KATHREIN Sachsen RRU4ETGU6 UHF RFID Reader User Manual en Stand A indd

KATHREIN Sachsen GmbH UHF RFID Reader en Stand A indd

user manual

User manual EnglishRRU4RFID UHF READERThis manual applies to the following types:Type: Order no.RFID-UHF reader RRU4-RS4-E6 52010093RFID-UHF reader RRU4-ETG-E6 52010094RFID-UHF reader RRU4-RS4-U6 52010096RFID-UHF reader RRU4-ETG-U6 52010097
2 Foreword and general informationThe reproduction or distribution of this document or extracts from it in whatever form and by whatever means (electronic or mechanical) for whatever purpose is permitted only with the prior written permission of Kathrein.Kathrein accepts no liability for omissions or inaccuracies in this document or in relation to the provision or use of the information contained in this document. Kathrein reserves the right to change the products described in this document and does not accept any liability in relation to the application or usage of the products described in this manual.This document and the information contained in it are proprietary information of Kathrein and should be treated as confi dential. Kathrein provides this document to its customers in connection with contacts of sale for the products described therein. If the person in possession of this document, being a legal or natural person, is not a contractual sales partner of Kathrein, or Kathrein has not intended him by other means as the recipient of the document and the information contained therein, the person in possession is hereby informed that the use of this document is unlawful and a violation of the rights of Kathrein.Copyright noticeThe information in this manual was correct at the time of editorial deadline.We reserve the right however to make changes at any time and without prior notice.This document was prepared for specialist personal who install, confi gure and place in operation the reader.ScopeThe information contained in this manual is intended for the support of the development process and as development guidance for the customer. In addition this manual offers supporting information about the standards to be applied at the place of installation and the relevant safety standards for installation and confi guration of the Kathrein reader.General informationThis manual contains information on the installation, confi guration, operation and maintenance of the reader. In addition it gives detailed technical data in order better to familiarise the user with the features of the reader. In order to ensure a long working life and fault-free operation, this manual should therefore be read carefully and all the instructions and information contained in it should be complied with.WarrantySwitching on the AC or DC power supply prior to connecting the LAN cable is considered incorrect installation. Any functional defect arising as a result is excluded from the warranty/guarantee. Before installing or servicing the reader, the person concerned must have read the manual and understood its contents. Kathrein accepts no liability if the customer fails to implement the precautions listed here. In such cases, any claims under the warranty/guarantee are void. Disposal instructionElectronic equipment is not classed as household waste and must be disposed of properly in accordance with Directive 2002/96/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 27 January 2003 on used electrical and electronic equipment.At the end of its service life, take this device for disposal at a designated public collection point.Used batteries are special waste!Do not put used batteries into your domestic waste; instead take them to a collection point for used batteries!
3List of ContentsForeword and general information 2List of Contents 31. Safety instructions/information 62. Introduction 92.1. The reader 92.2. Further reference material 92.3. Scope of supply 92.4. Accessories 93. Installation 113.1. Selecting the installation site 113.2. Installing the reader 114. Connections and displays 124.1. Power supply 124.2. Ethernet port 134.3. RS422/485 connection 134.4. RS232 connection 134.5. UART transmission (RS232, RS422, RS485 or similar) 144.5.1. Bit transmission layer (physical layer) 144.5.2. Data link layer 144.5.2.1. Structure of a frame 144.5.2.2. Start code and synchronisation 144.5.2.3. Status byte 144.5.2.4. Frame number 154.5.2.5. User data 154.5.2.6. Checksum 154.5.3. Network layer 154.5.4. Transport layer, session layer, presentation layer 154.5.5. Application layer 154.6. Ethernet transmission 164.6.1. Frame structure 164.6.2. Port 164.6.3. Example 164.7. Digital inputs and outputs 174.8. Antenna Connection 204.9. LED 204.10. Buzzer 205. Software 215.1. System requirements 21
