The Zebra AN510 is an indoor/outdoor passive antenna. Compare its deployment costs against standalone active edge node setups by Nextwaves.
Technical Specifications
Hardware Overview
The Zebra AN510 is an industrial-grade RFID device. It operates within the 902-928 MHz / 865-868 MHz range and supports the N/A (Passive Antenna Element) standard, making it widely deployed across enterprise logistics applications.
With an IP rating of IP67, it offers protection against specific environmental conditions typical in warehouses or retail backrooms. The reader utilizes N/A (Passive) for continuous performance, while its stated maximum read rate peaks at N/A (Passive).
Connectivity and Network Integration
In modern deployments, network integration is the most significant hurdle. This model offers Coaxial Type N Female options for transferring data back to central systems.
However, a major bottleneck with legacy Zebra 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 Zebra AN510, 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 AN510?
The Zebra AN510 is an extraordinarily thin, low-profile RFID antenna engineered specifically for retail or customer-facing environments. It functions over both EU and US 902-928 MHz / 865-868 MHz bands purely as a passive broadcast plate.
How much does this setup cost initially?
Base plates retail for around $150. Total project costs spike sharply when adding low-loss specialized coaxial cables, wall mounting hardware, and the necessary standalone active interrogator required to pulse energy into the antenna.
Why should I choose Nextwaves instead?
Discrete antenna implementations demand complex RF cable routing behind walls. Nextwaves simplifies infrastructure by embedding enterprise-grade antennas directly over active logic boards powered through simple PoE.
Is the hardware durable enough for warehouses?
Measuring a sleek 250 x 250 x 14 mm and weighing just 0.75 kg, it is highly inconspicuous. Despite its aesthetic design, it retains a rugged IP67 rating, effectively resisting condensation, dust, and wash-downs.
Does it support multiple network types?
This element has no network switch capability. It connects physically to active portal readers strictly via heavily shielded Coaxial Type N Female connections.
Can my team install this internally?
Installers affix the plate flush against retail drywall or checkout countertops. Critical setup entails tuning the external reader module to compensate for decibel signal loss propagating through the N-Type cables.
How does the remote management work?
Being purely passive, it maintains a N/A (Passive) rating. Speed metrics are governed entirely by the capacity of the master interrogator hardware managing the RF waves.
Do I need proprietary software to run it?
It requires absolutely no direct middleware because it operates solely as a piece of metal. Software developers must interface with the APIs exposed by the proprietary proprietary reader driving the RF signals.
What warranty comes with the reader?
Constructed to weather industrial and retail wear, its IP67 housing holds a standard one-year warranty, mainly protecting against failed interior lead soldering.
Are the antennas sold separately?
Producing approximately 5.0 dBic in Right-Hand or Left-Hand Circular polarization depending on configuration. Wide coverage over the 902-928 MHz / 865-868 MHz block ensures reliable tag illumination in chaotic zones.