Alien Technology ALR9800 RFID Reader User Manual Guide Reader Interface

Alien Technology Corporation RFID Reader Guide Reader Interface

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ALR-9800 ALR-9780 ALR-8780 ALR-9770 ALR-9640 ALIEN TECHNOLOGY® READER INTERFACE GUIDE All Fixed Readers July 12, 2005

TABLE OF CONTENTS READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 iAlien Technology® Reader Interface Guide All Fixed Readers July 12, 2005 Table of Contents CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION AND READER SETUP............................................................................... 1 Audience ....................................................................................................................................................... 1 Type Conventions ......................................................................................................................................... 1 Requirements................................................................................................................................................ 2 Communicating with the Reader................................................................................................................... 3 Serial Communication ................................................................................................................................... 3 Serial Configuration ................................................................................................................................ 3 Network Communication ............................................................................................................................... 6 Determine the Reader's Network Settings ............................................................................................. 6 ALR-9800 and ALR-9770................................................................................................................. 6 All Other Readers............................................................................................................................. 6 Connecting via TCP/IP ........................................................................................................................... 6 TCP/IP Configuration.............................................................................................................................. 7 CHAPTER 2 READER FUNDAMENTALS ..................................................................................................9 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 9 Reader Discovery and the Reader Heartbeat............................................................................................... 9 DHCP and Automatic Discovery............................................................................................................. 9 Serial Interrogation ............................................................................................................................... 10 Network Heartbeats.............................................................................................................................. 10 Heartbeat XML Tags ...................................................................................................................... 11 Heartbeats and Software ............................................................................................................... 11 TagList Concepts ........................................................................................................................................ 11 PersistTime........................................................................................................................................... 12 Tag Details............................................................................................................................................ 12 TagList Size .......................................................................................................................................... 12 Reading Tags over the Network ................................................................................................................. 12 Interactive Mode.......................................................................................................................................... 13 Autonomous Mode ...................................................................................................................................... 13 A Note about AutoMode on the ALR-9770 ....................................................................................14 Defining the Autonomous Read Operation........................................................................................... 14 Enter Autonomous Mode (Not shown on the state diagram.)....................................................... 15 Waiting State.................................................................................................................................. 15 Start Working Trigger ..................................................................................................................... 15 Working State................................................................................................................................. 15 Stop Working Trigger/Timer ........................................................................................................... 16 Evaluation ...................................................................................................................................... 16 True/False Pause........................................................................................................................... 16 Notification ..................................................................................................................................... 16 Autonomous Mode Examples............................................................................................................... 16 Example 1 - Background Reading .................................................................................................16 Example 2 - Triggered Reading ..................................................................................................... 17 Example 3 - Triggered Reading with Notification........................................................................... 17 Notification Mode ........................................................................................................................................ 17

TABLE OF CONTENTS READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 ii NotifyTime............................................................................................................................................. 17 NotifyTrigger ......................................................................................................................................... 18 NotifyAddress ....................................................................................................................................... 18 NotifyFormat ......................................................................................................................................... 18 Listening for Tags over the Network ........................................................................................................... 20 CHAPTER 3 TAG FUNDAMENTALS ........................................................................................................ 21 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 21 Alien RFID Tags.......................................................................................................................................... 21 Alien NanoBlock Tags .......................................................................................................................... 21 Battery Assisted Passive (BAP) Tags .................................................................................................. 21 Acquisition Modes ....................................................................................................................................... 22 Global Scroll ......................................................................................................................................... 22 Inventory ............................................................................................................................................... 22 Acquire Parameters.............................................................................................................................. 23 Masks and Tag Memory Structure.............................................................................................................. 23 Class I Tag Memory ............................................................................................................................. 24 Addressing a Subset of Tags ............................................................................................................... 24 Persistent Sleep and Wake......................................................................................................................... 25 Sleep, Wake, and Masks...................................................................................................................... 25 CHAPTER 4 ALIEN READER PROTOCOL ..............................................................................................26 Reader Operation Overview........................................................................................................................ 26 Overview of Commands.............................................................................................................................. 27 Interactive Mode............................................................................................................................. 27 Autonomous Mode ......................................................................................................................... 27 Command Format................................................................................................................................. 27 Suppressing Command Prompts.......................................................................................................... 28 Interactive Command Format ........................................................................................................ 28 Non-Interactive Command Format................................................................................................. 28 Get and Set Shortcuts .......................................................................................................................... 28 XML Messages ..................................................................................................................................... 28 Command List ............................................................................................................................................. 29 General Commands ....................................................................................................................... 29 Network Configuration Commands ................................................................................................ 30 Time Commands............................................................................................................................ 30 External IO Commands.................................................................................................................. 31 TagList Commands ........................................................................................................................ 31 Acquisition Commands .................................................................................................................. 32 Autonomous Mode Commands ..................................................................................................... 33 Notify Mode Commands................................................................................................................. 34 General Commands .................................................................................................................................... 34 Help (h) ................................................................................................................................................. 34 Info (i).................................................................................................................................................... 35 !............................................................................................................................................................. 35 Save...................................................................................................................................................... 35 Q (Quit) ................................................................................................................................................. 35 Function ................................................................................................................................................ 35 ReaderName ........................................................................................................................................ 36 ReaderType .......................................................................................................................................... 36 ReaderVersion...................................................................................................................................... 36 ReaderNumber ..................................................................................................................................... 37 Uptime .................................................................................................................................................. 37 Username ............................................................................................................................................. 37 Password .............................................................................................................................................. 37 MaxAntenna.......................................................................................................................................... 38

TABLE OF CONTENTS READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 iiiAntennaSequence ................................................................................................................................ 38 RFAttenuation....................................................................................................................................... 39 FactorySettings..................................................................................................................................... 40 Reboot .................................................................................................................................................. 40 Network Configuration Commands ............................................................................................................. 41 MACAddress......................................................................................................................................... 41 DHCP.................................................................................................................................................... 41 IPAddress ............................................................................................................................................. 41 Gateway................................................................................................................................................ 42 Netmask................................................................................................................................................ 42 DNS ...................................................................................................................................................... 43 NetworkTimeout.................................................................................................................................... 43 CommandPort....................................................................................................................................... 44 HeartbeatPort ....................................................................................................................................... 44 HeartbeatTime...................................................................................................................................... 45 HeartbeatAddress................................................................................................................................. 45 HeartbeatCount .................................................................................................................................... 46 Time Commands......................................................................................................................................... 46 TimeServer ........................................................................................................................................... 46 TimeZone.............................................................................................................................................. 47 Time...................................................................................................................................................... 48 External I/O Commands.............................................................................................................................. 48 ExternalInput......................................................................................................................................... 48 ExternalOutput...................................................................................................................................... 49 InitExternalOutput................................................................................................................................. 49 InvertExternalInput ............................................................................................................................... 50 InvertExternalOutput............................................................................................................................. 50 TagList Commands ..................................................................................................................................... 51 Get TagList (t)....................................................................................................................................... 51 PersistTime........................................................................................................................................... 52 TagListFormat....................................................................................................................................... 52 TagListCustomFormat .......................................................................................................................... 54 TagListAntennaCombine ...................................................................................................................... 55 Clear TagList ........................................................................................................................................ 56 Acquisition Commands ............................................................................................................................... 56 AcquireMode......................................................................................................................................... 56 Inventory ........................................................................................................................................ 57 Global Scroll................................................................................................................................... 57 TagType................................................................................................................................................ 57 AcqCycles............................................................................................................................................. 58 AcqC1Cycles ........................................................................................................................................ 59 AcqEnterWakeCount ............................................................................................................................ 59 AcqC1EnterWakeCount ....................................................................................................................... 59 AcqCount .............................................................................................................................................. 60 AcqC1Count ......................................................................................................................................... 60 AcqSleepCount..................................................................................................................................... 60 AcqC1SleepCount ................................................................................................................................ 61 AcqExitWakeCount............................................................................................................................... 61 AcqC1ExitWakeCount .......................................................................................................................... 61 AcqG2Cycles ........................................................................................................................................ 61 AcqG2Count ......................................................................................................................................... 62 AcqG2Q ................................................................................................................................................ 62 AcqC0Cycles ........................................................................................................................................ 63 AcqC0Count ......................................................................................................................................... 63 Wake..................................................................................................................................................... 64 Sleep..................................................................................................................................................... 64

