CATENA
CATENA
8:1 antenna multiplexer that scales a reader to 32 antennas
A multiplexer that turns each RAIN RFID reader port into eight antenna outputs. One CATENA per port of a four-port reader reaches 32 antennas. Works with Identix, Impinj, Zebra and Chainway readers.
Your reader has four ports but you need many more antennas, such as along shelves or inside a cabinet. One CATENA turns a port into eight antennas. Four of them reach 32.
Only two antennas per port? The passive RF splitter is simpler, but both outputs stay on at once, with no switching.
Features
- 1 input, 8 outputs, SMA female, 850-930 MHz
- Insertion loss below 1 dB, isolation 36 dB (typical)
- Port switching in under 180 µs
- Automatic or externally controlled switching, via network or USB
- PoE or +5 V USB-C power; Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth LE
- One activity LED per antenna plus an RGB status LED
- 140 x 65 x 18 mm, 100 g, IP52
Applications
- Continuous reading zones
- Smart shelves
- RFID cabinets
Technical specifications
| Frequency band | 850-930 MHz |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 8 RF outputs per unit; up to 32 antennas on a 4-port reader (one CATENA per port) |
| VSWR | 1.1:1 (typical) |
|---|---|
| Max. input power | 35 dBm (maximum input power) |
| Connector | Female SMA |
| RF ports | 1 input and 8 outputs, female SMA RF connectors (8:1) |
| Antennas per reader | Up to 32 antennas per reader with four RF ports |
| Insertion loss | < 1 dB (typical) |
| Isolation | Port-to-port isolation: 36 dB (typical) |
| Switching time | < 180 µs (internal port switching time) |
| Switching mode | Automatic (configurable) or external switching control via network or USB port |
| Connectivity | Ethernet (PoE), USB-C, Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth LE |
|---|---|
| Indicators | Activity LED for each antenna and one RGB status LED |
| Power supply | Ethernet PoE or +5 V USB-C power adapter |
|---|
| Dimensions | 140 x 65 x 18 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | Approx. 100 g |
| Ingress protection | IP52 |
| Operating temperature | -20 to +50 °C |
| Humidity | 5% to 95%, non-condensing |
| Compatible readers | Identix readers and gateways; also Impinj, Zebra, Chainway and others |
|---|
Questions we hear
Which readers does it work with?
Identix, Impinj, Zebra and Chainway readers. It takes one reader port as input and gives eight SMA outputs.
How does it switch between antennas?
Automatically, or on command over the network or USB, in under 180 µs. It runs on PoE or 5 V USB-C, with one LED per antenna.
