R: RHCP

Support

Telephone and email support is provided with a 24 hour response time.

Pricing

The CS203 has a retail price of around $700.00 making it one of the Lowest Cost RFID integrated readers on the market. To purchase click here
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Product Review Date: January 20, 2010

For Additional Information

If you would like more information on other CSL products, visit CSL at http://www.convergence.com.hk/products.php.