RFID read and write power setting system and method

A system and method for configuring Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) read and write power levels includes an RFID module that generates RF signals, a digital step attenuator that attenuates RF signals, an antenna that transmits attenuated RF signals, and an RF shield that isolates the antenna from an RFID label supply roll. A floor read power is determined by iteratively interrogating an RFID label while decreasing the RF signal power until the label fails to respond to the interrogation. A ceiling read power is determined by iteratively interrogating the RFID label while increasing the RF signal power until multiple labels respond to the interrogation. The read power level is set between the floor read power and the ceiling read power. The write power level is determined by iteratively attempting to program the RFID module while increasing the write power from the read power level until successfully written.