Alien Technology BHNPR001 NanoScanner User Manual User guide

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The contents of this document are the property of Alien Technology™ Corporation

strictly prohibited. For additional copies if this document please contact:

Ron Gilbert

Alien Technology Corporation

18220 Butterfield Blvd.

Morgan Hill, CA 95037

Phone 408-782-3900

Fax 408-782-3910

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.

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.

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.”

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Alien Technology

Nanoscanner™

Reader User Guide

Table of Contents

.....................................................................................................1 CHAPTER 1

.............................................................................................1 INTRODUCTION

..........................................................................................................1 AUDIENCE

....................................................................1 NANOSCANNER READER OVERVIEW

............................................................................................1 Requirements

............................................................................................2 Specifications

.....................................................................................................4 CHAPTER 2

............................................................................................4 RFID OVERVIEW

..........................................................................................4 RFID VS BARCODES

..........................................................................................6 RFID COMPONENTS

...............................................................................6 Reader or Interrogator

.................................................................................................7 Antenna(s)

...........................................................................................................8 Tags

Host Computer and Input/Output Functions............................................13

.....................................................14 MIT, AIDC AND THE RFID (EPC) INITIATIVE

....................................................................15 RFID and ePC Tag Classes

...................................................................................................18 CHAPTER 3

.............................................................18 INSTALLATION AND OPERATION

........................................................................................18 Tag Availability

...............................................................................................18 REQUIREMENTS

........................................................................19 RECEIVING THE NANOSCANNER

.....................................................................................19 Reader Features

...............................................................21 SYSTEM ASSEMBLY AND BENCH TEST

..........................................................................21 BenchTest Connections

.............................................................................24 Bench Test Procedure

..............................................................................................25 SYSTEM DESIGN

..................................................................................................25 INSTALLATION

..........................................................................................25 Requirements

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Installation Procedure..............................................................................26

SYSTEM OPERATION ........................................................................................28

CHAPTER 4...................................................................................................29

READERENTERPRISE PROTOCOL .......................................................29

OVERVIEW .......................................................................................................29

DOCUMENT SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................................29

INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................30

Reader Tag List.......................................................................................30

Persist Time ............................................................................................30

COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL ............................................................................31

Overview..................................................................................................31

Serial Communication .............................................................................31

Network Communication .........................................................................31

Web Based Communication....................................................................31

COMMANDS INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................32

Overview..................................................................................................32

Action Commands ...................................................................................32

Notify Commands....................................................................................32

Command Format ...................................................................................32

Suppressing Command Prompts ............................................................33

General Commands ................................................................................33

Network Configuration Commands .........................................................34

Enterprise Commands.............................................................................34

Notify Commands....................................................................................35

GENERAL COMMANDS ......................................................................................35

NETWORK CONFIGURATION COMMANDS............................................................37

ENTERPRISE COMMANDS..................................................................................41

NOTIFY COMMANDS .........................................................................................44

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A iii

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1

Introduction

The Nanoscanner Reader User Guide provides basic instructions for

installing and operating the Nanoscanner reader. It also includes an overview

of RFID technology and covers the reader firmware protocol in detail.

This book is designed for use by those who wish to develop software

products and extended systems that take full advantage of the Nanoscanner

reader’s capabilities.

Audience

For the purposes of this book, we assume the readers of the Nanoscanner

Reader User Guide:

 Are competent PC users.

 Have minimal previous knowledge of radio-frequency identification

technology.

 Are experienced in software development and/or hardware systems

integration.

Nanoscanner Reader Overview

The Nanoscanner is delivered with the following components and

accessories:

 Nanoscanner reader

 External antenna and coaxial cable

 One RS-232 serial cable (for host computer)

 Power supply

 Nanoscanner Reader User Guide

Requirements

In order to fully interface with the Nanoscanner reader you will need the

following:

 PC running Windows 98 or higher, with CD-ROM drive and one available

RS-232 serial port.

 Standard 120 VAC power.

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 1

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

 Host software (Alien demo software or your own custom software) Refer

to the Nanoscanner Reader Developer’s Guide for reader-host protocols.

 RFID Tags (AIDC Class 1 compliant)

 Standard power cord (desired length) with grounded, 3-pronged plugs

Specifications

Specifications for key components of the Nanoscanner reader system are

provided in the tables below:

NANOSCANNER READER

Name Nanoscanner Reader

Part Number BHNPR001

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

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 coax antenna, 8 logic I/O, comm ports, power

Dimensions (L) 19 cm (7 in) x (W) 26 cm (10 in) x (D) 5 cm (2 in)

Weight Approximately 1.8 kg (4 lb)

Operating Temperature -40° C to +85° C (-40 °F to + 85°F)

NANOSCANNER 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 Reverse-thread SMA

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

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 2

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

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 3

I/O Port Connector (Male DB-9M)

Pin 1 CTL0

Pin 2 CTL1

Pin 3 TRIG0

Pin 4 TRIG1

Pin 5 Ground

Pin 6 CTL0

Pin 7 CTL1

Pin 8 TRIG0

Pin 9 TRIG1

54321

9 8 7 6

OTHER COMPONENTS

RS-232 Serial Cable DB-9 male/female serial

Antenna Port 1 Plug Reverse thread 50 ohm terminator

CHAPTER 2 RFID OVERVIEW

CHAPTER 2

RFID Overview

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology uses radio frequency

signals to acquire data remotely from tags within read (or “interrogation”)

range. The data is then used for a variety of purposes such as opening doors

and gates, paying tolls or tracking equipment and materials.

Although RFID can be deployed in a number of frequency bands, the

products referred to in this book operate exclusively in the UHF band,

specifically, in the frequency band centered at 915 MHz (902-928 MHz).

This equipment—as well as many cordless telephones and other wireless

devices—operates in this frequency band, which does not require its users

to be licensed.

RFID vs Barcodes

RFID is similar in some ways to barcode technology in that the tags or labels

contain ID and other data readable by electronic equipment.

READ RANGE AND INTERFERENCE

An important advantage of RF over barcodes is that RF tags do not require

“line of sight” to be read. That is—while a barcode must be scanned directly

by a laser beam and cannot be read if something opaque stands between

the reader/scanner and the label—RF tags can be read through a great

many materials, including boxes and other radiolucent products.

The effective range of a laser-based barcode system is limited because with

increased distance comes an increased chance of materials passing

between the reader’s laser and the barcode label. Attempts in the past to use

barcodes for tollway use or railcar identification, for example, failed because

the vehicle speed—combined with the increased likelihood of rain, snow or

debris interrupting the laser’s line-of-sight at the crucial moment of

passage—rendered the technology very unreliable for these applications.

VISIBILITY OF PALLETS, CASES AND INDIVIDUAL ITEMS

In manufacturing, supply chain and retail/commercial applications, barcodes

have been very effective for over 25 years. The line-of-sight and range

limitations have been manageable for those environments where products or

cases of products moved slowly past a reader at close distances.

Barcodes themselves can contain (and convey) information about

manufacturer, product family and type, and perhaps even the specific

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 4

CHAPTER 2 RFID OVERVIEW

manufacturing lot. These capabilities have improved the speed and handling

of products and materials around the world.

However, barcodes cannot identify a specific case of paper towels that is in

the center of a pallet surrounded by other cases of towels. And barcodes

cannot record the temperatures a perishable product has been exposed to

and calculate a more realistic expiration date for that specific item.

