Agrident ASR550 RFID Reader User Manual ASR550 Manual engx

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Agrident GmbH, Steinklippenstr. 10, D-30890 Barsinghausen
Phone +49 5105 582573-10 - Fax +49 5105 582573-17
ASR550
Stationary Mid-Range Reader
V05/11/13
ASR550 Operational Manual
© Copyright 2013 by Agrident GmbH
Torsten Bade, Technical Support
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,
or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or
otherwise, without prior written permission of Agrident GmbH.
Agrident GmbH reserves the right to make changes to any and all parts of this documentation
without obligation to notify any person or entity of such changes.
November 2013
Agrident GmbH
Steinklippenstr. 10
30890 Barsinghausen
Germany
Phone +49 (0) 51 05 582573-10
Fax +49 (0) 51 05 582573-17
E-Mail: mail@agrident.com
www.agrident.com
05/11/13
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ASR550 Operational Manual
Content
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 5
1.1
Definition of terms .................................................................................................................... 5
1.2
How RFID works ...................................................................................................................... 6
1.3
Supported transponder types .................................................................................................. 6
1.3.1
FDX-B .............................................................................................................................. 6
1.3.2
HDX ................................................................................................................................. 6
The Antenna ................................................................................................................................... 7
2.1
Important notes regarding reading performance ..................................................................... 7
2.1.1
Antennas and metal ......................................................................................................... 7
2.1.2
Antenna position regarding other electric equipment ...................................................... 7
2.1.3
Installing the antenna ...................................................................................................... 8
2.1.4
Connecting the antenna to the reader board................................................................... 9
2.1.5
Field Distribution .............................................................................................................. 9
The Reader Electronics ................................................................................................................ 13
3.1
Specifications......................................................................................................................... 13
3.2
Installing and Connecting the ASR550 .................................................................................. 14
3.2.1
ST5 – Connector for DC Power Supply and Interface................................................... 14
3.2.2
ST6 – Antenna Connector ............................................................................................. 14
3.2.3
ST4 – Connector for external LED Board ...................................................................... 15
3.3
Signalization .......................................................................................................................... 15
3.4
Power Supply Requirements ................................................................................................. 16
3.5
The RS232 Interface ............................................................................................................. 17
3.6
The RS485 Interface ............................................................................................................. 18
ASR550 Settings .......................................................................................................................... 19
4.1
Installing the PC-Demo Software .......................................................................................... 19
4.2
Starting the PC-Demo Software ............................................................................................ 20
4.3
The File Menu ........................................................................................................................ 20
4.3.1
File ................................................................................................................................. 20
4.3.2
Settings .......................................................................................................................... 21
4.3.2.1
Connection................................................................................................................. 21
4.3.2.2
Device ........................................................................................................................ 22
4.3.2.3
Log File ...................................................................................................................... 22
4.3.3
Tools .............................................................................................................................. 22
4.3.3.1
Monitor ....................................................................................................................... 23
4.3.3.2
Animal Counter .......................................................................................................... 23
4.3.3.3
Diagnosis ................................................................................................................... 26
4.3.4
4.4
Help ............................................................................................................................... 26
The Main-Window of the PC-Demo Software ....................................................................... 26
4.4.1
Received Tag................................................................................................................. 27
4.4.2
Settings .......................................................................................................................... 27
4.4.3
Connection..................................................................................................................... 27
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ASR550 Operational Manual
4.4.4
4.5
The “Info” area ............................................................................................................... 28
General Settings .................................................................................................................... 28
4.5.1
Serial Number and Firmware Version ........................................................................... 28
4.5.2
Transponder Types ....................................................................................................... 29
4.5.3
Operating Modes ........................................................................................................... 29
4.5.4
Device Address.............................................................................................................. 32
4.5.5
Timing ............................................................................................................................ 32
4.5.6
RF-Activation ................................................................................................................. 33
4.5.7
Baud Rate ...................................................................................................................... 33
4.5.8
Device Check................................................................................................................. 34
4.6
Tuning .................................................................................................................................... 34
4.6.1
Power-On Tuning........................................................................................................... 34
4.6.2
Background Tuning ....................................................................................................... 34
4.6.3
Tuning Data ................................................................................................................... 35
4.6.4
Tuning Graph ................................................................................................................. 35
4.6.5
Start Tuning ................................................................................................................... 36
4.7
Output Format........................................................................................................................ 39
4.7.1
Introduction .................................................................................................................... 39
4.7.2
Changing the output format ........................................................................................... 39
4.7.3
Output Formats description ........................................................................................... 40
4.7.3.1
ASCII ......................................................................................................................... 40
4.7.3.2
Byte structure............................................................................................................. 40
4.7.3.3
Compact coding ......................................................................................................... 40
4.7.3.4
Custom format ........................................................................................................... 41
4.7.3.5
ISO 24631.................................................................................................................. 44
4.7.3.6
NLIS ........................................................................................................................... 44
4.7.3.7
Raw data.................................................................................................................... 44
4.7.3.8
Short ASCII 15 ........................................................................................................... 45
4.7.3.9
Short ASCII 16 ........................................................................................................... 45
4.8
Synchronization ..................................................................................................................... 45
4.8.1
Sync. Mode .................................................................................................................... 46
4.8.2
Wireless Sync. Level ..................................................................................................... 47
4.9
Module ................................................................................................................................... 51
4.10
Mux ........................................................................................................................................ 51
Safety and care ............................................................................................................................. 52
Warranty ....................................................................................................................................... 52
CE MARKING ............................................................................................................................... 53
FCC and IC digital device limitations ............................................................................................ 53
Trouble shooting ........................................................................................................................... 53
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ASR550 Operational Manual
Introduction
This manual is primarily written for OEM customers, distributors and
advanced users. It is not intended to be a document for end customers
since there are lots of details explained which are much too technical for
most end users. There are separate manuals for the ASR565 and ASR566,
which do not contain that much technical information.
Please read this manual carefully before using this product for the first
time. It will help you to get the best possible system performance and to
use all capabilities of the reader.
This device has to be installed by qualified personal only.
1.1
Definition of terms
Explanation of abbreviations used in this manual
RF:
Radio Frequency (in this case the long-wave band)
RFID:
Radio Frequency Identification - A method of transmitting data contactless
between a reader and transponders.
Reader:
A device which is able to communicate with transponders using an internal
or external antenna. The reader generates a high frequency field in order to
get the data of a transponder. The received data are transmitted to an
external controller (e.g. PC) via an interface.
Transponder:
Data carrier for RFID applications, available in various models and types.
Raw data:
Complete data content of a transponder - that means ID and additional
information (for example header or trailer).
ID:
Identification number of a transponder.
ISO 11784/85:
International standard concerning the use of RFID technology for the
identification of animals; it defines the transponder types to be supported
and the ID notation.
FDX:
Transponder type, which transmits its data while the HF field is activated (full
duplex) using AM (Amplitude Modulation).
FDX-B:
FDX transponder with 128 bits of raw data, ID notation in compliance with
ISO 11784/85.
HDX:
Transponder type, which transmits its data after HF field switches off (half
duplex) using FSK (Frequency Shift Keying); 104 bits of raw data, ID
notation in compliance with ISO 11784/85.
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ASR550 Operational Manual
1.2
How RFID works
The items (here animals) to be identified are equipped with passive transponders, which contain
an identification code. For energizing the transponders and for reading out the ID code, an RFID
reader plus antenna is required.
The reader generates a high frequency field using an antenna. This high frequency field
activates each transponder, which is inside the reading range. The high frequency field is used
for supplying the transponder with energy and for transmitting the transponder data to the
reader.
After receiving the complete transponder content, the reader decodes the ID and builds an ID
message. This message is sent to an external controller for further processing.
The reading range depends on the antenna and the environment.
The following things may influence the reading range:
Mounting antenna on metal or close to metal
Antenna mistuned
Electrical interference
The ASR Demo-Software includes tools for checking the tuning state of the antenna and the
environmental noise.
1.3
Supported transponder types
The ISO 11784/11785 supports two types of transponders: FDX-B and HDX. Both work
completely different regarding the transmission of the ID code (“Modulation”). In both cases the
transponder is energized while the RF-field is activated.
1.3.1
FDX-B
The transponder transmits its ID content while the RF-field is activated using Amplitude
Modulation (AM). The envelope of the carrier represents the transponder signal.
1.3.2
HDX
An HDX transponder transmits the information after the RF-field is switched off using Frequency
Shift Keying (FSK). The higher frequency (134.2 KHz) represents a binary 0 and the lower
frequency (124.2 KHz) the binary 1. The amplitude does not contain any information.
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ASR550 Operational Manual
The Antenna
Agrident provides a range of different antennas options for the ASR550.
