Applied Wireless Identifications Group MPR1510R32 MODULE User Manual Mnul MPR 1510 32x
Applied Wireless Identifications Group Inc. MODULE Mnul MPR 1510 32x
USERS MANUAL
MPR-1510 - 1 - Doc# 041313
AWID PROPRIETARY
SENTINEL-SENSE MPR-1510
3.2x
Installation & Operation Manual
MPR-1510 - 2 - Doc# 041313
AWID PROPRIETARY
COPYRIGHT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The contents of this document are the property of Applied Wireless Identifications Group, Inc.
(AWID) and are copyrighted. All rights reserved. Any reproduction, in whole or in part, is
strictly prohibited. For additional copies of this document please contact:
AWID
382 Route 59, Section 292
Monsey, NY 10952
www.sales-ast@AWID.com
The information contained herein has been carefully checked and is believed to be accurate,
no responsibility is assumed for inaccuracies. AWID reserves the right to make changes
without prior notice. This document is not covered by any warranty either expressed or
implied. Any comments, corrections or additions to the contents of this document should be
directed to AWID at the above address.
Copyright 2003 AWID, Printed in USA.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
FCC COMPLIANCE
This equipment has been tested and found to be in compliance with the limits for FCC Part 15,
Class A digital device. 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.
The users are prohibited from making any change or modification to this product, any
modification to this product shall voids the user’s authority to operate under FCC Part 15
Subpart A Section 15.21 regulations.
“This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference and, (2) this device must
accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired
operation.”
INDUSTRY CANADA COMPLIANCE
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause
interference and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that
may cause undesired operation of the device.
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CAUTION:
Reader 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 reader’s surface.
Observe FCC OET Bulletin 56 “Hazards of radio frequency and electromagnetic fields” and
Bulletin 65 “Human exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields.”
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Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................5
1.1 General Description & Theory of Operation......................................................5
1.2 Special Features...............................................................................................7
1.3 Channel Frequency Table.................................................................................7
2 SPECIFICATIONS...................................................................................................8
2.1 Connector Pin Assignment................................................................................8
2.2 Measuring Read Distance.................................................................................8
3 INSTALLATION & OPERATION GUIDELINES......................................................9
3.1 Site Survey........................................................................................................9
3.2 Preferred Reader Installation Practices.............................................................9
3.3 Mounting Preference.........................................................................................9
3.4 General Wiring Requirements.........................................................................10
3.5 Grounding.......................................................................................................10
3.6 Wiring Diagrams..............................................................................................10
4 INSTALLATION PROCEDURE.............................................................................11
4.1 Parts List.........................................................................................................11
4.2 Preparation for Installation..............................................................................11
4.2.1 Bench Top Verification.............................................................................11
4.2.2 Antenna Pattern.......................................................................................11
5 SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING AND SYSTEM OPERATION NOTES..................13
5.1 System Operation............................................................................................13
5.1.1 Running a Custom Software Application or the AWID Demo Program....13
5.1.2 Operating Modes......................................................................................13
5.2 Users Note......................................................................................................13
6 MPR 3014 PROTOCOL.........................................................................................14
NOTE: READ AND USE THIS MANUAL.
FAILURE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN POOR READER PERFORMANCE OR
EVEN PERMANENT DAMAGE TO READER, WHICH COULD VOID THE
READER WARRANTY.
NOTE: FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE INSTALLATION GUIDE MAY RESULT IN
POOR PERFORMANCE OR EVEN CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE TO THE
READER, THUS VOIDS THE PRODUCT WARRANTY.
MPR-1510 - 5 - Doc# 041313
AWID PROPRIETARY
1 INTRODUCTION
AWID's Sentinel-Sense MPR-1510 is a long-range (12 to 15 feet) Radio Frequency
IDentification (RFID) reader module with RS-232 I/O interface that works with most
leading passive UHF passive tags. This reader comes with a unique combination of long
read range, small size, and low power consumption. The reader module has an internal
power converter, allowing it to work with a wide range of supply inputs without affecting
its performance. Its primary applications are asset management and tracking, and fleet
management applications.
