Alien Technology ALR9780 FHSS Tag Reader Transceiver User Manual Users Guide for RFID Readers

Alien Technology Corporation FHSS Tag Reader Transceiver Users Guide for RFID Readers

Users Manual

Hardware SeDoc. Control ALR-9780 915MHz Passive tup Guide: ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A #: © 2003 Alien Technology TM ALIEN TECHNOLOGY Hardware Setup Guide For The ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A RFID Readers Four Antenna and Two Antenna 915MHz Passive Tag Readers Release: v01.03.00 iALR-9750-A
COPYRIGHT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The contents of this document are the property of Alien Technology™ Corporation and are copyrighted. All rights reserved. Any reproduction, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. For additional copies if this document please contact: Alien Technology Corporation 18220 Butterfield Blvd. Morgan Hill, CA 95037 www.alientechnology.com The information contained herein has been carefully checked and is believed to be accurate; however, no responsibility is assumed for inaccuracies. Alien Technology Corporation reserves the right to make changes without prior notice. This document is not covered by any warranty either expressed or implied. Any correction, comments, or additions to the contents of this document should be directed to Alien Technology Corporation at the above address. Copyright 2003 Alien Technology Corporation. Printed in USA. NanoBlock and FSA are registered trademarks of Alien Technology Corporation. Alien Technology is a trademark of Alien Technology Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. FCC COMPLIANCE This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with instruction manual, may cause harmful interference with radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense. Any change or modification to this product voids the user’s authority to operate per FCC Part 15 Subpart A. Section 15.21 regulations. INDUSTRY CANADA COMPLIANCE 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. This device has been designed to operate with an antenna having a maximum gain of 6dBi. Antenna having a higher gain is strictly prohibited per regulations of Industry Canada. The required antenna impedance is 50 ohms. To reduce potential radio interference to other users, the antenna type and its gain should be so chosen that the equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) is not more than that required for successful communication. CAUTION Reader antennas should be positioned so that personnel in the area for prolonged periods may safely remain at least 23 cm (9 in) in an uncontrolled environment from the antenna’s surface. See FCC OET Bulletin 56 “Hazards of radio frequency and electromagnetic fields” and Bulletin 65 “Human exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields.”
TABLE OF CONTENTS Alien Technology RFID Reader User’s Guide (ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A RFID Readers) Table of Contents CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................1 AUDIENCE ..................................................................................................................................................................1 RFID READER OVERVIEW .........................................................................................................................................1 CLASS 1 NANOBLOCK TAGS ......................................................................................................................................2 REQUIREMENTS ..........................................................................................................................................................2 SPECIFICATIONS .........................................................................................................................................................3 RFID Reader ...................................................................................................3 RFID Reader External Antenna....................................................................... 3 Mechanical ...................................................................................................... 4 RS-232 Port Pinouts........................................................................................ 5 RS232 Connector (Female) –Looking at Reader ..................................................5 IO Port Connector Pinouts .............................................................................. 6 I/O Port Connector (Male) –Looking at Reader.....................................................6 Reader Schematics ......................................................................................... 7 CHAPTER 2 READER HARDWARE INSTALLATION AND OPERATION...............................................8 REQUIREMENTS ..........................................................................................................................................................8 RECEIVING THE RFID READER ..................................................................................................................................8 Reader I/O Panel............................................................................................. 9 Diagnostic LEDs ............................................................................................ 