Neither can barcode systems identify an individual carton of milk as it rolls

down the checkout conveyor and alert the cashier that its contents may be

spoiled. And barcodes cannot alert the merchant of products in the

consumer’s pocket that have not been paid for.

RFID systems have the potential to do all of these things; a laser-based

barcode system cannot.

Although RFID is being developed initially for use in the supply side of many

businesses (shipping, receiving, warehousing, stocking, inventory, etc.), this

technology makes it not only possible, but realistic to one day track the

movement of individual products throughout a retail store and to identify

critical characteristics about the item.

For the near term, businesses will benefit from automatically logging

shipments and receipts of products moving in and out through their loading

docks. They will be able to track the movement of products within their own

facilities to improve efficiency, and reduce theft and shrinkage.

READ/WRITE TAG DATA

Barcode data is fixed the moment the label is printed. It can never be

changed unless a new label is printed and attached. On the other hand,

many RFID tags can be reprogrammed in the field to reflect current

information such as storage location or date placed in service.

More sophisticated RFID tags can also record dynamic conditions (such as

temperature or meter usage) as they change, then transfer the current

conditions (or a record of conditions) to a reader upon request.

THE RFID ADVANTAGE

In short, RFID raises the standard for automatic identification technology and

allows it to perform more valuable functions than have been possible with

barcodes.

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 5

CHAPTER 2 RFID OVERVIEW

RFID Components

Any RFID system needs certain basic components. These include:

 Transmitter

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 6

 Receiver

 Microprocessor

Usually combined in a “reader” or “interrogator.”

 Antenna(s)

 Tags

 Output device(s) and/or host computing device

 (Optional) input device(s)

ANTENNA

TAG Transmit

HOST



Receive

READER

OUTPUT

DEVICES

INPUT DEVICES

(Optional)

RFID system components

Reader or Interrogator

A reader may be referred to as an “interrogator” because it asks (or

interrogates) tags for their ID information and any other data they may

contain.

Because the transmitter and receiver functions are working together, the

reader may also be referred to as a “transceiver.”

Transmitter

Transmit Microprocessor



Receiver

Receive

READER

CHAPTER 2 RFID OVERVIEW

No matter what it may be called, the reader typically contains a:

 transmitter,

 receiver, and

 microprocessor.

The reader unit also contains an antenna as part of the entire system (see

below).

Antenna(s)

The antenna broadcasts the RF signals generated inside the reader’s

transmitter into the immediate environment. The antenna also receives

responses from tags within range.

In general, readers may use one or more antennas to detect and interrogate

tags. For this system, however, only one antenna can be active at a time.

CAUTION: Reader antennas should be positioned so that personnel in the

area may safely remain at least 23 cm (9 in) from the antenna’s surface. See

FCC OTE Bulletin 56 and 65 for further details.

HOW ACTUAL ANTENNAS LOOK

Although the antennas in our diagrams are often depicted like fish bones, it is

unlikely you will see RFID antennas like this in the field.

Reader Antennas. Most reader antennas are housed in enclosures and will

look like plain, shallow boxes. In some cases, the antenna may actually be

contained inside the reader enclosure (which may also look like a plain box).

Tag Antennas. Tag antennas are often nothing more than etched or printed

metallic patterns on a circuit board or thin film inside a small case or

sandwiched between layers of a printed label.

READER ANTENNA

In enclosure

TAG ANTENNA TAG CASE

FOOTPRINT, POLARIZATION AND READ RANGE

Antennas have patterns or “footprints” that describe the area in which their

energy is most effective. Although the word footprint suggests a two-

dimensional area, the pattern actually exists in three dimensions and is more

like a large, irregularly shaped balloon (think of an inflated surgical glove).

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 7

ANTENNA & read range

CHAPTER 2 RFID OVERVIEW

Although an antenna may manifest its energy in a certain pattern, how your

system can use that energy depends on a great many factors including

antenna characteristics, tag and reader characteristics, the nature of the

items tagged, and the changing nature of the reading environment.

Polarization. Polarization of an antenna, expressed simply, means there is a

preferred orientation of the tag to the reader antenna’s energy field, which

may optimize the system’s ability to read tags, particularly under less than

ideal conditions. Under most normal conditions, and within the read range for

the system, all functioning tags should be readable. However, it may be

possible to read tags well beyond the specified read range if they are

oriented in the antenna’s preferred direction. Keep in mind, however, that

some systems may be designed to limit, rather than maximize, the read

range and thus may use polarization to facilitate tag discrimination.

Footprint Size and Read Range. The size of the antenna footprint and the

range at which a given tag may be read are affected, in various degrees, by

such factors as the output power of the transmitter, the receiver sensitivity,

the type of tag (and its own internal antenna) and the tag’s position relative to

the reader antenna. The reading environment also plays an important part in

determining how far out and where, in relation to the antenna, tags can and

cannot be read.

Because an antenna’s pattern is often irregularly shaped, you may get a read

at long range in one spot, then move the tag a few inches to one side and not

be able to get the tag to read again until you have moved it several feet

closer to the antenna.

Tags

RF tags are devices—similar in principle to barcodes or even name

badges—that contain identification and other information that can be

communicated to a reader from a distance. However, RF tags can contain

much more information than a barcode, can be read at greater distances and

under more challenging conditions, and in some cases can accept new data

in the field.

TAG-TO-READER COMMUNICATIONS

Tags are often classified as either “passive” or “active” to describe how they

communicate with the reader. Passive means, simply, that the tag uses a

modified form of the reader’s own signal to send back its data. Active means

the tag contains its own transmitter.

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 8

CHAPTER 2 RFID OVERVIEW

(Passive) Backscatter Tags. A passive tag uses a method called

“modulated backscatter” to convey its data to the reader. Essentially, the tag

reflects (or backscatters) the RF signal transmitted by the reader and

embeds its unique ID and data by modulating that reflected signal.

Z Z Z z z z

TAG

READER

“What’s your name?” “What’s your name?”

MY NAME IS GORT.

Backscatter TAG

READER

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 9

Passive tags reply by reflecting the reader’s own RF signal, with unique tag data

embedded in the modulated “backscatter.”

• Modulated backscatter is similar to sending messages between distant

mountaintops by bouncing sunlight off mirrors using Morse Code

patterns of on and off. In this scheme, communication is only possible

when the light source is present.

The reader transmits a continuous-wave (CW) RF signal into the reading

environment. When a tag appears in the area, it modulates, or breaks

up, that CW signal into patterns of ones and zeroes that define the tag’s

digital data. Because it “speaks” essentially by reflecting the reader’s

“voice,” a backscatter tag is physically incapable of communicating data

outside the presence of a reader’s signal.

TAG

READER

The reader transmits a continuous wave signal. The tag breaks up (modulates) that

signal into patterns of ones and zeroes that convey its data to the reader.

(Active Tags) Transmitters and Transponders. Active tags, unlike passive

backscatter tags, contain their own transmitters, or tiny radio stations. Active

tags may be considered to be either transmitters or transponders, though, to

be precise, a transponder is always a transmitter tag, but not all transmitter

tags are transponders, as you will see below.

