The Impinj xArray Gateway is a premium ceiling-mounted tracking system operating on 860-960 MHz, priced around $4000. It maxes out at ~1,000 tags per second.
Technical Specifications
Hardware Overview
The Impinj xArray Gateway is an industrial-grade RFID device. It operates within the 860-960 MHz range and supports the EPCglobal UHF Gen2v2 / ISO 18000-63 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 PoE, +24Vdc for continuous performance, while its stated maximum read rate peaks at ~1,000.
Connectivity and Network Integration
In modern deployments, network integration is the most significant hurdle. This model offers IEEE 802.3af PoE options for transferring data back to central systems.
However, a major bottleneck with legacy Impinj 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 Impinj xArray Gateway, 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 xArray Gateway?
The Impinj xArray Gateway is an enterprise-grade wide-area tracking system designed for ceiling deployment. Operating on the 860-960 MHz band, it fully supports the EPCglobal UHF Gen2v2 / ISO 18000-63 standard for high-volume environments requiring spatial resolution.
How much does this setup cost initially?
The base unit is generally priced around $4000. However, total deployment costs will increase substantially depending on enterprise middleware licensing (ItemSense) and the specifics of your PoE, +24Vdc electrical infrastructure.
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 X/Y coordinate or zone data directly into modern ERPs or custom software backends.
Is the hardware durable enough for warehouses?
The device weighs approximately 8.0 kg and measures 46.7 x 46.7 x 7.5 cm. Given its form factor and rating (N/A), it requires a robust drop-ceiling mount and climate-controlled indoor atmosphere.
Does it support multiple network types?
Network integration is handled via its IEEE 802.3af PoE interfaces. Standard enterprise security protocols can be applied over these connections, though dedicated VLANs are often recommended for IoT hardware of this scale.
Can my team install this internally?
Physical mounting utilizes heavy-duty VESA brackets. Optimizing RF performance requires highly trained technicians to properly tune the array's 52 antenna beam sectors to your specific room geometry.
How does the remote management work?
Under optimal conditions, the hardware is rated for ~1,000 reads per second. Remote device management and firmware updates are handled via specialized central controllers.
Do I need proprietary software to run it?
Most legacy deployments require an intermediate middleware layer to feed data from the IEEE 802.3af PoE ports into spatial web applications. This adds both architectural complexity and recurring licensing costs.
What warranty comes with the reader?
The manufacturer typically provides a standard one-year hardware warranty. Extended enterprise support contracts and SLAs are generally required for complex array deployments.
Are the antennas sold separately?
The xArray utilizes a built-in phased array antenna array. Tuning this configuration across the 860-960 MHz spectrum is critical to achieving its marketed ability to locate items within X/Y coordinates in a room.