The antenna is one of the most important parts of an RFID system. It supplies the transponder
with energy and receives the data transmitted from the transponder. There are several electrical
values which are important in order to guarantee the best possible reader performance.
Depending on quantities, customized antenna designs are possible.
Please contact your local Agrident distributor regarding help for choosing the
optimal antenna for your application. Selecting a wrong antenna size might
decrease your systems performance unnecessarily. Please note that larger
antennas do not always provide the best reading performance. A rule of thumb is:
Choose the antenna as large as necessary but as small as possible!
Third Party Antennas
Agrident will not take responsibility for the correct function of the reader in case of
using third party antennas. If the reader gets damaged because of connecting
wrong antennas to the ASR550, the warranty becomes null and void!
2.1
Important notes regarding reading performance
In order to achieve the best possible performance with your ASR550, please consider the
following rules carefully.
2.1.1
Antennas and metal
Installing the antenna on metal objects or close to them can decrease the reading performance
seriously. The integrated Autotuning function of the reader is able to compensate parts of the
negative influence of the metal. Metal normally decreases the antenna inductance. This can be
adjusted by the reader by adding more capacitance to the antenna circuit. However, the losses
in the metal cannot be compensated and reduce the reading range even if the antenna is tuned
correctly.
So it should be avoided to mount the antenna onto a solid metal plate or too close to a “short
circuit ring”. The “Tuning” tab in the PC-Demo Software can also provide useful information for
checking the influence of metal.
2.1.2
Antenna position regarding other electric equipment
The antenna - as a fundamental part of the complete RFID system - also receives the transponder signals. These signals are very small since the transponders transmit passive. Although
lots of other electric and electronic devices are not supposed to be radio devices, i.e. to transmit
any signals over the air, they do that nevertheless. If these signals (or their harmonics) are
within the frequency range of the RFID system, the reading performance may suffer.
In order to avoid a bad reading performance, the antenna should not be mounted too close to
other electric or electronic devices, especially:
switch mode power supplies
frequency inverters
motors
CRT monitors
energy saving lamps
computers
any other cables than the antenna cable (like mains, motor and interface cables)
other LF-RFID systems within 50 meter, which are not synchronized
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ASR550 Operational Manual
2.1.3
Installing the antenna
The following drawing shows the APA003 panel antenna.
To fasten the antenna on site, use flat head screws with a thread diameter not larger than 5 mm
and suitable washers. Do not use countersunk screws for this purpose as this could lead to a
damage of the plastic frame.
Please avoid exposing the antenna to direct sunlight permanently. Installing the
antenna in an area sheltered from ultraviolet light will extend its durability.
Please ensure that the antenna and the antenna cable do not interfere with
movements of animals or persons close to the system. The antenna cable should
be fastened with cable ties or it should be inside protective pipes. Please consider
mechanically moving parts (like gates) very carefully. Do not fix cables where they
can be stretched or damaged by animals.
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ASR550 Operational Manual
2.1.4
Connecting the antenna to the reader board
The antenna has to be connected to ST6 of the reader board. The following table shows the
correct wiring of the antenna for each type of antenna cable.
Pin Number
Function
Antenna 1
Antenna 2
Antenna Shield
Twinax Cable (black)
silver
copper
black
Chainflex cable (purple)
white
brown
black
Agrident is only using these two types of antenna cable. If you are using third party antennas,
the colors of the antenna cable wires might vary.
ASR550 – ST6
Ant1
Ant2
GND
Antenna
We highly recommend to use low capacitance antenna cable (twisted), like
TWINAX AWG 2x20 (IBM Nr. 7632211) or IGUS Chainflex CF11.05.01.02.LC.D
(very flexible, also at low temperatures but more expensive).
2.1.5
Field Distribution
1. Single Antenna
Front
Back
(3)
(2)
(1)
(3)
The left picture shows the field distribution and lines of flux for a single antenna. This leads to
optimum and worst reading orientations. Generally speaking, the transponder coil should be in
90 degrees to the field lines in order to achieve the best reading range.
In case of a single antenna, an ear tag has to be parallel (1) to the middle of the antenna panel
for the maximum read range – a glass tag / bolus perpendicular. If the ear tag is rotated by 90
degrees off the optimum orientation (2), it cannot be read in the same position. But it can be
read at the sides of the antenna in this orientation (3) at about 60-70 percent of the reading
range from case (1).
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ASR550 Operational Manual
It is important to prevent animals / tags from entering the back zone of the antenna. Animal ISO
11784/11785 does not support Anti-Collision like used in HF- or UHF readers. That means, if
two or more transponders of the same time – either FDX-B or HDX – are in the antenna field at
the same time, they cannot be read since they are transmitting at the same time. It is not
possible to direct the magnetic field into one direction only, so mechanical means may be
required.
Shielding the antenna on one side is only possible within certain limits. Placing the antenna on a
metal plate directly will short-circuit the field into both directions. The antenna requires a certain
distance to the metal plate in order to avoid a complete loss of reading performance into the
other direction. The distance depends on the antenna size. For the APA006, for example, the
antenna should have at least 10 centimeter clearance from the metal plate. For larger antennas
the distance has to be higher.
This graph shows the field distribution of a single loop antenna close to magnetically conducting
material. You can see that the field is deformed compared to the case without metal.
It is important that the metal plate has at least twice the size of the antenna coil in order to allow
good shielding. The material of the plate can be stainless steel, for example.
Such a setup will prevent tags from being read behind the shielding metal plate. It is also
imaginable to take advantage of this fact for preventing antennas which are close together from
coupling, e.g. in multi-lane applications.
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ASR550 Operational Manual
2. Double Antenna
The ASR550 offers the possibility to connect two single panels to one reader. In order to make
this possible, you require a double antenna adapter (ASB200). The panels are normally
arranged in parallel orientation and face each other in order to build one common field.
Comparable to magnets, the single fields of the antennas can attract or repel each other,
depending on their phasing.
Antennas in phase:
Phasing
Phasing
In this setup the antennas are “in phase”. This is also called parallel- or Helmholtz antenna. The
optimum tag orientation is similar to the one of the single antenna (transponder coil parallel to
the panels). The reading distance can be significantly increased compared to a single antenna.
In addition, it does not matter on which side of the animal the ear tag is attached since the tag is
close to any of both panels.
Please avoid very close distances between both antennas! Since the coupling of
the two coils can be too high in such a case, the reader might not be able to tune
the antenna correctly anymore. For two APA006 antennas in this setup, the panels
should have a minimum distance of 50 centimeters.
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ASR550 Operational Manual
Antennas out of phase
Phasing
Phasing
In this setup the antennas are “out of phase”. This is also called anti-parallel- or Anti-Helmholtz
antenna. The optimum tag orientation is 90 degrees rotated compared to those of the single
antenna and “double antenna - in phase” setup.
As you can see in the left drawing, the direction of the field lines varies at different positions.
This makes the anti-parallel setup more suitable for applications with varying transponder
orientations than the other setups.
Nevertheless this setup has disadvantages as well: There is a dead spot in the middle of the
gate. At this point the tag cannot be read in any orientation. How big this zone is, depends on
antenna size and distance. Please avoid mounting the antennas in positions, where the animals
transponder stays in this dead spot. For pure walkthrough applications this fact does not really
matter because the tag should be read without stopping the animal (before and after this spot).
But for applications where animals should be read when they are stopped, e.g. in a scale, it
should be considered carefully.
Additionally the field is pretty much “pushed” outside the gate – like for magnets with equal
polarity. This extends the reading zone in a way that transponders can be read quite far outside
the panels as well. This could lead to several transponders in the field at the same time and
thus to data collision – so the reading zone should be figured out doing comprehensive tests
before starting with live animals.
An advantage of the anti-parallel setup is the suppression of far-field interference. This can be
an interesting aspect if long-wave transmitters decrease the reading performance.
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ASR550 Operational Manual
The Reader Electronics
ESD precautions must be taken while touching the reader board after it has been
removed from its antistatic bag. Ignoring this warning will lead to the loss of
warranty.
The ASR550 is a stationary reader designed for reading both ISO relevant transponder
technologies: FDX-B and HDX. It is operating on 134.2 KHz and can read passive tags as
defined in ISO11784/11785 at a very good reading range. Combined with one of our antennas,
the ASR550 provides a flexible and universal RFID system.
The reader board consists of the power supply, the transmitter (including patented Autotuning
function), two separate receivers (for FDX-B and for HDX), a microcontroller and two interfaces
(RS232 and RS485). The ASR550 additionally offers an interface for add-on modules like
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or Ethernet. This Add-On socket can also be used for connecting an antenna
multiplexer. The optional wired Synchronization module can be attached to another connection
strip.