4List of Contents5.2. Installation 215.3. Operation 255.3.1. General information 255.3.2. User interface for ReaderStart v2 265.3.3. Menu bar 275.3.3.1. File 275.3.3.2. Options 285.3.3.3. Info 306. Operating the reader 326.1. Communication 326.1.1. COM header 326.1.2. USB header 326.1.3. Ethernet header 336.1.4. I/O card configuration 336.1.4.1. RS232 346.1.4.2. GPIO 356.1.4.3. RS485 376.1.4.4. Ethernet 386.2. Basic read functions 396.2.1. Synchronous mode 406.2.2. Asynchronous mode 406.3. GPIO functions 416.4. Expert settings 426.4.1. Expert settings 1 426.4.1.1. Transmission power 436.4.1.2. Antenna multiplex configuration 456.4.1.3. RF settings 456.4.1.4. Selection parameters 456.4.2. Expert settings 2 466.5. Application 476.6. Basic write function 496.6.1. Synchronous writing 496.6.2. Asynchronous writing 506.7. Test Gen2 functions 506.7.1. Read all EPCs 516.7.2. Write EPC 516.7.3. Change password 516.7.4. Read/write data 526.7.5. Block 526.7.6. Deactivation 537. Reader configuration 547.1. Introduction 547.1.1. Structure of the configuration IDs 547.1.2. The parameter sets 547.2. Description of the configuration parameters of the RRU4 reader system 557.2.1. The “Global” configuration group 557.2.1.1. “DefaultParamset” 557.2.2. The configuration group “RFInterface” 55
57.2.2.1. “RFPower1...8” 557.2.2.2. “TimeToPowerOff” 567.2.2.3. “ModulationType” 567.2.2.4. “MultiplexingAntennaport1...8” 577.2.3. “MultiplexingExposureTime1...8” 587.2.3.1. “CableLoss1...8” 587.2.3.2. “AntennaGain1...8” 587.2.3.3. “RSSIThreshold1...8” 597.2.3.4. “MultiPowerTagAccess1...8” 597.2.3.5. “MaxAllowedAntennaOutputPower1...8” 597.2.3.6. “EnableRSSIThresholdAtSpecificCmds” 607.2.3.7. “FlashWriteAdditionalPower” 607.2.4. The configuration group “Tag communication” (“TagComm”) 607.2.4.1. “UsePilottone” 607.2.4.2. “InitialQ” 617.2.4.3. “Session” 617.2.4.4. “MaxErrors” 627.2.4.5. “CommunicationProfile” 627.2.4.6. “CommStandard” 627.2.4.7. “IntelligentWrite” 637.2.4.8. “VerifyWrite” 637.2.4.9. “QueryTarget” 647.2.4.10. “QuerySel” 647.2.4.11. “ForcePowerOffAfterEPCWrite” 657.2.4.12. “TransmitGetEPCsPreSelect” 657.2.4.13. “TransmitSelectIfNoFilterIsOn” 667.2.4.14. “NumberOfEPCWords” 667.2.4.15. “UseBlockWrite” 667.2.4.16. “DisableReceivingNXPReadProtectedTags” 677.2.5. The configuration group “ObservedList” 677.2.5.1. “GlimpsedTimeoutCnt” 677.2.5.2. “ObservedThresholdCnt” 677.2.5.3. “ObservedTimeoutCnt” 687.2.6. The configuration group “Host communication” (“HostComm”) 687.2.6.1. “ExtendedResultFlag” 687.2.6.2. “AntennaIndependentOperation” 687.2.6.3. “ASyncAdditionalRSSIDataDeliveryDelta” 697.2.6.4. “UseMillisecondsAsTimestamp” 697.2.7. The configuration group “ETSI” 707.2.7.1. “PortChannelListGlobalValue1...16” 707.2.7.3. “ChannelSwitchingMode” 707.2.7.4. “PowerCheckOverAllAllowedChannels” 717.2.8. The configuration group “communication standard” (“CommStandard”) 717.2.8.1. “CenterFreqCH0” 727.2.8.2. “ChannelWidth” 727.2.8.3. “MaxChannelTime” 727.2.8.4. “MinChannelWaitTime” 737.2.8.5. “FirstChannel” 737.2.8.6. “LastChannel” 738. Reference literature 74List of Contents
6KeyCaution Indicates a potentially dangerous situation which, if disregarded, can lead to injuries ranging from minor to severe and/or damage to the unit.Note Information intended to make a specifi c topic easier to understand and/or enable optimal use of the unit functions.Important!Before starting installation work or replacing the unit, the accompanying manual must be read carefully and its contents understood.The detailed information in the data sheets and in this manual must be complied with carefully during installation and operation of the reader!The installation team must be properly qualifi ed and familiar with the safety regulations applicable in the country concerned.Connection, installation and maintenance work, as well as all other work on the unit, may only be carried out by properly qualifi ed and trained employees.The unit may only be used for the purpose intended by the manufacturer.Unauthorized changes to the unit and the use of spare parts and peripheral devices which are not sold or recommended by the manufacturer can result in fi res, electric shocks and injuries. Such actions therefore result in exclusion of liability and make the manufacturer’s warranty/guarantee null and void.The applicable version of the manufacturer’s warranty is that which was valid at the time of purchase. We accept no liability for unsuitable manual or automatic adjustments made to the unit's parameters and inappropriate use of the unit.Repairs may only be undertaken by personnel authorised to perform them. Opening or attempting to repair the unit makes all guarantee/warranty claims null and void! Improper work on the unit may jeopardise electrical safety.The manufacturer is not liable for accidents caused by the user opening the unit!When carrying out work on the unit, the valid safety regulations must be complied with.Supply voltageMake sure that the mains cable (power supply cable) is not damaged. If the mains cable is damaged, the device must not be used. Instead it must be disconnected from the mains and repaired by a qualifi ed technician. Use only the power supply unit supplied!Risk of fatal injury due to electric shock!The device may be operated only at the stated supply voltage (see the rear of the device or external power supply unit)!If the supply voltage is too high, there is a risk of fi re!General safety notes1. Safety instructions/informationImportant!
