CAEN RFID srl CAENRFID029 R1251IUNFB - Tile NF - UHF NF RFID Desktop Reader User Manual SLATE Technical Information Manual Rev 01
CAEN RFID srl R1251IUNFB - Tile NF - UHF NF RFID Desktop Reader SLATE Technical Information Manual Rev 01
User Manual
TECHNICAL INFORMATION MANUAL
Revision 0 – 18 July 2018
R1251INF
Compact UHF Near Field RFID Desktop Reader
Scope of Manual
The goal of this manual is to provide the basic information to work with the Tile R1251INF Compact UHF RFID Desktop
Reader.
Change Document Record
Date
Revision
Changes
Pages
18 July 2018
00
Preliminary release
-
Reference Document
[RD1] EPCglobal: EPC Radio-Frequency Identity Protocols Class-1 Generation-2 UHF RFID Protocol for
Communications at 860 MHz - 960 MHz, Version 2.0.1 (April, 2015).
CAEN RFID srl
Via Vetraia, 11 55049 Viareggio (LU) - ITALY
Tel. +39.0584.388.398 Fax +39.0584.388.959
info@caenrfid.com
www.caenrfid.com
© CAEN RFID srl – 2018
Disclaimer
No part of this manual may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording, or
otherwise, without the prior written permission of CAEN RFID.
The information contained herein has been carefully checked and is believed to be accurate; however, no responsibility
is assumed for inaccuracies. CAEN RFID reserves the right to modify its products specifications without giving any
notice; for up to date information please visit www.caenrfid.com.
Visit the Tile R1250I web page, you will find the latest revision
of data sheets, manuals, certifications, technical drawings, software and firmware.
All you need to start using your reader in a few clicks!
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Notice
This device was tested and found to comply with the limits set forth in Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following 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. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment.
This device generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy. If not installed and used in accordance with the
instruction manual, the product may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this product in
a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference, in which case, the user is required to correct the interference
at their own expense. The authority to operate this product is conditioned by the requirements that no modifications
be made to the equipment unless the changes or modifications are expressly approved by CAEN RFID.
Preliminary Product Information
This document contains information for a new product. CAEN RFID reserves the right to modify this product without
notice.
“Preliminary” product information describes products that are ready for production, but for which full characterization
data is not yet available. CAEN RFID believes that the information contained in this document is accurate and reliable.
However, the information is subject to change without notice and is provided “AS IS” without warranty of any kind
(Express or implied). You are advised to obtain the latest version of relevant information to verify, before placing
orders, that information being relied on is current and complete. All products are sold subject to the terms and
conditions of sale supplied at the time of order acknowledgement, including those pertaining to warranty, patent
infringement, and limitation of liability. No responsibility is assumed by CAEN RFID for the use of this information,
including use of this information as the basis for manufacture or sale of any items, or for infringement of patents or
other rights of third parties.
Disposal of the product
Do not dispose the product in municipal or household waste. Please check your local regulations for
disposal/recycle of electronic products.
Index - Tile NF Technical Information Manual 4
Index
Scope of Manual ...........................................................................................................................................................................2
Change Document Record ............................................................................................................................................................2
Reference Document ....................................................................................................................................................................2
Index ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
List of Figures ................................................................................................................................................................................. 4
List of Tables .................................................................................................................................................................................. 4
1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Product Description ......................................................................................................................................................................5
Accessories ...................................................................................................................................................................................6
Installation Notice ........................................................................................................................................................................6
External Interface Description ......................................................................................................................................................7
Front Panel LEDs ...........................................................................................................................................................................7
Ordering Options ..........................................................................................................................................................................7
2 GETTING STARTED ............................................................................................................................................................... 8
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................................8
Serial Port Emulator .....................................................................................................................................................................8
Driver installation ............................................................................................................................................................8
Connecting the Tile R1251INF Reader using the EasyController ................................................................................................10
3 CONFIGURATION ............................................................................................................................................................... 13
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................................13
Reader Configuration Menu .......................................................................................................................................................13