TABLE OF CONTENTS READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 ivMask ..................................................................................................................................................... 64 Autonomous Mode Commands .................................................................................................................. 65 AutoMode ............................................................................................................................................. 65 AutoWaitOutput .................................................................................................................................... 66 AutoStartTrigger ................................................................................................................................... 66 AutoStartPause..................................................................................................................................... 66 AutoWorkOutput ................................................................................................................................... 67 AutoAction ............................................................................................................................................ 67 AutoStopTrigger.................................................................................................................................... 68 AutoStopTimer...................................................................................................................................... 68 AutoStopTimer and the ALR-9770................................................................................................. 69 AutoTrueOutput .................................................................................................................................... 70 AutoTruePause..................................................................................................................................... 71 AutoFalseOutput................................................................................................................................... 71 AutoFalsePause ................................................................................................................................... 71 AutoModeStatus ................................................................................................................................... 72 AutoModeReset.................................................................................................................................... 72 AutoModeTriggerNow........................................................................................................................... 72 Notify Mode Commands.............................................................................................................................. 73 NotifyMode............................................................................................................................................ 73 NotifyAddress ....................................................................................................................................... 73 NotifyTime............................................................................................................................................. 74 NotifyTrigger ......................................................................................................................................... 74 NotifyFormat ......................................................................................................................................... 75 NotifyHeader......................................................................................................................................... 76 NotifyKeepAliveTime ............................................................................................................................ 76 MailServer............................................................................................................................................. 77 MailFrom............................................................................................................................................... 77 NotifyRetryCount .................................................................................................................................. 77 NotifyRetryPause.................................................................................................................................. 78 NotifyNow ............................................................................................................................................. 78 CHAPTER 5 TAG PROGRAMMING.......................................................................................................... 79 Enabling The Programmer .......................................................................................................................... 79 Tag Memory Structure ................................................................................................................................ 79 Class I Tags (96-bit) ............................................................................................................................. 80 Class I Tags (128-bit) ........................................................................................................................... 80 Class BPT Tags.................................................................................................................................... 81 Programming Distance & Power Levels ..................................................................................................... 81 Programming Power............................................................................................................................. 81 Programming Range ............................................................................................................................ 82 Programming Problems........................................................................................................................ 82 Programming Slept Tags...................................................................................................................... 82 Programming Commands Summary........................................................................................................... 83 Program and Erase Functions .................................................................................................................... 83 Program Tag......................................................................................................................................... 83 Class I Tags ................................................................................................................................... 84 Class BPT Tags ............................................................................................................................. 84 Erase Tag ............................................................................................................................................. 84 ProgAntenna......................................................................................................................................... 85 ProgReadAttempts ............................................................................................................................... 85 ProgEraseAttempts .............................................................................................................................. 85 ProgAttempts ........................................................................................................................................ 86 Lock and Kill Functions (Class I Only) ........................................................................................................ 86 Lock Tag ............................................................................................................................................... 86 Kill Tag.................................................................................................................................................. 87

TABLE OF CONTENTS READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 vAcquire vs. Verify ........................................................................................................................................ 88 Verify Tag ............................................................................................................................................. 88 Programming Tags in AutoMode ................................................................................................................ 89 ProgramID ............................................................................................................................................ 89 ProgramPassCode ............................................................................................................................... 90 ProgIncrementOnFail ........................................................................................................................... 90 Autonomous Mode Program................................................................................................................. 91 Autonomous Mode Program and Lock................................................................................................. 91 Autonomous Mode Erase ..................................................................................................................... 91 Autonomous Mode Kill.......................................................................................................................... 92 APPENDIX A DTDS FOR XML DATA STRUCTURES ............................................................................. 93 Heartbeat DTD ............................................................................................................................................ 93 TagList DTD ................................................................................................................................................ 93 Notification DTD .......................................................................................................................................... 93 APPENDIX B UPGRADING READER FIRMWARE .................................................................................. 94 ALR-9780, ALR-8780, ALR-9640 ............................................................................................................... 94 ALR-9800 .................................................................................................................................................... 94 ALR-9770 .................................................................................................................................................... 94

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 1CHAPTER 1 Introduction and Reader Setup This Reader Interface Guide provides instructions for installing and operating the following Alien Technology® RFID readers:  ALR-9800 (Multi-Protocol)  ALR-9780 (US 4-port)  ALR-8780 (EU 4-port)  ALR-9770 (Dual-Protocol)  ALR-9640 (Smart Antenna) This guide also details the protocol used between a host and these readers for system configuration and the acquisition of data by application software. This document 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 Reader's capabilities. For an overview of RFID technology and a glossary of terms, please refer to the RFID Primer included with your RFID Reader kit. Audience For the purposes of this document, we assume the readers of the Reader Interface Guide:  are competent PC users  may be IT specialists, network specialists or programmers  have minimal previous knowledge of RFID technology  are experienced in software development and/or hardware systems integration Additionally, it is assumed that:  Users installing the reader via direct serial communication are skilled in the application of RS-232 serial protocol.  Users installing the reader for network communication are skilled in basic network configuration.  Programmers are competent in at least one programming or scripting language and have the ability to issue ASCII-based commands with that language. Type Conventions  Regular text appears in a plain, sans-serif font.

INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 2 External files and documents are referenced in italic text.  Specific characters and commands to be typed are shown within quotation marks, and/or in fixed-width font. Example: At the prompt type “set DHCP=ON”.  Values to be provided and typed in by the user are shown within brackets in upper and lowercase. Example: At the prompt type “set IPaddress=[IP address value]” or “set IPaddress=xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx”. The actual command typed in would appear as: “set IPaddress=10.1.60.5”.  Blocks of sample code or commands appear: indented, in a fixed-width serif font.  Keys to be pressed are shown in brackets and all caps. Example: Press the [ENTER] key.  Upon entering any command instruction, you must press [ENTER] to send the command.  RFID Reader commands are not case sensitive. Although, for clarity, the commands may be shown in upper and lower case in this document, you may type them in all lowercase characters, if you prefer.  A space is required between the command (verb) such as “get” or “set” and the specific parameters, as in the example “get IPaddress.” However, no space is required between the parameter elements such as “IP” and “address.” Requirements In order to fully 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 I compliant) Serial communication requires:  a text-based serial communications program (such as HyperTerminal) running on any computer Ethernet communication requires:  an Ethernet network  a Telnet communication program

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 3Communicating with the Reader This section of the Reader Interface Guide describes how to connect the reader on a host computer, as well as how to issue commands and interact with the reader using two different communication methods: serial (RS-232) and Telnet (TCP/IP). Whether using direct serial communication with the reader or using one of the network communication options, you may still need serial communications for initial reader setup. The CD provided with an RFID Reader Developer’s Kit also includes extensive examples of code developed by Alien for the RFID Reader that use the Java, Visual Basic, and .NET programming languages. These examples serve as models for developing new software for the reader. Serial Communication This method is helpful for installing a new RFID Reader. Serial communication requires no pre-configuration and can be performed easily with most computers. This method enables real-time operation of the reader via a serial communications (COM) port. Serial communication is the simplest means by which to interface with the reader and implement the Alien Reader Protocol. The reader is configured to use DHCP to acquire its network settings, and while this method of network configuration is simple and convenient, the problem exists that in order to communicate with the reader, you have to know its IP address. Alien readers have a heartbeat mechanism to assist in discovery of readers on the network, but this mechanism requires a host application (such as the Gateway demonstration software) to intercept the heartbeat messages and report them back to you. In these circumstances, the serial interface can be used to determine the reader's network address. The serial port of the ALR-9770 and ALR-9800 readers serve as a console display to the reader only. Communication using the Alien Reader Protocol is provided only through the TCP/IP interface. The serial port is still useful in determining the network settings of the reader, when other options are not available. A serial command interface for these readers may be provided as a future upgrade. Serial Configuration Whether you will ultimately be operating the reader directly via serial communications or via a network connection, you will need to install the reader initially using the serial port instructions. NOTE: Example screens shown in this section are from HyperTerminal. 1. Ensure the reader is properly connected to power and at least one antenna. See the Hardware Setup Guide for more information. 2. Connect one end of the serial cable to the reader’s RS-232 port and the other end to either COM1 or COM2 port on the host computer. 3. Launch the desired serial communications program (such as HyperTerminal which is supplied with Microsoft Windows).

INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 4 4. Enter (or verify) the following settings to configure the serial communications program: Baud Rate : 115200 Data Bits : 8 Parity : None Stop Bits : 1 Flow Control : None Once configured, the software should allow you to communicate with the RFID Reader. HyperTerminal example configuration screens are shown below: 5. Power up the reader, and observe the information reported over the serial port. Perhaps the most important bits of information are the network settings, since you need to know this in order to communicate with the reader using TCP/IP. The ALR-9800 displays a block of text similar to the following, toward the end of the bootup sequence: ============================================= --------------------------------------------- Network Settings: MAC Address : 00:80:66:10:2D:12 DHCP : 1 IP Address : 10.9.8.10 Netmask : 255.255.255.0 Gateway : 10.9.8.2 DNS : 10.9.8.1 TimeServer : time-a.timefreq.bldrdoc.gov TimeZone : -7 --------------------------------------------- ============================================= Similarly, the ALR-9770 displays a block of text similar to the following when it boots up:

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 5ixp1 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 00:0A:55:00:01:10 inet addr:10.9.8.10 Bcast:10.255.255.255 Mask:255.255.255.0 UP BROADCAST RUNNING MULTICAST MTU:1500 Metric:1 RX packets:602 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 frame:0 TX packets:5 errors:0 dropped:0 overruns:0 carrier:0 collisions:0 txqueuelen:256 For all other readers, the bootup trace displays text such as the following: Boot> Booting Alien RFID Reader Boot> Boot Level 1 (Console Communication) : Success Boot> Boot Level 2 (Reader Communication) : Success Boot> Boot Level 3 (Command Set) : Success Boot> Boot Level 4 (Tag Manager) : Memory for 1000 Tags Boot> Boot Level 5 (Initializing Network Interface) : ... Boot> Boot Level 6 (Network) : Success - IP Address is 10.9.8.10 Boot> Boot Level 7 (Telnet Interface) : Success - Port 23 Ready Both traces indicate that the reader can be contacted over TCP/IP at the address 10.9.8.10, on port 23. 6. If your reader supports the Alien Reader Protocol over serial the serial interface, you will see the "Alien >" command prompt. At the command prompt, you may now type any command followed by the [ENTER] key to submit the command. The following basic commands are helpful in verifying the reader-host interface: • "Help" (or “h”) – provides a list of all commands available • "Info" (or “i”) – provides a list of current settings for the reader • "get TagList" (or "t") – scans field immediately for tags and reports the results NOTE: RFID Reader commands are case insensitive and may be typed in all lowercase characters, if preferred.

INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 6 For a detailed explanation of all commands available, please refer to the chapter titled Alien Reader Protocol. Network Communication TCP/IP communication requires a network connection via the reader’s Ethernet port and allows the reader to operate like a Telnet server. This mode offers the same form of command line interaction with the RFID Reader as the serial interface, but requires the RFID Reader to be configured for and running on a network in order to use it. By default, all RFID Readers are pre-configured to use DHCP when presented with an Ethernet connection. However, you must first establish a direct serial connection in order to learn the reader’s IP Address, or be able to detect "heartbeat" messages sent out over the network by the reader. Determine the Reader's Network Settings Once your readers are set up and configured, you should either keep a record of their addresses, or use some other mechanism for finding them, such as the reader's Heartbeat messages (described later). Following are instructions for querying the reader for this information. ALR-9800 AND ALR-9770 All of the relevant network settings for the ALR-9800 and ALR-9770 readers are displayed in the bootup sequence (see previous topic on Serial Communication), notably, the IP Address and Subnet Mask. ALL OTHER READERS There are five network commands that are used for querying the reader for its network configuration.  get DHCP  get IPAddress  get Netmask  get Gateway  get DNS Once you have the IPAddress and Netmask of the reader, you can connect to it using TCP/IP. Connecting via TCP/IP The reader's TCP/IP interface mimics a basic telnet interface, so you can use any telnet client to connect to the reader. Windows users can use the telnet command at the command prompt or "Start -> Run" window: telnet <ipaddress> <command port> For instance, in the earlier example, the command would be: telnet 10.9.8.10 23

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 7To do this programmatically, simply open a TCP socket to the reader on its command port (default is 23) and begin reading. Refer to chapter 4, Alien Reader Protocol, for details on how to properly terminate command strings, detect the end of a reader's response, and disable the "Alien >" prompt text from the returned data. Default settings are: Username = alien Password = password You are now ready to interact with the reader. For telnet operation, you use the same text-based commands as in direct serial communication. The only difference is in the use of the “q” command to quit the telnet session and disconnect the session. The reader automatically disconnects an idle TCP/IP connection, if there has been no activity longer than the NetworkTimeout setting. Reader commands and instructions on their use are provided later in the chapter titled, Alien Reader Protocol. TCP/IP Configuration To configure the system for network operation, you will use the commands shown under the "NETWORK" heading of the reader's "Help" display. There are five network commands that are used for network configuration:  get|set DHCP  get|set IPAddress  get|set Netmask  get|set Gateway  get|set DNS 1. To view the command list, type “h” or “help”. If DHCP is supported at your site: 2. Type “set DHCP=ON”. DHCP automatically configures the rest of the network parameters the next time the reader boots. 3. Skip to step 7. If DHCP is not supported at your site: 4. Type “set DHCP=OFF”. The reader returns the message “DHCP = OFF”. 5. Contact your system administrator for the following parameter values: IPAddress Netmask (also known as Subnet Mask) Gateway (optional) DNS (optional) 6. Type each of the 4 commands below with the assigned values:

INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 8 set IPaddress = xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx set Netmask = xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx set Gateway = xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx (optional) set DNS = xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx (optional) As each value is accepted, the reader replies with the accepted value. 7. Type “Reboot” to reboot the reader and apply the new network settings. The network settings can be immediately applied in the ALR-9800 by using the "NetworkReset" command. This causes the network interfaces to be shut down and restarted with the new settings. Note that both the "Reboot" and "NetworkReset" commands will drop any active TCP/IP connections.

CHAPTER 2 READER FUNDAMENTALS READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 9CHAPTER 2 Reader Fundamentals This chapter provides an overview of the major features found in an Alien RFID Reader. Specific instructions for setting up a reader are provided in the previous chapter. Reader commands and their uses are covered in the next chapter. Introduction The most basic function of the RFID Reader is to read RFID tags and to give a user or application access to a list of these tags. The RFID Reader is designed to perform this function either connected to a host via serial cable, or on a network. To assist in the administration of networked operation, the reader has two important features designed to simplify network management:  Reader "heartbeats" allow network applications to easily discover readers on a network.  Autonomous Mode allows unattended readers to look for tags and send notification messages to listening services on the network when certain conditions arise. These important concepts, along with the basics of communicating with the reader, are discussed in this chapter. Reader Discovery and the Reader Heartbeat One of the problems common to many network appliances is simply discovering the address of the device on the network. To operate these devices over the network, users must know the device’s IP address. If an IP address is hard-coded into the device, this problem is solved, and often a label on the device can be used to indicate the IP address. However, many systems do not use hard-coded IP addresses, requiring the network to assign an address each time the device is booted. This is called DHCP, which stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. DHCP and Automatic Discovery The DHCP mode of configuration eliminates the need for the user to perform network configuration for the device. The device simply is plugged into the network socket, booted, and immediately becomes a citizen of the network, acquiring its network settings directly from the DHCP server.. However, the user still needs to learn the IP address of the device. All that is known at this point is that the device does have an IP address and has booted itself on the network. The actual IP address the device is using is still not known.

READER FUNDAMENTALS CHAPTER 2 READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 10Serial Interrogation One of the simplest methods to find out the reader’s IP address is to connect via the RS-232 port and type the command get IPaddress. The reader responds with the IP address currently in use. However, this requires a physical connection between a host computer and the reader—a connection that in many cases is simply not practical to set up. Additionally, as noted previously, the ALR-9800 and ALR-9770 readers do not provide a serial command interface at this time. Network Heartbeats Another way to find out a reader’s IP address is to listen for its heartbeat messages over the network. After a reader has booted successfully onto a network it periodically broadcasts a heartbeat message over the network. This heartbeat can be intercepted by network applications, and provides enough information about the reader to locate it on the network and begin communication with it. In network parlance, the heartbeat message is sent via UDP (Universal Datagram Protocol) packets to all network addresses on the reader’s subnet. There are three relevant configuration options available via the reader’s command line to affect this heartbeat:  set | get HeartbeatTime: This command specifies the time interval separating successive heartbeat messages sent out over the network. The time is specified in seconds, with a value of zero turning off the heartbeats. The default value is 30 seconds, i.e. send out a heartbeat message every 30 seconds.  set | get HeartbeatPort. This command specifies the port number that the UDP heartbeat messages are addressed to. This is the port number that must be listened to by interested parties on the network. The default value for this setting is 3988, i.e. send out a heartbeat message to UDP port 3988 of every machine on the subnet.  set | get HeartbeatAddress. This command specifies a particular IP Address that the UDP heartbeat messages are addressed to. The default value is 255.255.255.255, which is a special "multicast" addressed which allows any machine on the subnet to receive the heartbeats. Any other HeartbeatAddress results in the heartbeats going only to the machine at that address.  set | get HeartbeatCount. This command is implemented only on the ALR-9800, and allows you to specify the total number of heartbeat messages to send. This allows for the immediate discovery of readers as they come online, but doesn't continuously load the network with unnecessary traffic. The format of the heartbeat is a small XML text-based message, containing information about the reader (name and type), the reader’s network connection (IP address and command port) and the length of time until the next heartbeat will be sent out.

CHAPTER 2 READER FUNDAMENTALS READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 11<Alien-RFID-Reader-Heartbeat> <ReaderName>Alien RFID Reader</ReaderName> <ReaderType> Alien RFID Tag Reader, Model: ALR-9780 (Four Antenna / EPC Class 1 / 915 Mhz) </ReaderType> <IPAddress>10.1.60.5</IPAddress> <CommandPort>23</CommandPort> <HeartbeatTime>30</HeartbeatTime> <MACAddress>01:02:03:04:05:06</MACAddress> </Alien-RFID-Reader-Heartbeat> HEARTBEAT XML TAGS ReaderName is the user-defined name associated with the reader. This name can be set by a user to help identify which reader is which. For example, multiple readers in a warehouse may be named “loading bay 1”, “loading bay 2” etc., thus providing a clear indication as to the physical location of the reader. ReaderType details the specific type of reader sending out the heartbeat. This information is hard-coded into the reader’s firmware and is not user-configurable. IPAddress and CommandPort elements detail the location of the reader on the network. The IP address is simply the network address of the reader. The command port is the port number on which the reader is listening for incoming user commands. Typically, this is port 23, the standard telnet port, allowing a user to communicate with the reader over the network by typing “telnet [IPAddress]” into the command line of most computers. HeartbeatTime is the time until the next heartbeat. This time (in seconds) enables any application software to detect when a reader is powered-down or the network connection breaks; if a new heartbeat is not received after the expected time elapses, then such an interruption to normal service can be detected. MACAddress gives the unique identifier assigned to the reader's network interface hardware by the manufacturer. It is provided in the ALR-9800 and ALR-9774 heartbeat messages only. HEARTBEATS AND SOFTWARE The RFID Developer’s Kit CD that may accompany the reader provides source code and software libraries to listen for these network heartbeats, in the Java, .NET, and Visual Basic languages. The Alien RFID Gateway application, bundled with all readers, uses the Java version of these libraries to build its active reader list on the main screen. The latest Gateway version at the time of this writing is v2.14.13. Alien recommends users download the install the latest version of Gateway software. TagList Concepts During normal operation, the reader always has a concept of "what's out there" by maintaining an internal list of the tags that are active. Active tags are those read by the reader at least once within a predefined interval. Any new tags presented to the reader are added to the list, and any tags that have not been seen for a period of time (the PersistTime) are removed from the list.

