[RaptorXP1]

Working on a project with RFID reader, tags, and antennas. I want to be able to scan through 50+ antennas and read any and all RFID tags that are within range.

To do this i thought of using: 1 RFID reader, 16 multiplexers, counter/adder, and the antennas.


What i want it to do: The idea was to connect an array of antennas to the 16x1 multiplexers. The antennas would be cycled through 1 by 1 to check for RFID Tags. This would then be fed to the RFID reader.


The problem:
If i try to connect more than 3 antennas the read distance goes down dramatically. It actually goes down 1/2 the distance with each additional antenna.


Anyone have any suggestions on how i would be able to setup an array of antennas that feed info to 1 RFID reader?!

[Who's Me]

I don't really know much about RFID or multiplexers so I could be way off but I think the multiplexer switches one leg of each antenna with everything having a common ground. RFID reader is sending current/signal through requested antenna but may also be getting lost with all of the antenna grounds tied together. May be as simple as a capacitor on each antenna but I have no idea. I would try switching the ground AND signal wire when selecting each antenna.