Active Profile ..................................................................................................................................................................14
Startup RF Power ...........................................................................................................................................................15
HID Keyboard .................................................................................................................................................................15
HID format .....................................................................................................................................................................16
HID scan delay................................................................................................................................................................16
4 HID PROFILE ...................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................................17
Making Inventory .......................................................................................................................................................................17
5 READER UPGRADE ............................................................................................................................................................. 19
Firmware Upgrade ......................................................................................................................................................................19
6 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS .............................................................................................................................................. 22
Technical Specifications Table ....................................................................................................................................................22
Reader – Tag Link Profiles ...........................................................................................................................................................23
7 REGULATORY COMPLIANCE............................................................................................................................................... 24
FCC Compliance ..........................................................................................................................................................................24
RoHS EU Directive .......................................................................................................................................................................24
List of Figures
Fig. 1.1: Tile R1251INF Compact UHF Near Field RFID Desktop Reader .................................................................................................5
Fig. 1.2: Tile R1251INF Accessories ..........................................................................................................................................................6
Fig. 1.3: Tile R1251INF (standard enclosure) mechanical drawing ..........................................................................................................6
Fig. 1.5: Tile R1251INF Front Panel LEDs .................................................................................................................................................7
List of Tables
Tab. 1.1: Tile R1251INF Front Panel LEDs ................................................................................................................................................7
Tab. 6.1: Tile R1251INF Technical Specifications ...................................................................................................................................22
Tab. 6.2: Tile R1251INF Reader to tag link profiles ................................................................................................................................23
INTRODUCTION - Tile NF Technical Information Manual 5
1 INTRODUCTION
Product Description
The Tile NF (model R1251INF), desktop reader of the easy2read© family, is a RAIN RFID reader specifically designed to
optimize the reading performances with near field miniaturized tags like the Murata Magicstrap and Hitachi USPT.
The near field antenna of the Tile NF reader allows to read those small tags even when embedded in small parts like
watches, jewels or mechanical parts. For this reason, the combination of the miniaturized near field tags and the Tile
NF reader is a great tool to retrieve the serial numbers in small objects and check the originality of parts.
The reader is powered and controlled directly by an USB cable, thus allowing to read RAIN RFID tags in an easy desktop
environment.
The Tile NF reader supports the HID profile (native keyboard emulation) allowing to interact directly with legacy
application, office automation SW or any other generic solution requiring manual input.
Being compliant with both European and US regulatory environments, the Tile reader allows installations in various
countries worldwide as needed by retailers, forwarders, warehouses and other global organizations.
The core components of the Tile reader are the CAEN RFID QuarkUp module, a top performing ultra-compact UHF RFID
module.
Fig. 1.1: Tile R1251INF Compact UHF Near Field RFID Desktop Reader
INTRODUCTION - Tile NF Technical Information Manual 6
Accessories
Check for the supplied accessories below:
No. 1 Y USB cable
Fig. 1.2: Tile R1251INF Accessories
Installation Notice
The Tile R1251INF can be easily placed on a table for desktop applications or it is possible to hang it on the wall (only
for the model with flanged enclosure).
Fig. 1.3: Tile R1251INF (standard enclosure) mechanical drawing
INTRODUCTION - Tile NF Technical Information Manual 7
External Interface Description
The Tile R1251INF external connection is via USB port.
The mini USB connector is located in the front edge of the Tile. You shall use a dual USB cable and connect the reader
to two USB ports (see § Accessories page 6).
The Tile R1251INF is powered through the USB host.
Front Panel LEDs
The Tile R1251INF front panel houses the following LEDs (see § Fig. 1.4: Tile R1251INF Front Panel LEDs page 7):
LED
FUNCTION
TYPE
PWR
Power ON
Red LED
TAG-ID
Tag detection
Blinking Green LED
Tab. 1.1: Tile R1251INF Front Panel LEDs
Fig. 1.4: Tile R1251INF Front Panel LEDs
Ordering Options
Code
Description
Reader
WR1251IENFBA
R1251IENFB - Tile NF - Compact UHF Near Field RFID Desktop Reader
(ETSI)
WR1251IUNFBA
R1251IUNFB - Tile NF - Compact UHF Near Field RFID Desktop Reader
(FCC)
GETTING STARTED - Tile NF Technical Information Manual 8
2 GETTING STARTED
Introduction
This quickstart guide will help you to get started with your Tile R1251INF reader.
The reader can be configured in two different profiles:
EASY2READ (factory default): choosing this option you select the CAEN RFID easy2read communication
protocol. Select this option in order to control the reader using the CAEN RFID Easy Controller Application or
the SDK (Software Development Kits) library. For details on the use with the EASY2RD profile please refer to
this quickstart guide.
HID: choosing this option you select the keyboard emulation protocol. For details on the use on the HID
profile please refer to § HID PROFILE chapter page 17.