3.1
Specifications
Item
Power Supply
Specification
12V DC to 24V DC (+/- 5%)
Operating Frequency
134.2KHz
Reading Range
HDX: up to 90cm FDX-B: up to 75cm with antenna APA006 (50x60cm)
Reading Rate
HDX: up to 14 reads per second FDX-B: up to 18 reads per second
Antenna Tuning
Patented Autotuning (USP 6, 070, 803 and EP 0 625 832 B1)
Interfaces
RS232 and RS485 (8N1, configurable from 9600 Baud to 115200 Baud)
Optional:
Bluetooth Class 1 (Master capable) or
Wi-Fi or
Ethernet
Indicators
Onboard LEDs:
Yellow: Power
Green: Tag Read
Red: Malfunction (antenna tuning or low input voltage)
Optional: External LED board with buzzer
Synchronization
Wireless Synchronization for HDX only
Wired Synchronization optional
Antenna values
Inductance = 13,5µH, Capacitance = 100nF
Memory
In combination with Handheld APR500 via RS232 or Bluetooth (Race
Mode)
Display
In combination with Handheld APR500 via RS232 or Bluetooth (Race
Mode)
Temperature
Operating Temperature: 0-60°C Storing Temperature: -20-70°C
Dimensions
L x W x H: 160 x 100 x 30mm
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ASR550 Operational Manual
3.2
Installing and Connecting the ASR550
The following picture shows the ASR550 circuit board:
ST6
ST1
ST2
ST4
ST5
Connector
ST1
ST2
ST4
ST5
ST6
Function
Socket for Add-On Module (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ethernet or Multiplexer Adapter)
Socket for Wired Sync. Module
Connector for external LED board (RJ45)
Connector for DC power supply and RS232 / RS485 interface
Connector for Antenna
Since the Add-On Modules do only fit in one direction, the pin assignments do not need to be
explained in detail.
The ASR550 uses the “Phoenix Combicon” series for the Antenna and Power Supply / Interface
connectors. The reader board comes with the corresponding mating plugs which have screw
terminals for connecting all the cables. The wiring has to be done as follows:
3.2.1
ST5 – Connector for DC Power Supply and Interface
Pin Number
3.2.2
ST6 – Antenna Connector
Pin Number
05/11/13
Function
V+ (12.0 …24V DC)
VRS232 TxD
RS232 RxD
GND (is not the same as V- !)
RS485-A
RS485-B
Function
Antenna 1
Antenna 2
Antenna Shield
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ASR550 Operational Manual
3.2.3
ST4 – Connector for external LED Board
The ASR550 provides an RJ45 plug for connecting an external LED board. You can also
purchase an external LED board from Agrident, which contains an additional buzzer for audible
indication of a successful tag read.
Pin
Function
+5V
Output Red LED (open collector with R = 470)
+5V
Output Yellow LED (open collector with R = 470)
+5V
Output Green LED (open collector without R)
Input for auto tuning switch
GND
ASR550
µP
ST4
The external LEDs have the same functions like the on-board LEDs.
3.3
Signalization
The ASR550 has 3 on-board LEDs which indicate the reader status. In general, the yellow LED
indicates that the reader is switched on and the Firmware is running, the green LED indicates a
successful tag read and the red LED means that there is a fault condition. In addition the LEDs
are used for showing other operating conditions:
Yellow
(Power)
continuously on
continuously on
flashing
flashing
continuously on
Green
(Read)
off
flashing
off
off
flashing
Red (Service)
Function
off
off
off
continuously on
continuously on
Reader status OK
Tag was read
Reader is OK and Sync. Slave
Low input voltage (<11.0V DC)
Antenna fault
Condition one, two and three indicate that the reader is working properly. If the input voltage is
below 11.0 Volts DC, the reader will shut down the transmitter in order to avoid overheating.
The ASR550 will also disable the transmitter if the antenna inductance and / or the antenna
impedance are completely wrong.
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ASR550 Operational Manual
3.4
Power Supply Requirements
You might use power supplies between 12 and 24 Volts DC for the ASR550. It is very important
that these power supplies have low ripple and noise (50mVPeakPeak or less). Agrident highly
recommends using linear regulated power supplies (stabilized). Switch-Mode power supplies
can decrease the reader performance significantly if their switching frequency is too close to the
readers operating frequency. In addition they change their behavior depending on input voltage
and load. You can also operate the reader from a 12 Volt automotive battery but please note
that the ASR550 will shutdown the transmitter if the input voltage sinks below 11.0 Volts.
The power supply should be able to deliver 1.5 Ampere per reader at 12 Volt DC since the
maximum input current can be 1 Ampere. For higher input voltages the currents are smaller.
Regarding the minimum input voltage it is also very important to consider the length and the
cross-section of the power supply cable.
Let’s assume the output voltage of your power supply unit (PSU) is 12.0 Volts and you want to
use standard data cable with a cross-section of 0.5mm². The minimum input voltage for the
reader is 11.0 Volts and the maximum possible current 1 Ampere. So the maximum allowed
voltage drop is 1.0 Volt and thus the maximum allowed cable resistance is 1.0 Ω.
VPSU = 12.0V
VIn Minimum = 11.0V
Ω/meter
cable: 0.5² with 36mΩ / meter
Ω/meter
Ω
Ω/meter
IMax = 1.0A
That means your power supply cable must be shorter than 13.8 meter in this case. If the cable
needs to be longer you have to use cable with a higher cross-section or a PSU with a higher
output voltage.
For the most agricultural applications, standard non-shielded cable will work fine. However,
there might be applications where shielded cable is required, e.g. Abattoirs or other industrial
applications. In this case the shielding avoids the reception of unwanted signals via the power
supply cable – at least partially.
You should connect the shield to Ground of the reader (ST5-Pin5) on one end and on the other
end to the enclosure of the power supply in case of using a metal enclosure.
ASR550 – ST5
Power Supply
+V
-V
GND
shield
shield
12...24V DC
The minimum cross-section of the power supply cable should be 0.5mm².
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ASR550 Operational Manual
3.5
The RS232 Interface
One of the several possible interfaces of the ASR550 reader is the RS232. Although it might be
a little bit old-fashioned in the consumer-electronic market meanwhile (lots of laptops do not
even have such an interface anymore), it is still used in agricultural applications very often. One
of the major advantages compared to USB is that the RS232 does not require drivers to be
installed manually.
An RS232 interface needs at least three wires: TxD, RxD and GND.
TxD:
RxD:
GND:
the line on which a device transmits data
the line on which a device receives data
Ground (as reference to TxD and RxD)
In order to use the RS232 interface, connect all three lines to the host device. Please note that
the RxD and TxD lines have to be crossed. The line on which the ASR550 transmits data is the
line on which the host receives data and vice versa.
For connecting the RS232 of the reader to a 9-pole D-SUB connector, please use the following
wiring:
ASR550 – ST5
Pin 3 - TxD
Pin 4 - RxD
Pin 5 - GND
Connection
PC SUB-D 9 pole
Pin 2 RxD
Pin 3 TxD
Pin 5 GND
ASR550 – ST5
TxD
RxD
RxD
TxD
GND
GND
Serial Connector
Please do not forget to connect the Ground line as this builds the reference for
RxD and TxD. The “–V” Pin (ST5-Pin2) is not the same as Ground! The RS232
will not work properly without connecting Ground.
In addition you always have to connect both lines: RxD and TxD – even if you do
not want to send data to the reader. The reason is that the ASR550 uses an
RS232 circuit which disables itself, if it does not detect valid RS232 signals.
The maximum allowed cable length for RS232 is 12 meter according to the RS232
specification. This is because the maximum allowed cable capacitance at 19200
Baud is 2500pF. Using low capacitance cable might allow longer cables but please
keep in mind that the critical cable length gets smaller as the baud rate is rising!
The RS232 baud rate is configurable between 9600 and 115200 baud. You have to ensure that
both ends are using the same settings; otherwise the communication will not work at all.
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3.6
The RS485 Interface
EIA-485, also known as RS-485, is a standard defining the electrical characteristics of drivers
and receivers for use in balanced digital multipoint systems. Digital communications networks
implementing the EIA-485 standard can be used over long distances of up to 1200 meters. It
should also be used in electrically noisy environments because the symmetrical signal
transmission suppresses interference. Multiple receivers may be connected to such a network
in a daisy chain configuration. Please use low capacitance twisted pair cable, like CAT5
Ethernet cable, for the RS485 wiring only. A and B should be connected to one twisted pair.
Although an RS485 signal has no ground reference, GND should be connected as well. Over
long distances there can be significant differences in the voltage level of “Ground”. RS-485
networks can typically maintain correct data with a difference of -7 to +12 Volts. If the grounds
differ more than that amount, data will be lost and often the port itself will be damaged. The
function of the signal Ground wire is to tie the signal Ground of each of the nodes to one
common Ground.
GND
RS485 Bus
ASR550 – ST5
The maximum number of devices on the bus is 32. The recommended arrangement of the wires
is a connected series of point-to-point (multi-dropped) nodes, a line or bus, not a star or a ring.