In order to operate an MPR-1510 you will need the following:
q Standard antenna(s) each with 6dBi gain or less
q Host software (AWID’s demo software or your own custom software)
q RFID Tags (EPC Class 0, 1, ISO Type B or EM Micro)
1.1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION & THEORY OF OPERATION
The MPR reader uses radio frequency to identify, locate and track pallets and/or items
that carry the appropriate RFID transponders. It works in non-line-of-sight situations and
in darkness, bright sun-light, or through dirt, grime and smudges.
A typical RFID system consists of three components – a reader (interrogator), a
transponder (card or tag), and a data processing controller. The reader has an internal
micro-controller section, a transmitter section, a receiver section, and a circular
polarized transmit/receive antenna. Passive transponders (tags or labels) consist of an
antenna and an RFID ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits). During operation,
the transmitter sends out an electromagnetic wave to establish a zone of surveillance.
When a transponder enters this zone, the electromagnetic energy from the reader
begins to energize the IC in the transponder. Once the IC is energized, it goes through
an initialization process and is ready to accept further commands. Upon receiving a
command that queries its identity, the RFID ASIC begins to broadcast its identity
through a low-energy back-scattering process, which selectively reflects or “back-
scatters” the electromagnetic energy to the interrogator. The receiving circuits in the
reader sense and decode this “back-scattered” signal and determine the identity of the
transponder.
Passive tags are “beam powered”, which is the electromagnetic energy radiated by the
transmitter section of the reader. Upon receiving a legitimated command, the tags will
cause the matching of the tags antenna to vary from match to mismatch, thereby
causing the tags to either absorb the RF energy or to reflect the RF energy. This
absorption or reflection sequence is commanded by the tags’ internal memory and this
is how the tags’ internal data are “conveyed” to the reader. The reader in turn monitors
the perturbation of the RF energy field, and thereby receives the varying degree of
signal reflected from the tags.
One of the unique design features for an RFID reader is that it must simultaneously
transmit a strong CW signal and at the same time, receive a weak reflected signal with
little frequency separation. In a traditional design, such functions are implemented
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AWID PROPRIETARY
through the use of a circulator. As shown in Figure 1, there is a 3-port device between
the Coupler and the band pass filter, which is called a circulator. A circulator is
physically constructed by a permanent magnet, a Y junction on a high-dielectric
ferromagnetic substrate, and a ferromagnetic enclosure to complete the flux field. A
circulator permits flow of RF energy in one direction only, e.g. from port 1 to 2, 2 to 3,
and 3 to 1. When one of the ports is terminated (matched condition), the other two are
isolated in the reverse direction. Many fixed-site RFID readers use circulators to ensure
that the power amplifier output flows from the amplifier (port 1) to the antenna (port 2),
and the received signal flows from the antenna (port 2) to the receiver (port 3). When
properly matched, a circulator can provide typically 15 to 18 dB of isolation between the
power amplifier output (port 1) and the receiver input (port 3), thereby reducing any in-
band interference from transmitter output to receiver input. MPR reader uses a similar
circuit to accomplish the same function, but in a much smaller physical size.
It should be noted that some fixed-site reader designs use separate transmit and receive
antennas to resolve this T/R signal isolation problem. Figure 2 is a block diagram of a
dual-antenna RFID reader. On the surface, this design has the advantage of allowing a
low-level design on the receive chain, which means lower compression point for mixers,
lower saturation point for amplifiers, and the possibility of using a front-end amplifier to
enhance receiver sensitivity. Such dual-antenna design becomes problematic in a
mobile environment, where signal strength is not easily controlled. A well-designed dual-
antenna reader can usually provide 25 to 30 dB of isolation between the two signal
paths, reducing the unwanted signal in the receive chain to –20 dBm. However, when
the RFID reader antenna is facing a tag placed on a large metallic object at a distance of
12 inches, the reflected transmitter signal at the receiver input can be as high as 13dBm,
thereby eliminating any advantage of the dual-antenna design.