8NoteFollowing corresponding tests, it has been ascertained that this unit adheres to the limit values for class B digital units in accordance with part 15 of the FCC regulations. These limit values are intended to provide private user's systems with appropriate protection against harmful radio interference. This unit generates and uses energy in the radio frequency range and is also able to radiate this; if it is not installed and used in accordance with the regulations, the unit may cause harmful radio communication interference. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a specifi c system. If this unit causes harmful radio or television reception interference, which can be ascertained by switching the unit on and off, we recommend that the user attempts to rectify this interference via one or more of the following measures:- Realign the receive antenna or change its position.- Increase the distance between the unit and the receiver.- Plug the unit into a socket in a current circuit other than that to which the receiver is connected.- Seek advice from the retailer or an experienced radio/television technician.1. Safety instructions/informationImportant!/Attention !This equipment complies with IC RSS-102 radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This equipment should be installed and operated with minimum distance 20 cm between the radiator & your body.Cet équipement est conforme aux limites d‘exposition aux rayonnements IC établies pour un environnement non con-trôlé. Cetéquipement doit être installé et utilisé avec un minimum de 20 cm de distance entre la source de rayonnement et votre corps.IC Radiation Exposure Statement/Déclaration d‘exposition aux radiationsincluded in this list, having a gain greater than the maximum gain indicated for that type, are strictly prohibited for use with this device.Conformément à la réglementation d‘Industrie Canada, le présent émetteur radio peut fonctionner avec une antenne d‘un type et d‘un gain maximal (ou inférieur) approuvé pour l‘émetteur par Industrie Canada. Dans le but de réduire les risques de brouillage radioélectrique à l‘intention des autres utilisateurs, il faut choisir le type d‘antenne et son gain de sorte que la puissance isotrope rayonnée équivalente (p.i.r.e.) ne dépasse pas l‘intensité nécessaire à l‘établissement d‘une communication satisfaisante.Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d‘Industrie Canada applicables aux appareils radio exempts de licence. L‘exploitation est autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes : (1) l‘appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage, et (2) l‘utilisateur de l‘appareil doit accepter tout brouillage radioélectrique subi, même si le brouillage est susceptible d‘en compromettre le fonctionnement.Avis de conformité insérés dans le manuel d‘utilisation des appareils radio exempts de licenceLe présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d‘Industrie Canada applicables aux appareils radio exempts de licence. L‘exploitation est autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes : (1) l‘appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage, et (2) l‘utilisateur de l‘appareil doit accepter tout brouillage radioélectrique subi, même si le brouillage est susceptible d‘en compromettre le fonctionnement.Modifi cations or conversions which are carried out on this unit without the express permission of Kathrein may invalidate the FCC permit for the operation of this unit.NoteTo meet part 15 of the FCC regulations in the United States, the system must be properly installed to guarantee adherence to the certifi cation regulations according to part 15. The operator and the specialist company which carries out installation are responsible for ensuring that only certifi ed systems are used in the United States. Use of this system in any other combination (e.g. several antennas which transmit the same information in the same location) is expressly prohibited.Note regarding proper installation:
92. Introduction2.1. The readerThe Kathrein RFID (Radio Frequency Identifi cation) reader RRU4 is a multi-protocol-capable device for reading active and passive RFID tags in the frequency range from 865 to 868 MHz for Europe and 902 to 928 MHz for the American market. As supplied the unit can read and write tags in accordance with the EPC-Gen2 standard. Additional protocols can be loaded using software updates.The reader operates using the frequency skipping process, so as to avoid faults and interference between readers. Readers change their transmission channel in a random or pre-programmed sequence.For the ETSI area this means that in accordance with EN 302208 V1.2.1 the reader must pause its transmission for 100ms (and change its frequency) after it has transmitted continuously for 4s.Within the FCC area this procedure is mandatory. The reader changes its transmission frequency randomly, with equal distribution across the 50 available channels.The device has a maximum of four external antenna ports for connection of the transmission/reception antennas for communication with RFID tags.For integration into a variety of infrastructures, the device has different communication interfaces depending on the variant. The power supply is provided by a 4-pin M12 panel connector in A coding.2.2. Further reference materialIn order to confi gure the reader correctly and adapt it to the respective application, detailed knowledge of the EPCGlobal standards of GS1 is necessary ((B)). This standard describes the principle of operation of the interface between the tag and reader.The parameters available for the confi guration of the reader are described from section 7 “Reader Confi guration” of this manual.The reader is controlled via the Kathrein-Burgstädt Reader Protocol (KBRP). The current version of the KBRP specifi cation document ((A)) includes a detailed description of the protocol.NoteThe versions of the documents must match the software version of the reader. The CD supplied contains the current documents for the reader fi rmware supplied.2.3. Scope of supplyThe contents of the packaging consist of the following items:- 1 RRU4 (grey casing)- 1 CD with demo software, programming examples, DLL and operating instructions
102. Introduction- Connection cable sets (without antenna cables)Designation Order no. Consisting ofcabling set RRU4 RS4 52010125 Power supply cable M12/free end, length 2 m; RS 422/485 interface cable M12/free end, length 2 m; 2 x GPIO cable M12/free end, length 2 m)cabling set RRU4 ETG 52010126 Power supply cable M12/open, length 2 m; Ethernet interface cable M12/RJ 45 socket, length 2 m; 2 x GPIO cable M12/free, length 2 m)- Mast and wall clamp, BN 52010128 Wall/mast clamp for installing RFID antennas and RRU4/ARU4 readers (up to 6.0 kg total weight).- Protective cap set, BN 52010127 Accessories set for RRU4/ARU4 reader with screw-on protective caps for 3x antenna input (R-TNC) and 2x digital connection (M12)2.4. AccessoriesThe following accessories are available for the reader (if you have questions about the accessories, please contact our Sales Offi ce):- Antennas: For use with UHF-RFID antennas; we recommend the Kathrein antenna types ULORA, LORA, MIRA, WIRA. These antenna types are available for all frequency ranges.- Antenna cableDesignation(all cables listed: IP54 standard)Order no. 50-Ω cable type Connector 1 Connector 2 Length (cm)Cable 1 m, TNC-TNC(rev) 52010051 RG058-PETNC(f)-rev TNC(m)100Cable 2 m, TNC-TNC(rev) 52010052 RG058-PE 200Cable 3 m, TNC-TNC(rev) 52010053 RG058-PE 300Cable 6 m, TNC-TNC(rev) 52010054 RG058-PE 600 Cable 1 m, N-TNC(rev) 52010055 RG058-PE TNC(f)-rev N (m) 100 Cable 2 m, N-TNC(rev) 52010056 RG058-PE 200 Cable 3 m, N-TNC(rev) 52010057 RG058-PE 300 Cable 6 m, N-TNC(rev) 52010058 RG058-PE 600