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The two ends of the cable should have a termination resistor connected across the two wires.
Without termination resistors, reflections of fast driver edges can cause multiple data edges that
can cause data corruption. The value of each termination resistor should be equal to the cable
impedance (typically 120 ohms for twisted pairs).
RS485-B
MAX483
120Ω
ASR550
µP
at the ends
of the bus
only
RS485-A
The above drawing shows the RS485 schematic of the ASR550 including the fail-safe resistors.
These are necessary for biasing the lines to known voltages and nodes will not interpret the
noise from undriven lines as actual data.
The RS485 baud rate can be configured from 9600 to 115200 baud. Please ensure that all
nodes use the same and correct setting.
It is very important that each device on the bus uses a different network- or node
address. If several readers are using the same address, data collision might be
the result. You can change the reader’s node addresses via the Agrident Demo
Software.
ASR550 Settings
In order to allow the ASR550 to work in a wide range of applications, there are lots of
possibilities for changing the behavior of the reader, i.e. for altering several settings. Therefore
Agrident provides a PC Demo-Software which is available for free. You may also control the
reader with own software or change settings using the corresponding commands according to
the ASR550 protocol. Please see the ASR550 protocol description for details.
All the different reader settings will be explained in combination with the Agrident PC-Demo
Software for stationary readers in the following chapters.
4.1
Installing the PC-Demo Software
Please start the setup file and follow the instructions in order to install the PC-Demo Software.
The Agrident PC-Demo Software is written in Visual Studio and thus requires the Microsoft
.NET Framework Version 2.0 or higher.
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4.2
Starting the PC-Demo Software
After starting the ASR550 PC-Demo Software, the following main screen appears.
4.3
The File Menu
The file menu is located in the upper left corner of the main
window. It consists of the menu items “File”, “Settings”,
“Tools” and “?”.
4.3.1
File
The Menu “File” contains only one menu item, “Quit”. This item closes the PC-Demo Software.
Alternatively you might also close the program using the corresponding button in the upper right
corner of the main window:
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4.3.2
Settings
The file menu “Settings” contains the menu items “Connection”, “Device” and Log File”.
4.3.2.1
Connection
If you press “Connection” an additional window opens. Here you have to select the interface
type and the corresponding settings.
In case of using the readers RS232 or RS485 interface, or the optional Bluetooth Module, the
connection type to be used is “Serial”. This also applies to all kind of USB-Serial-Converters like
an USB-RS232 Converter.
Please select the correct Port Name and the correct baud rate. The baud rate is configurable
between 9600 and 115200 baud. The configured baud rate of the ASR550 has to match with
the selected baud rate of the PC-Software – otherwise the communication will not work. Per
factory default, the ASR550s baud rate is set to 9600.
If the connection was established successfully, the orange circle in the main screen will turn into
green. In addition you can see the currently selected port, baud rate, and the network address,
the PC-Demo Software will use for communicating with the reader.
The default network address is 255 (FF in hexadecimal) which means, all readers listening on
this port will answer requests. Network addresses make only sense in case of having several
readers connected to one RS485 interface.
Please keep in mind that each comport can only be accessed by one program. If
you want to use other software for communicating with the reader, please close
ASR PC-Demo before or at least click on “Disconnect” in the main window.
TCP/IP connections are only intended to be used if your ASR550 has an optional Wi-Fi – or
Ethernet module. Please see the corresponding manuals regarding details about the TCP/IP
configuration.
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4.3.2.2
Device
This submenu allows choosing the stationary reader product you are using. The default setting
is the ASR550, but “older” reader models are supported as well. If the Demo Software was
connected to an Agrident Stationary Reader successfully, the reader type should be detected
automatically. It makes sense to select the device manually if you want to evaluate diagnosis
data “Offline”, i.e. with no reader connected. The ASR550 saves the diagnosis data (also tuning
curves) different from the previous models ASR400, ASR500, ASR600 and ASR700.
4.3.2.3
Log File
If you press “Log File”, a small window opens:
Here you can decide whether the PC-Demo Software should create a log file containing the
read transponder numbers or not. If the option “On” is selected, the program will create a new
log file in the ASR PC-Demo Software folder each time you start the software. The option “Off”
causes that no log file will be created. If you decide to save a log file, you also have the
possibility to ignore double reads regarding the log.
1. Ignore Double Reads
If the reader transmits one and the same ID again and again, it will be written into the log file
only once if this checkbox is activated. If a different ID is read meanwhile, the previous ID will be
added to the log again next time it is read. So “Double Reads” only refers to ONE transponder
number being read repeatedly.
2. Ignore Known Tags
If this box is checked, the PC-Demo Software will ignore all tags which have already been read
since the program was started.
4.3.3
Tools
The section Tools contains the submenus “Monitor”, “Animal Counter”, “Auto Diagnosis” and
“Diagnosis”.
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4.3.3.1
Monitor
The Monitor window shows the complete serial communication between the reader and the PC.
This is very useful for software developers in order to verify their own software with the
commands the Agrident PC-Demo Software is sending and receiving.
The communication might also be watched in ASCII format. This makes more sense for viewing
the transponder data in output formats which do not use the transmission frame like the “Short
ASCII” formats, NLIS, ISO24631 or the Custom Format. The button “clear” empties the window.
4.3.3.2
Animal Counter
The Animal Counter works similar to the already mentioned log file with the option “Ignore
Known Tags” activated. Nevertheless there are some differences.
When you click on this menu item, a “Save File” dialog will open first.
Please choose a folder where you want to save the file containing the read transponders to. The
file will be saved as a text file with the default name “Animal Counter” followed by date and time.
You might also change this default name, of course.
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If you press “Cancel”, the Animal Counter is started anyway but no file will be saved. This
information is also displayed in the Animal Counter window.
If you decided to save a file, the path will be displayed. When you are reading transponders
now, the counter is increased as soon as a new, unknown, tag has been read. In addition they
will be written into the corresponding text file.
You may also insert a “new Group” separator. As a result the Animal Counter will be reset to “0”
and transponders which were already read in previous groups will be counted again. New Files
may also be created from here.
When you open the Animal Counter file with a text editor, like notepad, the file should look
similar to this example:
Within the particular groups you can see the EID first and then the counted value within the
current group.
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4.3.3.2.1 Auto Diagnosis
There are generally two possible reasons for a decreased reading performance:
1. Wrong antenna tuning, maybe even in combination with too much metal close to the
antenna.
2. Electromagnetical interference – often referred as “noise”.
The ASR550 provides powerful diagnosis features for evaluating both, antenna status and
noise levels. However, since these features might not be that easy to use “manually” for nontechnical people, there is a simple way of getting all these data – the Auto Diagnosis. It stores
a complete tuning curve and the noise levels for both receivers, FDX and HDX. These data
are intended to be sent to technical staff for further evaluation.
When you click on “Auto Diagnosis” the
following window will appear. Per default, the
Demo Software will request 10 of each samples
– FDX and HDX and the HDX frequency. Since
noise is not static, it always makes sense to
save more than 1 sample per channel. You can
press start in order to continue or first increase
or decrease the number of samples.
After you have pressed “Start”, a “Browse for –
Folder” dialog opens. Here you can select a
destination path for the diagnosis data. You also
have the possibility to create a new folder.
The Demo Software will now request a
complete tuning curve and the selected number
of diagnosis samples. The data will be saved in
the folder you have selected previously. You
can now navigate to that folder and send the
complete diagnosis data to your local distributor.
You may also pack the files using WinZip,
WinRar or a similar program.
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4.3.3.3
Diagnosis
The “Diagnosis” menu item is the manual way of the above described Auto Diagnosis. It is
intended to be used by more ‘advanced’ users only since it requires a little bit of background
knowledge. It can be used for watching, recording and replaying the signals from the ASR550
receivers. It can be a very powerful tool for troubleshooting on site. Nevertheless it is a quite
complex issue and thus it will not be described here any further, but in a separate manual.
4.3.4
Help
The “?” menu contains the menu item “Info” only. Here you can see the current version of the
PC-Demo software.
4.4
The Main-Window of the PC-Demo Software
After the Demo Software was started and the connection to the ASR550 was successful, you
should see a screen similar to the one above. The main screen consists of the sections
“Received Tag”, “Settings”, “Connection” and an area for status messages (Info) which also
contains a progress bar. Beside that you can see which type of reader is connected to the PC
Demo Software – here an ASR550.
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4.4.1
Received Tag
This section is used for displaying the IDs which have been sent by the reader. Each time a tag
number is received, the background color of the text fields turns into green for a short time.