10 Antenna Panel ............................................................................................... 11 SYSTEM ASSEMBLY AND BENCH TEST .....................................................................................................................12 Bench Test Configuration .............................................................................. 12 Bench Test Procedure................................................................................... 14 INSTALLATION..........................................................................................................................................................15 Requirements ................................................................................................ 15 Hardware Installation Procedure ................................................................... 16 SYSTEM OPERATION: SOFTWARE CONTROL.............................................................................................................18 Software Interface Guide............................................................................... 18 Demonstration Software Guide ..................................................................... 18 Hardware Setup Guide: ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A Doc. Control #: © 2003 Alien Technology TM iii
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 Introduction This Hardware Setup Guide provides instructions for installing and operating the ALR 9780 and ALR 9750-A RFID Readers. This book is designed for use by RFID system integrators and software developers. (Those who wish to develop software products and extended systems that take full advantage of the RFID Readers’ capabilities.) For an overview of RFID technology and a glossary of terms, please refer to the RFID Primer included with your RFID Reader Developer’s Kit. For an overview of the communication interfaces to the Readers, please refer to the Software Interface Guide included with your RFID Reader Developer’s Kit. Audience For the purposes of this book, we assume the readers of the Hardware Setup Guide:  Are competent PC users  Have minimal previous knowledge of radio-frequency identification technology.  Are experienced in software development and/or hardware systems integration. RFID Reader Overview The Alien RFID reader is designed to read and program Class I NanoBlock tags (see below) and issue event reports to a host computer system. The host computer can be locally connected to the reader or at a remote network location. The RFID Reader is delivered with the following components and accessories:  RFID Reader and Class 1 NanoBlock Tags  External antenna(s) and coaxial cable(s)  One RS-232 serial cable (for host computer)  Power supply  Documentation on CD-ROM Hardware Setup Guide: ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A Doc. Control #: © 2003 Alien Technology TM 1
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Class 1 NanoBlock Tags The ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A RFID readers are designed to read and program Alien’s Class 1, NanoBlock Tags. These tags comply with the MIT Auto ID Centers’ open specification for RFID. Class I tags are “Passive” devices. That is they do not have an onboard power source. They are powered by the RF energy transmitted by the reader. They communicate with the Reader by means of “Backscatter Modulation”. That is, they do not actually transmit anything; they merely change their reflective characteristics in a systematic way and reflect RF energy back to the reader. An analogy to the way the tag works is the way you can use a mirror to transmit information using light from the sun. Examples of Alien NanoBlock tag and antenna designs. Requirements To interface with the RFID Reader you will need the following:  A PC running Windows 98 or higher, with CD-ROM drive and an available RS-232 serial port.  Standard 120 VAC power.  Host software (Alien demo software or your own custom software).  RFID Tags (AIDC Class 1 compliant)  Standard power cord (desired length) with grounded, 3-pronged plugs Hardware Setup Guide: ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A Doc. Control #: © 2003 Alien Technology TM 2
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Specifications Specifications for key components of the RFID Reader system are provided in the tables below: RFID Reader Name Alien Multi-Port General Purpose RFID Reader Part Number ALR 9780 or ALR 9750-A Architecture Point-to-multipoint reader network Frequency 902.6 MHz – 927.4 MHz Hopping Channels 63 Channel Spacing 400 KHz Channel Dwell Time < 0.4 Seconds RF Transmitter < 30 dBm at the end of 15 ft LMR-195 cable. Modulation Method On Off Keying (OOK) 20 db Modulation Bandwidth < 400 KHz RF Receiver 2 Channels Power Consumption 25 Watts (120 VAC at 500 mW) Communications Interface RS-232, LAN TCPI/IP Inputs/Outputs 2 or 4 coax antenna, 8 logic I/O, com port, LAN, power Dimensions (L) 19 cm (7.5 in) x (W) 28 cm (11 in) x (D) 5 cm (2 in) Weight Approximately 1.8 kg (4 lb) Operating Temperature 0°C to +50°C (+32 °F to +122°F) RFID Reader External Antenna 3 dB Beamwidth E-plane: 65 degrees • H-plane: 65 degrees Frequency 902-928 MHz Gain (dBi) 5.73 dBi Polarization Circular RF Connector 15 ft LMR-195 with Reverse-Polarity TNC VSWR 1.5:1 Dimensions (cm) 22 x 27 x 4 • (in) 8.5 x 10.5 x 1.65 Weight .57 kg • 1.25 lb Hardware Setup Guide: ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A Doc. Control #: © 2003 Alien Technology TM 3