The reader is sold with the factory profile set to EASY2RD. This guide helps you to getting started with your reader
using the EASY2READ profile.
For more detailed information on reader configuration, connections and setup options please refer to the next
chapters.
To begin, you need first to download and install the .NET framework 2.0 (only required if .NET is not already installed
on your PC).
Serial Port Emulator
The Tile R1251INF reader can be connected to a PC using the provided Y USB cable and it is detected by the PC as an
emulated serial port. In order to correctly operate with the reader you need to install the CAEN RFID driver.
Driver installation
You can download the required driver from the CAEN RFID Web Site at Tile R1250I web page or in the SW/FW area.
The procedure to install the USB driver is presented below:
1. Verify that the Y USB cable provided with the reader is correctly plugged into the PC
Warning: You shall use a dual USB cable and connect the pc to both USB ports.
2. Install the CAEN RFID driver (download it at Tile R1250I web page or in the SW/FW area of the CAEN RFID web
site).
3. Open the System properties: go to Control Panel → All Control Panel Items → System and click on Device
Manager.
GETTING STARTED - Tile NF Technical Information Manual 10
Connecting the Tile R1251INF Reader using the EasyController
Using the EASY2READ profile, you can connect to the Tile R1251INF Reader using the EasyController software via USB
connection.
1. Download the latest version of the EasyController software for Windows from the Tile R1250I web page,
Downloads section and install it.
2. Connect the Tile reader to your pc using the Y USB connection.
3. Open the System properties (right click on My computer icon) → All Control Panel Items → System and click on
Device Manager.
4. After having installed the driver (see § Driver installation page 8), the reader is detected by the PC as two
emulated serial port. See the Virtual COM Port, in the case below COM150:
GETTING STARTED - Tile NF Technical Information Manual 11
5. Once the serial port connection is established, CAEN RFID EasyController software can be used to interface the
reader. Launch the EasyController by double clicking on the icon on your desktop.
6. Click on File → Connect, select the RS232 Connection Type and select from the pull-down menu the COM port
number where the driver has mapped the virtual port for the Tile (in the example COM150) and then click on
connect.
7. Place a tag on the reader, click on start inventory and see the tag information displayed on the main window.
CONFIGURATION – Tile NF Technical Information Manual 13
3 CONFIGURATION
Introduction
The Tile R1251INF reader is detected by the PC as two emulated serial ports:
Virtual COM Port
Config COM Port
The Config COM Port is used to configure the reader profile.
The Virtual COM Port is the main communication interface.
Reader Configuration Menu
1. Verify that the Y USB cable provided with the reader is correctly plugged into the PC
2. Install the required CAEN RFID USB driver as explained in § Driver installation page 8.
3. Open a serial terminal compatible with VT100 (e.g. Hyperterminal or Teraterm).
4. Click on File-> New Connection and look for the R1251INF Config Port (in the example COM151) and select it -
>OK.
5. Press the “ESC” key to access the reader configuration menu:
CONFIGURATION – Tile NF Technical Information Manual 14
The Tile R1251INF menu options are the following:
Active profile
Startup RF Power
HID Keyboard
HID format
HID scan delay
To scroll through the main menu press the arrow keys, to change the listbox values press the “-“ or “+” keys and to exit
and save press “ESC”.
Active Profile
Access the configuration menu as explained in the Reader Configuration Menu paragraph page 13.
Use the arrow keys to scroll through the main menu.
The Active Profile is the first option of the main menu.
The Active Profile options are the following:
EASY2READ (factory default): choosing this option you select the CAEN RFID easy2read communication
protocol. Select this option in order to control the reader using the CAEN RFID Easy Controller Application or
the SDK (Software Development Kits) library. For details on the use with the EASY2RD profile please refer to
§ GETTING STARTED chapter page 8.
HID: choosing this option you select the keyboard emulation protocol. For details on the use on the HID
profile please refer to § HID PROFILE chapter page 17.
The reader is sold with the factory profile set to EASY2READ.
To activate a different profile, press the right arrow to select the EASY2READ profile (factory profile), then use the “-“
or “+“ keys until the desired profile is displayed (EASY2READ or HID). Press the ESC key to exit from the configuration
interface and to save the new setting.
The display shows the message "Configuration Saved" to inform you that the new settings is active.
CONFIGURATION – Tile NF Technical Information Manual 15
Disconnect the USB cable and connect the reader once again.
If you have set the HID profile, after 6 seconds the device starts making inventories and transferring the EPC codes to
the host PC through the HID interface.