READER FUNDAMENTALS CHAPTER 2 READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 12 At any time, a programmatic call can be made to the reader to retrieve this list of tags. PersistTime The “persist time” defines the duration between the time a tag was last read and the time it is automatically purged from the TagList. Setting this value to a small time (~1 second) will cause the TagList to contain only what the reader has seen in the last second, i.e., a fair representation of what the reader sees at any one time. Setting the persist time to a long duration allows a history of tags to be built up. For example, setting the persist time to 3600 seconds allows a list to be built up detailing all the tags that were read over the last hour. Setting PersistTime to –1 has the special effect of keeping tags on the list indefinitely until the TagList is delivered to a host, at which point the TagList is cleared. This is the default value, and the only value allowed on the ALR-9770. Tag Details Each entry in the TagList contains a number of sub fields: the Tag's unique ID, the read count (the number of times the tag has been read in the current session), the discovery time (the time the tag was first seen), the last observed time, the antenna (the antenna ID that the tag was last read from), and others. TagList Size The ALR-9800's TagList can hold up to 6000 tag entries. Other Alien RFID readers can handle up to 1000 entries. Reading Tags over the Network The Alien RFID reader provides two methods with which to read tags: Interactive Mode and Autonomous Mode.  Interactive Mode - the controlling application issues commands to the reader to read tags. This command will always immediately return with a list of tags in the reader's field of view.  Autonomous Mode - the reader constantly reads tags, and may initiate a conversation with a network listener when certain events arise. 8000 0100 8820 FFA48000 0100 8820 3F028000 0400 0232 3F068020 0150 2057 3F128000 0200 8020 3F168000 0100 8820 3F09New tags detected are added to the TagList.Reader TagList... All tags listed are active. Tags not read for a while are removed from the list.

CHAPTER 2 READER FUNDAMENTALS READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 13 While both methods are equally useful, the choice will ultimately be determined by the needs of the controlling application. Although it may be easier and require less coding to work in Interactive Mode, a little investment in programming effort lets the user set up Autonomous Mode to provide a more scalable system for multiple readers. In addition, readers that spend less time communicating with the host can spend more time looking for tags. Interactive Mode Reading tags in Interactive Mode is as simple as issuing a single command to the reader. This command is get TagList. This causes the reader to initiate a tag search, and report back the current TagList. Depending on the PersistTime and recent tag activity, the returned data may include tag read data from previous reads. Following is an example of what the default TagList format ("Text") looks like. Tag:041C 1820 2812 4080, Disc:2003/01/21 02:24:00, Last:2003/01/21 02:24:00, Count:1, Ant:0 Tag:1155 8B14 5661 D40B, Disc:2003/01/21 04:14:47, Last:2003/01/21 04:24:00, Count:1, Ant:0 The format of the TagList can be specified using the set TagListFormat command. One of the options is XML format, which would return the same TagList as: <Alien-RFID-Tag-List> <Alien-RFID-Tag> <TagID>041C 1820 2812 4080</TagID> <DiscoveryTime>2003/01/21 02:24:00</DiscoveryTime> <LastSeenTime>2003/01/21 02:24:00</LastSeenTime> <ReadCount>1</ReadCount> <Antenna>0</Antenna> </Alien-RFID-Tag> <Alien-RFID-Tag> <TagID>1155 8B14 5661 D40B </TagID> <DiscoveryTime>2003/01/21 02:24:00</DiscoveryTime> <LastSeenTime>2003/01/21 02:24:00</LastSeenTime> <ReadCount>1</ReadCount> <Antenna>0</Antenna> </Alien-RFID-Tag> </Alien-RFID-Tag-List> Additional formats include "Terse", and "Custom". See the TagListFormat section in Chapter 4, Alien Reader Protocol for details on all of the TagList formats. Autonomous Mode Autonomous Mode is a configuration and operation mode that enables automated monitoring and handling of tag data. You first issue a series of configuration commands to the reader which specify how and when to read tags, and optionally what to do with the tag data. Once configured in this mode, the reader can be left to operate on its own. An application on a host computer can then be set up to listen for notification messages from the reader containing any tag data that it has read.

READER FUNDAMENTALS CHAPTER 2 READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 14 One of the major benefits to this mode of operation is that many readers can be configured to send tag messages to a single host. Thus, a single application can listen for and process data from multiple readers over the network. A NOTE ABOUT AUTOMODE ON THE ALR-9770 The ALR-9770 reader implements a simplified version of the AutoMode found on other Alien readers. Digital I/O hasn't been implemented, so the use of start and stop triggers (discussed on the following pages) doesn't apply. Also, the ALR-9770 lacks the Notify engine, so there is no asynchronous notification mechanism. Defining the Autonomous Read Operation Autonomous Mode functionality is summarized in the state diagram shown below. Fundamentally, a reader operating in Autonomous Mode moves between several states: Waiting, Working, Evaluation, and Notification. Waiting, Working, and Evaluation states have associated with them an optional digital output state that is set upon entering the state. Movement from one state to the next is initiated by an expiration of a timer, a triggered event on the digital input lines, or changes to the TagList. Each element of the State Diagram is described below. Associated with each element are one or more commands that are used to configure the reader. Autonomous Mode State Diagram Wait(AutoWaitOutput)AutoStartTrigger?AutoAction(AutoWorkOutput)AutoStopTimer Expiredor AutoStopTrigger?Evaluation(New Tag? Programmed?)True Evaluation(AutoTrueOutput)False Evaluation(AutoFalseOutput)AutoTruePause Expired?AutoFalsePause Expired?Notification Needed?Issue NotificationnonononoAutoStartPause Expired?(ALR-9800)nono

CHAPTER 2 READER FUNDAMENTALS READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 15 ENTER AUTONOMOUS MODE (Not shown on the state diagram.) The user puts the reader into Autonomous Mode with the set AutoMode command. set AutoMode=On puts the Reader into Autonomous Mode. Set AutoMode=Off turns off Autonomous Mode. WAITING STATE Upon entering Autonomous Mode, the reader automatically enters the Waiting State. While waiting for a Start Working Trigger (see below) the reader holds the digital output lines at a value set by the AutoWaitOutput command. For example, set AutoWaitOutput=1 causes digital output line 1 to go high while the reader is in the Waiting state. START WORKING TRIGGER The receipt of a trigger pattern on the digital input lines causes the reader to move from the Waiting state to the Working state. The start condition is set by the AutoStartTrigger command. The AutoStartTrigger command takes two parameters, a rising edge pattern and a falling edge pattern. Each pattern is a single integer which is a bitmap of the desired input triggers, where input pin #1 is represented by bit 0, input pin #2 is represented by bit 1, etc. The table below illustrates the bitmap values that correspond to different pin combinations. This table holds for both input as well as output pin bitmaps. Digital Input Value 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Pin #1 - ✔ - ✔ - ✔ - ✔ - ✔ - ✔ - ✔ - ✔ Pin #2 - - ✔ ✔ - - ✔ ✔ - - ✔ ✔ - - ✔ ✔ Pin #3 - - - - ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ - - - - ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Pin #4 - - - - - - - - ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ The command, set AutoStartTrigger=2,0 causes the reader to enter the working state on receipt of a rising edge on pin 2, while set AutoStartTrigger=0,3 causes the reader to enter the working state after the receipt of a falling edge on pins one or two. set AutoStartTrigger=0,0 causes the reader to immediately drop into the Working state. The ALR-9800 has an additional property, AutoStartPause, which causes the reader to pause the specified number of milliseconds after receiving a start trigger before transitioning to the working state. WORKING STATE In the working state, the reader holds the digital output lines at the value defined by the AutoWorkOutput command. set AutoWorkOutput=3 holds the first two output lines high while the reader is working. The action the reader performs while in the working state is determined by the AutoAction command. set AutoAction=Acquire causes the reader to repeatedly acquire TagList data using the parameters set in the AcquireMode and

