The Siemens SIMATIC RF1040R (6GT2831-6CA60) is a dual-frequency RFID access control reader for building and facility access management. It reads both legacy LF 125 kHz transponders (HITAG 1/2/S, EM41xx/45xx, EKS key) and modern HF 13.56 MHz smart cards (ISO 14443 A/B, ISO 15693, FeliCa, NXP NTAG21x, HID iClass), making it suitable for environments with mixed badge populations. The integrated antenna, USB 2.0 and RS232 interfaces, and BLE connectivity provide flexible deployment options across diverse access control architectures.

What Transponder Technologies Does the RF1040R Support?

The RF1040R is a dual-frequency reader operating at both 125 kHz (LF) and 13.56 MHz (HF). On the LF band, it supports HITAG 1, HITAG 2, HITAG S, EM41xx, EM45xx, and EKS key transponders. On the HF band, it supports ISO 14443 A/B (including MIFARE), ISO 15693, FeliCa, NXP NTAG21x, and HID iClass. This dual-band capability makes the RF1040R the preferred choice when migrating from legacy LF badge systems to modern HF smart card infrastructure — a single reader covers both technologies during the transition.

How Does the RF1040R Connect to an Access Control System?

The reader provides two wired interfaces: USB 2.0 via a 1.8 m cable with Type-A connector, and RS232 with a maximum serial transfer rate of 115.2 kbit/s. The RS232 interface enables direct connection to legacy access control panels that use serial communication. Additionally, integrated Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) at 2.4 GHz supports wireless communication with mobile devices for configuration and credential presentation. Power is supplied via USB (5 V DC, 4.6–5.25 V range), with typical current draw of 150 mA and maximum 300 mA.

What Are the Installation Requirements?

The RF1040R is designed for cabinet or wall mounting using four M4 screws. Its compact housing (90 × 62 × 23.5 mm, PC-GF material in titanium gray) fits standard access control mounting frames. The front face is rated IP65 for indoor and sheltered outdoor use, while the rear is IP20. The operating temperature range is −25 °C to +55 °C. The reader can be mounted directly on metal surfaces with no minimum distance requirement. A 3-color LED provides visual status indication for power, tag detection, and error states.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the RF1040R support multi-tag reading?

Yes. The RF1040R can detect and process multiple transponders simultaneously within its read field, with a maximum RF data transfer rate of 424 kbit/s and a typical read range of up to 30 mm — actual range varies by transponder type and size.

What is the difference between the RF1040R and RF1060R?

The RF1040R (6GT2831-6CA60) supports both LF 125 kHz and HF 13.56 MHz frequencies, includes RS232 in addition to USB, and has BLE capability. The RF1060R (6GT2831-6AA60) is an HF-only reader (13.56 MHz) with a USB-only interface and no LF or RS232 support. Choose the RF1040R when you need to read legacy LF badges alongside modern HF smart cards, or when RS232 connectivity is required.

Is the BLE feature ready to use out of the box?

The RF1040R includes BLE hardware. A BLE license may be required depending on the firmware version and application. Refer to the SIMATIC RF1000 operating instructions for licensing and activation details.