FCC certification for RFID cow/pig/chicken tag reader

[cdevidal]

Does anyone have guidance for producing an RFID cow/pig/chicken tag reader that passes FCC compliance? In the 125 or 134 kHz frequencies, with at least a 5cm read distance. Half-duplex passive read-only tags are fine.

I've been searching for FCC-certified reader modules at a reasonable price (under $50 is ideal but would consider less than $100) but coming up empty at any price. I'm guessing I'd have to design one perhaps by reverse-engineering something like this reader and work with an RFID expert to build it to FCC standards, as well as a compliant antenna. Andreas tested that reader with an animal tag and found it had acceptable range.

Also, do the tags need to be certified? After all, they are intentional radiators powered by the receiver.

[CatalinaWOW]

I can't help at all with your question, but watching my the livestock operations of some of my cousins I question your 5cm range objective.  Seems like a meter would be more useable/salable.

Also, if it is for your own use I don't believe certification is required.  You should design for compliance, but don't need to prove it.

[nctnico]

The reason cheap readers aren't certified is because certification is expensive. I don't see how this would change when putting a DIY solution together. Then again, RFID readers in the 125kHz range are typically using LC resonance to get a suitable magnetic field which in itself is already a steep filter. Still, the drive circuit could emit excessive harmonics.

[cdevidal]

I can't help at all with your question, but watching my the livestock operations of some of my cousins I question your 5cm range objective.  Seems like a meter would be more useable/salable.

Also, if it is for your own use I don't believe certification is required.  You should design for compliance, but don't need to prove it.

It's not for my own use, it would be a product for sale.

A meter would be great for non-interactive use, but the first application would be for a chicken coop and the second, a handheld reader for livestock. So 5cm is sufficient in both cases. I am aware that some of the readers can read at a longer distance, and that'd be a later product.

[cdevidal]

The reason cheap readers aren't certified is because certification is expensive. I don't see how this would change when putting a DIY solution together.

Yes, certification is expensive. But I can't seem to find any certified modules, so I think certification is the only way to go. I aim to sell at least 1,000 units, which puts the cost of certification within reach.

TI has a module but it's not certified. Still, I don't expect it'd have issues in lab tests, provided I build it to spec.

[cdevidal]

Bingo. This one is FCC-certified, and within price range. Don't know how I missed this earlier.

The only concern is the quantity available; I'll have to contact the factory for other distributors.

[rhodges]

A meter would be great for non-interactive use, but the first application would be for a chicken coop and the second, a handheld reader for livestock.

For a while, I have been talking with the local Ag teacher about useful products I could build. Send me a message if you would like to share ideas.

[cdevidal]

Will do.

It occurred to me after posting this question that I could search around for RFID consultants, and I found one. The good news is there are more certified modules in a different frequency (13.56MHz); And there are plenty of tags and leg bands in that frequency, and it has an acceptable read range, from 10cm to 1m. The only question now is about using a custom antenna, and it appears that isn't a big issue.

He answered the question about certifying tags. It is not required.

[Kean]

A certified module helps, but unless it was tested with the same antenna you plan to use the certification paperwork isn't valid.

You might need to look at more expensive equipment if you want something properly engineered and tested for compliance.

I often use the stuff from Dorset ID in The Netherlands.  Some of it is tested to FCC, but you'd need to check with them.
https://www.dorset.nu/identification/rfid-products/

[Kean]

Bingo. This one is FCC-certified, and within price range. Don't know how I missed this earlier.

The only concern is the quantity available; I'll have to contact the factory for other distributors.

That one looks like it is specifically for access control applications.  You will have to check if it is actually compatible with whatever tags that will be used on the animals.  There is some overlap in standards, but generally the ones used for livestock and wildlife monitoring don't need to have the better encryption layers that access control should should use.

I deal with wildlife monitoring & tracking systems.  I work mostly on systems for penguins, but I have dealt with other animals in the past.

The size of the animal greatly affects the type of tag/transponder you can use, and thus the antenna, power consumption (of reader), and reading range.

[cdevidal]

A certified module helps, but unless it was tested with the same antenna you plan to use the certification paperwork isn't valid.

The module I linked above specifically calls out how to use a different antenna in their documentation. Has to be the same gain or lower, and have similar electrical characteristics. I also found this document from the FCC which discusses antenna changes.

[cdevidal]

Bingo. This one is FCC-certified, and within price range. Don't know how I missed this earlier.

The only concern is the quantity available; I'll have to contact the factory for other distributors.

That one looks like it is specifically for access control applications.  You will have to check if it is actually compatible with whatever tags that will be used on the animals.  There is some overlap in standards, but generally the ones used for livestock and wildlife monitoring don't need to have the better encryption layers that access control should should use.

I deal with wildlife monitoring & tracking systems.  I work mostly on systems for penguins, but I have dealt with other animals in the past.

The size of the animal greatly affects the type of tag/transponder you can use, and thus the antenna, power consumption (of reader), and reading range.

Penguins, eh? "Cool." (Get it?)

In discussion with the RFID consultant he informed me that 13.56MHz tags would be a better fit, and the good news is in that frequency certified modules are more readily available, such as this one.