SAMDK-500

SAMDK-500
Part of the SAMDK series
Raspberry Pi carrier board with Impinj E510 RAIN RFID reader

The SAMDK-500 gives a Raspberry Pi a RAIN RFID reader and one shared 9 to 28 V supply. Against the SAMDK-300, the E510 chip lifts sensitivity to -82 dBm and the read rate to 700 tags/s, at the same +30 dBm.
You are building on a Raspberry Pi and need to read faster or pick up weaker tags. Same board and +30 dBm as the SAMDK-300, with 700 tags/s and -82 dBm sensitivity.
250 tags/s is enough? The SAMDK-300 does the job. Need 1,100 tags/s? Choose the SAMDK-700.
Features
- Impinj E510 chip: -82 dBm sensitivity, up to 700 tags/s
- Output power from 0 to +30 dBm in 0.5 dB steps
- Four antenna ports
- Host link to the Pi over I2C, UART or high-speed SPI
- Wi-Fi and BLE through the module's ESP32-S3, which software can disable
- One opto-isolated GPI, one +12 V GPO, RTC for the Pi
- Two RGB LEDs, 110 dB buzzer, 180 g
Applications
- Development kit for SAM modules
- Raspberry Pi-hosted RFID readers
- Standalone embedded reader board
- On-reader apps running on the Pi
Technical specifications
| Frequency band | Worldwide RAIN RFID regulatory domain support including USA (FCC) and Europe (ETSI) |
|---|---|
| Max. RF output power | Up to +30 dBm |
| Output power range | From +0 dBm to +30 dBm, configurable in increments of 0.5 dBm |
| RX sensitivity | -82 dBm (max) |
| Read rate | up to 700 tags/s |
| RFID chipset | Impinj E510 |
| GEN2X | Impinj GEN2X support |
| Antenna ports | 4 x SMA female |
|---|---|
| Antenna connector | 4 x SMA female |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi and BLE via the ESP-32-S3 MCU embedded in the SAM module (can be disabled by software) |
|---|---|
| GPIO | One opto-isolated GPI; one high-power GPO (+12 VDC) with output voltage configurable via software |
| Host interface | Raspberry Pi host (cape for Raspberry Pi 4 per catalog); host link via I2C, UART or high-speed SPI |
| Signaling | Two programmable RGB LEDs and a 110 dB programmable buzzer |
| Status LEDs | Two programmable RGB LEDs and buzzer |
| Real-time clock | Internal RTC with supercap for date/time retention on RPi |
| Power source | DC power supply +9 VDC to +28 VDC via P4 connector; single supply for reader and RPi |
|---|
| Dimensions | 90 x 70 x 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 180 g (SAMDK PCB and case) |
| Operating temperature | -20 °C to +50 °C |
| Humidity | 5-95% non-condensing |
| Certifications | FCC, Anatel and CE |
Questions we hear
How does it differ from the SAMDK-300 and 700?
Same board, ports and +30 dBm. Only the chip changes: E310 reads 250 tags/s at -75 dBm, E510 reads 700 at -82, E710 reads 1,100 at -86.
How is it powered?
One 9 to 28 V supply feeds the board and the Raspberry Pi. The Pi links to the reader over I2C, UART or high-speed SPI.