READER FUNDAMENTALS CHAPTER 2 READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 16PersistTime commands. The reader continues working until the Stop Working Trigger conditions are met. (see below) STOP WORKING TRIGGER/TIMER Like the Start Working Trigger, the Stop Working Trigger can be a change on the digital input lines, but can also be the expiration of a timer. Use the AutoStopTrigger command with a rising, falling edge pattern to set the trigger conditions. set AutoStopTrigger=1,0 looks for a rising edge on pin 1 before leaving the Working state. In addition, one may use the AutoStopTimer command to repeat the Working action for a specified period of time. For example, set AutoStopTimer=1300 causes the reader to perform the Working action for 1.3 seconds before moving on to the Evaluation stage. If both a stop trigger and a stop timer are specified, whichever event happens first fill stop the working state. EVALUATION At the Evaluation decision point, the reader looks to see if new tags have been added to the TagList since the last evaluation. If so, it drops to the AutoTruePause state, if not, it drops to the AutoFalsePause state. Note: the Evaluation looks at the TagList and therefore is very much dependent on the value of the PersistTime setting. TRUE/FALSE PAUSE After evaluation, the Reader sets the output lines to the values specified in the AutoTrueOutput and AutoFalseOutput commands. This condition is held for AutoTruePause or AutoFalsePause milliseconds before the test for Notification begins. For example, set AutoTrueOutput=1 and set AutoTruePause=20 cause the reader to hold output pin #1 high (and all others low) for 20 milliseconds before proceeding. NOTIFICATION If NotifyMode is enabled (set NotifyMode=On) and the specified NotifyTrigger has occurred, the reader issues an notification message. The NotifyTrigger is specified with the set NotifyTrigger command and can be set to “Add”, "Remove”, “Change”, “True”, “False”, or "TrueFalse", as described in the next topic. If a notification is to be issued, the TagList data is sent to the NotifyAddress. The reader then returns to the Waiting state. Autonomous Mode Examples EXAMPLE 1 - BACKGROUND READING In this case, we would like the reader to monitor the tag field continuously. The application will periodically ask for the TagList. If a new tag is seen, output pin 1 will be flashed high for 500 msec. Otherwise, output pin 2 will be flashed high for 500 msec.

CHAPTER 2 READER FUNDAMENTALS READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 17AutoModeReset set AutoAction = Acquire set AutoStartTrigger = 0,0 set AutoStopTimer = 0 set AutoTrueOutput = 1 set AutoTruePause = 500 set AutoFalseOutput = 2 set AutoFalsePause = 500 set AutoMode = On EXAMPLE 2 - TRIGGERED READING Here a forklift will cause an electric eye to send a signal to the reader. We want the reader to look for a rising edge on this signal and scan for tags for 1.8 seconds before going back to the Waiting state. We won't make any changes to the output pins. AutoModeReset set AutoAction = Acquire set AutoStartTrigger = 1, 0 set AutoStopTimer = 1800 set AutoTruePause = 0 set AutoFalsePause = 0 set AutoMode = On EXAMPLE 3 - TRIGGERED READING WITH NOTIFICATION A trigger is used to start the reading. If a tag is found, send an email message. After the email is sent, return to the waiting state. AutoModeReset set AutoAction = Acquire set AutoStartTrigger = 1, 0 set AutoStopTimer = 0 set AutoTruePause = 0 set AutoFalsePause = 0 set NotifyAddress = borg@mycompany.com set MailServer = mail.mycompany.com set NotifyTrigger = Add set NotifyMode = On set AutoMode = On Notification Mode The last stage in configuring the Autonomous Mode is to tell the reader under what conditions to notify listeners about TagLists. Listeners (network applications / people) are notified only when specific conditions arise, such as when new tags are read, or when tags disappear from view. Note: Notification Mode is not supported on the ALR-9770 reader at this time. NotifyTime The NotifyTime command instructs the reader to send out a copy of its TagList to a listener every n seconds, regardless of whether the TagList has changed or not. This is a simple way to force the reader to send out its TagList to a listener.

READER FUNDAMENTALS CHAPTER 2 READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 18NotifyTrigger The NotifyTrigger command specifies a condition that must occur before a TagList is sent out to a listener. There are a number of possible triggers that can be used: Trigger Trigger Condition Tag Data Included Add A new tag was read and added to the TagList. Only the added tags. Remove A tag was removed from the TagList. Only the removed tags. Change A tag was either added to, or removed from, the TagList. Entire TagList. True The evaluation task of the autonomous state loop evaluates to true (typically when a tag is added to the TagList). Entire TagList. False the evaluation task of the autonomous state loop evaluates to false (typically when no tag is added to the TagList) Entire TagList. TrueFalse the evaluation task of the autonomous state loop evaluates to true or false (i.e. every autonomous mode cycle) Entire TagList. NotifyAddress You must tell the reader where to send notification messages when it is operating in Autonomous Mode. The reader can be instructed to send messages to a specific machine on the network, or via email to a specific email address. This is configured using the command: set NotifyAddress = <address> The format of <address> indicates the method of delivery: NotifyAddress Description hostname:port Send a message to a specified port on a networked machine. The address takes the form “hostname:port.” For example, “123.01.02.98:3450” or "listener.alientechnology.com:10002” user@domain.com Send a message via e-mail to the address specified. The address is specified in standard email form, i.e., user@domain.com NOTE: the MailServer parameter must be configured for this to work. serial Send a message to the serial connection. The word “serial” is used as the address, and is not case sensitive. NotifyFormat You can tell the reader the format for any notification that it issues. When a notification message is sent out, it contains two parts:

CHAPTER 2 READER FUNDAMENTALS READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 19 The first part, the header, provides details about the reader that sent the message, and the reason the message was sent.  The second part is the TagList - either newly added or removed tags, or the complete list of tags as seen by the reader, depending on the NotifyTrigger. The format of the message is configured using a single command: set NotifyFormat = format The format may be one of the following: NotifyFormat Description Text Plain text messages, one tag ID per line. Terse Plain text messages, one tag ID per line, compact form XML XML text format Custom Same as Text format, except the contents of each tag ID line is defined by the TagListCustomFormat parameter Text-formatted notifications take the form: #Alien RFID Reader Auto Notification Message #ReaderName: Spinner Reader #ReaderType: Alien RFID Tag Reader, Model: ALR-9780 (Four Antenna / Class 1 / 915Mhz) #IPAddress: 10.1.70.13 #CommandPort: 23 #Time: 2003/01/21 12:48:59 #Reason: TEST MESSAGE Tag:1115 F268 81C3 C012, Disc:2003/01/21 09:00:51, Last:2003/01/21 09:00:51, Count:1, Ant:0 Tag:0100 0100 0002 0709, Disc:2003/01/21 11:00:10, Last:2003/01/21 11:00:10, Count:1, Ant:0 #End of Notification Message Terse-formatted notifications take the form: #Alien RFID Reader Auto Notification Message #ReaderName: Spinner Reader #ReaderType: Alien RFID Tag Reader, Model: ALR-9780 (Four Antenna / Class 1 / 915Mhz) #IPAddress: 10.1.70.13 #CommandPort: 23 #Time: 2003/01/21 12:48:59 #Reason: TEST MESSAGE 1115 F268 81C3 C012,1,0 0100 0100 0002 0709,1,0 #End of Notification Message