In actual circuit implementation, AWID developed a proprietary circuit to duplicate the
functions of the circulator, with improved directivity and isolate
Figure 1 Block Diagram, Single-Antenna RFID Reader
FREQUENCY
SYNTHESIZER
1.1.3
1.1.4
I/Q
DEMOD
Driver
AMP
Power
AMP
COUPLER
XMIT/
RCVE
A/D
CPU I/O
XMTR
CIRCULATOR
BPF
RCV
IO
RF
I
Q
I
Q
FREQ
AMPL
1
2
3
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AWID PROPRIETARY
Figure 2 Block Diagram, Dual-Antenna RFID Reader
1.2 SPECIAL FEATURES
• Multi-Protocol: ISO-18000-6 Type A/B, EPC Class 11, Gen 1 & 2, EM Micro, MH-
10, AIAG, EPC Class02
• Thin passive tags with long-range performance
• RS-232 outputs
1.3 CHANNEL FREQUENCY TABLE
Frequency range: 902 ~ 928 MHz
Minimum Number of frequency channels: 50
CH
902~928
MHz
CH
902~928
MHz
CH
902~928
MHz
CH
902~928
MHz
CH
902~928
MHz
0 902.50 MHz
10 907.50 MHz
20 912.50 MHz
30 917.50 MHz
40 922.50 MHz
1 903.00 MHz
11 908.00 MHz
21 913.00 MHz
31 918.00 MHz
41 923.00 MHz
2 903.50 MHz
12 908.50 MHz
22 913.50 MHz
32 918.50 MHz
42 923.50 MHz
3 904.00 MHz
13 909.00 MHz
23 914.00 MHz
33 919.00 MHz
43 924.00 MHz
4 904.50 MHz
14 909.50 MHz
24 914.50 MHz
34 919.50 MHz
44 924.50 MHz
5 905.00 MHz
15 910.00 MHz
25 915.00 MHz
35 920.00 MHz
45 925.00 MHz
6 905.50 MHz
16 910.50 MHz
26 915.50 MHz
36 920.50 MHz
46 925.50 MHz
7 906.00 MHz
17 911.00 MHz
27 916.00 MHz
37 921.00 MHz
47 926.00 MHz
8 906.50 MHz
18 911.50 MHz
28 916.50 MHz
38 921.50 MHz
48 926.50 MHz
9 907.00 MHz
19 912.00 MHz
29 917.00 MHz
39 922.00 MHz
49 927.00 MHz
•
1 Both 64- and 96-bit
2 Both 64- and 96-bit and Impinj 96-bit
1.1.14.1.1.1
XMIT
RF
Q
Q
RCVR
FREQUENCY
SYNTHESIZER
Driver
AMP Power
AMP COUPLER
BPF
BPF
A/D
CPU
I/O
I
I/Q DEMOD
IQ
I
O
FREQ
AMPL
XMTR
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2 SPECIFICATIONS
Input voltage +7.0 VDC to +15 VDC
Input current 1.0 A (7.0 V) to 0.40 A (15 V) typical
Protocol language EPC Class 1&0, EM Micro, ISO-18000-6 Type A/B, MH-
10, AIAG
Read range Depends on type & size of labels used
Output power 1.0 Watt into 6 dBi antenna
Transmit frequency 902-928 MHz
Receiver frequency 902-928 MHz (Amplitude Modulated)
Hopping channels 50 Channels
Channel spacing 500 kHz
Hopping sequence Pseudo random
Operating temperature range -30° C to +65° C (-22° F to 149° F)
Output data formats RS-232 Version:
I/O Connector DB-9 connector
Dimension 4”x6”x0.25”
2.1 CONNECTOR PIN ASSIGNMENT
Pin# Function Pin# Function
1 Data 1 6 Enable RFID
2 Ext Data in 7 Ground
3 RS232 Tx 8 +7V/+15V
4 Data 0 9 Ground
5 RS232 Rx 10 +7V/+15V
2.2 MEASURING READ DISTANCE
Make sure you know the tag types. For certain readers and tags, user must also be
mindful of the tag’s orientation and the reader’s antenna orientation, what mounting
surface the tags are designed for and how the tags are supposed to be mounted. Any
departure from its intended purpose will drastically affect the reader’s ability to energize
the tag and its read range.