113. Installation3.1. Selecting the installation siteWhen the connections are plugged in, the device satisfi es the protection class IP65. When selecting the installation location, make sure there is suffi cient space around it for appropriate dissipation of the heat generated by the device. Do not install it close to external sources of heat. The maximum operating temperature listed in the data sheet must not be exceeded. The support surface must have a suffi cient lead-bearing capacity/strength.3.2. Installing the readerThe device has threaded holes at the rear for attaching the reader. The dimensions of the holes pattern can be found in the drawing below. For ease of installation a bracket is available as an accessory, which offers the option of mounting on a mast or wall.Figure: Rear of the RRU4 with dimensions(M6 x 10 screw)
124. Connections and displaysDepending of the device variant, the reader has various connection options. The illustration below shows an RRU4 standard reader with all its connection options. Details of the connections and the pin assignments of plugs and sockets are provided in the following pages.Figure: General view of the RRU4Sockets, from left to right Description1 Communication connection: M12 (depending on the device variant)2 Power supply connection: M12 male, 4-pin, A-coded3 GPIO connection 1: M12 female, 8-pin, A-coded4 GPIO connection 2: M12 female, 8-pin, A-coded5 Antenna connection 1: R-TNC 50 Ohm6 Antenna connection 2: R-TNC 50 Ohm7 Antenna connection 3: R-TNC 50 Ohm8 Antenna connection 4: R-TNC 50 OhmStatus indicators: 3 coloured LEDs (red, green, orange)2 13 44.1. Power supplyThe power supply is arranged as a four-pin round-pin plug with and M12 connection thread in A-coding.PIN Assignment1 +24 V DC23 GND4For operating this device only LPS (Limited Power Source) or NEC class 2 classifi ed power supply units are approved! That means the power of the power supply unit may not exceed 100 W on the secondary side.Note
134. Connections and displays4.2. Ethernet portThis data interface is arranged as a 4-pin M12 socket with D-coding. Only shielded cables may be used.PIN Assignment1 TD+2 RD+3 TD-4 RD-1 24 34.3. RS422/485 connectionThis interface is arranged as a 5-pin M12 socket with A-coding. Only shielded cables may be used.PIN Assignment1 RxD+2 RxD-3 TxD+4 TxD-5 GND1 24 35 central pinThe interface card of the reader is equipped with a combined RS485/RS422 interface. The changeover between RS485 and RS422 is performed using the confi guration tool. For operation as RS422, the RS485 cables are connected to RX.4.4. RS232 connectionThis interface is also arranged as a 5-pin M12 socket with A-coding. Only shielded cables may be used.PIN Assignment1 CTS2 RxD3RTS4 TxD5 GND1 24 35 central pin
144. Connections and displays4.5. UART transmission (RS232, RS422, RS485 or similar)4.5.1. Bit transmission layer (physical layer)A full or half-duplex connection such as RS232, RS422 or RS485 is used for the physical layer.4.5.2. Data link layerTransmission is in frames and blocks. A block comprises a maximum of 256 frames. A frame comprises a maximum of 256 bytes, of which a maximum of 250 bytes can be user data. The result is a maximum block size of 64000 bytes of user data.The data link layer is used to safeguard the data between sender and recipient. The sender receives a response from the recipient for each frame received. If the sender does not receive a response from the recipient within a time window of 350 milliseconds after sending a frame, the frame sent is repeated until the error counter signals the cancellation of the transmission.4.5.2.1. Structure of a frame5A LL SS FF DD ... DD P1 P25A: Start code for synchronisationLL: Number of bytes in the frame not including the start codeSS: Status byteFF: Frame numberDD: User dataP1: 16-bit checksum low byteP2: 16-bit checksum high byte4.5.2.2. Start code and synchronisationThe start code is used to synchronise the recipient to the sender. It further allows the receiver to synchronise to the start of a frame when no data have been received for 15 milliseconds.4.5.2.3. Status byteThe status byte has the following signifi cance:50: Data packetA0: Response: “OK”A1: Response: “Memory error” (the receiver was unable to allocate any memory for the data block received)A response is only 3 bytes long and is not CRC checked.“OK” response: 5A 02 A0“Memory error” response: 5A 02 A1
154. Connections and displays4.5.2.4. Frame numberThe frame number defi nes how many more frames there are in this data block. Only the fi rst frame in a data block can be shorter than 256 bytes. Each additional frame must have a length of 256 bytes (length byte LL is FF).It is therefore possible to calculate the block size from the fi rst frame number.For example:A block with 700 bytes of user data is to be transmitted. For this purpose the block is divided into three frames.1. frame: 5A CD 50 02 – there now follow 200 bytes of user data – P1 P22. frame: 5A FF 50 01 – there now follow 250 bytes of user data – P1 P23. frame: 5A FF 50 00 – there now follow 250 bytes of user data – P1 P2The receiver can use the frame number of the fi rst frame (here 02) and its length byte to calculate the block size (block size = frame number * 250 bytes + length byte -5) (here in the example: 2 * 250 bytes + 205 bytes - 5 bytes = 700 bytes), and reserve an appropriate amount of memory for the data.4.5.2.5. User dataUser data are the bytes in a frame that fl ow into the block transmitted.4.5.2.6. ChecksumThe checksum is calculated using the polynomial x^16 + x^12 + x^5 + 1 with a pre-initialisation of 0x0000 from the start code to the last user data byte.4.5.3. Network layerAs the KBRP is a point-to-point protocol, there is no network layer.4.5.4. Transport layer, session layer, presentation layerDo not exist.4.5.5. Application layerThe application layer transmits data blocks from 1 to a maximum of 64000 bytes.
164. Connections and displays4.6.1. Frame structureA frame is structured as follows:Start + Data block + EndThe start consists of 0xAA 0xBB 0x01 0x01, where the fi rst 1 is the data transmit byte and the second 1 a stuff byte. The end consists of 0xAA 0xCC. If the byte 0xAA occurs in the KBRP frame, it must be doubled (0xAA → 0xAA 0xAA)4.6.2. PortThe TCP communication port is the Port 4007.4.6.3. ExampleAs an example the frame for “ASyncGetEPCs” is shown. The ID for this command is the “0x0111” which then causes the frame to appear as follows:0xAA 0xBB 0x01 0x01 0x11 0x01 0xAA 0xCC4.6. Ethernet transmissionWhen communication to our reader is via Ethernet, a data transmission layer is also used, as for serial communication. The transmission layer via Ethernet looks much simpler here, because the TCP/IP protocol already provides a data security layer. All we need to add are the packet start and packet end, since TCP/IP is a streaming protocol.
