The ALR-9680 is a 4-port commercial EPC Gen 2 reader priced around $800. Review its specifications, LAN interfaces, and Nextwaves alternatives.
Technical Specifications
Hardware Overview
The Alien Technology ALR-9680 is an industrial-grade RFID device. It operates within the 902.75-927.25 MHz (FCC) / 865.7-867.5 MHz (ETSI) range and supports the EPC Gen 2, ISO 18000-6C standard, making it widely deployed across enterprise logistics applications.
With an IP rating of N/A, it offers protection against specific environmental conditions typical in warehouses or retail backrooms. The reader utilizes 24 VDC or PoE (802.3af) for continuous performance, while its stated maximum read rate peaks at N/A.
Connectivity and Network Integration
In modern deployments, network integration is the most significant hurdle. This model offers LAN TCP/IP, RS-232 options for transferring data back to central systems.
However, a major bottleneck with legacy Alien Technology hardware is the heavy reliance on proprietary SDKs (like LLRP) or expensive third-party IoT middleware to process raw tag data into meaningful business intelligence.
The Nextwaves Alternative
If your engineering team is evaluating the Alien Technology ALR-9680, the Nextwaves NR155 presents a vastly superior cloud-native architecture. Legacy systems inherently drive high capital expenditure through vendor lock-in and proprietary software ecosystems.
Nextwaves completely eliminates this barrier by providing a standard MQTT REST API directly on the device. Your software developers can integrate tag reading directly into your custom ERP or WMS backend in days instead of months, completely bypassing recurring middleware licensing fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ALR-9680?
The Alien Technology ALR-9680 is a straightforward commercial-grade RFID reader possessing 4 antenna ports. Operating on the 902.75-927.25 MHz (FCC) / 865.7-867.5 MHz (ETSI) frequency band, it conforms to the EPC Gen 2, ISO 18000-6C standard.
How much does this setup cost initially?
The base reader is typically priced around $800. Deployment budgets must factor in the cost of up to 4 external antennas, RF cabling, and the required 24 VDC or PoE (802.3af) networking equipment.
Why should I choose Nextwaves instead?
Nextwaves provides embedded REST API and MQTT endpoints natively on the device. This allows software engineering teams to bypass expensive third-party IoT middleware and integrate RFID data directly into modern ERPs or custom web backends.
Is the hardware durable enough for warehouses?
The device weighs approximately 0.91 kg and measures 18.41 x 24.13 x 3.17 cm. Its rating (N/A) indicates it is primarily designed for standard temperature-controlled warehouses or retail backrooms.
Does it support multiple network types?
Network integration is handled via standard LAN TCP/IP, RS-232 interfaces, allowing it to drop into existing corporate networks. Dedicated IoT VLANs are often recommended for hardware endpoints.
Can my team install this internally?
Physical mounting utilizes standard wall-mount patterns. However, optimizing RF performance requires trained technicians to properly tune the reader's transmission output according to your specific environment and tag orientation.
How does the remote management work?
Remote management is generally handled through the standard EPCglobal LLRP interface or Alien's proprietary Windows utilities.
Do I need proprietary software to run it?
Most legacy deployments require an intermediate middleware server to feed raw data from the LAN TCP/IP, RS-232 ports into modern web applications via HTTP or websockets. This adds system complexity.
What warranty comes with the reader?
The manufacturer typically provides a standard one-year hardware warranty. Extended support contracts are generally available for purchase through your hardware VAD (Value Added Distributor).
Are the antennas sold separately?
The ALR-9680 requires external antennas. Tuning antenna placement across the 902.75-927.25 MHz (FCC) / 865.7-867.5 MHz (ETSI) spectrum is critical to achieving a reliable read field.