You can activate only one profile at a time.
Startup RF Power
Access the configuration menu as explained in the Reader Configuration Menu paragraph page 13.
Use the arrow keys to scroll through the main menu.
The Startup RF Power is the second option of the main menu.
The reader is sold with the factory Startup RF Power set to 200mW.
To set a different RF value, press the down arrow and then the right arrow to select the Startup RF Power value. Using
the “backspace” key, delete the current value and insert the desired power value in the range 0-500. All values are
expressed in mW.
Press the ESC key to exit from the configuration interface and to save the new setting.
The display shows the message "Configuration Saved" to inform you that the new settings is active.
Disconnect the USB cable and connect the reader once again.
You can activate only one power level at a time.
HID Keyboard
Access the configuration menu as explained in the Reader Configuration Menu paragraph page 13.
Use the arrow keys to scroll through the main menu.
The HID Keyboard is the third option of the main menu.
The HID Keyboard options are the following:
QWERTY: standard keyboard.
AZERTY: French keyboard
The reader is sold with the factory HID keyboard set to QWERTY.
To set a different keyboard, press the down arrow until “HID Keyboard” is displayed and then the right arrow to select
the QWERTY option; use the “-“ or “+“ keys to shift between QWERTY and AZERTY. Press the ESC key to exit from the
configuration interface and to save the new setting.
The display shows the message "Configuration Saved" to inform you that the new settings is active.
Disconnect the USB cable and connect the reader once again.
You can activate only one HID Keyboard at a time.
CONFIGURATION – Tile NF Technical Information Manual 16
HID format
In the HID profile you can set different EPC format, while using the EASY2READ profile it is not possible to change the
HEXADECIMAL EPC format.
Access the configuration menu as explained in the Reader Configuration Menu paragraph page 13.
Use the arrow keys to scroll through the main menu.
The HID format is the fourth option of the main menu.
The HID format options are the following:
HEXADECIMAL: The RFID EPC is represented by hexadecimal digits
ASCII: The RFID EPC is represented by ASCII characters
SGTIN14: This is a special option, please contact our support team for more info
The reader is sold with the factory HID format set to HEXADECIMAL.
To set a different format, press the down arrow until “HID format” is displayed and then the right arrow to select the
HEXADECIMAL option (factory format); use the “-“ or “+“ keys to select the desired format. Press the ESC key to exit
from the configuration interface and save the new setting.
The display shows the message "Configuration Saved" to inform you that the new settings is active.
Disconnect the USB cable and connect the reader once again.
You can activate only one HID format at a time.
HID scan delay
The HID scan delay represents the delay between a scan and the subsequent.
Access the configuration menu as explained in the Reader Configuration Menu paragraph page 13.
Use the arrow keys to scroll through the main menu.
The reader is sold with the factory scan delay set to 500ms.
To set a different HID scan delay, press the down arrow until “HID scan delay” is displayed and then the right arrow to
select the current value. Using the “Canc” key, delete the current value and insert the desired scan delay in the range
0-99999. All values are expressed in ms.
Press the ESC key to exit from the configuration interface and to save the new setting.
The display shows the message "Configuration Saved" to inform you that the new settings is active.
Disconnect the USB cable and connect the reader once again.
You can activate only one scan delay level at a time.
HID PROFILE - Tile NF Technical Information Manual 17
4 HID PROFILE
Introduction
Choosing the HID profile option you select the keyboard emulation protocol.
For details on the available profiles and on the activation method, please refer to § Active Profile paragraph page 14.
Making Inventory
If the reader is in the EASY2READ profile (factory profile), you need to install the CAEN RFID driver (refer to § Driver
installation page 8) and then access the reader configuration menu to set the HID reader profile (refer to § Active
Profile paragraph page 14).
Otherwise, if the reader is already in the HID profile, you don’t need any driver installation and you can start logging
activity.
Launch a text editing application (or any other application accepting keyboard input).
Put tags in the reader read range.
On the text editing window you will see the EPCs of the tags.
Example with a .txt file:
HID PROFILE - Tile NF Technical Information Manual 18
Example with Microsoft Excel:
The EPCs of the tags are shown in the format defined in the HID format of the Configuration Menu. The reader is sold
with the factory HID format set to HEXADECIMAL. See § HID format page 16 to set a different HID format
(HEXADECIMAL, ASCII or SGTIN14).