174. Connections and displays4.7. Digital inputs and outputsThe digital inputs and outputs are communicated via two eight-pin sockets in A-coding with M12 connection threads. The inputs are double isolated from the power supply of the reader and can be operated irrespective of the polarity of the input signal. For this reason there is a common pin for the inputs (INP_CMN). The connection variants for the inputs are shown below. Depending on the application, the power to the inputs can be double insulated from the external power supply to the reader, or not double insulated from it.Figure: Inputs double insulatedThe activation and evaluation can be performed using the software ReaderStart v2, with the DLL supplied, or by access to the reader protocol.Pin GPIO 1 GPIO 21 OUT_CMN OUT_CMN2 INPUT 4 INPUT 13 INP_CMN INP_CMN4 GND GND5UB UB6 OUTPUT 4 OUTPUT 27 OUTPUT 3 OUTPUT 18 INPUT 3 INPUT 21 27 36 458 central pin
184. Connections and displaysFigure: Inputs not double insulatedThe outputs are also double insulated from the power supply to the reader and have a common pin (OUT_CMN). If the double insulation is not required, the power supply can also be taken directly from the reader.Please note that the load per channel is limited to a maximum of 0.5 A, and the total load across all the channels must not exceed 1.5 A. If the reader’s auxiliary power GPIO connection is used, the maximum load is 1.1 A. The inputs and outputs are designed for a maximum voltage of 30 V DC. Further information can be found in the data sheet for the reader. For operating the outputs with an external power source, only LPS (Limited Power Source) or NEC class 2 classifi ed power supply units are approved.Note
194. Connections and displaysThe connection examples for the outputs are shown in the next illustrations.Figure: Outputs double insulatedFigure: Outputs not double insulated
204. Connections and displays4.8. Antenna ConnectionFor the connection to the RFID antennas, the reader has four antenna connections that are of reverse TNC design. Please only use the cable from the accessories or equivalent cable for this connection.NotePlease only use cable suitable for the impedance (50 Ohm), as otherwise the performance of the reader will be severely limited by the mismatch. If the mismatch is large, the reader may indicate a fault.4.9. LEDThe reader has a 2-colour LED for the indication of the operating state. The table below shows the colours used and the related operating state.Red Green Operating stateXfl ashes approx. every 8 seconds Error during initialisationX X Unit is bootingFlashes approx. every 8 seconds X Normal operation with heartbeatTable: Indication of the operating states by the LED4.10. BuzzerFurthermore the reader is also fi tted with a buzzer which, in addition to the LED, indicates successful booting (1 x short) or an error (2 x long).For test purposes the reader can be operated using the demo software supplied. This software provides all the necessary functionality of the reader for a test in a real environment. As an aid to confi guration, various basic settings for application scenarios are provided.As well as this documentation, the following documents and programs can be found on the CD supplied:- data sheet for the reader- specifi cation of the protocol for communication by the reader with a receiver- catalogue of the RFID products currently available- API DLLs for the simplifi ed activation of the reader with Borland and Visual Studio together with some simple programming examples- set-up program for the Kathrein reader start demo- .Net Framework 4- C++ 2008 redistributable
215. Software5.1. System requirementsTo ensure correct operation using the software on your PC/laptop, your PC/laptop should meet the following minimum requirements:Processor: X86 compatibleMemory: 512 MB RAMOperating system: Windows XP (SP3), Vista (SP1), Windows 7 or higherfree hard disk memory for: 32-bit operating system 850 MB (including Microsoft .Net Framework 4)64-bit operating system 2 GB (including Microsoft .Net Framework 4)5.2. InstallationThe demo software is installed by running KathreinRFIDDemoSetup.exe from the CD-ROM supplied. During the installation a check is made whether the necessary preconditions for the installation are satisfi ed. This means that a check is made whether all the dependencies such as the necessary Windows Service Packs, the .NET Framework in the respective version together with the C++ redistributables are installed. If this is the case, during this process the demo software and the DLL for controlling the reader are installed.After the start of the set-up, you can change the language used during the installation in the window that now opens. Confi rm your selection by clicking on the OK button.Figure: Language selection for the installationThe welcome screen that now appears gives further information on the exact version issue of the reader start software. This information can later be called up from the drop-down Info menu in the menu bar.
22Figure: Welcome screen with software versionClicking on the Next button takes you to the license agreement. Please read this through carefully; if you do not accept the terms of the agreement you must decline to accept it. The installation is then terminated at this point.Figure: Confi rmation of the license agreementIf you have accepted the license agreement, press the Next button, following which you can select the target folder in which to install the software. Don't forget to select the target drive also.5. Software
23Figure: Selection of the installation folderIn the next screen you can customise the folder in the Windows start menu. Here, as in the previous windows, you are offered the standard settings.Figure: Selection of the folder in the start menu5. Software
24Figure: Selecting installation tasksFinally a summary of all the installation tasks is shown. Click on the Install button to start the installation. If during the installation procedure a request is made to restart the computer, please do so.Figure: Summary of the installation tasksSuccessful completion of the installation is shown in the following window. If you do not wish to start using the software straight away, please uncheck the Launch ReaderStart v2, box, otherwise the program will start immediately once you click on Finish.5. SoftwareIn the following window you can specify whether you wish an icon to be included in the Windows Quick Launch and/or on the Desktop. The default is to generate no icons.