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 3 dB Beamwidth E-plane: 40 degrees Frequency 902-928 MHz Gain (dBi) 6.0 dBi Polarization Linear RF Connector 15 ft LMR-195 with Reverse-Polarity TNC VSWR 1.5:1 Dimensions (cm) 19.5 x 28 x 4 • (in) 7.75 x 11.25 x 1.65 Weight .57 kg • 1.25 lb Mechanical Figure 1. Outline Drawing of the ALR-9780 (ALR-9750-A has the same physical layout with two antenna ports.) Hardware Setup Guide: ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A Doc. Control #: © 2003 Alien Technology TM 4
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION RS-232 Port Pinouts RS232 Connector (Female DB-9F) Pin 1 DCD Connected to Pin 6 Pin 2 TR1 Transmit Data (Output) Pin 3 RC1 Receive Data (Input) Pin 4 DTR Connected to Pin 6 Pin 5 Ground Pin 6 DSR Connected to Pin 4 Pin 7 RTS Connected to Pin 8 Pin 8 CTS Connected to Pin 7 Pin 9 Not Connected RS232 CONNECTOR (FEMALE) –LOOKING AT READER 543219 8 7 6 Hardware Setup Guide: ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A Doc. Control #: © 2003 Alien Technology TM 5
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION IO Port Connector Pinouts I/O Port Connector (Male DB-9M) Pin 1 Output 0 Pin 2 Output 2 Pin 3 Input 0 Pin 4 Input 2 Pin 5 Ground Pin 6 Output 1 Pin 7 Output 3 Pin 8 Input 1 Pin 9 Input 3 I/O PORT CONNECTOR (MALE) –LOOKING AT READER 123456 7 8 9 Hardware Setup Guide: ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A Doc. Control #: © 2003 Alien Technology TM 6
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Reader Schematics RFModulatorRFReceiverRF SourceDigitalControlCircuitryHost CommunicationInterfaceA0A1A2A3AntennaSwitch Figure 2. System Architecture for the ALR 9780 Reader RFModulatorRFReceiverRF SourceDigitalControlCircuitryHost CommunicationInterfaceA0A1AntennaSwitch Figure 3. System Architecture for the ALR 9750-A Hardware Setup Guide: ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A Doc. Control #: © 2003 Alien Technology TM 7
CHAPTER 7 WEB BASED APPLICATION EXAMPLES CHAPTER 2 Reader Hardware Installation and Operation This chapter describes the RFID Reader and provides installation and operation information. Requirements In order to interface with the RFID Reader you will need the following:  PC running Windows 98 or higher, with CD-ROM drive (for demo system software) and one available RS-232 serial port.  Standard 120 VAC power.  Host software (either Alien’s demo software or your own custom software).  Tags (AIDC Class 1 compliant)  Standard power cord (desired length) with grounded, 3-pronged plugs Receiving the RFID Reader Your RFID Reader Developer’s Kit will be shipped with the items listed below. Please verify the contents of your received shipment before assembling. • RFID Reader • Antenna with coaxial cable • RS-232 reader-to-PC cable • Reader power supply and cables (two sections: one attached, one detached) • CD-ROM containing demonstration software, user guides and documentation • Assortment of tags Picture of Developer’s Kit Contents The RFID Reader contains two types of external interfaces: connector ports and LEDs. One panel contains I/O connectors and LEDs. The opposite panel contains the antenna ports Hardware Setup Guide: ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A Doc. Control #: © 2003 Alien Technology TM 8
CHAPTER 7 WEB BASED APPLICATION EXAMPLES Reader I/O Panel The I/O panel (shown below) contains the following features: • Power connector • 9-pin D male I/O connector • 6 Diagnostic LEDs (RF Power, RX, TX, CPU Power, Sniff/, Lock/green) • 9-pin D female RS-232 serial port • LAN TCP/IP port • Network Activity LEDs PowerConnectorI/O ConnectorRS 232ConnectorLANConnectorDiagnosticLEDsLANLEDs Figure 4. Reader Connections and LEDs Hardware Setup Guide: ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A Doc. Control #: © 2003 Alien Technology TM 9
CHAPTER 7 WEB BASED APPLICATION EXAMPLES Diagnostic LEDs The LEDs provide external indication of three conditions: • CPU Power (green). Indicates power is applied to the reader. • RF On (red). Indicates that RF is being emitted by the reader. • Sniff (yellow). Indicates tag signal has been detected, though it may not yet be strong enough to complete a transaction. • Lock (green). Indicates a tag has been read. • TX (red). Indicates transmission of data on serial line to a host. • RX (yellow). Indicates receipt of data on serial line from a host. (Red)(Yellow)(Green)(Red)(Yellow)(Green) Figure 5. Reader Diagnostic LEDs Hardware Setup Guide: ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A Doc. Control #: © 2003 Alien Technology TM 10
CHAPTER 7 WEB BASED APPLICATION EXAMPLES Antenna Panel The antenna panel (opposite the reader’s I/O panel) contains either two or four coax antenna connector ports as shown below. These are reverse-polarity TNC connectors. Figure 6. Antenna Connections Hardware Setup Guide: ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A Doc. Control #: © 2003 Alien Technology TM 11