4-digit Country Code as defined per ISO
11784/11785
12-digit National Identification Code as defined
per ISO 11784/11785
Transponder Type, if supported by
selected output format (FDX-B or HDX)
the
Indication of whether the read transponder is
an animal tag or not, if supported by the
selected output format (can be TRUE or
FALSE)
In this case the output format was “Byte Structure”. This format does not only provide the
information if the tag is an animal tag or not, but also the other “Advanced ISO information” like
“User Information” (also called Species Code), “Reserved Zone”, “Retagging Counter” or the
“Data Block Flag”.
4.4.2
Settings
These buttons are available within all tabs of the main window. “Read all” requests all reader
settings in one step, independently of the tab which is currently active. “Apply all” is similar but
will send all settings to the ASR550. “Reset all” will set the reader back to factory default values.
Please note that there is no additional “Save” command necessary for storing the
configuration in the reader’s non-volatile memory like it had to be done for the
previous Agrident Stationary Readers.
4.4.3
Connection
As already mentioned earlier in this manual, the “Connection” area indicates the serial
connection status of the reader. There are three possible conditions:
The port is closed. You have to click “Connect”
in order to open the port. Please make sure that
port name and baud rate are correct, otherwise
please change these settings via “Connections”
in the file menu “Settings”.
The PC-Demo Software opened the port and
tries to connect to the reader. If this did not
succeed after some seconds, please check your
port settings again.
The program could connect to an Agrident
reader successfully. The complete reader
settings (from all tabs) are requested and filled
in into the corresponding fields automatically.
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4.4.4
The “Info” area
This section is used for displaying status messages. In addition there is a status bar indicating
progress of the current operation.
In this example the request for all reader settings (“Read
all”) was answered by the reader successfully.
As we can see here, the command could not be sent to the
reader successfully, i.e. there was no response received
from the reader.
This works similar for all other “Set” or “Get” operations.
4.5
General Settings
The “General” tab provides access to several different reader settings, which are responsible for
the common operating characteristics.
4.5.1
Serial Number and Firmware Version
You can request the 6-digit Serial Number of
the reader, which corresponds with the ID
Label on the printed circuit board. You may
also request the currently used Firmware
version.
The “get” buttons only request these particular settings while “Read all” will request
all reader settings. The “set” buttons function accordingly.
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4.5.2
Transponder Types
Since the ASR550 is a reader according to the
ISO11784/11785 regulations, it can read FDX-B
and HDX transponders. Anyway, if you do not want
to read either of both technologies, you might
deactivate it here.
4.5.3
Operating Modes
The ASR550 has three different operating modes. They allow to adapt the behaviour of the
reader for several applications and have to do with field activation and different ways of the ID
transmission to the interface in general.
1. Continuous ID output
The reader has its RF-field activated all the time. As soon as a transponder was read, the
ASR550 will send the EID to the interface. The interface can be RS232, RS485 or Bluetooth or
Wi-Fi or Ethernet in case of using the corresponding add-on module. The repeated transmission
of one and the same ID can be controlled via the setting “Delaytime”.
Please note that the “Continuous ID output” mode must not be used in case of having more
than one reader connected via RS485 since RS485 does not support anti-collision. For such
applications you either have to use “Reqested ID output” or “Trigger Mode”. The “Continuous ID
output” mode is intended to be used for point-to-point connections only. This does not apply if
you are using the Ethernet or Wi-Fi option since these interfaces do support anti-collision.
The Continuous ID output mode was called “Master Mode” for the previous reader generations.
The Delaytime is the period the reader waits before sending one and the same ID repeatedly. If
the ASR decodes a different ID, the Delaytime does not matter. The Delaytime is configurable in
milliseconds.
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Value Hex
00
Value Decimal
Description
Maximum Delaytime; One and the same ID will not be
transmitted again until another transponder was read.
01
50ms
Default value; The same ID will be transmitted again after
50ms, if the transponder was read again.
02
100ms
The same ID will be transmitted again after 100ms, if the
transponder was read again.
…
…
FE
12700ms
Largest possible numeric value
FF
12750ms
No Delaytime. The ID will be transmitted repeated directly
after reading.
Values in 50ms steps are possible
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2. Requested ID output
In this operation mode the RF-field is activated permanently as well, but the reader will not
transmit any ID until there is a request from an external controller (Last_ID request). If the
ASR550 detects a transponder, the ID will be written into an internal buffer. The buffer can
contain five IDs maximum. The ID which is written into the buffer first is also the ID which is
read from the buffer if a Last_ID request was received (FIFO). Sending several Last_ID
requests is a way of emptying the buffer.
If you have lots ASR550 connected to one RS485 bus, you have to poll the readers – one after
the other. Therefore you have to give the readers different network addresses first, using a
point-to-point connection. Please see chapter 4.5.4 (Device Addresses) for details.
The Last_ID requests to the different readers have to contain the corresponding reader address
as destination address. If you have to implement this into your own software, the ASR550
protocol description provides further helpful information.
If the reader is operating in this mode, you will see an additional button “Get LAST ID” in the
“Received Transponder” section of the “Main” tab.
In the above example, there was no ID in the buffer.
If the reader is running in Requested ID output mode, the input fields Delaytime and Timeout
are greyed out, since they are meaningless in this operating mode.
The Requested ID output mode was called “Slave Continuous” for earlier ASR models.
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3. Trigger Mode
Using the Trigger Mode will force the ASR550 not to activate the RF-field until the reader
receives a “Single_ID” request. In this case the ASR will activate the field until the configured
“Timeout” has elapsed OR a transponder was read. If the Timeout has elapsed and no
transponder was read, the reader will return an “Empty ID” message.
The Timeout determines the maximum time in which the ASR550 tries to read a transponder
before deactivating the field again. The value is configurable in milliseconds.
Value Hex
01
02
…
FF
Value Decimal
100ms
200ms
…
12750ms
Remarks
Default
100 ms steps
Maximum value
If a transponder was read before the Timeout has elapsed, the ASR550 will immediately
switch off its RF-field and return the tag number.
The Delaytime is greyed out because it has no meaning in case of using the Trigger Mode.
If the reader is configured to work in the Trigger Mode, there is an additional pushbutton in the
“Received Transponder” area of the “Main” tab, “get Single ID”.
Pushing this button, the PC Software will send a “Single_ID” request to the reader. The
ASR550 will activate its RF-field until it read a transponder or the configured Timeout has
elapsed. In case of having read a tag, the reader will return the ID. If the Timeout is over
before a transponder could be read, the ASR will return an “Empty ID” message.
The Trigger Mode was called “Slave Request” mode for previous reader models.
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4.5.4
Device Address
In case of using several readers on an RS485
bus, each reader has to have an individual
network address. The addresses have to be
assigned using a point-to-point connection
first. For details about the allowed addresses,
please refer to the ASR550 protocol
description.
4.5.5
Timing
In order to allow the ASR550 to read both transponder technologies – FDX-B and HDX – the
reader has to switch on and off the field for certain periods. This is called timing. Per default, the
ASR uses the variable timing as defined per ISO11784/11785. In this timing the reader decides
about length of the field on / field off periods on its own. The results of those decisions depend
on the presence of a corresponding transponder.
The following patterns are possible using the variable timing:
FDX tag present?
No
Yes
No
Yes
HDX tag present?
No
No
Yes
Yes
Field-On time
50ms
50…100ms
50ms
50…100ms
Field-Off time
4ms
4ms
20ms
20ms
A field-on period followed by a field-off period can be called slot or cycle. In the variable timing,
every 10th cycle is 50:20 milliseconds fixed. This should allow wireless synchronizing handheld
readers to read an HDX tag at least once a second.
However, there might be applications where a fixed timing could be the better choice. Therefore
the ASR550 offers 3 different timings with a fixed length for the slots: 50:20, 70:20 or 100:20.
Independently of the setting, every 10th cycle will be 50:20 again. If the stationary reader would
not do that, no handheld close to it would be able to read and HDX tag at all in case of using
70:20 or 100:20.
Select the timing you want to use for your
application and press the “set” button.
After a reset to factory defaults, the
ASR550 will always use the variable
timing again.
The “get” button requests the currently
configured setting from the reader.
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4.5.6
RF-Activation
For certain applications it might be necessary to switch the RF-field on and off manually. Setting
the reader into the Trigger Mode and then back into one of the other operating modes would
also switch off and on the field, but this should not be used too often since the new operating
mode will always be written into the readers’ non-volatile memory, which has a limited amount
of guaranteed write-cycles (EEPROM).
So if your application requires enabling and disabling the RF-field many times a day, let’s say
several hundred times, you should use this command. It will not be written into the EEPROM,
just into the RAM; so this setting is only active as long as the ASR550 is not re-started.
Please select the intended radio button in
order to switch on or off the RF-field. After
restarting the ASR550, the RF-field will always
be activated, unless the reader is configured
to Trigger Mode.