25Figure: Completing the installation5. Software5.3. OperationIn the following section, the ReaderStart v2 demo software for the KATHREIN RFID reader RRU4 is described. Before the description addresses the user interface and the individual confi guration features and controls, the principle of operation of this RFID reader system is described.5.3.1. General informationAn RFID system consists of the control computer, the reader itself, the antennas, antenna connection cables and the tags. The fi gure below shows the schematic layout of the system:Figure: RFID systemThe tags consist of an antenna and a small chip. They are the real carriers of the information, the EPC. These numbers identify the products or product groups. Alternatively the EPC can also be overwritten with your own information.To read information from an EPC tag, the reader emits an RF carrier via the active antenna and in this way supplies all the tags is this RF fi eld with power. If now it is desired to read the information from a tag, this tag must be selected
265. Softwarefrom the population of tags (singularisation). After successful completion of the singularisation, a handle is requested from the tag. The rest of the communication with the tag is undertaken using this handle and the EPC is read. The description of the tag is performed in the same way.The tag's EPC is transmitted by the reader to the PC and can be displayed there with additional information. This information includes, along with the time the tag was read, also the antenna used for communication with the tag. It is always possible to communicate directly with the tag using this EPC, as soon as the tag is within range of the reader.The communication between ReaderStart v2 and the reader is performed via the DLL supplied. It provides information on the user interface about all the unit's functions that are relevant to the user. Every connection between the application and the reader over the various interfaces in the reader is made using this DLL. The functions that can be used are listed in the header fi le “ReaderDll.h”.5.3.2. User interface for ReaderStart v2The program is started by ReaderStart v2.exe. The splash screen is displayed until all the necessary DLLs have been loaded in the background. After this the user interface shown below appears. This consists essentially of the menu bar, the tabs together with the status fi eld.Figure: ReaderStart v2 user interfaceNoteFunctions that are unavailable are greyed out in the program.The settings and controls for the reader are divided into individual functional groups under different tabs. The individual sheets can be selected using the tabs. The sequence of the tabs can be changed as required by “drag and drop”.All status messages from the reader and the program are shown in the status fi eld, and if desired logged. 3 message types are defi ned:• Info – shows which action was just performed• Warning – indicates possible problems in the structure and confi guration• Error – indicates that the desired action could not be executedEvery message is provided with a time stamp which is placed in the status fi eld which always lies above the information itself.
275. Software5.3.3. Menu barThe menu bar allows the program to be customised to your own requirements. These include for example: language settings, layout, status messages and calling up the program information. It consists of the items: fi le, options and info.5.3.3.1. FileThere are a wide variety of parameters available for confi guring the RF front end. A complete setting can be saved as a parameter set in the menu item fi le as an XML fi le, and later reloaded.Under the item Save Reader Confi guration to File, a dialogue opens which displays all the available parameter sets (0 - 7). The selection can be changed by setting the check. Furthermore each parameter set can be described briefl y. Selecting Save opens a further dialogue in which a respective save location and a fi le name must be selected or input, in order to successfully save the fi le. The progress of the save operation is shown by a progress bar.Figure: Saving the confi guration in a fi leReloading the settings starts with the selection of the parameter fi le. In the dialogue which opens, all available parameter sets are displayed. The assignment of them to the individual save locations can be reassigned here. For this purpose the desired parameter set on the reader can be selected in the drop-down menu. Selection of the item None means this parameter set is not loaded into the reader. In the default setting a 1:1 assignment applies. Pressing the Assign parameter sets 1:1 button resets all the changes in the assignment to the default. Pressing the Delete assignment button deletes all assignments of the saved parameter sets to those in the reader. In the drop-down menu this is indicated by None.The status fi eld has a context menu which allows deactivation of warnings, information and errors in the status fi eld. Messages that have expired can be deleted in this menu.
285. SoftwareFigure: Loading a confi guration from the fi le5.3.3.2. OptionsThe Options are divided into two groups. One part offers the facility to change or reset some properties of the program. The second part permits the reader to be provided with new fi rmware and to change its system time.The fi rst group includes changing the language, selection of the warnings that are displayed, resetting the layout and deletion of the status messages in the status fi eld. The language used in the program set to the desired language by clicking on Language Selection in the menu item. The currently selected language is shown by a check; if a computer restart is necessary in order to load the change, the program will indicate this.Figure: Changing the language
295. SoftwareUnder the item Warnungen (Warnings), the confi rmation queries for the actions Describe, Block or Deactivate the tags in the fi eld are activated or deactivated.NoteChanging the memory content of the tags can render them unusable.Figure: Setting the warningsIf it is desired to recreate the original layout of the program in respect of window size and sequence of tabs, this can be achieved by means of the Reset layout menu item.The Firmware Update item permits the update of the reader fi rmware. The window that opens shows the version currently mounted in the reader. After selection of a fi rmware fi le, this version is shown in the next line. Pressing the Update button starts the procedure. The progress is shown in the Update progress line in a bar. After a successful update the reader must be restarted, either by pressing the Restart button or by switching the power supply off and on again.Figure: Updating the fi rmware
305. SoftwareFigure: Setting the date and timeThe reader has an integral clock, which can deliver the time stamp for a tag operation. This clock is set using the Date and time settings in the menu. When this menu item is opened, it automatically reads the current date and time from the reader and compares this with the date and time from the host computer. The date and time of the host computer can now be loaded to the reader by pressing the Set system date and time on Reader button. There is also the facility to set the reader date and time manually and load it to the reader. This is done by entering the desired date and time on the reader side and pressing the Set adjusted system date and time on Reader button. The status line indicates which action was just executed and whether the action was successful.5.3.3.3. InfoThis item on the menu bar allows information about the reader start software and the reader to be interrogated. The version issue of the PC software can be interrogated under the fi rst item.Figure: About reader start v2
315. SoftwareThe second item automatically reads the license key. The key plays back various factory-set parameters of the reader. In certain cases it may be necessary to send this key to Kathrein (rfi d@kathrein.de). The window that opens allows the key to be copied to the clipboard.Figure: Displaying the license keyThe third item supplies detailed information about the software and hardware versions of the reader. The fi rmware is specifi ed with version number and build number. The hardware issue is divided into CPU module, PA module and the various I/O modules. The information about the I/O modules are stated in the format Insert position : module type .Figure: Interrogating information about the readerThe Error status item reads the error status of the reader and shows all errors that are still outstanding in the status fi eld.