When measuring the reader’s read range, make sure that the tag is properly oriented to
the reader antenna, and for optimum performance, be sure the operator’s finger is not
within three (3) inches of the tag’s antenna surface.
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AWID PROPRIETARY
3 INSTALLATION & OPERATION GUIDELINES
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES MAY RESULT IN POOR
PERFORMANCE OR EVEN CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE TO THE READER,
THUS VOIDS THE PRODUCT WARRANTY.
For ease of explanation, MPR reader in this section refers to an MPR-3014 reader
model, i.e., a unit that consists of MPR-1510 (3.2x) inside a splash proof, UV
stabilized housing case and high performance circular polarized antenna(s).
3.1 SITE SURVEY
Always conduct a site survey before starting installation. Avoid any possible sources of
interference. For best result, use a spectrum analyzer with a wideband antenna and set
the spectrum analyzer in Max Hold mode to gain measurement of the maximum signal
strength on the airwave. If the MPR reader is not installed properly, the performance will
be degraded. Listed below are steps that should be followed during installation:
• Do not install the MPR reader in an area where sources of broadband noise may
exist. Avoid mounting the reader facing a cellular phone tower or in close proximity
to the base station of a 900 MHz wireless telephone.
• Keep all of the MPR reader wiring a safe distance from all other wiring, including,
but not limited to, AC power, computer data wiring, and telephone wiring, and wiring
to electrical locking devices.
• Avoid operating the MPR reader in close proximity to other 900 MHz wireless
local area networking (WLAN) equipment. It should be noted that MPR-2010s (, etc.
are known to work in electromagnetic crowded areas, such as trade shows.
3.2 PREFERRED READER INSTALLATION PRACTICES
• Avoid mounting the MPR reader under direct sunlight. Exposure to direct sunlight
may cause the reader to operate at a temperature above the 65 degrees Celsius
upper limit.
• Make sure that the supply voltage of the MPR reader is within specification
• Use cables with over-all shield (screen)
• For best results, avoid bundling data cable with AC power and computer cables
• Use the largest wire gauge where feasible
• Use dedicated power supply, where necessary
• Use Single Point Grounding, and avoid ground loops
3.3 MOUNTING PREFERENCE
An MPR-3014 reader uses uni-directional antennas each with an antenna beam width of
about 60-70 degrees. The radiation pattern is an oval-shaped beam, which should be
aimed toward where the transponders will pass.
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AWID PROPRIETARY
3.4 GENERAL WIRING REQUIREMENTS
All the MPR reader wiring should be continuously shielded. AWID recommends using
#24 AWG up to #22 AWG, longer distances and higher current consumption on the
power supply line will require larger gauge wires. PG I/O output are standard access
industry Wiegand drivers, which is capable of 500 feet driving distance.
TABLE 3.4-1: Data Line’s Wiring Requirement
WIRE SIZE #22 AWG (0.6 mm Dia.) #24 AWG (0.5 mm Dia.)
RS-232 50 ft (15 meters) 50 ft (15 meters)
3.5 GROUNDING
Grounding is critical for proper operation of MPR-1510. When installing the readers, it is
crucial to assure that the earth ground is the best ground available. If you elect to use
the 120 VAC power ground, conduct a test by measuring its resistance relative to a
known good ground, such as a cold water pipe or structural steel that is in direct contact
with the ground. The resistance should be less than 50 ohms.
3.6 WIRING DIAGRAMS
See section 2.1 for pin assignment for the RS-232 connector of an MPR-1510 3.2x.
The MPR RS-232 interface is a short distance serial interface, a full command set for
the standard serial interface is not necessary, therefore only transmit, receive and
ground wires are used. Sense input is an enable input, which is traditionally used to
activate the RF energy of the reader and to start the read functions.
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AWID PROPRIETARY
4 Installation Procedure
This section provides installation and operation information for MPR readers.
