Meritech and Cognio have teamed up to provide an RFID site survey tool capable of mapping RFID reader coverage and improving network performance. Meritech will integrate the Cognio UHF RFID Cardbus module into the iSite platform. iSite is a software application created for Wi-Fi network deployments that provides a powerful design environment able to plot the coverage footprint of radio signals.

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The new site survey tool reduces interference between readers and improves readability for tag detection and tag performance. Common problems in RFID networks include overlapping coverage areas and dead spots occurring within the coverage zone. iSite shows plots as a floor plan overlay and includes information about signal strength, interference and coverage overlap. Plots are then used to identify and fix problem areas. iSite also provides prediction capabilities allowing network adjustments to be evaluated before they are applied.

The iSite RFID site survey tool is targeted for semi-passive tag and active tag networks where readers reach distances of up to 30 and 100 feet, respectively. Companies using RFID for data collection, asset management, and supply chain processes need accurate tag detection. As RFID deployments increase, network architects will benefit from the use of site surveys with solutions such as iSite to improve network performance and maximize the cost to deploy mission-critical business technologies such as RFID.