Zebra Ultra-Rugged RFID Antennas
Brand - Zebra
The Zebra Ultra-Rugged RFID Antennas are designed for fixed UHF RFID systems that require reliable antenna performance in demanding indoor and outdoor environments. Based on the supplied source, this group includes the Zebra AN510 Ultra-Rugged Low-Profile Antenna and the Zebra AN520 Ultra-Rugged Low-Profile Antenna. These antennas are not RFID readers. They are external RFID antennas that must be connected to a compatible fixed RFID reader, such as a Zebra fixed UHF RFID reader. Their role is to create controlled RFID read zones and enable accurate, fast and efficient communication between the reader and passive UHF RFID tags. The Zebra AN510 is an ultra-rugged, low-profile RFID antenna with IP67 sealing. It is suitable for a wide range of indoor and outdoor environments, including outdoor shopping areas, receiving dock doors, ceilings, walls, tarmac areas and conveyor belts. The housing is designed to be discreet enough for customer-facing environments while remaining rugged enough for outdoor and industrial use. The AN510 is especially relevant for retail, warehouse management, manufacturing, cold-chain and aviation applications. Typical use cases include outdoor shopping areas, receiving dock doors, ceiling and wall installations to create read zones around shelves, freezers and freezer trucks, baggage tracking and access control systems. Technically, the AN510 uses right-hand circular polarization and operates in the EU 865–868 MHz and US 902–928 MHz frequency ranges. It has 8.5 dBic gain, 1.3:1 VSWR, 20 dB front-to-back ratio, 68° 3 dB beam width in both planes and a maximum power rating of 3 watts. The axial ratio is listed at 1 dB. The AN510 has a compact, low-profile form factor. Its dimensions are 250 mm x 250 mm x 14 mm / 9.85 in x 9.85 in x 0.55 in, and it weighs 0.75 kg / 1.6 lb. It uses a side-mounted SMA Female connector and supports flush mount or VESA mount installation. The casing is made from UV-resistant ABS. The AN510 operates from -20°C to +55°C and can be stored from -30°C to +65°C. It is rated IP67, supports MIL-STD-810G vibration requirements and is listed for 72 hours at 85°C relative humidity. This makes it a strong option where a low-profile RFID antenna must operate in rugged or exposed environments. The Zebra AN520 is also an ultra-rugged, low-profile RFID antenna, but with IP68 sealing. It is intended for indoor and outdoor applications that require a small-form-factor, high-performance antenna. Its housing is designed to blend into business environments while still being rugged enough for outdoor industrial conditions. The AN520 is relevant for retail, warehouse management, manufacturing, cold-chain, aviation and enterprise applications. Typical use cases include point of sale, under-counter or within-shelving installations, server racks, medical cabinets, luggage tracking, access control, manufacturing lines and receiving dock doors. Technically, the AN520 uses right-hand circular polarization and operates in the EU 865–868 MHz and US 902–928 MHz frequency ranges. It has 5.5 dBic typical gain, 1.4 typical VSWR, 115° 3 dB beam width in both planes and a maximum power rating of 3 watts. The typical axial ratio is 2 dB. The AN520 is smaller and lighter than the AN510. Its dimensions are 150 mm x 150 mm x 14 mm / 5.9 in x 5.9 in x 0.55 in, and it weighs 0.25 kg / 0.55 lb. It uses a side-mounted SMA Female connector, supports flush mount installation and has a UV-resistant ABS housing. The AN520 operates from -40°C to +65°C and can be stored from -40°C to +65°C. Its IP68 sealing makes it the more protected option in this ultra-rugged pair. It supports IEC60068-2-64 vibration requirements and is listed for 72 hours at 85°C relative humidity. The practical difference between the two models is positioning. The AN510 provides higher gain and a more directional 68° beam width, making it suitable for stronger read zones in receiving dock doors, outdoor areas, shelving zones, baggage tracking and conveyor-related applications. The AN520 is smaller, wider in beam coverage and more sealed, making it suitable for compact spaces, under-counter areas, shelving, medical cabinets, server racks, access control and applications where discreet installation matters. Overall, Zebra Ultra-Rugged RFID Antennas are strong choices for fixed UHF RFID systems that need durable, low-profile antenna hardware for indoor and outdoor use. Their strongest value lies in rugged IP67 / IP68 sealing, compact design, UV-resistant housing, circular polarization, compatibility with fixed RFID reader systems and suitability for retail, warehouse, manufacturing, cold-chain, aviation, healthcare and enterprise environments.
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