CHAPTER 7 WEB BASED APPLICATION EXAMPLES System Assembly and Bench Test Assembling the RFID Reader system is very easy. We recommend you set up the system and verify its operation in a bench test configuration (shown below) before installing it in a live application. Picture of Typical Test Setup Figure 7. Typical Bench Test Setup Bench Test Configuration 1. Situate the Reader on a tabletop. Ensure the following conditions: • Two standard 120 VAC outlets are available nearby (one for reader, one for PC if needed). RS232Connector(to PC)PowerConnector(To power supply & 120VAC wall outlet) Figure 8. RS232 and Power Connections • Sufficient space is available on the tabletop for the PC, reader and antenna. 2. Connect the RS-232 cable to the reader. • Align the male cable connector so that its shape and pins match the shape and holes of the female DB-9 serial port. Hardware Setup Guide: ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A Doc. Control #: © 2003 Alien Technology TM 12
CHAPTER 7 WEB BASED APPLICATION EXAMPLES Figure 9. RS232 Connector • Push the aligned connector into the port. • Finger-tighten the screws to secure the cable/connector to the reader. 3. Connect the RS-232 cable to the serial port on the PC. 4. Connect the power supply to the reader. • Using the thin cable attached to power supply, push the connector into the port until it is securely seated. 5. Connect the coaxial cable(s) to antenna port(s) (1-4). • Antenna port 1 is on the right if viewing reader with flange side down. The ALR 9780 has four (4) antenna ports. The ALR 9750-A has two (2) antenna ports. • Align the coax cable’s center pin and push into the port • Screw the fitting from the cable end onto the reader connector clockwise until finger tight to secure the cable to the reader. Figure 10. Antenna Connections • Connect additional antennas to their respective port and tighten fittings clockwise until finger tight. 6. Plug power cord into power supply. • Use the female end of a standard 3-pronged power cord. 7. Plug the power supply cable into the wall outlet and verify power. • The red LED will be illuminated when power is on. 8. Plug in the PC (if necessary) and turn it on. • If the PC is a laptop operating on battery power, it is not necessary to plug it into the wall outlet. 9. Launch the desired host software application. Hardware Setup Guide: ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A Doc. Control #: © 2003 Alien Technology TM 13
CHAPTER 7 WEB BASED APPLICATION EXAMPLES • You may use Alien’s demo system software or custom software developed per the reader-host protocol for your specific application. You are now ready to bench test or demonstrate the RFID Reader system. Bench Test Procedure 1. Access an operational mode suitable for bench testing. • Select a mode that will allow multiple consecutive reads of a single tag. • Refer to the applicable software application user guide for specific instructions. 2. Position the reader to you can see the LEDs. • You may also want to position the PC so you can view the monitor simultaneously for later tests. 3. Move a tag slowly into the antenna’s range. • Begin with the tag well outside the expected range (~15-20 ft) and move it toward the antenna while observing the LEDs. 4. Verify the Sniff LED illuminates when the tag approaches the read window. • Sniff is the yellow LED. 5. Verify the Lock LED illuminates when the tag is inside the read window. • Lock is the green LED. 6. Verify the host receives the tag data. • Refer to indications specified in applicable user guide to verify the tag was read successfully. 7. If bench test conditions are verified, proceed to installation. NOTE: To perform a hard reboot of the system, simply cycle power on the reader. Hardware Setup Guide: ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A Doc. Control #: © 2003 Alien Technology TM 14
CHAPTER 7 WEB BASED APPLICATION EXAMPLES Installation The following Installation section provides basic guidance for configuring components in your RFID system. You should consider the overall design of your specific system before permanently mounting the equipment. Installation involves all the same connection steps required for bench test. However, instead of situating equipment on a tabletop, the reader and antenna and their accessories will mounted in your application environment. The photo below shows a reader with single antenna side-mounted at a loading dock door for a portal application. This configuration may be used to automatically identify tagged objects moving in and out of this door. Those tagged objects may be pallets and cases on pallets, crates, equipment and vehicles, or personnel. A second or more (optional) antenna(s) may be mounted on the opposite side of the portal to better capture tags in a less than optimal position relative to the first antenna (for example, tagged cases on the opposite side of a pallet). Picture of a system configured at a dock door. Requirements Before installing your RFID Reader system, you will need the following:  PC running Windows 98 or higher, with CD-ROM drive (for demo system software) and one available RS-232 serial port  Standard 120 VAC power for the reader location and PC location  Host software  (Optional) extra antennas (if desired for additional coverage)  Any additional RS-232 cables or antenna coax cables needed to accommodate routing requirements  Standard grounded, three-pronged power cord of desired length  Mounting hardware suitable for the surface to which equipment is to be attached (e.g., wood screws, moly-bolts, brackets, etc.) Figure 11.RFID Reader system configured for a single-antenna portal application.Hardware Setup Guide: ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A Doc. Control #: © 2003 Alien Technology TM 15
