RFID readers
An RFID reader is a device that emits a radio-frequency field, detects nearby RFID tags or cards entering that field, and transmits the tag's identifier to a host system. HDWR offers a range of readers covering the two most common frequency bands — 125 kHz (LF) and 13.56 MHz (HF/MIFARE) — as well as dual-frequency models that handle both in a single unit.
RFID readers from HDWR are used primarily in:
- Access control — entry/exit doors, gates, and turnstiles where each user carries a card, key fob, or wristband
- Time and attendance — employees badge in and out; the reader forwards the tag ID to a time recorder or cloud-based HR system
- Identification at POS and service desks — fast, touchless identification without manual PIN entry
- Inventory and asset tracking — combined with compatible software, readers log tag reads in real time
Connection types
HDWR RFID readers are available in two form factors:
| Type | How it connects | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Wired (USB) | Dedicated USB cable to a PC or controller | Fixed workstations, time recorders, POS counters |
| Wireless (USB dongle) | Compact USB dongle plugged directly into the host; no cable required | Laptops, mobile desks, hotdesking environments |
The wireless models are deliberately small — they resemble a USB flash drive — making them easy to deploy without cable management.
Supported frequencies and standards
| Band | Frequency | Common standards | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| LF (Low Frequency) | 125 kHz | EM4100, Unique | Basic access control, animal tags |
| HF (High Frequency) | 13.56 MHz | MIFARE, ISO 14443, ISO 15693 | Payment cards, NFC, smart access |
Dual-frequency readers support both bands in one device, removing the need to choose upfront when the environment uses mixed tag types. See RFID accessories for details on which tag formats are available.
Integration notes
- RFID readers that connect over USB present themselves to the host as a standard HID keyboard device — no driver installation is needed on Windows, macOS or Linux.
- The reader outputs the tag ID as a string of digits followed by Enter, making integration with any text-field-based software straightforward.
- For Wiegand-based access control panels, dedicated Wiegand-output readers are available; the panel receives the 26-bit or 34-bit Wiegand signal directly.
RFID readers FAQ
What is RFID technology?
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a wireless identification method in which a reader emits a radio-frequency field that powers and interrogates nearby tags. Each tag carries a small electronic circuit (chip) and an antenna. When a tag enters the reader's field, it transmits its stored identifier back to the reader without any physical contact. Labels can be read-only (RO), read-write (RW), or write-once-read-many (WORM), depending on the chip type.
How does an RFID reader actually read a tag?
The reader continuously broadcasts a low-power RF field. When a passive tag enters that field, the tag's antenna harvests enough energy from the field to power its chip, which then modulates the field to send back its stored ID. The reader detects that modulation and decodes the identifier. Because the tag draws its operating power from the reader's field, passive tags need no battery of their own. The read range, speed, and reliability depend on the antenna size, the operating frequency, transmit power, and the presence of nearby metal or liquids that can absorb or reflect the signal.
What frequencies do HDWR RFID readers support?
HDWR readers are available in three configurations: 125 kHz only (LF, compatible with EM4100/Unique and similar cards), 13.56 MHz only (HF, compatible with MIFARE, ISO 14443 and ISO 15693 tags), and dual-frequency models that support both 125 kHz and 13.56 MHz. If your environment already uses a specific card type, choose the matching single-frequency model. If you are deploying a new system or need to support mixed legacy and modern credentials, a dual-frequency reader is the safer choice.
What do LF, HF, and UHF mean in RFID?
These terms describe the radio-frequency band a tag or reader operates in. LF (Low Frequency, 125-134 kHz) offers short read range but is robust around metal and water, making it common in basic access control and livestock tagging. HF (High Frequency, 13.56 MHz) provides medium range and is the basis for MIFARE, ISO 14443, and ISO 15693 standards used in smart access cards and contactless payment. UHF (Ultra High Frequency, 860-960 MHz) offers long range (several metres) and fast multi-tag reads, predominantly used in warehouse logistics and supply chain. Microwave/SHF (2.45 GHz and above) achieves the longest range and fastest data transfer but is less common in everyday access control. HDWR readers cover the LF and HF bands; UHF readers are available in the product range for logistics applications.
What is the difference between RFID and NFC?
NFC (Near Field Communication) is a subset of RFID operating at 13.56 MHz with a deliberately short range (typically under 4 cm). The NFC standard adds a two-way communication protocol on top of the basic RFID read, enabling devices to exchange data securely — for example, a smartphone tapping a payment terminal. Standard RFID at 13.56 MHz (MIFARE, ISO 14443) is one-directional: the reader queries the tag and gets a fixed ID back. In practice, any NFC-capable card or smartphone will be read by a 13.56 MHz HDWR reader, but the advanced NFC peer-to-peer features (e.g. Android Beam) are not used in an access-control context.
How do I connect an RFID reader to my computer or system?
Wired HDWR RFID readers connect via a standard USB cable. The reader enumerates as a USB HID keyboard — the operating system installs it automatically without any additional drivers. When a tag is presented, the reader types the tag ID followed by an Enter keystroke, exactly as if the user had typed it on a keyboard. Wireless models come with a small USB dongle (similar in size to a flash drive) that you plug directly into a USB port; there is no cable between the dongle and the reader unit. Both wired and wireless readers work on Windows, macOS and Linux out of the box.
Do RFID readers work with access control panels that use Wiegand?
Yes. While the standard HDWR USB readers use the keyboard-emulation (HID) output mode, dedicated access-control readers with Wiegand output are available. These output the 26-bit or 34-bit Wiegand signal directly to a compatible access control panel or controller, without any USB host being involved. Check the product specifications to confirm whether a given reader supports Wiegand output, and match the bit format (26-bit vs. 34-bit) to your panel's requirements.
Where is RFID technology used beyond access control?
RFID was originally deployed in industrial logistics and has expanded into many areas. In access control and time attendance, each person carries a unique card or fob that is read at doors, gates, and time clocks. In retail, RFID tags sewn into garments allow checkout by simply passing items over a reader, as Decathlon does. In warehouses and logistics, UHF readers at dock doors read pallets automatically as they pass through. In libraries, RFID tags on books speed up self-checkout and inventory counting. HDWR readers target the access control, time attendance, and POS identification segments specifically.