NFC and UHF RFID in One Wearable

One of the standout aspects of the WS501-R is its inclusion of NFC RFID alongside UHF RFID capabilities. NFC is built directly into the device, giving workers the ability to interact with short-range NFC tags and smart labels without carrying a separate reader. The UHF RFID functionality uses an integrated upward-facing antenna and delivers a read range of approximately five feet, which can be configured and dynamically adjusted depending on the task at hand. An optional external downward-facing antenna is also available for applications that require it.

Beyond the onboard RFID hardware, the WS501-R is designed to pair with Bluetooth BLE UHF readers. This means the device can act as the processing and display hub for extended UHF RFID operations, with a connected BLE reader handling tag capture at greater distances or in different orientations. This flexibility makes the platform well suited to complex workflows where a single read range or antenna position is not enough.

Barcode Scanning and Display

The WS501-R integrates the SR560 1D/2D imager, which is built to handle damaged or poorly printed barcodes and offers a wide field of view for capturing multiple codes in a single scan. The 2-inch AMOLED colour display runs at 460 x 460 resolution and supports both fingertip and gloved-hand touch input. Two programmable buttons allow workers to customise functions to match their workflow, and a built-in speaker and microphone add push-to-talk capability for on-the-floor communication.

Processing Power and Connectivity

Under the hood, the WS501-R runs on a Qualcomm QCS2290 quad-core processor clocked at 2.0 GHz, paired with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of flash storage. Wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6 for high-throughput network performance and Bluetooth 5.3 for reliable short-range pairing with peripheral devices including the BLE UHF readers mentioned above. The 9.24 watt-hour battery is hot-swappable, so workers can keep the device running through extended shifts without downtime.

Built for Industrial Environments

Durability is a core part of the WS501-R’s specification. The device carries an IP65 sealing rating for protection against dust and water jets, is drop-rated to five feet onto concrete, and operates across a temperature range of 14 degrees Fahrenheit to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. A replaceable front shell adds further longevity to the hardware investment.

Zebra is targeting the WS501-R at warehousing, distribution, transportation and logistics, manufacturing, and retail operations. Use cases include picking, inventory management, sorting, and asset tracking, all areas where hands-free RFID capture can reduce errors and improve throughput. With NFC RFID on board alongside UHF and BLE reader pairing support, the device covers a broader range of tag types and read scenarios than many single-frequency wearables.

Read more at https://www.zebra.com/gb/en/products/spec-sheets/mobile-computers/wearable/ws501-r.html

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The core proposition of the XPass Q2 is its native QR and barcode authentication capability. Rather than relying on a general-purpose camera, the device uses a dedicated scanning module built specifically for QR reads. This matters in practice because busy entrances rarely offer ideal conditions – the module is optimised to handle varying lighting environments, which is a common pain point when deploying QR-based access at outdoor gates or poorly lit reception areas.

Beyond QR and barcode, the XPass Q2 supports RFID card credentials alongside BLE and NFC-based mobile access. This combination means facilities do not have to choose between legacy card infrastructure and newer mobile or QR workflows – the XPass Q2 handles all of them from a single reader head. For sites currently running a mix of employee RFID cards, visitor QR passes, and member or ticket-holder barcodes, that kind of credential flexibility reduces the number of reader types needed at any given entry point.

The hardware is rated IP65, making it suitable for both indoor installations and outdoor deployment where exposure to dust and water is a concern. Adaptive feedback through LED indicators and audio cues helps maintain throughput at high-traffic entrances, giving users a clear confirmation without slowing the line.

On the software side, the XPass Q2 integrates natively with Suprema’s BioStar X platform, which handles unified visitor workflow management and provides an API for third-party system integration. For organisations that need dynamic QR functionality – where codes are generated on demand and expire after use – Suprema offers compatibility through its CLUe integration platform. This is particularly relevant for event ticketing and temporary visitor access scenarios where static credentials are a security liability.

Suprema CEO Hanchul Kim commented on the launch: “QR codes have become the standard credential for visitors and ticket holders,” pointing to the purpose-built design of the XPass Q2 as a response to that shift. The broader trend here is real – many facilities that previously issued proximity or smart cards to everyone are now dealing with a visitor and event population that expects to present a QR code from a smartphone rather than carry a physical card.

The XPass Q2 positions itself as a practical answer to that operational reality. By consolidating QR, barcode, RFID, BLE, and NFC into one device with an outdoor-capable enclosure and deep BioStar X integration, Suprema is targeting the segment of the market where access control complexity has been growing fastest: mixed-use facilities, stadiums, corporate campuses with high visitor volumes, and venues where ticketing systems need to talk directly to access control infrastructure.

Read more at https://www.supremainc.com/en/about/news-detail.asp?iBOARD_CONT_NO=8130&News_Type=Releases

The post Suprema Launches XPass Q2 a Native QR/RFID Reader first appeared on RFID News.