CHAPTER 2 RFID OVERVIEW

 Transmitters. A transmitter tag can broadcast a message into the

environment even if there is no reader active nearby to “hear” it. This tag

is like a telephone can ring even when no one is home to answer it.

MY NAME IS GORT...MY

NAME IS GORT...MY NAME...

TAG

Active tags (transmitters) contain their own little radio stations and can transmit

messages even the absence of a reader.

 Transponders. To conserve power, or to minimize RF noise pollution,

some active/transmitter tags may be configured to “go to sleep” or enter

a quiescent or lower-power state when not being interrogated. When a

reader enters the area, it then transmits a signal to “wake up” all the tags

in that area. Each tag thus only transmits in response to the reader’s

command. This type of active tag is called a “transmitter/responder” or

“transponder.”

ZZzzz ZZzzz Hello? ZZzzz

ZZzzz Hello? ZZzzz ZZzzz

TAG

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 10

Active tags that are considered transponders (transmitter/responders) go into a

quiescent or low power state (“sleep”) until awakened by a reader.

READER

MY NAME IS GORT...MY

NAME IS GORT...MY NAME...

Wake up

and speak!

TAG

CHAPTER 2 RFID OVERVIEW

CAUTIONS REGARDING TERMS AND EXPRESSIONS

The authors of this manual have chosen to use the simplest and most precise

definitions of RFID terms to make the concepts as clear as possible throughout

this text.

However, you should be aware of alternative definitions and uses of these

same terms, which you may encounter elsewhere in the industry. To be sure of

precise meaning, always clarify how these terms are being defined. The terms

most often misused or used inconsistently are:

• Active/passive/semi-passive

• Transponder vs tag

Active/Passive/Semi-Passive. This book uses active and passive to describe

whether a tag has a transmitter (active) or uses modulated backscatter to

communicate with the reader (passive) as detailed in this section. However,

many industry professionals refer to active and passive in terms of tag power,

with active referring to battery power and passive referring to tags energized by

the reader’s RF signal (or “beam-powered”). In this scheme, a third term, semi-

passive, is sometimes used to refer to tags that have a battery but which also

use part of the RF signal’s beam to energize their circuits for backscattering

data to the reader. A third definition of active and passive may refer to whether

or not a tag has an onboard processor.

Transponder vs Tag. A growing trend in the industry is to refer to any RFID

tag as a transponder. However, in the purest sense, while a transponder can

be called a tag, not every tag is a transponder. Formed from the words

transmitter and responder, the word transponder implies that the tag must first

be an active transmitter, though it may be designed to respond and transmit

only when a reader is nearby and sends the correct wake-up signal.

TAG POWER

Tags can be powered either by the RF signal from a reader (RF “beam”

powered) or by direct sources of energy such as batteries or wired power

connections. A battery generally gives a tag more range and can allow it to

perform independent functions.

RF energy

READER TAG

Beam-powered tags are powered exclusively by the energy in the RF signal

transmitted by the reader.

+Or

TAG BATTERY WIRED POWER CONNECTION

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 11

Other tags receive power from batteries and, for special applications, may even be

wired to a power source.

CHAPTER 2 RFID OVERVIEW

Although beam power is used more often for passive tags, certain active tags

are capable of storing energy from a reader’s signal, then using that stored

energy to actively transmit data.

Tags (whether passive or active) that perform functions in addition to

providing their IDs (such as recording temperature or meter usage for later

transmission to a reader) normally require some kind of augmenting power

source.

TAG RANGE

Tag range, like antenna range, depends on much more than just the

characteristics of the tag. Reader power and sensitivity, antenna range and

polarization, and the reading environment can all affect the range at which a

given tag may be successfully read.

Certain attributes of the tag itself and its immediate surroundings also help

determine a tag’s full read range, including:

 Tag power source (battery-powered tags typically have greater range

than those powered exclusively by the RF beam).

 Type of materials between and around the tag and the reader.

 Tag position relative to the antenna’s preferred orientation.

 Relative tag speed (amount of time the tag is within read range, if either

the tag or the reader is moving relative to the other).

 Amount and rate of data to be exchanged between tag and reader and

the overhead involved in error correction and other quality processes.

 The tag antenna design.

Tags, like every other element in an overall system design, affect system

performance and should be configured to optimize the specific applications

they are to be used for.

TAG MEMORY

Tags may have just enough memory to hold only the simplest of information,

such as an ID code (little more than the amount of data on the average

barcode label), or may have as much memory and processing power as a

small computer. Tag memory may be read-only—or more accurately, write-

once-read-many (WORM)—or read/write (R/W):

 WORM or Read-only Memory. Some tags are programmed once, either

at the factory or by the user, then locked to prevent reprogramming. The

data in these tags remains the same throughout the life of the tag.

 Read/write Memory. Read/write tags can be reprogrammed in the field,

either by a dedicated programming device or by the reader itself. Some

read/write tags can also record dynamic information such as

temperature, usage, tilt and vibration, location, or date and time. When

such a tag is read, it can also transmit its currently stored data to an

authorized reader. The most sophisticated (transmitter) read/write tag

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 12

CHAPTER 2 RFID OVERVIEW

may, in fact, function as a wireless computer, able to interact with other

tags and devices or link to the Internet.

Memory vs. Power. While tags with minimal memory capacity can easily

function on the tiny bit of energy provided by the RF signal alone, higher tag

memory and processing demands typically require the support of a battery or

other type of power source.

INPUT/OUTPUT AND ONBOARD PROCESSING (OPTIONAL)

Certain tags can be configured to perform onboard processing functions and

may be also have input/output (I/O) capabilities.

Inputs and Outputs. A tag may be connected to an input device, such as a

temperature sensor, a meter, or a tamper/tilt detector. Such tags can receive

data from the input device and then convey that data (either as a record of

changes over time or as the current value) to the reader upon request.

Outputs, on the other hand, allow a tag to activate an attached device such

as a LED or emit an audible tone (to signal its presence) or can enable or

disable connected devices. (For example, an attached tag could disable a

computer or other equipment if removed from authorized premises.)

Onboard Processing. Tags with onboard processing capabilities can

perform a variety of calculations or functions depending upon the tag’s

microprocessor and power source/consumption. Such tags might work in

concert with an input device, for example, recording the temperature

variations a perishable product has been exposed to over time, then

calculating a more realistic expiration date based on that history.

Host Computer and Input/Output Functions

In order to put the data acquired from a tag to practical use, the RFID system

needs either a host computer to process that data or some kind of output

function that responds to the tag data.

In many cases, both host computer and output functions are used in the

RFID system.

HOST COMPUTER

Through a host computer, the RFID system can log and process tag

transactions for a variety of purposes. For example:

 In a warehouse, a tag read can be associated with a location and time

for the purposes of tracking objects and their movements.

 In an automated toll system, a tag read can trigger a debit from the tag

owner’s account.

 In an automated meter reading system, a tag read also includes gas or

water usage data that can be forwarded to a customer billing system.

OUTPUT FUNCTIONS

The simplest RFID system may only react with specified outputs according to

a set of rules programmed into the reader’s microprocessor. For example:

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 13

CHAPTER 2 RFID OVERVIEW

 In access control applications, a tag read whose ID is on a list of

authorized IDs can trigger the opening of a door or gate.

 In warehouse applications, reading the tag on a specific pallet can turn

on a light, or ring a bell to indicate the desired case has been located.