The reader makes an inventory tags every “scan delay” defined in the HID scan delay of the Configuration Menu. The
reader is sold with the factory scan delay set to 500ms. See § HID scan delay page 16 to set a different value in the
range 0÷99999 ms.
Note that if you want to change the active profile or access the reader configuration menu, you must remove the tags
in the read range of the reader to stop the reader editing activity!
READER UPGRADE - Tile NF Technical Information Manual 19
5 READER UPGRADE
Firmware Upgrade
The Tile R1251INF firmware upgrade can be managed via USB. You need the Tile Upgrade Tool and the R1251INF
firmware image available for free at the Tile R1250I web page, Downloads section or in Software & Firmware area.
In order to upgrade the firmware, follow the steps described below:
1. Remove the 4 screws on the back of the reader's case (see the picture below).
2. Connect to the USB port the evaluation board with the Quark Up reader installed (the R1270CEVB evaluation
board is the one circled in red in following picture).
READER UPGRADE - Tile NF Technical Information Manual 20
3. Press the reset switch on the evaluation board (SW3).
4. With SW3 pressed, press the BSL_SEL switch on the evaluation board (SW2).
5. Release SW3.
6. Release SW2 within 1s respect to SW3.
7. Open the FW upgrade program.
8. Click on Next button.
9. In the window you will see the message “Found 1 device” (if the message is “No device connected” repeat the
points 3, 4, 5 and 6).
10. Select the FW image file by clicking on “Browse” button.
11. Click on “Upgrade Firmware” button and wait for the upgrade to be completed.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS - Tile NF Technical Information Manual 22
6 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Technical Specifications Table
Frequency Band
865.600÷867.600 MHz (ETSI EN 302 208) (Mod. R1251IENF)
902÷928 MHz (FCC part 15) (Mod. R1251IUNF)
RF Power
Programmable in 18 levels (1dB step) from 0 dBm ERP to 17 dBm ERP
Output power accuracy
+/- 1dB
Antenna
Integrated UHF Near Field Antenna
Frequency Tolerance
±10 ppm over the entire temperature range
Number of Channels
4 channels (compliant to ETSI EN 302 208) (Mod. R1251IENF)
50 hopping channels (compliant to FCC part 15) (Mod. R1251IUNF)
Standard Compliance
EPC C1G2/ISO 18000-6C
User Interface
Red LED: Power Blinking
Green LED: Tag detection
Connectivity
Mini USB type B plug connector
USB 2.0 Full Speed (12Mbit/s) device port
Must be connected to two High-power USB Type A ports (500 mA @ VBUS)
Virtual COM port parameters:
- Baudrate: up to 115.200kbps
- Databits: 8
- Stopbits: 1
- Parity: none
- Flow control: none
HID profile available
Dimensions
(W)125 x (L)125 x (H)25 mm3
(4.92 x 4.92 x 0.98 inch3)
Electrical Power
5 V ± 5% - DC bus powered (USB)
Max 650 mA
Operating Temperature
-10 °C to +55 °C
Weight
200g max.
Length of USB cable
1.8 m
Tab. 6.1: Tile R1251INF Technical Specifications
Warning: The RF settings must match the country/region of operating to comply with local laws and regulations.
The usage of the reader in different countries/regions from the one in which the device has been sold is not allowed.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS - Tile NF Technical Information Manual 23
Reader – Tag Link Profiles
The Tile R1251INF reader supports different modulations and return link profiles according to EPC Class1 Gen2
protocol.
In the following table are reported all profiles that have been tested for the compliance with ETSI and FCC regulations.
Link profile #
Regulation
Modulation
Return Link
0
ETSI - FCC
PR–ASK; f=40kHz
FM0; f = 40kHz
1
ETSI - FCC
PR–ASK; f=40kHz
Miller (M=4); f = 256kHz
2
ETSI
PR–ASK; f=40kHz
Miller (M=4); f = 320kHz
Tab. 6.2: Tile R1251INF Reader to tag link profiles
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE - Tile NF Technical Information Manual 24
7 REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
FCC Compliance
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential
installation.
This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance
with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to
correct the interference by one of the following measures:
a. Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
b. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
c. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
d. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
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.
Any changes or modification not approved by CAEN RFID could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
The device shall be used such that a minimum separation distance of 20cm is maintained between the reader and
user's/nearby people's body.
RoHS EU Directive
Tile R1251INF Reader is compliant with the EU Directive 2011/65/EU on the Restriction of the Use of certain Hazardous
Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS2).