Spec Sheet
Joining a diversified line of RFID readers, 
the Intermec® Intellitag® IF4 serial reader 
is the ideal RFID peripheral for applications 
where an edge server or Programmable 
Logic Controller (PLC) is used for 
process control. The IF4 reduces the 
communications burden on the network 
and processing demand on the host PLC. 
While reading and writing RFID labels and 
tags, the IF4 uses an air-interface protocol 
for filtering out unneeded tag data caused 
by multiple reads and tags not required for 
the application. 
General purpose input/output (I/O) circuitry 
enables the IF4 to monitor and/or control 
peripheral devices while keeping the cost of 
ancillary equipment and installation down.
After the IF4 controls the selection of 
appropriate tags for reading, it then 
combines its pre-configured application 
parameters with the information from the 
selected tags in order to activate external 
sensors as well as control audible and visual 
indicators.
For example, an IF4 reader mounted above 
a conveyor can be programmed to scan 
the destination field on all tags passing 
by and subsequently report that code to 
the PLC, which can then actuate diverter 
mechanisms to route the tagged package 
to the proper dock door. 
RFID standards are continuing to evolve, 
which requires manufacturers and retailers 
to have multi-protocol reading capability 
if they are implementing RFID in an open 
supply chain. When fully equipped, via 
firmware downloads, the IF4 can read 
multiple air interface protocols, even in 
mixed populations of tags, including EPC 
UHF Generation 2 (Gen 2), ISO 18000 6-b 
and EPC Class 1.
The IF4 reader is factory configured to 
operate in either of two regional RFID 
frequency bands: 865 and 869MHz (Zone 
1, primarily Europe), or 915MHz (Zone 2, 
primarily North and South America, with 
parts of Asia and Pacific Rim). Multi-
national enterprises operating in North 
America, Europe and Asia no longer have to 
purchase and support multiple readers in 
order to cope with the dierent frequency 
bands present in each region. The IF4 
readers have a common design with band-
specific hardware, and are supported with 
common “soft radio” code.
An external auto-range adapting power 
supply, requiring approximately 2 watts 
•  An intelligent peripheral – 
capable of internal filtering to 
reduce network trac
•  Software configurable to read/write 
EPC Class 1, EPC Gen 2 and ISO tags 
•  Factory configurable to operate 
in 865MHz, 869MHz, 915MHz 
or 950MHz RFID bands 
•  Directly monitors and controls   
presence detectors and signal lights
•  Downloadable firmware for 
migration path to ISO 18000-6c
Product profile
IF4 Serial RFID Reader
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