4.5.7
Baud Rate
The ASR550 provides RS232 and RS485 as standard interfaces. The baud rate described here
refers to those two interfaces, not to the baud rate of optional communication modules like
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
Choose the intended baud rate and confirm
with “set”. The actual setting can be
requested via “get”.
It is absolutely important that the baud rate of any PC-Software or customized
controller is the same as the configured baud rate for the ASR550. If this is not the
case, communication will not work at all.
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4.5.8
Device Check
The “Device check” requests 3 voltages from the reader, which are important for the operation.
1. V in: Shows the DC supply voltage for the reader. The ASR will disable the transmitter, if
the voltage is 10.8 volts or lower (measured on the reader board, not at the power supply).
2. V rf: The transmitter voltage, should be about 8000mV.
3. V antenna: The antenna voltage depends on the antenna impedance (which can also be
affected by the presence of metal). If the impedance of the antenna is within an acceptable
range, the antenna voltage should be between 50V and 65V.
Press “Device check” in order to get the latest
measured voltages from the reader. In case of a
fault condition, the corresponding text field will
turn orange.
4.6
Tuning
The tuning tab provides useful information about the current antenna status. You might also
configure tuning options and start an Autotuning here.
4.6.1
Power-On Tuning
The setting “Power-On Tuning” decides if the ASR550 will
perform a complete Autotuning procedure after switching
on or not. This tuning takes less than 200 ms and is
enabled per factory default.
4.6.2
Background Tuning
The ASR550 is capable of changing its tuning value
automatically if the environment regarding the presence
of metal changes. This may take a few seconds but does
not require any manual action. This option is disabled in
factory default settings
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4.6.3
Tuning Data
As already mentioned in this manual earlier, the correct tuning of the antenna significantly
decides about the reading performance. The section “Tuning Data” gives an overview about
important values concerning the antenna status.
The antenna voltage “V antenna” should be
within a range of 50 to 65 volts. The Phase is
only used for internal purposes, so please don’t
care about this value. “CP FDX” indicates the
currently used capacitor pattern, or tuning value,
for the FDX period. It should have a value of 9
to 11 ideally. In case of having metal close to
the antenna, the value will increase since the
reader has to compensate the decreased
antenna inductance by setting more tuning
capacitors. The value of “CP HDX” is always 7
steps higher than the CP FDX value. The
“Status” field gives further information in case of
an antenna fault. In this example it says “OK”
because there is no antenna fault. You might
request those values once by pressing the “get”
button, or repeatedly by activating the “poll”
checkbox.
4.6.4
Tuning Graph
The “Tuning Graph” section allows to request a complete tuning curve from the reader in one
step. What the ASR is doing in this case is trying all 64 possible Autotuning combinations while
measuring the antenna voltage. The result is a curve indicating where the voltage maximum is
located.
If you click on any position within the graph drawing area, an additional window will open.
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If you move the mouse within the graph area you will automatically move a marker. Depending
on the Capacitor pattern, the voltage value will change accordingly.
Pressing the “Request Curve” button will force the PC-Demo software to request the tuning
curve again. The “find” button in the “Marker” box will set a permanent marker on the Capacitor
Pattern which is currently used by the reader.
You might change the scaling of the amplitude as well. For the ASR550 the default setting of “0100” makes the most sense, if the antenna status is ok and the values are within the correct
range.
The section “File Operation” allows manually saving the curve and also loading previously
saved curves. Loading tuning curves mainly makes sense for watching already recorded data,
e.g. in case a customer has sent you Autodiagnosis data you want to evaluate.
4.6.5
Start Tuning
The Demo Software offers two different ways of Autotuning
the reader manually by sending the corresponding
command, “Fast Tuning” and “Tuning + Show LEDs”.
The Fast Tuning is the same as the automatic tuning after switching on. The reader tries all 64
possible Capacitor Patterns and searches for the maximum voltage. This procedure takes less
than 200ms.
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“Tuning + Show LEDs” will first do the same like “Fast Tuning” but after the tuning procedure is
finished, the ASR will show an LED sequence fairly slow in order to indicate the approximate
position of the voltage maximum. The reader will perform this kind of tuning if the button on the
external LED board is pressed.
The LEDs have the following meaning during the indication sequence:
Yellow means, the voltage is rising. Green indicates that a maximum voltage has been found
and Red that the voltage is falling.
If the tuning of the antenna is ideal – the reader uses a Capacitor Pattern of 9 to 11 – the yellow
LED will be activated very shortly, followed by the green LED and a longer period of the red
one. This is because 9, 10 or 11 are pretty much on the left side of 64 possible combinations.
Let’s have a look at some example curves:
The above shown curve has shown a maximum voltage at Capacitor pattern 9. The colored
bars should simulate the approximate activation times of the LEDs for this example curve. The
lowest possible value is CP = 0 on the left side which means that no Autotuning capacitor is set.
The highest possible value is CP = 64 on the right side – in this case the ASR has set all tuning
capacitors.
Since a value of 9 is much more on the left side, the yellow LED is switched on for a very short
time only. The period for the green LED is also very short because this indicates the voltage
maximum. The red LED is activated much longer since this represents the tuning range from
CP = 11 to CP = 64.
This example shows a tuning curve like it should be. The CP which is used is within the ideal
range of 9 to 11 and the voltage is ok as well. So we can assume that there is no or not too
much metal close to the antenna.
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In the next example curve we put the antenna close to metal. Metal decreases the antenna
inductance and thus the reader has to set more Autotuning capacitors for compensating the
reduced inductance.
Due to the presence of metal the ASR550 has decided for a Capacitor Pattern of 20. In this
case, the yellow LED will be activated longer. What you can also see is that the amplitude has
decreased from 56.7V to 39.7V which leads to the following, very important, conclusion:
Although the Autotuning can compensate a lower antenna inductance, it can
never compensate the losses caused by too much metal. Even if the reader
is still able to tune for the correct resonant frequency, there will be a reduced
reading performance. So you should always try to modify your application in
a way that there are no losses like this.
The “Device check” in the “General” tab
would indicate the lower voltage as well by
coloring the V antenna field orange.
The antenna status in this example does not mean that the ASR is not able to read
transponders anymore – but the reading range will be reduced unnecessarily.
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ASR550 Operational Manual
4.7
Output Format
4.7.1
Introduction
The ASR550 offers a lot of different output formats. Some formats use a transmission frame
according to the ASR protocol. In order to get the desired information, e.g. the transponder
number, the telegram has to be evaluated by software on the other side, which is a computer in
most applications but it may also be a customized controller.
The advantage of using the transmission frame is a fault-free operation because the frame also
includes a CRC but it needs knowledge about the ASR protocol on order to get the information
out of the telegram.
The following output formats work with the transmission frame:
ASCII
Byte structure
Compact coding
Raw data
If “SCP Format” is checked in ASCII mode additionally, the control signs are left out and the
information are transmitted without the frame.
There are also formats, which work without the transmission frame. These formats are
recommended, if the reader has to work with a scale or in applications, where it is not possible
to use the standard protocol.
The following formats work without control characters:
Custom format
ISO 24631
NLIS
Short ASCII 15
Short ASCII 16
4.7.2
Changing the output format
only available if
„Custom Format“
is selected as
output format
In order to change the output format, please select a format first. By pressing the “set”
pushbutton, the setting is send to the reader and saved automatically. The current configuration
can be read out via “get”.
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ASR550 Operational Manual
4.7.3
Output Formats description
This chapter deals with the different output formats and explains the ones without transmission
frame in detail. Formats using frame according to the ASRs’ protocol will not be described in
this manual since the evaluation of those formats requires knowledge about software
development. For this reason they are described in the ASR550 protocol description detailed.
4.7.3.1
ASCII
The “ASCII” format is using the transmission frame. In this format the country code and the 12
digit national identification code are transmitted in ASCII notation. For information about how to
evaluate an ASCII telegram, please see the separate “ASR550_Protocol_Description”
document.
The option “SCP-Format” offers the possibility, to send the ASCII number without transmission
frame. Only the last 10 digits of the national identification code are transmitted. For other
formats than ASCII, the SCP Format is not available and thus greyed out.
Example ID Format ASCII and SCP format
ID0
‘0’
CR
0x0D
ID0...ID9
CR
LF
ID1
‘9’
LF
0x0A
ID2
‘0’
ID3
‘0’
ID4
‘3’
ID5
‘1’
ID6
‘6’
ID7
‘3’
ID8
‘5’
ID9
‘8’
‘0900316358’
0x0D
0x0A
The last characters of the telegram are  (0x0D)  (0x0A).
4.7.3.2
Byte structure
The format “Byte Structure” is also using the transmission frame. In Byte structure the complete
64 Bit data content of the transponder are transmitted. For information about how to evaluate a
Byte Structure telegram, see the “ASR550_Protocol_Description” document.