INPUT FUNCTIONS (OPTIONAL)

An RFID system may also be designed to respond to certain input conditions.

Readers are often configured to interface with input devices such as

presence detectors. A presence detector can be used, for example, to power

up a reader only when an object is within range so as to conserve energy or

minimize the radio noise in a given environment.

MIT, AIDC and the RFID (ePC) Initiative

The Auto ID Center (AIDC) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

(MIT) is currently coordinating industry efforts to establish a new standard

system for identifying objects using RFID. In place of barcodes and UPCs

(universal product codes), objects would contain “ePCs” or electronic product

code tags or labels.

The benefits of ePCs are the same, in many ways, as those for generic RFID

in terms of its potential for increased range, ability to read through many

materials, read/write functionality and discrete identification of individual

objects.

The goal of the ePC initiative, however, goes beyond performance issues to

embrace practical issues as well, such as cost, logistics and fostering healthy

competition.

The final AIDC-endorsed standard will set price goals for products competing

in the new ePC marketplace. Compliant products will be required to conform

to certain configuration, interface and performance standards so that

competing products will remain compatible with one another, giving users a

range of suppliers from which to purchase their systems and ePC services.

The AIDC has defined four classes of RFID tags that will eventually address

the various ePC performance and price requirements of the marketplace, as

shown in the table below.

Alien Technology will have offerings in most of the AIDC classes plus special

tag configurations outside the AIDC spec for other applications.

The first class of tags to be introduced under this initiative (AIDC Class 1) will

be targeted primarily for use initially in manufacturing and supply-chain

operations to track movement of pallets, cases, cartons and other larger units

of product.

Once the technology has been integrated successfully into the supply side, it

will be introduced for widespread implementation at the individual item level.

Tests are currently being conducted to prove the efficacy of the RFID/ePC

technology in reducing theft of items from point-of-sale (POS) displays.

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 14

CHAPTER 2 RFID OVERVIEW

RFID and ePC Tag Classes

ePC Tag Classes (AIDC and Alien)

TAG TYPE

 TAG FEATURE

AIDC

Alien

Class 1

Emulator*

AIDC

Alien

Long

Range

AIDC

Proposed common tag name ePCID 64 ePCID 96 ePCID

emulator

ePCdata ePCdata+ Long-range

data tag

CommTag

1. Tag-to-reader communication mode

B = Backscatter (passive)

T = Transmitter (active)

B B B B B B T

2. Tag power

Beam = RF beam powered

Batt = battery or other power source

Beam Beam Batt Beam Batt Batt Batt

3a. Memory capacity (available to user)

64 bits 96 bits 64 bits TBD TBD 1k byte TBD

4. Memory type

WORM = Write-once, read-many

RW = Read/write

WORM WORM WORM RW RW RW RW

5. Onboard processing capability -- -- -- -- Yes Yes Yes

6. Range (optimal) 1 meter 1 meter 1 meter 1 meter <10 meters 15-30

meters

>100

meters

7. Cost range Lowest Lowest Medium Low Medium Medium High

8. Wireless Interactivity -- -- -- -- -- -- Yes

9. Market Introduction (est. timeframe) Oct 2002 TBD April 2002 TBD TBD July 2002 TBD

10. Core functionality Simple product ID, similar to UPC on

barcode

Product ID,

R/W

Product ID, R/W, I/O

w/battery for longer

range and onboard

processing

Wireless

communi-

cations +

*The emulator tag is an Alien long-range data tag whose performance has been modified to

mimic the key attributes of Class 1 a and b tag performance.

The tag classes shown in this table reflect the classes (1–4) established by

the AIDC, along with two unique Alien tags.

This table cannot cover the vast range of RFID tags available today, but

rather represents those specifically related to the AIDC initiative and the

markets it addresses.

Proposed Common Names. These are suggested here to provide a short,

yet descriptive, name by which users and the general public may easily refer

to each of the broad tag categories.

• ePCID = lowest cost tags with read-only (or WORM) memory

• ePCdata = medium cost read/write tags with more memory (variations

offer additional functions and increased range)

• CommTag = highest cost transmitter/interactive communicator tags

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 15

CHAPTER 2 RFID OVERVIEW

Each category may allow additional identifiers to be added to the core terms

to indicate variations within the type (as in the designation “ePCdata+” for an

ePCdata tag with a battery, or as in “ePCID 64” and “ePCID 96” indicating

the differences in user ID memory size)

CLASS 1 (EPCID TAGS)

Class 1 tags are most closely related to today’s barcode labels, thus they

may be referred to as the simplest component of the system: the “ePCID”

tag. They have a small amount of memory (the ePCID 64 has 64 bits versus

the UPC-14 which has 42 bits), they will be extremely affordable (price goal

is 5 cents), and can be made to fit most individual product packaging. Once

programmed, their data will remain fixed, making them read-only tags. These

tags will be powered by the reader’s RF beam exclusively.

ALIEN’S CLASS 1 EPCID EMULATOR TAG

This specially-modified Alien tag is being used to simulate ePCID tag

performance in interim tests of RFID viability for ePC and, specifically, supply

chain applications. Although it contains a battery, which can potentially

increase read range, this emulator tag has been tuned to the shorter range

(~1 meter) specified for the ePCID tags. Only 96 bits of the tag’s available

memory are used in this tag (64 bits for user ID), and its inherent capability

for I/O functions has been disabled.

CLASS 2 (EPC DATA TAGS)

Class 2 tags might logically be called “ePCdata” tags because they have the

same basic functionality as the ePCID tags but with three times the memory

(or more) and read/write data capability. This means new information can be

written into these tags either though a reader at a checkpoint or through input

devices connected directly to the tag. An ePCdata tag may, for example, be

linked to a temperature sensor. These tags will cost somewhat more than the

ePCID tags but will remain a low-cost choice for large-scale deployment.

CLASS 3 (EPCDATA+ TAGS)

The Class 3, ePCdata+ tags offer significant capabilities beyond those of the

basic ePCdata tag. The primary enhancement in these tags is their battery

power. However, this simple feature gives these tags significantly improved

range and memory and enables them to perform onboard processing.

Battery-powered tags represent an increase in both tag size and cost

(medium range).

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 16

CHAPTER 2 RFID OVERVIEW

ALIEN LONG-RANGE TAGS

The Alien Long-range tag is very similar to the ePCdata+ tag (Class 3). The

primary enhancements it offers over the Class 3 tag are increased range and

more memory. This tag will be in the same price range as the ePCdat+ tag.

CLASS 4 (COMMTAG)

The Class 4 tag is an entirely different breed of animal from all the other

AIDC and Alien tags described previously. This tag is intended to have

significant onboard processing capability along with the ability to transmit and

wirelessly interact with the reader, other tags, and potentially, the Internet.

Such a tag will be much more costly than any of the other tags, but can

enable manufacturers and merchants to communicate directly with individual

products. Such tags could, for example, alert consumers when a product’s

shelf life has been exceeded.

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 17

CHAPTER 3 INSTALLATION AND OPERATION

CHAPTER 3

Installation and Operation

This chapter describes the Nanoscanner reader and provides installation and

operation information. The following chapter details the Reader<–>Host

protocol, which will allow you to create software that will interact with the

reader and perform the desired processing functions.