CHAPTER 7 WEB BASED APPLICATION EXAMPLES MountingHoles Figure 12. View of the Reader Showing Mounting Holes Hardware Installation Procedure 1. Select mounting position for antenna(s). CAUTION: Reader antennas should be positioned so that personnel in the area for prolonged periods may safely remain at least 23 cm (9 in) in an uncontrolled environment from the antenna’s surface. See FCC OET Bulletin 56 “Hazards of radio frequency and electromagnetic fields” and Bulletin 65 “Human exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields.” • Mount the antenna(s) at the periphery of the desired read window (either overhead or at the side), so that the position of the most distant tag passing through the window is no farther from the antenna than the maximum range specified for your system design. • Position the antenna(s) at a height approximately midway between the highest and lowest expected tag position. (For example, a pallet tag may be the lowest tag position to be read, while the top-most case on a fully stacked pallet may represent your highest tag position.) • If you are using two antennas, mount the second antenna in a mirror-image of the first antenna’s position, unless otherwise indicated in your system design specification. • NOTE: To maintain compliance with FCC regulations, only use antennas supplied with the unit. 2. Select mounting position for reader. • Reader should be positioned close enough to the antenna to accommodate the cable length without putting strain on the connectors. • Be sure power is available to the selected reader location. 3. Select location for host PC. • Situate the host PC within 50 ft of the reader in a safe location away from vehicular and foot traffic. Hardware Setup Guide: ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A Doc. Control #: © 2003 Alien Technology TM 16
CHAPTER 7 WEB BASED APPLICATION EXAMPLES 4. Install reader. • Secure the reader through the two mounting holes on either flange to its mounting location (wall, post, mounting bracket) using appropriate hardware. • If desired, position the reader so that the LEDs are easily observed. 5. Install antennas. • Secure each antenna through the mounting holes on either flange to its mounting location using appropriate hardware. 6. Connect antennas to reader. • Route coax cables from antennas to reader according to your system design specifications and secure them properly. • Align the connector for each cable with the reader antenna port, push into the port, and finger-tighten screw fitting. 7. Connect reader power. • Push the power supply connector into the reader port. • Plug the female end of the power cord into the power supply. • Plug the male end of the power cord into the 120 VAC outlet. 8. Connect reader to host PC. • Align the RS-232 connector with the corresponding serial port on the reader and push the connector onto the pins. Finger-tighten the screws to secure the cable to the reader. • Align and connect the other end of the RS-232 with the serial port on the PC. 9. Connect power to the PC. Hardware Setup Guide: ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A Doc. Control #: © 2003 Alien Technology TM 17
CHAPTER 7 WEB BASED APPLICATION EXAMPLES Hardware Setup Guide: ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A Doc. Control #: © 2003 Alien Technology TM 18System Operation: Software Control The RFID Reader is controlled from software running on a host system that communicates with the reader using a text-based protocol. All applications use this protocol to communicate with the reader. You may operate the reader from your own application code using this interface, use the example code provided on the Developer’s Kit CD or use the Alien RFID Gateway application; a demonstration program, also included on your Developer’s Kit CD. For details, refer to either the Software Interface Guide or the Demonstration Software Guide described briefly below. Software Interface Guide The text-based interface mentioned above is described in detail in the Software Interface Guide. Using this interface, the reader can be configured to read tags when queried or on one of a variety of event triggers (e.g., a rising edge on one of the I/O pins or a timer.). Tag data acquired in response to these triggers can be transmitted to the host in a number of formats (e.g., text, XML or custom) and under a number of conditions (e.g., on a new tag being observed, or a tag disappearing from view). If you are a software developer, the Software Interface Guide provides the information you will need to connect to the reader from a host computer, communicate with it, and customize its performance. Demonstration Software Guide The Demonstration Software Guide describes the installation and operation of the Alien RFID Gateway Application. The Alien RFID Gateway Application is a useful demonstration program that allows users to explore the reader’s functionality and build customizable demos with a user-friendly interface. Using the Gateway, the various operating modes of the reader can be controlled and custom interactive demos can be constructed using sounds images and text.

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