4.7.3.3
Compact coding
The format “Compact coding” is also using the transmission frame. The country code and the
national identification code are transmitted in BCD notation. For information about how to
evaluate a Compact coding telegram, see the “ASR550_Protocol_Description”.
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ASR550 Operational Manual
4.7.3.4
Custom format
The custom format is like a construction kit, the user can put together the output string
according to the requirements of his application. It does not use the transmission frame.
In order to gain access to the “Custom Format” panel, you have to choose “Custom Format” as
the output format first. For any other output format, the “Custom Format” selection panel is
greyed out.
In the above screen you can see that the default value for “ID Code” is “Unformatted”. In this
case the reader transmits the 64 Bit transponder “raw data” in hexadecimal notation. Below the
Custom Format configuration box you can see a preview of your selected output format.
If the “ID Code” is set to “Formatted”, it is possible to select or deselect initial characters and
additional information, to choose delimiters or to cut leading zeros. Select your desired custom
format and press the corresponding “set” button.
The different options and their settings are described below.
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FORMATTED
UNFORMATTED
ID Code
allows the selection and formatting of the individual ID code items
sends 16 digits of unformatted hexadecimal transponder data
DECIMAL
HEXADECIMAL
Number Format
decimal (0-9) number representation
hexadecimal (0-9 and A-F) number representation
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ASR550 Operational Manual
Initial Character
The Initial Character is a single ID code string identifier character, sent as the first
identification code character.
# (ALLFLEX STYLE)
L (TIRIS LINE MODE)
X (TIRIS EXECUTE MODE)
G (TIRIS GATE MODE)
Self defined
None
*…
sends "#" as first ID code string character
sends "L" as first ID code string character
sends "X" as the first ID code string character
sends "G" as first ID code string character
no ID code string initial character is sent
If you choose “Self defined”, any ASCII character can be selected. The character can be
entered in hex notation (0x..) or as the number of the designated ASCII character. It is also
possible to enter the ASCII character directly. An example:
You want the ASCII character “A” as initial character.
Enter “A” into the corresponding field 
ASCII character
or
Enter “0x41” into the corresponding field 
Hex number of the ASCII character A
Tag Type ID
Transponder type identification character
ALLFLEX STYLE
FDX-B-ISO transponders
HDX-ISO transponders
HDX-Industrial R/O transponders
HDX-Industrial R/W transponders
TIRIS STYLE
FDX-B-ISO transponders
HDX-ISO transponders
HDX-Industrial R/O transponders
HDX-Industrial R/W transponders
None
no tag type identification character is sent
Don´t send
Send
Don´t send
Send
Don´t send
Send
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Reserved Field
does not send the reserved field data
does send the reserved field data
Retagging Counter
does not send the retagging counter
does send the retagging counter
User Code
does not send the user code
does send the user code
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ASR550 Operational Manual
Data Block Flag
does not send the data block flag
does send the data block flag
Don´t send
Send
Extended Code
Extended Code is the country or manufacturer code. It consists of 4 digits. Manufacturer
codes have decimal values larger or equal to 900, country codes have decimal values lower
than 900.
Don´t send
Send
does not send the extended code
does send the extended code
ISO ALPHANUMERIC
NUMERIC
Country Code
If the extended code is a country code, it will be sent as an
alphanumeric representation, e.g. “DEU” for Germany. If the
extended code is a manufacturer code its decimal value will be
sent in numeric representation.
The decimal value of the extended code will be sent in numeric
representation, e.g. “276” for Germany.
Field Delimiter
The field delimiter separates identification code items.
Between the initial character and the ID-tag type identification character no delimiter is sent!
Tabulator
Semicolon
Comma
Space
None
a tabulator separates ID code items
a semicolon separates ID code items
a comma ID code items
a space separates ID code items
No separation
Leading Zeroes
Don’t Send
Send
does not send leading zeroes
does send leading zeroes
Example
980 123456
980 000000123456
Command Prompt
Enables/Disables transmission of the command prompt „>" as a trailer of messages. If you
work with terminal software like Hyperterminal, it provides a better overview of the
communication process.
No prompt
Send prompt
Don´t send
Send
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disables transmission of the command prompt
enables transmission of the command prompt
Animal Flag
does not send the animal flag
does send the animal flag
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ASR550 Operational Manual
4.7.3.5
ISO 24631
The ISO 24631 format contains additional information, like animal flag, retagging counter,
species code and so on. The last characters of the telegram will be  (0x0D)  (0x0A).
Transmission of information by a communication link, excluding the time stamp option, as
defined per ISO 24631.
The ISO 24631 format allows defining the start character of the telegram. Enter the desired
character in decimal or hexadecimal notation and press the corresponding “set” pushbutton.
The factory default start character is “0x02”.
4.7.3.6
NLIS
If NLIS is activated, 16 digits will be transmitted in ASCII notation without frame. The leading
zero of the country code is not transmitted. The NLIS format is the same like Short ASCII 15,
but with a space as delimiter between country code and ID. The last characters of the telegram
will be  (0x0D)  (0x0A).
ID0
‘9’
ID10
‘3’
ID1
‘8’
ID11
‘1’
ID0...ID15
CR
LF
4.7.3.7
ID2
‘4’
ID12
‘6’
ID3
‘’
ID13
‘3’
ID4
‘0’
ID14
‘5’
ID5
‘1’
ID15
‘8’
ID6
‘0’
CR
0x0D
ID7
‘9’
LF
0x0A
ID8
‘0’
ID9
‘0’
‘984 010900316358’
0x0D
0x0A
Raw data
The format “Raw data” uses the transmission frame. In this format, the complete content of the
transponder (for FDX-B including header and control bits) is transmitted. In case of HDX
transponders, Byte structure and Raw data output format is similar because HDX tags do not
contain additional bits. For information about how to evaluate a Raw data telegram, please see
the “ASR550_Protocol_Description” document.
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ASR550 Operational Manual
4.7.3.8
Short ASCII 15
If Short ASCII is activated, 15 digits (3 digits country code + 12 digits ID) will be transmitted in
ASCII notation without frame. The leading zero is not transmitted. The last characters of the
telegram are  (0x0D)  (0x0A).
ID0
‘9’
ID10
‘1’
ID0...ID14
CR
LF
ID1
‘8’
ID11
‘6’
ID2
‘4’
ID12
‘3’
ID3
‘0’
ID13
‘5’
ID4
‘1’
ID14
‘8’
ID5
‘0’
CR
0x0D
ID6
‘9’
LF
0x0A
ID7
‘0’
ID8
‘0’
ID9
'3'
‘0984010900316358’
0x0D
0x0A
4.7.3.9 Short ASCII 16
Short ASCII16 is the same as Short ASCII15 but the leading zero in the country code is
transmitted. The last characters of the telegram are  (0x0D)  (0x0A).
ID0
‘0’
ID10
‘3’
ID0...ID15
CR
LF
4.8
ID1
‘9’
ID11
‘1’
ID2
‘8’
ID12
‘6’
ID3
‘4’
ID13
‘3’
ID4
‘0’
ID14
‘5’
ID5
‘1’
ID15
‘8’
ID6
‘0’
CR
0x0D
ID7
‘9’
LF
0x0A
ID8
‘0’
ID9
‘0’
‘0984010900316358’
0x0D
0x0A
Synchronization
If two or more readers operate in close vicinity to each other, they have to be synchronized.
The example on the right shows that the
readers are not synchronized. If reader
1 tries to read an HDX tag when the
field is switched off, it might fail in this
scenario. The reason is that readers 2
and 3 have their fields activated at this
time; that means, they transmit on the
same frequency like the HDX transponder – but with much more power. If
the unsynchronized readers are too
close to each other (up to 50 meter,
depending on antenna size and
orientation), they will not be able to pick
up an HDX transponder signal – at least
not at the maximum possible distance.
The solution for this problem is “Synchronization”. There are particular mechanisms which
ensure that the timing of several readers is strictly synchronized.
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ASR550 Operational Manual
In this example the ASRs are
synchronized. The field on / off cycles
are synchronous. There is always one
Sync. Master, all other ASRs are Sync.
Slaves.
Since all readers have the HDXlistening period at the same time, there
is no more interference and the
transponder signal can be picked up.
Please open the “Synchronization” tab in order to set up the ASR550 for synchronization.
Per default, synchronization is disabled. If “Wireless Sync.” is not activated in the “Sync. Mode”
section, the advanced Wireless Sync. settings are greyed out and thus not available.
Independently of the method of synchronization, wired or wireless, there is no
particular Sync. Master – the readers decide independently which ASR550 is
the Master. If the Master reader stops working, another reader will
automatically take over the role of the Sync. Master.
4.8.1
Sync. Mode
There are three different settings possible:
1. no Sync.
