Chainway UR4 is an industrial 4-port reader operating on 865-868 MHz / 920-925 MHz / 902-928 MHz. Starting at $600. Look closely at how Nextwaves can bypass middleware costs.
Technical Specifications
Hardware Overview
The Chainway UR4 is an industrial-grade RFID device. It operates within the 865-868 MHz / 920-925 MHz / 902-928 MHz range and supports the EPC Global UHF C1 Gen 2, ISO 18000-6C standard, making it widely deployed across enterprise logistics applications.
With an IP rating of IP53, it offers protection against specific environmental conditions typical in warehouses or retail backrooms. The reader utilizes PoE (optional), DC for continuous performance, while its stated maximum read rate peaks at 1,300+.
Connectivity and Network Integration
In modern deployments, network integration is the most significant hurdle. This model offers RS-232, RJ45, PoE (optional) options for transferring data back to central systems.
However, a major bottleneck with legacy Chainway 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 Chainway UR4, 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 UR4?
The Chainway UR4 is a 4-port, fixed RFID edge device. Based on Impinj E710 / R2000 chips, it supports EPC Global UHF C1 Gen 2, ISO 18000-6C over the 865-868 MHz / 920-925 MHz / 902-928 MHz frequency bands for high-speed tracking.
How much does this setup cost initially?
Hardware costs begin around $600. Keep in mind that a full deployment budget must account for up to 4 antennas, low-loss cables, integration middleware, and setting up the PoE (optional), DC infrastructure.
Why should I choose Nextwaves instead?
Nextwaves provides embedded REST API and MQTT endpoints natively on the device. This allows web and software developers to map tag reads directly to REST payloads, bypassing complex legacy C# or Java middleware servers.
Is the hardware durable enough for warehouses?
The unit weighs approximately 0.7 kg and measures 164 x 164 x 39 mm. An IP53 structural rating provides reasonable protection against dust and water spray, suitable for loading docks and covered warehouses.
Does it support multiple network types?
Network integration relies on RS-232, RJ45, PoE (optional) ports. RS-232 serial is maintained for legacy programmable logic controller (PLC) connections, while RJ45 manages modern IP traffic.
Can my team install this internally?
Hardware installation uses standard mounting hole layouts. However, optimizing RF performance requires trained engineers to correctly map the 4 distinct antenna channels to prevent signal overlap and optimize tag orientation capture.
How does the remote management work?
Under optimal test conditions, the internally integrated chip logic is rated to process up to 1,300+ tag reads per second. Real-world speeds vary significantly based on Gen2 memory mapping.
Do I need proprietary software to run it?
In a traditional setup, the RS-232, RJ45, PoE (optional) interfaces transmit binary or low-level hex data. This requires an external application to filter out duplicate tag events before sending the data to cloud storage.
What warranty comes with the reader?
The standard warranty covers physical malfunctions for one year. Extended engineering support is recommended for teams unfamiliar with low-level UHF Gen2 memory protocols.
Are the antennas sold separately?
You are required to supply external antennas (circular or linear). Selecting the exact gain and polarization over the 865-868 MHz / 920-925 MHz / 902-928 MHz band determines the actual width of your read portal.