U220-C USB-C UHF RFID reader in black, three-quarter front view

U220-C USB-C UHF RFID Reader for Android Phones, 902–928 MHz EPC

The U220-C is a plug-in UHF RFID reader for Android phones and tablets with a USB-C port and OTG. It reads the EPC of ISO 18000-6C tags at 0–5 cm in the 902–928 MHz band and types it, followed by Enter, into any app. It is built for checking one tag at a time, not for bulk inventory.

Frequency: 902–928 MHz
Cards / tags: ISO 18000-6C UHF tags (EPC read)
Interface: USB Type-C plug (USB OTG)
Output: Keyboard emulation: EPC typed at the cursor, followed by Enter
Read range: 0–5 cm

Request a quote for U220-C Order a sample Datasheet (PDF)

✓ Sample units for evaluation
✓ Output format confirmed for your software
✓ Private label & OEM options
✓ Reply within 1 business day

Why integrators choose the U220-C

UHF on a phone, no SDK — the EPC is typed at the cursor followed by Enter, so a search box or form can act on each read.
Touch-range reading — a 0–5 cm range suits identifying one tagged item at the point of use.
ISO 18000-6C (EPC Gen2) tags in the 902–928 MHz band.
Powered by the host — 5 V, 100 mA from the USB-C port, with no battery to charge.
Pocket housing — 35 × 35 × 7 mm and about 20 g, the same size as our 13.56MHz and 125kHz phone readers.

What a 0–5 cm UHF reader is for

Most UHF readers are built for distance; our integrated readers are specified in meters. The U220-C does the opposite. With a 0–5 cm range it reads the tag you hold against it, which is what a phone user needs when identifying a single item.

Typical jobs:

Checking the EPC on a garment, asset or laundry label against a record in a web app.
Registering tagged assets or vehicle windshield tags into a phone-based system when they are issued.
Spot-checking tags after they have been encoded on a desktop reader/writer.

When you need more reach, the handheld U520-M reads at 0–35 cm and the Bluetooth U510-B at 0–50 cm. For ranges in meters, see the integrated long-range UHF readers and fixed vs integrated vs handheld UHF readers.

EPC output and read-only scope

The U220-C types the EPC at the cursor and adds Enter. In a spreadsheet each read lands on a new row; in a search box, Enter starts the search. There is no SDK or app integration to do.

It reads the EPC only. TID and user-memory reading, EPC writing and tag locking are not listed for this model. To encode tags, use a desktop reader/writer such as the U120-U, and see how to write UHF RFID tags.

Check the frequency band before you order

The U220-C is listed for 902–928 MHz only. That band is used in the US and a number of other countries, while Europe and several other regions use 865–868 MHz. Check your country in UHF RFID frequency bands by country and state it in your RFQ.

Read range also depends on the tag antenna and what the tag is attached to. Small tags and tags on metal or liquid may need to be held closer. See UHF RFID read range.

U220-C specifications

General
Model	U220-C
Frequency	902–928 MHz
Form factor	Plug-in reader with USB-C plug, for phones and tablets
Color	Black or white

Cards & reading
Standard	ISO 18000-6C
Supported tags	ISO 18000-6C UHF tags (EPC read)
Read/write	Read-only (EPC)
Read range	0–5 cm
Read time	0.2 s
Read interval	0.5 s

Interface & output
Interface	USB Type-C plug (USB OTG)
Output	Keyboard emulation: EPC typed at the cursor, followed by Enter
Host systems	Android with USB OTG; Windows XP / 7 / 10 through an OTG adapter
App or SDK	None required on Android

Physical & environment
Power	5 V, 100 mA from the host
Indicator	2-color LED (blue: power, green: status)
Dimensions	35 × 35 × 7 mm (without plug)
Weight	Approx. 20 g
Package	71 × 71 × 19 mm, approx. 50 g packed
Operating temperature	-20 °C to +70 °C

Specifications of U220-C as supplied for the standard version. Read range depends on the card or tag, mounting surface and environment — we can test your own cards before you order.

Download the U220-C datasheet (PDF, A4)

Card, tag and system compatibility

Works with

✓ISO 18000-6C (EPC Gen2) UHF tags and labels in the 902–928 MHz band (EPC read)
✓Android phones and tablets with a USB-C port and USB OTG support
✓Windows XP / 7 / 10 PCs through an OTG adapter

Not designed for

✕Writing EPC, reading TID or user memory — use the U120-U desktop reader/writer
✕Bulk inventory or reading at a distance (range is 0–5 cm)
✕865–868 MHz operation (only a 902–928 MHz version is listed)
✕125kHz and 13.56MHz cards — use the L220-C or H220-C
✕iPhone and iPad (iOS not listed) — the U510-B Bluetooth UHF reader lists iOS

Card not listed? Send us the card type or a photo and we will confirm compatibility before you buy.

Integration in 4 steps

1
Before ordering, confirm your tags are ISO 18000-6C (EPC Gen2) and that 902–928 MHz is the permitted UHF band where the reader will be used.
2
Plug the U220-C into the USB-C port of an Android phone or tablet with USB OTG enabled. The blue LED shows power.
3
Put the cursor where the EPC should go: a search box, a form field or a spreadsheet cell.
4
Hold the tag within 5 cm of the reader face. The EPC is typed, followed by Enter, so the next read starts on a fresh line or triggers the search.

OEM / ODM options for U220-C

◆Housing color: black or white
◆Logo and private-label packaging on request; feasibility and terms confirmed in your quotation
◆A different output string (for example without Enter) or a different UHF band is not a listed option; send the requirement and feasibility is confirmed in your quotation

How OEM/ODM projects work →

Typical applications

U220-C FAQ

Can the U220-C read UHF tags from a distance?

No. The read range is 0–5 cm, so it is meant for one tag at a time. For 0–50 cm, see the U510-B Bluetooth reader; for ranges in meters, see our integrated UHF readers.

Does the U220-C output the EPC or the TID?

The EPC. It is typed at the cursor and followed by Enter. TID and user-memory reading are not listed for this model.

Can I use the U220-C in Europe?

It is listed for 902–928 MHz only. Europe uses 865–868 MHz, so state your country and band in the RFQ before ordering.

Can the U220-C write or encode UHF tags?

No, it is read-only. To write EPCs, use a desktop reader/writer such as the U120-U, which reads up to 0.5 m and writes up to 0.2 m.

Do I need an SDK to use the U220-C on Android?

No. The reader types the EPC like a keyboard, so any app with a text field receives it. The phone or tablet must support USB OTG.