2. Wireless Sync.
3. Wired Sync.
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ASR550 Operational Manual
1. No Sync. Mode
Using this setting, which is also the factory default value, the ASR550 will not ‘listen’ to any
other readers but will independently decide when to activate and deactivate the RF-field. As
long as there are no other stationary readers in close proximity, this setting can be used without
any problems.
All Agrident portable readers support “Wireless Synchronization”. This is
necessary because you cannot use Sync. cables for portable readers. In
order to allow the Wireless Sync. for Handheld devices working as good as
possible, it is highly recommended to set the ASR550 to a fixed timing of
50:20ms – if there are no other reasons which would speak against that.
2. Wireless Sync. Mode
The ASR550 is capable of doing Wireless Sync. as well. This does also work, if you have
several readers close together, not only two. In order to use Wireless Sync. you have to activate
this option as Sync. Mode setting first. More details about this option will be explained in chapter
4.8.2 – “Wireless Sync. Level”.
3. Wired Sync. Mode
The ASR550 is also capable of doing Wired Synchronization. The disadvantage compared to
the Wireless Sync. is that you have to run cables between all readers you want to sync. But
there are also advantages. Wireless Sync. implies a quite stable RSSI, i.e. the successful
function of Wireless Sync. depends on the background noise. If there is a strongly varying noise
level, the wireless method might fail. So for applications which require 100 percent reliable
synchronization, which works completely independently of any noise levels, it is recommended
to use Wired Sync.
The Wired Sync. is not available on the ASR550 board per default. You require an add-on
module for this purpose.
For details about the Wired Sync. Module (ASY100), please see the corresponding application
note.
4.8.2
Wireless Sync. Level
How does wireless Sync. work?
During the HDX listening period, the ASR550 is able to evaluate the so called RSSI level. RSSI
means: Received Signal Strength Indication. You might already know this term from other radio
technologies like Wi-Fi. If another reader is activating its RF-field during the HDX listening
period of the reader we are currently looking at, the ASR550 will take this ‘rising edge’ in the
RSSI as the reason, also to activate its own RF-field immediately.
Although the integrated diagnosis function of the ASR550 was not explained in detail in this
manual, we will have a look at some RSSI samples. If necessary, please refer to the
“ASR550_Integrated_Diagnosis_Function_Manual” first.
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ASR550 Operational Manual
At this time the own RF-field is switched off.
This is the start of the HDX listening period.
In a “noise-free” environment, the RSSI should be 1 Volt or lower like in the screenshot above.
The following sample shows the rising edge in the RSSI, caused by another stationary reader
which just activated its field.
Sync. Level
needs to be
set
What the ASR550 requires in order to make the correct decision is a particular Sync. Level. The
level needs to be set higher than the highest peak in the ‘background noise’. So in our example
it would be okay to set the Sync. Level to approximately 1V. You might also set it higher but
then you decrease the sensitivity of Wireless Sync. A level of about 3 Volts would make no
sense at all since the ‘other’ reader does not pass 3 Volts.
If you want to select a Sync level manually, your value should always be only a
bit higher than the maximum background noise. This ensures that the ASR550
will also synchronize to readers which are further apart. The Sync. Level is
comparable with the “Trigger Level” of an oscilloscope.
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ASR550 Operational Manual
In the next example the ‘other’ reader seems to be further apart because the signal rise in the
RSSI is smaller.
If you would select a Sync. Level of 1.5 Volts or even higher in this case, Wireless Sync. would
never work because the signal, caused by the other reader, never reaches 1.5 Volts.
Fortunately the ASR550 also offers an automatic Sync. Level detection which works really
reliable. In this case the reader always evaluates the changes in the background noise and tries
to set the lowest possible Sync. Level on its own.
If you do not know exactly what you are doing with the manual configuration,
we highly recommend using the automatic Sync. Level detection in order to
avoid unnecessary malfunction of the Sync. mechanism.
Use the slide control for selecting a Sync. Level and press “set” in order to send the setting to
the reader. You can request the current setting via “get”.
If the slide control is on the left side, Wireless Sync. is off. The slide control on the very right
side means Sync. Level auto detection. All values in between are valid voltages.
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ASR550 Operational Manual
Wireless Sync. can only work with a fixed timing. The ASR550 can either use
50:20ms, 70:20ms or 100:20ms.
The Sync. timing is set via “Timing” in the “General” tab as well.
Since the “variable timing” is not allowed in case of using Wireless Sync., the ASR550 will use a
fixed timing of 50:20ms if variable timing is set in combination with Wireless Sync.
So if Wireless Sync. is activated, the settings in the “Timing” section work as follows:
The ASR550 will use a fixed timing of 50ms
field activation and 20ms field off.
The ASR550 will use a fixed timing of 50ms
field activation and 20ms field off.
The ASR550 will use a fixed timing of 70ms
field activation and 20ms field off. The
exception is every 10th cycle, which is
50:20ms. This allows wireless synchronizing
Handheld readers to detect an HDX tag
every 880 milliseconds (9x90ms + 70ms).
The ASR550 will use a fixed timing of
100ms field activation and 20ms field off.
The exception is every 10th cycle, which is
50:20ms. This allows wireless synchronizing
Handheld readers to detect an HDX tag
every 1150 milliseconds (9x120ms + 70ms).
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ASR550 Operational Manual
4.9
Module
The ASR550 offers a wide range of optional add-on modules such as:
Bluetooth (Class 1, up to 100 meter range, Master capable)
Wi-Fi (up to 100 meter range)
Ethernet
Antenna Multiplexer (4-channel or 8-channel)
The Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or Ethernet modules can be configured in the tab “Module”.
Since those additional modules for communication are not part of the ASR550 board but
optional hardware, the configuration of the modules is explained in the corresponding manuals.
4.10 Mux
The Antenna Multiplexers for the ASR550 allow using the reader with up to eight antennas with
a single reader. The different antennas are used successively in this scenario – not all at the
same time. The Multiplexer settings can be found in the tab “Mux”.
Since the Multiplexer boards are optional accessories for the ASR550, the technical details will
not be described here. Please contact Agrident for further information.
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ASR550 Operational Manual
Safety and care
The manufacturer accepts no liability for damage resulting from improper use or use not
consistent with that described in these operating instructions.

The ASR550 Reader contains no parts that can be repaired by the user. For this reason the
Reader Electronic may only be repaired by authorized customer service personnel.

In both operation and storage of the reader please secure to comply with the environment
conditions specified in the technical data.
Any modification to the ASR550 Reader will render the warranty null and void.
Warranty
The manufacturer of the ASR550 Reader will provide a warranty of
12 months
from the day the device is shipped and subject to the following conditions:
a. Without submission of proof of purchase no warranty can be given.
b. In the event that defects are detected the manufacturer is entitled to choose between up to
two attempts at repair or supplying a replacement device on one occasion. The warranty
period for the repaired item or for a replacement item is 3 months but will always extend to
the end of the original warranty period. No further claims can be entertained, especially
claims for compensation for consequential losses. This exclusion of liability does not apply to
claims made on the basis of the Product Liability Act.
c. Warranty claims cannot be entertained unless the Agrident system was installed properly
and used properly and for the purpose intended.
No warranty obligations exist in particular when:
1. Damage is attributable to improper use of the device, to a incorrect connection or incorrect
operator action;
2. The device was not cared for and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's
recommendations and this is the cause of the damage;
3. The damage is due to any modification to the device;
4. The damage is due to force majeure, for example, lightning strike;
5. The damage is due to wear resulting from overstressing mechanical parts.
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ASR550 Operational Manual
CE MARKING
Hereby, Agrident BV declares that this equipment, if used according to the instructions, is in
compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of the RTTE Directive
1999/5/EC. For use in all countries of the EU.
To obtain a copy, contact Agrident BV and request the “Declaration of Conformity” document for Multitechnology readers.
Agrident BV
mail@agrident.com
In case of alteration of the product, not agreed to by us, this declaration will lose its validity.
This symbol indicates proof of conformity to applicable European Economic
Community Council directives and harmonized standards published in the
official journal of the European Communities.
FCC and IC digital device limitations
FCC § 15.19
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
FCC § 15.21 (Warning Statement)
[Any] changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could
void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Canada CNR-Gen Section 7.1.3
This device complies with Industry Canada licence-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to
the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.
Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d'Industrie Canada applicables aux appareils radio
exempts de licence. L'exploitation est autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes : (1) l'appareil ne doit
pas produire de brouillage, et (2) l'utilisateur de l'appareil doit accepter tout brouillage radioélectrique
subi, même si le brouillage est susceptible d'en compromettre le fonctionnement.
Trouble shooting
For any problem please contact us:
Agrident GmbH
Steinklippenstr. 10
30890 Barsinghausen
Germany
Telephone
FAX
E-mail
05/11/13
+49 5105 582573-10
+49 5105 582573-17
support@agrident.com
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