Tag Availability

For the purposes of this Nanoscanner Reader User Guide, it is assumed the

tag you will be using is the Alien battery-powered backscatter tag in one of its

two forms:

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 18

• The AIDC Class 1 emulator tag

• The long-range data tag

CLASS 1 EMULATOR TAG

If you are involved in testing the

AIDC specs or related applications,

you may be using the Alien Class 1

emulator tag, which, as described

earlier, is a modified version of the

Alien long-range data tag whose

range, data capacity and processing capabilities have been limited or

disabled to mimic the Class 1 tag performance.

Physical configuration of both the Alien

Class 1 emulator and long-range data tag.

LONG-RANGE DATA TAG

As referenced on the “RFID and ePC Tag Classes” table, the Alien long-

range data tag is similar to the Class 3, ePCdata+ tag. When the other tag

classes have been implemented, this tag will represent an upgrade in both

memory and range from the standard Class 3 ePCdata tag.

For the initial deployment of the Nanoscanner reader, this tag may be used

effectively for numerous commercial applications including fleet

management, automatic toll collection and an equipment tracking.

Requirements

In order to fully interface with the Nanoscanner 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.

CHAPTER 3 INSTALLATION AND OPERATION

 Standard 120 VAC power.

 Host software (either Alien’s demo software or your own custom

software). Refer to the Nanoscanner Developer’s Guide for reader-host

protocols.

 Tags (AIDC Class 1 compliant or Alien long-range data tags)

 Standard power cord (desired length) with grounded, 3-pronged plugs

Receiving the Nanoscanner

Your Nanoscanner reader will be shipped with the items listed below. Please

verify the contents of your received shipment before assembling.

• Nanoscanner reader

• Antenna with coaxial cable

• RS-232 reader-to-PC cable

• Reader power supply and cables (two sections: one attached, one

detached)

• Nanoscanner Reader User Guide

Power supply & cables

Reader & RS-232 cable

Antenna w/cable

User guide

Sample tags*

Demo software CD*

Components of the Nanoscanner Reader Demo System

*If you have purchased a Nanoscanner Reader Demo System you will also

receive:

• Demo system software CD

• Assortment of tags

• Nanoscanner Reader Demo System User Guide

Reader Features

The Nanoscanner reader contains only two types of external user interface:

connector ports and LEDs. One panel contains I/O connectors and LEDs.

The opposite panel contains the antenna ports

I/O PANEL

The I/O panel (shown below) contains the following features:

• Power connector

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 19

CHAPTER 3 INSTALLATION AND OPERATION

• 9-pin D male I/O port

• 3 LEDs (Power/red, Sniff/yellow, Lock/green)

• 9-pin D female RS-232 serial port

• LAN TCP/IP port

PowerI/O port (male) RS-232 (female) LAN TCP/IP port

Reader I/O panel

READER LEDS

The LEDs provide external indication of three conditions:

• Power (red). Indicates power is applied to 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.

Red = Power

Yellow = Sniff

Green = Lock

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 20

CHAPTER 3 INSTALLATION AND OPERATION

ANTENNA PANEL

The antenna panel (opposite the reader’s I/O panel) contains two coax

antenna connector ports as shown below. These are reverse-threaded

connectors.

Reader antenna ports

CAUTION: If only one antenna is being used, the 50 ohm terminator cap

must remain attached to the unused port on the left to prevent possible

transmitter damage.

System Assembly and Bench Test

Assembling the Nanoscanner 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.

Two 120 VAC wall

outlets

Nanoscanner reader

PC Antenna

Tag

Typical reader system benchtest set-up.

BenchTest Connections

1. Situate the PC on a tabletop. Ensure the following conditions:

• Two standard 120 VAC outlets are available nearby (one for reader,

one for PC if needed).

• Sufficient space is available on the tabletop for the PC, reader and

antenna.

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 21

CHAPTER 3 INSTALLATION AND OPERATION

Reader I/O panel

To antenna

Antenna ports (2)

To power supply &

120VAC wall outlet

RS-232 to PC

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.

• 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.

Power supply

connector

RS-232 serial

connector

To power supply To 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.

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 22

CHAPTER 3 INSTALLATION AND OPERATION

5. Connect the coaxial cable to antenna port 0.

Caution: For single antenna applications, you must use port 0, keeping

the 50 ohm terminator cap on port 1 to prevent transmitter damage.

• Antenna port 0 is on the right if viewing reader with flange side down.

• Align the coax cable’s center pin and push into the port

• Screw the fitting from the cable end onto the reader connector

counterclockwise until finger tight to secure the cable to the reader.

Antenna port 1 Antenna port 0

Reader antenna connector ports, showing unused

port (port 1) on the left with terminator cap in place.

• If using two antennas, unscrew the 50 ohm terminator cap from the

second port.

• Stow the cap in a convenient location for future use as these are

expensive items.

• Connect the second antenna to the port and tighten fitting

(counterclockwise)

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.

10. Launch the desired host software application.

• You may use Alien’s Nanoscanner demo system software or custom

software developed per the reader-host protocol (see Chapter 3) for

your specific application.

You are now ready to bench test the system.

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 23

CHAPTER 3 INSTALLATION AND OPERATION

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: If all conditions appear to be operational but system fails to read tags,

disconnect system power and reapply power to perform a hard reset.

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 24

CHAPTER 3 INSTALLATION AND OPERATION

System Design

The following Installation section provides basic guidance for configuring

components in your RFID system. We recommend you refer to the

Nanoscanner Reader Developer’s Guide for detailed system design

information before permanently mounting your equipment.

Installation

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.

Nanoscanner system configured for a single-antenna portal application. Shown

here at a loading dock.

A second (optional) antenna 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).

Requirements

Before installing your Nanoscanner reader system you will need the

following:

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 25

CHAPTER 3 INSTALLATION AND OPERATION

 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) second antenna (if desired for additional coverage)

 Any additional RS-232 cables or connectorized 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.)

Three mounting holes on either reader flange.

Antenna mounting holes

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.

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.

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 26

CHAPTER 3 INSTALLATION AND OPERATION

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.

4. Install reader.

• Secure the reader through the three 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.

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 27

CHAPTER 3 INSTALLATION AND OPERATION

System Operation

Because the Nanoscanner reader is operated autonomously according to

programming from the host, there is little for the user to do in terms of direct

operation of the reader.

SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS

If you are a software developer, please refer to the next chapter, “Reader-

Host Protocol,” for information relevant to creating software to enable reader-

host communications and reader operation tailored to the desired application.

SYSTEM USERS

If you are a system user, please refer to your host software user guide for

information regarding system and software operations.

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 28

CHAPTER 4 READER-ENTERPRISE PROTOCOL

CHAPTER 4

ReaderEnterprise Protocol

Overview

The Reader<->Enterprise protocol is a text-based communications protocol

for configuring and operating the Alien RFID Type I Reader for Enterprise

Systems connectivity.

Document Specifications

Nanoscanner Reader<->Enterprise Protocol

Revision Date June 24, 2002

Christopher I. Parkinson Prepared By

John M. Price

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 29

CHAPTER 4 READER-ENTERPRISE PROTOCOL

Introduction

This document describes the programming interface that links the Alien RFID

Type I Reader to the outside world.

Reader Tag List

During normal operation of the reader, the device maintains an internal list of

the tags that are active. Active tags are the ones read by the reader at least

once within a predefined time period. Any new tags presented to the reader

are added to this list, and any tags that have not been seen for a while are

removed from the list. At any time a programmatic call can be made to the

reader to retrieve this list of tags.

