The EL6e Kit is a $50 close-range integration system mapping 902-928 MHz. Compare its embedded complexity against Nextwaves native protocol architectures.
Technical Specifications
Hardware Overview
The ThingMagic (JADAK) EL6e Kit is an industrial-grade RFID device. It operates within the Global (Configurable) range and supports the EPCglobal Gen2V2 standard, making it widely deployed across enterprise logistics applications.
With an IP rating of N/A (Bare Circuit), it offers protection against specific environmental conditions typical in warehouses or retail backrooms. The reader utilizes 5V DC (USB) for continuous performance, while its stated maximum read rate peaks at 200 tags/second.
Connectivity and Network Integration
In modern deployments, network integration is the most significant hurdle. This model offers USB / Serial UART options for transferring data back to central systems.
However, a major bottleneck with legacy ThingMagic (JADAK) 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 ThingMagic (JADAK) EL6e Kit, 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 EL6e Kit?
The ThingMagic (JADAK) EL6e Embedded Kit seamlessly combines a baseline M6e-Micro module with a directly mounted localized antenna array. Broadly configurable across Global frequencies, it provides engineers a ready-to-test smart reader unit for close-range asset verification.
How much does this setup cost initially?
The starter kit prices aggressively near $100. However, transitioning the bare circuit into an industrial casing with isolated power supplies heavily inflates the timeline and budget for mass-production projects.
Why should I choose Nextwaves instead?
The EL6e requires immense low-level engineering and chassis molding to transition into field deployment. Nextwaves solves this by supplying instantly ready, fully encased industrial nodes with identical read performance native to IP architectures.
Is the hardware durable enough for warehouses?
Weighing almost nothing at 0.10 kg and measuring an ultra-small 64 x 51 x 10 mm, it slides effortlessly inside custom ATM machines or handhelds. However, possessing an N/A (Bare Circuit) IP rating, it disintegrates quickly if exposed to moisture.
Does it support multiple network types?
Connectivity passes entirely through direct USB or highly specialized Serial UART pinouts. It natively lacks built-in Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or MQTT, demanding extensive local MCU logic to push tag events to enterprise cloud systems.
Can my team install this internally?
Because it integrates the RF trace directly against the logic board, installers skip complex coaxial tuning entirely. Engineering effort shifts instead toward programming proper C/C++ memory handlers on the host micro-controller managing the board.
How does the remote management work?
Firing up to 200 tags/second, it performs robustly against desktop-scale volumes. Read velocity crashes significantly when testing against heavy warehouse portals with overlapping pallet masses.
Do I need proprietary software to run it?
Developers interact fiercely using JADAK's MercuryAPI. Constructing simple tag reading loops requires manually managing highly complex memory buffers, asynchronous interrupts, and hexadecimal state structures.
What warranty comes with the reader?
A standard 1-year product warranty backs the logic board against semiconductor flaws. Being fully bare silicone, deploying it without adequate electrostatic shielding (ESD) causes immediate catastrophic burnout.
Are the antennas sold separately?
Despite combining the board and antenna, its Global (Configurable) spread ensures highly targeted performance directly above the unit. It lacks the brute physical decibel output needed for reading heavy structural corridors.