326. Operating the reader6.1. CommunicationThe communication tab groups together all the functions for establishing connections and confi guring the interface cards. The various communication connections are grouped under 3 headers, COM for serial connections via the COM port (RS232/485/422), USB for connections up to version USB 2.0 and Ethernet for connections via TCP/IP.When the connection is established, the program interrogates the information about the installed I/O cards. The information can be viewed and changed via the I/O card confi guration.6.1.1. COM headerThe serial interface is used for communication with the reader via RS-232, RS-485 and RS-422. The RS-485/ RS-422 interface card supports the standard data rates of the serial interface on a PC. A level converter is also required for communication to convert the RS-232-compliant signal from the PC into a differential RS-485/RS-422 signal.A serial COM port on the PC can be opened in this group box. For this purpose the correct serial interface must be selected in the Port drop-down list box. Only the ports available on the PC are displayed in this list box. It is not checked whether this port is already in use by other applications.In the menu below the desired Baud rate must still be set, and if used, the fl ow control setting. The COM port is opened by clicking on the Connect button, which blocks it for other applications. If this port is already being used by another application, a corresponding error message is output. If the port is free, the reader can be operated using this port.Pressing the Disconnect button breaks the connection and releases the interface again.Figure: Tab for the Communication by Ethernet I/O card6.1.2. USB headerIf a RRU4 is connected to the PC via USB, the unit is installed in the system as a USB HID-compliant device. Correct logging in can be seen in the program if a reader number appears in the drop-down menu. This number is unique for each reader. If several readers are connected to the PC, the related reader can be selected on this menu. Clicking on Open now establishes the connection between the reader and PC.
336. Operating the reader6.1.3. Ethernet headerThe Ethernet connection can be achieved by linking the reader into an existing network, or by a direct connection between the reader and a control computer. For direct connection of the reader to the PC, a cross-link cable is required, unless the LAN interface on the PC supports “auto-mdi-x”. Alternatively two standard patch cables and a switch can be used.NoteFrom reader fi rmware 2.04, the reader in the ex-works condition has the IP address 192.168.0.1 with the network mask 255.255.255.0. Reader versions earlier than this are confi gured for DHCP.NoteThe IP addresses of the control computer and the reader must be in the same IP range, but they must not be the same. The network mask on the other hand must be identical.6.1.4. I/O card confi gurationThe communication interface settings can be changed using the IO card confi guration. All available I/O cards are displayed here in the form of tabs. Clicking on the respective tab opens the associated card and displays all respective confi guration parameters, together with the card type that was detected.Under the IO card type header there is a drop-down menu, in which the card type can be set to Auto detect, Card not used or to the actual card type. Automatic detection restores the interface to the default settings. What these settings are is described in the following sections in relation to the interfaces. If the card type is set to not used, this interface can no longer to used.All card-specifi c confi guration parameters are displayed on the card sheet when the recognised card type is set. These parameters are described in the following sections for the respective card. The settings are saved to the reader by pressing the Save changes button.NoteThe new parameters, provided nothing to the contrary is specifi ed for the specifi c card, become valid only when the reader has been restarted. If incorrect parameters are loaded, the reader can no longer be accessed!To integrate the reader into a corporate network, please contact your administrator who will be able to allocate you a spare IP address and assign the correct network mask. Alternatively the reader can also be confi gured to obtain an IP address automatically. For this service, referred to as DHCP, an appropriate DHCP server must be operating in the network. You can obtain more details about this from your network administrator.In order to establish the connection to the reader, the program offers two options. On the one hand, it is possible to communicate directly with the reader by entering the IP address, on the other hand it is also possible to establish a connection using the reader's host name.For the connection using a host name, there must be a correspondingly confi gured DHCP server and a DNS in the network. After power up, the reader makes a DHCP request and logs on to the DHCP server. This assigns the reader an IP address and reports the network name and IP address to the DNS server. If now the connection has been established, the IP address of the reader is determined by an enquiry on the DNS server.The establishment of the connection is achieved if the establishment of the connection is selected under the Ethernet header, meaning the selection of the IP address or name. For this, the correct IP address or the host name of the reader must be entered in the corresponding fi eld. Pressing the Connect button then opens the data channel to the reader.If you wish to establish a connection via an IP address, the IP address fi eld must be highlighted and this address entered in it. The connection is established by clicking on the Connect button.
346.1.4.1. RS232The serial interface supports communication to the EIA232 standard and, depending on the expansion stage, has fi ve outputs for activation of LEDs. The confi guration parameters are split between the Port settings and Output headers.6. Operating the readerFigure: Confi guration of the RS232 cardThe communication parameters are grouped as follows:1 Baud rate – the speed of the connection. All popular serial data rates up to 230,400 bps are supported2 Data bits – the number of data bits transmitted per byte. The card supports 5 – 8 data bits.3 Parity – a bit for security of the data transmissionIf None is selected, this bit is not transmitted. For all other settings this bit is transmitted. The even or odd parity checks whether the number of bits including the parity bit is even or odd. Based on this information the recipient can determine whether a bit has been switched. Mark and space specify whether the parity bit should be transmitted with a fi xed 1 or 0. In this case no data transmission security is achieved.3 Stop bits – specifi es whether the transmission of a byte should be terminated with one or two stop bits.4 Flow control – for readers with the appropriate interface, this allows specifi cation of whether the synchronisation between the PC and reader should be by software None or by hardware wires (Hardware).NoteNote that for a point-to-point connection, the setting of this parameter must be the same for both participants, otherwise no connection can be established. RS232 readers, whose serial interface is performed via 4-pin M12 connector, do not support hardware fl ow control.The RS232 card has a further fi ve outputs, which can be used for activation of LEDs. The confi guration parameters for these outputs can be found under the Output header.NoteNot all reader hardware issues support this functionality. Please check the reader data sheet for information.