New tags detected are added to the

active list.

80 00 01 00 88 20 FF A4

80 00 01 00 88 20 3F 02

80 00 04 00 02 32 3F 06

80 20 01 50 20 57 3F 12

80 00 02 00 80 20 3F 16

80 01 02 DE 34 FF 3F 17

Reader Tag List.

All tags listed are active.

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 30

Persist Time

The persist time defines the duration between the time a tag was last read

and the time it is removed from the Reader Tag List. Setting this value to a

small time (~1 second) will cause the Reader Tag List 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

1 hour allows a list to be built up detailing all the tags read over the last hour.

Tags not read for a while are removed

from the list.

80 00 01 00 88 20 3F 09

Figure 1 – The Reader always has a concept of “what’s out there”, internally represented

by the Reader Tag List

CHAPTER 4 READER-ENTERPRISE PROTOCOL

Communication Protocol

Overview

Commands can be issued to the Reader in one of three ways:

• Serial Communication

• Network Communication

• Web Based Interaction

Serial Communication

Commands can be issued to the Reader using a direct Serial connection

from a computer to the Reader. The following settings are required for the

Serial communication:

Baud Rate : 115200

Data Bits : 8

Stop Bits : 1

Parity : None

Flow Control: None

Network Communication

Commands can be issued to the Reader over the Internet or Intranet. The

Reader is equipped with a standard Ethernet port allowing it to be physically

connected to a network. By default the Reader will use DHCP to wake up

and join a network. If DHCP is not available on the network, the Reader can

be network configured via Serial communication.

By default the Reader will listen to incoming commands over port 23, the

standard Telnet port.

Web Based Communication

The Reader contains a built in Web-server that allows all aspects of the

Reader to be controlled and configured via web pages served up by the

Reader. This web server operates on the standard port 80 used by most web

servers.

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 31

CHAPTER 4 READER-ENTERPRISE PROTOCOL

Commands Introduction

Overview

There are two distinct categories of Reader<->Enterprise command: those

that are instantiated by the Enterprise host (Action commands), and those

that instantiated by the Reader itself (Notify commands)

Action Commands

Action commands are instantiated by an Enterprise system, which creates

and issues a command to the Reader. The Reader always responds to these

commands with an immediate reply. Action commands are used to configure

the reader, to operate it and to interrogate the tag lists.

Notify Commands

Notify commands are messages that are pushed out to the Enterprise by the

Reader in response to some action. Once the Enterprise system has

configured the Reader to push commands, the Reader is able to push tag

lists out in response to some action or some time elapsing. This allows the

Enterprise system to be notified on events, rather than constantly poll the

reader for changes.

Command Format

All commands between the Enterprise system and the Reader are human

readable ASCII text based messages. For example a command to set the

logical name of the Reader using the Set Reader Name command takes the

form:

Set ReaderName = My Alien Reader [CR][LF]

All commands to the reader are single line ASCII commands. These

commands are always terminated by a single carriage return / line feed

character pair [CR][LF], ascii code 0x0D followed by ascii 0x0A.

All replies from the reader are either single line or multiple line ASCII replies.

These replies are always terminated by a single carriage return / line feed

character pair [CR][LF] followed by a NULL character, ascii codes 0x0D,

0x0A, 0x00. Where a reply comprises multiple text lines, each line is

separated by a single carriage return / line feed character pair [CR][LF], ascii

code 0x0D followed by ascii 0x0A.

An example of a single line command / response is:

>Get ReaderName[CR][LF]

>ReaderName = Alien Reader[CR][LF][0]

An example of a multiple line command / response is:

>Get ReaderVersion[CR][LF]

>ReaderVersion = 1.0[CR][LF]

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CHAPTER 4 READER-ENTERPRISE PROTOCOL

FirmwareVersion = 1.0[CR][LF]

SoftwareVersion = 1.0[CR][LF][0]

Commands are case insensitive. i.e., set readername is equivalent to Set

ReaderName

Suppressing Command Prompts

By default all commands are set up for interactive use over a serial console

or telnet style interface. Consequently replies are always followed by a

command prompt indicating user input is required. Often this command

prompt is not required, especially when client software is written that

programmatically communicates with the reader. To account for these

applications, all command prompts can be suppressed by making the first

character of any command be an 0x1 character. For example,

Interactive Command Format:

Alien> get ReaderName[CR}[LF]

ReaderName = Alien Reader[CR][LF][0]

Alien>[CR][LF]

Non-Interactive Command Format:

[1]get ReaderName[CR][LF]

ReaderName = Alien Reader[CR][LF][0]

General Commands

Command Description

Get ReaderName

Set ReaderName

Allows an arbitrary name to be associated with

and retrieved from the Reader.

Get ReaderType Get a description of the Reader type

Get ReaderVersion Get the Reader software/hardware versions.

Get AntennaList

Set AntennaList

Get and Set the antenna port list the Reader

should use.

Get Time

Set Time

Get and Set the real time clock on the Reader.

Reboot Reboot the Reader.

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 33

CHAPTER 4 READER-ENTERPRISE PROTOCOL

Network Configuration Commands

Command Description

Get DHCP

Set DHCP

Turn on or off the DHCP mode for the Reader. If DHCP is

on, the Reader will automatically configure itself for the

network on power-up.

Get IPAddress

Set IPAddress

Set and Get the network ID (IP Address) of the Reader. If

DHCP is enabled this will be set automatically.

Get Gateway

Set Gateway

Set and Get the network gateway. If DHCP is enabled this

will be set automatically.

Get Netmask

Set Netmask

Set and Get the subnet mask. If DHCP is enabled this will

be set automatically.

Get DNS

Set DNS

Set and Get the domain name server. If DHCP is enabled

this will be set automatically.

Get MailServer

Set MailServer

Set and Get an SMPT mail server. This is only required if

notification email messages are sent out.

Get HeartbeatPort

Set HeartbeatPort

The Reader periodically sends out heartbeat messages to

the network. The port over which this is done can

configured.

Get HeartbeatTime

Set HeartbeatTime

Set and Get the time interval, in seconds, between

successive heartbeats.

Get CommandPort

Set CommandPort

The Reader reacts to commands over the network only if

they are directed at a specific command port on the

Reader. This port can be configured using these

commands.

Enterprise Commands

Command Description

Get TagList Get the current list of active tags the from Reader.

Clear TagList Clear the list of active tags on the Reader.

Get PersistTime

Set PersistTime

Set and Get the Persist time

Get ReadTime

Set ReadTime

Set and Get the time interval between automated reads.

Get ReadTrigger

Set ReadTrigger

Set and Get the condition under which the automated

reads can be triggered.

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 34

CHAPTER 4 READER-ENTERPRISE PROTOCOL

Notify Commands

Command Description

Get NotifyAddress

Set NotifyAddress

Get and Set the address to push tag lists to.

Set NotifyTime

Get NotifyTime

Get and Set the time interval for automatically pushing tag

lists.

Set NotifyTrigger

Get NotifyTrigger

Get and Set the trigger for pushing tag lists.

General Commands

GET READERNAME

SET READERNAME

Description: The reader can have an arbitrary text name associated with it to

aid identification in multiple-reader environments. This name can be retrieved

and changed at any time throughout Reader operation.