Verify that all items listed below are present before starting the installation.
4.1 PARTS LIST
o Sentinel-Sense MPR-1510 reader module 3.2x Qty=1
o Documentation and Demo Program CD Qty=1
4.2 PREPARATION FOR INSTALLATION
Familiarize yourself with the connectors and pin out assignment of each I/O connectors.
4.2.1 Bench Top Verification
It is always a good idea to verify system operation before committing to a full-scale
installation. The following are the necessary steps to test the reader’s operation in a
static environment.
q Connect MPR reader module to the RS-232 port of a PC
q Connect power (via the power jack from a wall plug power supply) to the MPR
reader module
q Connect Antenna(s)
q Power up PC
q Install demo software on PC
q Activate demo software and verify performance of the reader.
q Select COM port 1 on top page then click “Connect”. Follow with some
commands3.
q Place the RFID tags at the exact same locations as the final configuration
q Measure tag read distance and confirm that read distance is correct.
4.2.2 Antenna Pattern
MPR-1510 performs best with a circular polarized antenna to ensure reading tag with
random orientation. Most circular polarized antenna has a horizontal to vertical
differential of up to 3 dB, this will cause the antenna pattern to deviate from a true circle.
AWID’s antenna used in MPR-2010 readers has a horizontal to vertical differential of
typically less than 0.5 dB, making its pattern as near to a circle as possible.
• Antenna pattern measurements represent both horizontal and vertical polarized
planes of the read area transmitted by the reader.
• In the drawing below, R = approximately 12 feet to 15 feet with Alien free space
tags.
• Antenna pattern can be affected by RFI and other environmental conditions.
•
3 Try a simple command first, e.g., File -> Firmware Version. A good result (v.s. an error message)
returned is indication of connection well in place.
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0.15 00.250.5
0.75
R
0
Distance
(R)
Width( W)
W (0.72R)
Figure 3 Antenna Pattern
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AWID PROPRIETARY
5 SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING AND SYSTEM OPERATION NOTES
5.1 SYSTEM OPERATION
5.1.1 Running a Custom Software Application or the AWID Demo Program
If AWID Demo Program is not used, it is expected user will launch a Custom Software
Application developed using the MPR 3014 Protocol to send commands as specified to
the MPR reader.
5.1.2 Operating Modes
Typical operating modes for MPR readers can be grouped into the following modes:
Search Mode
This mode is used when operator or user is not certain what family of tags are placed on
the items to be tracked. Since most tags are deterministic in nature, MPR reader must
cycle through each and every protocol, issue a protocol specific inquiry, to hail and to
wait for a response from tags of that specific protocol. Therefore, if there are many
different protocols, for an untrained observer, the reader response will appear sluggish.
Mixed Mode
This mode assumes the user is aware of the types of protocol in use, and furthermore, the
user made a determined effort to operate the reader in a mixed protocol mode. In this
mode, the user can decide how many and which specific protocols to be selected. Once
Mix Protocol Mode is selected, the reader will routinely cycle through each protocol, dwell
long enough for the reader to wait for a response and then move on to the next protocol. It
should be noted that in a mixed protocol mode, the tag must have sufficient time to
respond to the reader, and therefore, it can only be used on a conveyor belt arrangement,
with specific speed restrictions.
Single Protocol Mode
Single protocol is the normal mode of operation, where the protocol type is known and
many tags are expected to pass through the readers.
5.2 USERS NOTE
For System Integrators and/or Software Developers
System Integrators and/or Software developers should get familiar with the MPR 3014
Protocol specifications for developing applications that control AWID’s Serial
Communication MPR readers.
For Custom System Users
For custom system user, please refer to your host software user guide for information
regarding system and software operations
For Demo Software Users
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AWID PROPRIETARY
If you are using the AWID RFID demonstration software application which is .NET based
with easy-to-follow GUI operations, simply select the COM port for which the MPR
reader is configured then click “Connect” should get you started.
6 MPR 3014 PROTOCOL
See MPR 3014 Protocol Manual - 041310