READER FUNDAMENTALS CHAPTER 2 READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 20XML-formatted notifications take the form: <Alien-RFID-Reader-Auto-Notification> <ReaderName>Spinner Reader</ReaderName> <ReaderType> Alien RFID Tag Reader, Model: ALR-9780 (Four Antenna / Class 1 / 915 MHz) </ReaderType> <IPAddress>10.1.70.13</IPAddress> <CommandPort>23</CommandPort> <Time>2003/01/21 12:49:22</Time> <Reason>TEST MESSAGE</Reason> <Alien-RFID-Tag-List> <Alien-RFID-Tag> <TagID>0102 0304 0506 0709</TagID> <DiscoveryTime>2003/01/17 11:37:01</DiscoveryTime> <LastSeenTime>2003/01/17 11:37:01</LastSeenTime> <Antenna>0</Antenna> <ReadCount>1413726</ReadCount> </Alien-RFID-Tag> <Alien-RFID-Tag> <TagID>2283 1668 ADC3 E804</TagID> <DiscoveryTime>2003/01/19 07:01:19</DiscoveryTime> <LastSeenTime>2003/01/19 07:01:19</LastSeenTime> <Antenna>0</Antenna> <ReadCount>1</ReadCount> </Alien-RFID-Tag> </Alien-RFID-Tag-List> </Alien-RFID-Reader-Auto-Notification> An example of a custom-formatted notification might be: #Alien RFID Reader Auto Notification Message #ReaderName: Spinner Reader #ReaderType: Alien RFID Tag Reader, Model: ALR-9780 (Four Antenna / Class 1 / 915Mhz) #IPAddress: 10.1.70.13 #CommandPort: 23 #Time: 2003/01/21 12:48:59 #Reason: TEST MESSAGE Tag 1115 F268 81C3 C012 was read 3 times Tag 0100 0100 0002 0709 was read 1 times #End of Notification Message Listening for Tags over the Network When a reader has been configured for Autonomous Mode, interactive communication with the reader is unnecessary and it can be left to work on its own. It is then up to the application to listen for any notification messages from the reader. Libraries included in the RFID Reader Developer’s Kit provide this functionality in Java, .NET, and Visual Basic environments. In both cases, setting up a listening service is a simple coding task, involving less than ten lines of code.

CHAPTER 3 TAG FUNDAMENTALS READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 21CHAPTER 3 Tag Fundamentals Introduction RFID tag reading is not just about getting the tag ID from a tag into the reader. There are different methods available to perform this basic operation, and different parameters and settings that can be altered to tweak the performance of this basic operation. Alien RFID Tags For the purposes of this Reader Interface Guide, it is assumed you will be using either the Alien beam-powered tag (Class I) or the Alien long-range battery-powered tag, both of which use modulated backscatter communications. Alien NanoBlock Tags Alien’s offerings in the Class I tag category use proprietary NanoBlock™ ICs to meet the cost and size requirements of the EPCglobal specification. This is a completely “passive” tag by both common definitions of the term in both its means of communication (backscatter) and its power source (beam-powered). Thus, if you hear Aliens refer to a “passive tag,” this is the type of tag they are talking about. Battery Assisted Passive (BAP) Tags Alien’s long-range, battery-assisted passive tag would be categorized as a Class 3 “dynamic tag” under the EPCglobal scheme, though with performance enhancements over those of the basic Class 3 tag. These battery tags can be configured for any number of specific applications. Alien’s Temperature Tag, in particular, allows manufactures and shippers of temperature-sensitive and perishable products to track temperature variations these products encounter during handling. Such temperature records can help pinpoint handling problems and calculate more realistic shelf-life and expiration dates. Battery tags may be used effectively for supply chain applications as well as commercial applications including fleet management, automatic toll collection, and equipment tracking. Examples of Alien RFID Tag and Antenna Designs.

TAG FUNDAMENTALS CHAPTER 3 READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 22Acquisition Modes The AcquireMode property defines the method used to read tags in the field. There are two distinct methods for reading tags, and the choice of one method over another depends on the application at hand. You specify the Acquire Mode by issuing the set AcquireMode command. It can take one of two values, "Global Scroll" or "Inventory”. Global Scroll Global Scroll is the most primitive of tag ID reading operations supported by the Alien RFID Reader system. When a global scroll command is issued, the RFID Reader sends a single command over the air to all and any tags. That command is simply a request for any tag to immediately send back its ID to the RFID Reader. The simplicity of this command is both its advantage and its downfall: The command is very quick to execute as it involves only one round trip between the reader and the tag. However, because the command is so simple, problems may arise if there is more than one tag in the field. At this point, multiple tags will all receive the same command, and will all send back their IDs to the reader at virtually the same time. A situation such as this makes it difficult for the reader to discern individual IDs among the general noise. Typically one or two of the loudest or closest tags will be decoded, but the majority will not be discerned. This is analogous to walking into a dark room full of people and shouting out the command “if anyone can hear me, shout your name back now”. If there is one person in the room with you, you will be able to hear their name. If there are multiple people in the room, the results will be noise. Maybe you will be able to make out one or two names, but typically not more than that. There are many applications where global scroll is the best tag reading method to use. These applications typically expect just one or two tags in the field of view at any one time, such as conveyor belt or tollbooth applications. For these systems, global scroll outperforms a full inventory by a factor of three as far as individual read rates are concerned. Inventory The inventory command is a full-featured system for discerning the IDs of multiple tags in the field at the same time. This single high-level command transforms itself into a complex series of reader-tag interrogations that eventually resolve themselves into a single list of tag IDs seen by the RFID Reader. This method of interrogation and evaluation of multiple tags is known as an anti-collision search. Continuing the analogy used in the global scroll description, the anti-collision sort works in the following way: You walk into a dark room full of people and instruct everyone to stand up. Then you start with the letter ‘A’ and tell anyone whose name begins with this letter to shout their name back. You may get zero replies, one reply, or multiple noisy replies. If you can clearly make out any individual name from the noise, you shout back telling that person to sit down and be quite from now on. Next repeat the series of events, this time telling anyone whose name begins with ‘AA’ to shout back their name. If you can pick out one name, tell that person to sit down and be quite. You repeat this until no names are heard at all, each time adding a letter such as ‘AB’, ‘AC’. When it gets to the point