Example

Command

Response

>Get ReaderName

>ReaderName = My First Alien Reader

Command

Response

>Set ReaderName = My Second Alien Reader

>OK

GET READERTYPE

Description: The reader type text can be retrieved using this command. The

resulting text will be a single-line reply describing the model number of the

reader.

Example

Command

Response

>Get ReaderType

>ReaderType = Alien Passive Tag Reader Class 1

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CHAPTER 4 READER-ENTERPRISE PROTOCOL

GET READERVERSION

Description: The reader version text can be retrieved using this command.

The resulting text is a multi-line reply. Each line of the reply describes the

version number of a major reader component.

Example

Command

Response

>Get ReaderVersion

>Hardware Version = 1.0.02

Firmware Version = 1.0.01

Software Version = 1.1.22

SET ANTENNALIST

GET ANTENNALIST

Description: The reader can support the use of multiple antennae. This

command allows the user to select which antenna port(s) to use. If the

antenna is fixed, set this list to just one antenna number. Setting this list to

more than one antenna number will cause the reader to cycle through the list

on each successive tag read. Multiple antennae are specified by passing in a

comma separated list as the argument. An asterisk (*) by a number indicates

the current antenna in a list. The default value is 0. Currently antenna ports 0

and 1 are supported by this reader.

Example

Command

Response

>Get AntennaList

> AntennaList = 0*

>Get AntennaList

> AntennaList = 0, 1*

//Always use antenna 1

>Set AntennaList =1

>OK

//Cycle between antenna 0 and antenna 1

>Set AntennaList =0, 1

>OK

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 36

CHAPTER 4 READER-ENTERPRISE PROTOCOL

GET TIME

Description: These commands allow the current time to be obtained or set

within the Reader. The primary purpose for having a real time clock is to

timestamp the tags in the taglist so that their discovery time can be recorded.

Times are always specified by the format YYYY/MM/DD hh:mm:ss. Changes

made with this command will require a reboot of the Reader to take effect.

Example

Command

Response

>Get Time

>Time = 2002/6/3 9:23:01

>Set Time = 2002/6/3 9:23:01

>OK

REBOOT

Description: The reboot command will immediately cause the Reader to

reboot itself.

Example

Command

Response

>Reboot

>OK : Rebooting Reader

Network Configuration Commands

GET DHCP

SET DHCP

Description: The reader supports automatic network configuration using the

widely available DHCP protocol. If DHCP is available at the Reader

installation site, this protocol can be switched on. If DHCP is not available or

not desired the use of this protocol can be switched off. Changes made with

this command will require a reboot of the Reader to take effect.

Valid command parameters are ON and OFF.

The default setting is ON.

Example

Command

Response

>Get DHCP

>DHCP=ON

Command

Response

>Set DHCP=OFF

>OK

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 37

CHAPTER 4 READER-ENTERPRISE PROTOCOL

GET IPADDRESS

SET IPADDRESS

Description: If DHCP is not used for automatic configuration the Reader must

be manually configured for use on a network. The IPAddress command pair

allow the host’s IP Address to be assigned and interrogated. Changes made

with this command will require a reboot of the Reader to take effect.

Example

Command

Response

>Get IPAddress

>IPAddress =12.34.56.78

Command

Response

>Set IPAddress =34.55.33.12

>OK

GET GATEWAY

SET GATEWAY

Description: If DHCP is not used for automatic configuration the Reader must

be manually configured for use on a network. The gateway command pair

allow the network Gateway to be assigned and interrogated. Gateways must

be specified as an IP. Changes made with this command will require a reboot

of the Reader to take effect.

Example

Command

Response

>Get Gateway

>Gateway=34.56.78.90

Command

Response

>Set Gateway=12.56.23.01

>OK

GET NETMASK

SET NETMASK

Description: If DHCP is not used for automatic configuration the Reader must

be manually configured for use on a network. The subnet mask command

pair allow the subnet mask to be assigned and interrogated. Subnet masks

must be specified as an IP. Changes made with this command will require a

reboot of the Reader to take effect.

Example

Command

Response

>Get Netmask

>Netask=255.255.255.128

Command

Response

>Set Netmask=255.255.255.0

>OK

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 38

CHAPTER 4 READER-ENTERPRISE PROTOCOL

GET DNS

SET DNS

Description: If DHCP is not used for automatic configuration the Reader must

be manually configured for use on a network. The DNS command pair allow

the DNS server location to be assigned and interrogated. DNS Servers must

be specified as an IP address. Changes made with this command will require

a reboot of the Reader to take effect.

Example

Command

Response

>Get DNS

>DNS=12.34.56.78

Command

Response

>Set DNS=45.224.124.34

>OK

GET MAILSERVER

SET MAILSERVER

Description: The MailServer command pair allow an SMTP mail server to be

defined. This mail server is used only when automatic notification is

configured (see Notify commands) and is set to use Mail as its delivery

method. Changes to this setting will take immediate effect.

Example

Command

Response

>Get MailServer

>MailServer=12.34.56.78

Command

Response

>Set MailServer=45.224.124.34

>OK

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 39

CHAPTER 4 READER-ENTERPRISE PROTOCOL

GET HEARTBEATPORT

SET HEARTBEATPORT

Description: The Reader can be configured to periodically send out a

Heartbeat message to the network. This heartbeat takes the form of a single

UDP packet (Universal Datagram Packet) broadcast out to the entire subnet

that the Reader is configured for. The actual port number that this packet is

sent out to is configured using the HeartbeatPort command. Listening for this

heartbeat can be used to initially locate a Reader on a network and

subsequently make sure that the Reader is still alive.

Changes made with this command will take effect immediately.

The default setting for this command is 3988

The format of the UDP packet is a single text line containing three comma

separated fields terminated with a NULL character:

ReaderName, ReaderType, ReaderCommandPort

i.e., “Loading Dock Reader A, Alien Class I Reader, 4002[0]”

Example

Command

Response

>Get HeartbeatPort

>HeartbeatPort=3004

Command

Response

>Set HeartbeatPort=10002

>OK

GET HEARTBEATTIME

SET HEARTBEATTIME

Description: The Reader can be configured to periodically send out a

Heartbeat message to the network. This heartbeat takes the form of a single

UDP packet (Universal Datagram Packet) broadcast out to the entire subnet

that the Reader is configured for. The time interval between heartbeats can

be specified and interrogated using this command. All intervals are specified

in seconds. A setting of zero will suspend the output of any further

heartbeats.

Changes made with this command will take effect immediately.

The default setting for this command is 30 seconds.

Example

Command

Response

>Get HeartbeatTime

>HeartbeatTime=30

Command

Response

>Set HeartbeatTime=60

>OK

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 40

CHAPTER 4 READER-ENTERPRISE PROTOCOL

GET COMMANDPORT

SET COMMANDPORT

Description: The Reader can be configured and operated over the network

using standard network sockets. The CommandPort settings are used to set

and get the exact port number used by the Reader for this network

connectivity.

Changes to this setting do not affect Serial communication and/or Web

communication with the Reader. Changes made with this command will take

effect immediately.

