Times-7: Why Precision Near-Field RFID Matters for Medical Consumable Tracking
More range is not always better
A common misconception in RFID adoption is that more range automatically means better tracking. In medical consumables, extended read ranges can actually reduce confidence because they increase the chance of reading items that are nearby but not part of the intended count.
That can mean stock on an adjacent shelf, items on a trolley passing the workstation, or products staged for a different procedure. The result is poor localisation, false reads, RF interference, and wasted time reconciling what the system says versus what is actually in the bin or on the shelf.
Why not just use HF RFID
HF RFID is excellent for intentional, tap-style interactions where a clinician presents a single item to a reader for confirmation. But when the task is hands-free, frequent inventory checks, such as counting multiple tagged consumables on a shelf or across a tabletop, HF is often less practical. It typically requires closer presentation and does not deliver the same bulk-read efficiency needed for fast, automated inventory validation.
Precision near-field UHF for clinical shelves and tabletops
For item-level inventory accuracy, what matters most is a controlled, repeatable read zone that behaves predictably day after day. That is the purpose of precision near-field UHF.
The Times-7 A1163 True NearField Antenna is engineered for ultra-constrained near zone only tag detection, minimizing far-field components and eliminating surface dead spots. This enables accurate, close-range reads that stay confined to the target area, making it well suited to shelf-level and tabletop tracking where you want control, not coverage.
Clinical environments also introduce difficult RF conditions. Liquids and metals can disrupt performance and drive inconsistency if the antenna is not designed for it. The A1163 is specifically designed to improve reads of challenging assets near liquid-filled containers and metal-adjacent items, helping maintain reliable outcomes in real healthcare settings.
A1163 at a glance
Ultra-constrained near-field read zone for precise, localised reads
Large 604 x 304 mm footprint to simplify installs and reduce infrastructure requirements
IP54 rated for environmental protection
SMA female fly lead with RG316 cable included
In medical inventory tracking, success is not measured by how far you can read. It is measured by how accurately you can confirm the right items in the right place, without stray reads and without extra process overhead. The A1163 brings precision and control to RFID-based consumable tracking on shelves and tabletop workstations. It is not about deploying more RFID. It is about deploying the right kind of RFID.
Talk to the product expert: George Mitchell, Business Development Manager.