CHAPTER 3 TAG FUNDAMENTALS READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 23that there are no more names to be heard, you move on to the letter ‘B’ and repeat the series. By the time you’ve been through the letter ‘Z’, you should have been able to get everyone’s name, and everyone should be sitting down. At this point the sort has been finished. Obviously this sort algorithm is far more complex than the global scroll algorithm, requiring many more reader-tag instructions. However the Alien RFID Reader considerably optimizes this basic sort method, and in doing so still provides a very fast and efficient sort algorithm. Acquire Parameters When the reader scans for tags, it can automatically perform a complex sequence of repeated wakes, sleeps, and reads. This sequence is defined by the acquire parameters, and by adjusting each value you can configure the Reader to perform optimally, depending on the particular use case. When the reader does an acquire action, it performs a total number of acquire cycles specified by the AcqCycles parameter. Each cycle consists of a number of Wakes (given by AcqEnterWakeCount) on each antenna, then a number of reads (given by AcqCount) and Sleeps (given by AcqSleepCount) on each antenna. Finally, after all of the cycles have completed, a number of Wakes (given by AcqExitWakeCount) are issued on each antenna. The Wakes and Acquires all act on the current Tag Mask. The Sleeps act only on tags as they are found. The acquire parameters are demonstrated by the following pseudo-code: foreach cycle in AcqCycles foreach wake in AcqEnterWakeCount foreach antenna in AntennaSequence Wake (using current mask) next antenna next wake foreach count in AcqCount foreach antenna in AntennaSequence DoAcquisition (using currentMask) foreach sleep in AcqSleepCount Sleep(TagsFound) next sleep next antenna next count next cycle foreach wake in AcqExitWakeCount foreach antenna in AntennaSequence Wake(currentMask) next antenna next wake Masks and Tag Memory Structure Many commands aimed at Alien RFID tags require the setting of a mask, which directs the commands only at the tags who's ID matches the mask. This

CHAPTER 3 TAG FUNDAMENTALS READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 25where each product type and manufacturer code use well-defined memory codes that can be masked. Another example is to search for all Class I tags whose last three bits of a 64-bit EPC code are set to 1. The mask settings for this would be: set Mask = 3, 61, E0 In other words, length = 3 bits, starting at bit 61, and matching value E0hex. The mask value is specified as E0hex (11100000binary) and not 07hex (111binary) because 07hex is interpreted as 00000111binary, and when the bit pattern is applied as a mask, the bits are applied from left to right (most-significant-bit to least-significant-bit). Persistent Sleep and Wake Tags have the ability to be put to sleep and awakened on command. Once tags have been put to sleep they will ignore any subsequent commands, even if addressed directly to them. The only command that these slept tags will respond to is wake, which will bring them back to life and make them respond to all commands again. The Sleep and Wake commands can act together in a powerful way to help address multiple tags in the field. By default the inventory and global scroll commands will read tags in the field, and leave them in a wakened state. This means that the very next time an acquire action is made, the same tags will answer back to the reader, resulting in an identical TagList. However it is possible to sleep tags are they are found. Both the inventory and global scroll modes support this action. In this scenario, as a tag is discovered by the reader, it is told to sleep. The very next time an acquire command is issued, the reader will scan the field of tags, but as they are all asleep, they will not answer and the TagList returned will be empty. The effects of the sleep-as-found mode can be reverted at any time by issuing a Wake command. This will immediately wake up all tags in the field of view, making them ready for subsequent acquire commands. This is a useful mode to use when dealing with very large numbers of tags in the field at once (>100 tags). Using these modes, the acquire command can discern as many tags as it can in one pass, leaving these tags asleep as it finds them. Then any subsequent acquire commands will now only be dealing with tags it missed in previous rounds, or tags that have entered the field since the last round. Thus a large population of tags can be sorted in smaller, more manageable rounds. Sleep, Wake, and Masks The Sleep and Wake commands always work with the current Mask setting. Therefore it is possible to Sleep a subset of tags before performing an acquire, or to Sleep all tags then Wake a subset before acquire. Combining Sleep, Wake, Masks and Acquire Modes offers up many interesting possibilities for tag reading that will address virtually all problems in the field.

ALIEN READER PROTOCOL CHAPTER 4 READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 26CHAPTER 4 Alien Reader Protocol The Alien Reader Protocol is a text-based communications protocol for configuring and operating an Alien RFID Reader. This chapter describes the programming interface that links the Alien RFID Reader to the outside world. For an overview of the reader system and instructions on setting up reader operation via a host computer, see the chapters entitled: Reader Fundamentals and Tag Fundamentals. Reader Operation Overview As detailed in the previous chapter, you may interact with the reader and configure its operation using either of two text-based command line methods:  direct serial (RS-232) – if supported by the reader  telnet connection (TCP/IP) For the purposes of these instructions, the serial and telnet operations are considered essentially identical. In both cases, the screens look similar and will thus be considered identical for the purposes of the instructions that follow. Telnet Exceptions:  In telnet operation you must issue the command “q” to quit the session.  Accessing the reader via telnet requires an authorized user name and password (both of which can be changed with commands in the General command set). Telnet connection Direct serial connection via HyperTerminal

$CHAPTER 4 ALIEN READER PROTOCOL READER INTERFACE GUIDE DOC. CONTROL # 8101938-000 REV 05 27Overview of Commands There are two distinct categories of reader activities: those initiated by the host (Interactive Mode), and those initiated by the reader itself (Autonomous Mode). INTERACTIVE MODE Interactive Mode activities are initiated by a program or user who issues commands to the reader from a separate host computer. The host always initiates the transaction with a request, and the reader responds with an immediate reply. The host should wait for a reply before initiating another command. Interactive commands are used to configure and operate the reader, as well as to interrogate tags and retrieve the stored TagList on demand. AUTONOMOUS MODE Autonomous Mode activities instruct the reader to perform certain tasks without outside intervention, according to conditions set by the programmer. These commands typically tell the reader to read tags based on trigger events (external digital inputs or internal timers) and then send notification messages to a host system, depending on various TagList-based triggers. For example, the reader can be instructed to search the field until it sees a tag, then to read the new tag and e-mail the event to a specified e-mail address. Command Format All commands between the host system and the reader are human readable, ASCII text-based messages. For example, a command to set the name of the reader using the "set ReaderName" command takes the form: Alien >set ReaderName = My Alien Reader[CR][LF] All commands to the reader are single-line ASCII strings, terminated by a carriage-return / line-feed pair, written as [CR][LF]. The [CR] character is ASCII code 0x0D, while the [LF] character is ASCII code 0x0A. These characters are sometimes written as "\r" and "\n" respectively. All responses from the reader are either single-line or multi-line ASCII strings, terminated by [CR][LF][0], where [0] is ASCII code 0x00. When a responses is comprised of multiple text lines, each line is separated by a single [CR][LF] sequence. An example of a command and single-line response is: Alien >get ReaderName[CR][LF] ReaderName = Alien Reader[CR][LF][0] An example of a command and multi-line response is: Alien >get ReaderVersion[CR][LF] Ent. SW Rev: 03.00.10 : Jun 08 2004 : 10:54:30[CR][LF] Country Code: 01, Reader Type: 03, Firmware Rev: 2.1.4[CR][LF][0] Commands are not case sensitive: “set readername” is equivalent to “sET ReADerNaME”.$

Alien Technology ALR9800 RFID Reader User Manual Guide Reader Interface

Alien Technology Corporation RFID Reader Guide Reader Interface

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