The default setting for this command is 23 (the standard Telnet port)

Example

Command

Response

>Get CommandPort

>CommandPort=23

Command

Response

>Set CommandPort=10004

>OK

Enterprise Commands

GET TAGLIST

Description: The get TagList command will retrieve the Reader’s current

internal tag list. The reply will be a multi-line command with each line listing

an active tag. If the tag list is empty, the message “(No Tags)” will be

returned

Each tag is listed in the format:

TagID, DiscoverTime, ReadCount, Antenna

• TagID is the unique ID code carried by the tag

• Discover Time is the time that the tag was first added to the current tag

list. It is formatted as YYYY/MM/DD hh:mm:ss (24 Hour clock)

• ReadCount is the number of time the tag has been read since Discover

Time

• Antenna is the antenna port that the tag was first read from.

Example

Command

Response

Get TagList

Tag: 00 02 00 30 A2 33 04, Discover: 2002/03/23 15:36:33,

Count: 4, Antenna: 0

Tag: 80 80 AA AB EC F0 00, Discover: 2002/03/22 12:26:01,

Count: 3, Antenna: 1

Command

Response

Get TagList

(No Tags)

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 41

CHAPTER 4 READER-ENTERPRISE PROTOCOL

CLEAR TAGLIST

Description: The clear taglist command will cause the Reader to immediately

clear out its internal tag list.

Example

Command

Response

>Clear TagList

>OK

GET PERSISTTIME

SET PERSISTTIME

Description: The persist time is used by the Reader to build up its internal list

of active tags. Persist times are specified in seconds. Setting the persist time

to a positive number (0-n) will effect an persist time of the desired number of

seconds (a zero persist time will guarantee an empty tag list). Setting the

persist time to a negative number (-1) will effect an infinite persist time. I.e.,

any tags read will continually be added to the tag list.

The maximum number of tags that can be stored in the tag list is 5000. Once

this tag limit is reached, newer tags will replace the oldest ones in the list.

Changes made with this command will take effect immediately.

The default setting is 10 seconds.

Example

Command

Response

>Get PersistTime

>PersistTime=10

Command

Response

>Set PersistTime=300

>OK

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 42

CHAPTER 4 READER-ENTERPRISE PROTOCOL

GET READTIME

SET READTIME

Description: The read time specifies when and for how long the Reader

attempts to read tags. The read time is set using two parameters, the sleep

time followed by the read duration. Both parameters are specified in

seconds. When set, the reader will repeat a cycle of sleeping for the

specified sleep time, then waking up and reading for the specified read

duration and then sleeping again. If the sleep time is set to zero or a negative

number, the reader will remain constantly on. If the read duration is set to

zero or a negative number the reader is switched off. If both are set to zero

the reader will be switched off.

Changes made with this command will take effect immediately.

The default setting is always reading i.e., 0, 1

Example

Command

Response

>Get ReadTime

>ReadTime=3000, 6000

Command

Response

>Set ReadTime=20, 10

>OK

GET READTRIGGER

SET READTRIGGER

Description: The read trigger defines under what conditions, other than timed

reads, a read is made.

Reads can be triggered under any of the following conditions, which can be

added together for multiple trigger conditions. Each trigger condition is a

trigger mode followed by a trigger parameter and a number of seconds to

keep reading for after the trigger has been activated. Multiple trigger

conditions are semicolon (;) separated options in the text line.

Changes made with this command will take effect immediately.

Trigger Name Meaning

ON_EXTERNAL_IO Trigger a read if External IO is triggered. This parameter is

followed immediately by a number indicating the External

IO Trigger number to use.

Example

Command

Response

>Get ReadTrigger

>ReadTrigger= ON_EXTERNAL_IO, 1, 20

Command

Response

>Set ReadTrigger= ON_EXTERNAL_IO, 1, 30

>OK

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 43

CHAPTER 4 READER-ENTERPRISE PROTOCOL

Notify Commands

GET NOTIFYADDRESS

SET NOTIFYADDRESS

Description: The notify address command pair specify where messages

should be sent to when they arise and how they should be sent. The form of

the address determines the method of delivery. Currently there are 3 delivery

methods supported:

NotifyAddress Description

blank Do not use automatic notification.

user@domain.com

Send a message via Email to the address specified. The

address is specified in standard email form i.e.,

user@domain.com

Note that the MailServer parameter must be configured for

this to work (see Network Commands)

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”

serial Send a message to the serial connection. The word

“serial” is used as the address. The word is not case

sensitive.

Changes made with this command will take effect immediately.

By default setting is OFF.

Example

Command

Response

>Get NotifyAddress

>NotifyAddress=10.1.0.12:4000

Command

Response

>Set NotifyAddress=user@msn.com

>OK

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 44

CHAPTER 4 READER-ENTERPRISE PROTOCOL

GET NOTIFYTIME

SET NOTIFYTIME

Description: The notify time defines the time interval for automatic tag list

pushing to a listening machine. The time is specified in seconds. If set to

zero or a negative number the time-based automatic notification is disabled.

When set to a positive number of seconds, the complete tag list will be

pushed out each period.

Changes made with this command will take effect immediately.

Example

Command

Response

>Get NotifyTime

>NotifyTime=30

Command

Response

>Set NotifyTime=30

>OK

GET NOTIFYTRIGGER

SET NOTIFYTRIGGER

Description: The notify trigger defines under what conditions a message is

pushed out to any listener. Notify commands can be triggered under any of

the following conditions.

Trigger Name Meaning

ON_ADD

Push message when new tag is read and added to the

TagList

ON_REMOVE Push message when a tag is removed from the TagList

ON_CHANGE Push message when a tag is either added or removed

from the TagList

ON_EXTERNAL_IO Push message when a read is triggered via the external IO

pins

Changes made with this command will take effect immediately.

Example

Command

Response

>Get NotifyTrigger

>NotifyTrigger= ON_REMOVE

Command

Response

>Set NotifyTrigger=ON_ADD

>OK

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 45

CHAPTER 4 READER-ENTERPRISE PROTOCOL

NOTIFY MESSAGE FORMAT

When either the Notify Trigger is activated or the Notify Time has elapsed a

formatted message is sent to the listener specified by the Notify Address.

The format of this message is always a multi-line response of trigger reason

followed by a list of tags.

Notify Message Format:

#Alien RFID Reader Auto Notification

Reason

tagID, discoverTime, readCount, antenna

The following reasons are permissible

Trigger Name Meaning

ON_TIME Message is pushed because NotifyTime seconds have

elapsed and NotifyTime seconds is greater than zero.

TagList to follow is complete taglist from Reader.

ON_ADD

Message is pushed because a Tag was added to the

Reader tag list, and ON_ADD was set in the NotifyTrigger

command. TagList to follow is list of added tags only.

ON_REMOVE Message is pushed because a Tag was removed from the

Reader tag list, and ON_REMOVE was set in the

NotifyTrigger command. TagList to follow is list of removed

tags only.

ON_CHANGE Message is pushed because a Tag was either added to

the Reader tag list or removed, and ON_CHANGE was set

in the NotifyTrigger command. TagList to follow is

complete taglist from Reader.

ON_EXTERNAL_IO Message is pushed because an external IO pin was

triggered and ON_EXTERNAL_IO was set in the

NotifyTrigger command. TagList to follow is complete

taglist from Reader

NANOSCANNER READER USER GUIDE • DOC # 8101001-000A 46

Alien Technology BHNPR001 NanoScanner User Manual User guide

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