Impinj R720 Fixed RFID Reader
View product page βThe Impinj R720 is an enterprise-grade 4-port fixed RFID reader and the backbone of most professional UHF RFID deployments. It offers industry-leading read sensitivity (-97 dBm), supports Impinj's IoT device management platform for remote configuration and monitoring, and handles the full range of applications from simple single-antenna read points to complex multi-antenna portals. If you're building a fixed RFID infrastructure, the R720 is the standard against which other readers are measured.
Key Specifications
Application Notes
Multi-Door Warehouse Deployment
Deploy one R720 per dock door or portal, each driving 2β4 Times-7 antennas. The R720's PoE+ power means only one cable (Ethernet) per read point β power and data on the same wire. Use Impinj IoT device management to configure and monitor all readers from a central dashboard. For a 20-dock warehouse, that's 20 R720s managed from a single pane of glass. Configure Session 2 with dual-target for portals where tags may linger (forklifts pausing in doorways).
Retail Inventory Scanning Infrastructure
Install R720 readers in the ceiling with 4 Times-7 A7030C antennas each for zone-based inventory. During store hours, antennas operate in low-power monitoring mode. After hours, they switch to high-power full-inventory scan mode. The R720's remote management lets you schedule power profiles without visiting each reader. A typical 1,000 sq/m retail floor needs 4β6 R720 readers for full coverage.
Airport Baggage Tracking
Position R720 readers at conveyor junctions and sortation points. The reader's -97 dBm sensitivity captures even poorly-placed bag tags at high conveyor speeds. Use all 4 antenna ports per reader: 2 on the sides of the conveyor, 1 overhead, and 1 underneath (if conveyor design allows). The R720 handles 700+ tag reads per second β sufficient for high-speed baggage handling.
Healthcare Asset Tracking
Deploy R720s at ward entries, equipment storage rooms, and key corridors. The reader tracks tagged medical equipment (infusion pumps, wheelchairs, monitors) as they move through the facility. Use portal-mode antennas (Times-7 A8060) at doorways and area-coverage antennas (A7030C) in open spaces. The R720's small form factor mounts discreetly above ceiling tiles.
Recommended Pairings & Usage Suggestions
How to Use β Step by Step
Unboxing & Inspection
The box contains: R720 reader, quick-start guide, and mounting plate. PoE+ injector and antennas are sold separately. Check all 4 antenna ports for damage (RP-TNC female connectors). Verify the serial number on the label matches your purchase records β you'll need it for Impinj IoT registration.
Planning Antenna Layout
Before mounting the reader, plan your antenna positions. Each of the 4 ports can drive one antenna. For portals: 2 ports for left/right panels. For zone coverage: up to 4 antennas in a sector pattern. Measure cable distances from the planned reader location to each antenna β keep runs under 10m if possible. Sketch the layout with port assignments (Port 1 = left panel, Port 2 = right panel, etc.).
Mounting the Reader
Use the rear mounting plate to wall-mount, ceiling-mount, or shelf-mount the reader. For ceiling mounts, the reader can sit above ceiling tiles with only the antenna cables dropping down. Ensure the mounting location has Ethernet connectivity (PoE+ switch or injector). Leave access for the USB port (useful for initial setup if network isn't ready). Allow 5cm clearance on all sides for heat dissipation.
Antenna Connections
Connect each antenna's coaxial cable to the corresponding R720 port. The ports are numbered 1β4 on the reader. Hand-tighten RP-TNC connectors, then snug with a wrench (1/4 turn past finger-tight). Do NOT overtighten β the reader's internal connector can be damaged. Record which physical antenna connects to which port number. Use cable labels.
Power & Network
Connect the Ethernet cable from your PoE+ switch or injector to the reader's Ethernet port. The reader boots automatically when PoE+ power is supplied β there's no power button. Boot time is approximately 60 seconds. The reader obtains an IP address via DHCP by default. Check your DHCP server or router to find the reader's assigned IP. Alternatively, connect a laptop directly via the USB port for initial configuration.
Accessing the Web Interface
Open a browser and navigate to http://[reader-ip]. The default credentials are in the quick-start guide (typically admin/impinj). On first login, you'll be prompted to change the password and complete the setup wizard. The wizard walks through: region settings (critical β must match your country's UHF frequency allocation), network configuration, and basic antenna settings.
Configuring Antenna Ports
Navigate to the Antennas section. For each connected port: **Enable** the port, **Set TX power** (start at 25 dBm for portals, 15 dBm for nearfield, 30+ dBm for long range), **Set RX sensitivity** (maximum, unless you're intentionally limiting range). Disable unused ports β an enabled port with no antenna connected will generate reflection errors and slow performance.
Session & Search Mode Settings
These are critical for performance. **Session 1:** Tags reset quickly. Use for point-of-interaction reads where the same tag may be read repeatedly (e.g., nearfield stations). **Session 2:** Tags persist after being read. Use for portals where you want to capture tags once as they pass through, without re-reading items that linger. **Search mode:** Single-target for fastest initial reads, Dual-target for persistent monitoring. **Population estimate:** Set roughly to the number of tags you expect in the read zone at once (1 for nearfield, 10β50 for portals, 100+ for area inventory).
Connecting to Middleware / Application
The R720 supports multiple connection modes: **LLRP** (standard RFID protocol, port 5084) β most middleware platforms support this. **Impinj IoT (ItemSense/Cloud)** β for Impinj's own management platform. **REST API** β for custom integrations. Configure your middleware to connect to the reader's IP on the appropriate port. Verify the connection shows as active in the reader's web interface. For Inventrack, use the LLRP connection with the reader's IP address.
Testing & Validation
Go to the reader's web interface tag inventory page. Hold a tagged item near each antenna and verify reads appear. Note the RSSI (signal strength) values β they indicate read quality. RSSI of -40 to -60 dBm indicates a strong, close read. RSSI of -70 to -80 dBm is a weak, long-range read. For portal testing, walk through 20+ times and verify 99%+ capture rate. Check that the correct antenna port is reporting each read (this validates your physical layout matches your port mapping).
Impinj IoT Cloud Registration (Optional)
If you want remote management, register the reader with Impinj's cloud platform using its serial number. This enables: remote configuration changes, firmware updates, health monitoring, and multi-reader management. This is highly recommended for deployments of 5+ readers.
Troubleshooting
**Reader doesn't boot (no LEDs):** Verify PoE+ (802.3at) power. Standard PoE (802.3af) won't work β the R720 requires 30W. Check the Ethernet cable and PoE source. **Can't find reader on network:** Check DHCP lease table on your router. Try connecting via USB. The reader may be on a different VLAN. **Antenna port errors:** An enabled port with no antenna connected shows high reflected power. Disable unused ports. A port with a damaged connector or cable shows intermittent errors. **Low read rates at portals:** Check cable quality, verify Session 2 settings, increase TX power, check antenna alignment. **Reader overheating (thermal throttle warning):** Ensure adequate ventilation. Don't mount in direct sunlight or enclosed spaces without airflow. Operating range is -20Β°C to +50Β°C.