356. Operating the readerIf the LEDs are present (only for ARU), the LED channels can be assigned various functionalities under this heading. Further parameters can be activated, depending on the function selected. The following functions are available:1 Off – the selected LED is deactivated2 On – the selected LED is always on3 1Hz frequency – the selected LED fl ashes at a frequency of 1 Hertz4 2Hz frequency – the selected LED fl ashes at a frequency of 2 Hertz5 4Hz frequency – the selected LED fl ashes at a frequency of 4 Hertz6 8Hz frequency – the selected LED fl ashes at a frequency of 8 Hertz7 RF on – the LED lights up for Turn-off time milliseconds as soon as the radio frequency is present at the antenna First antenna to Last antenna.8 Antenna error – the LED lights up for Turn-off time milliseconds as soon as an antenna error occurs at antenna First antenna to Last antenna.9 Tag found – the LED lights up for Turn-off time milliseconds as soon as a tag is found at the antenna First antenna to Last antenna.10 RF on – the LED lights up for Turn-off time milliseconds as soon as an operation on a tag was successful at the antenna First antenna to Last antenna.11 Protocol access – the LED can be switched on and off directly via the protocol.Default confi guration:Baud rate: 9600Data bits: 8Parity: NoneStop bits: 1Flow control: NoneLEDs: Off6.1.4.2. GPIOThe GPIO card allows the reader to interact with its environment. In this tab, the inputs and outputs can be confi gured for the respective application under the headings Input and Output.NoteRefer to the electrical characteristics of the inputs and outputs in the data sheet; if these characteristics are exceeded the card and the reader may be damaged.Figure: Confi guration of the GPIO card
366. Operating the readerEach input channel has two confi guration parameters available. The Invert logical input option negates the electrical input signal and uses this status for processing in the reader. If the check is not set, the signal is used unchanged. Depending on the sensor being used (mechanical or electrical switch), a debounce time in milliseconds can be assigned to each channel.The outputs from the card can be assigned various functions. Further parameters can be activated, depending on the function selected. The following functions are available:1 Off – the selected output is deactivated2 On – the selected output is always on3 1Hz frequency – the selected output fl ashes at a frequency of 1 Hertz4 2Hz frequency – the selected output fl ashes at a frequency of 2 Hertz5 4Hz frequency – the selected output fl ashes at a frequency of 4 Hertz6 8Hz frequency – the selected output fl ashes at a frequency of 8 Hertz7 RF on – the output is active for Turn-off time milliseconds as soon as the radio frequency is present at the antenna First antenna to Last antenna.8 Antenna error – the output is active for Turn-off time milliseconds as soon as an antenna error occurs at antenna First antenna to Last antenna.9 Tag found – the output is active for Turn-off time milliseconds as soon as a tag is found at the antenna First antenna to Last antenna.10 RF on – the output is active for Turn-off time milliseconds as soon as an operation on a tag was successful at the antenna First antenna to Last antenna.11 Protocol access – the output is released and can be activated with all KBRP commands for GPIO.NoteIf the output is not set to protocol access, it cannot be accessed when processing action lists. See the GPIO functions section for more details on action lists.Once all the settings have been performed, the changes are loaded to the reader by pressing the Save changes button, and take effect immediately.Default confi gurationNo default confi guration is provided for this card.NoteIf this card setting is changed from Auto detect or Card not used to GPIO, the reader must be restarted so that the card is correctly initialised.
376. Operating the reader6.1.4.3. RS485In order to establish a serial symmetrical connection to the EIA-485 standard, a RS485/RS422 card is required for the reader. In addition to the parameters Baud rate, parity and stop bits, which are identical to RS232, the tab for confi guration of this interface has certain other specifi c settings under the Port settings header.Figure: Confi guration of the RS485 cardThe parameters have the following meaning:1 Pull-up – when this parameter is set, the differential wires are pulled up with 120 Ohm to a fi xed reference potential (+5 V and GND). This procedure is recommended when the signal ratios between the communications participants are critical.2 Load resistor – terminates the differential wires against each other with 120 Ohm. This variant is required when the reader forms the end point of the network.3 RS422 – activates the RS422 mode of the interface card. This changes over the connection from 2-wire for RS485 to 4-wire for RS422. This achieves a full duplex connection with differential RX and TX wires.NoteNote that for a point-to-point connection or for connection of the participants in a network, the setting of this parameter must be the same for both participants, otherwise no connection can be established.Default confi guration:Baud rate: 115200Data bits: 8Parity: NoneStop bits: 1Load resistor: activatedRS422: deactivated
386. Operating the reader6.1.4.4. EthernetThe parameters Name, IP-Address, Subnetmask, Keep-alive time and DHCP can be set for the Ethernet card on the reader.Figure: Confi guration parameters for the Ethernet moduleThe parameters have the following functions:1 Name – Here the host name of the reader which is logged on to the DNS server is stated. The reader can be addressed by this name as an alternative to the IP address.2 DHCP – activates the automatic issuing of an IP address by a DHCP server; if the network has a confi gured DNS server, the host name of the reader can also be used.3 IP address – for manual issuing of the address. This parameter can be used only if the DHCP is deactivated4 Subnet mask – for manual issuing of a network mask. This parameter can be used only if the DHCP is deactivated.5 Keep-alive time – this time specifi es the intervals of time at which the reader sends a data packet to check whether the receiver is still available. If the connection to the reader is broken, the reader shuts down the connection. If this parameter is deactivated (0 ms), the socket is shut down only when the reader is restarted.NoteIf no keep-alive time is set it may happen that the reader cannot take up any further connections because the existing connections have not been properly shut down (e.g. following a breakage in the wire). In this case the reader has to be restarted. It is recommended that the keep-alive time is used to check the connection between the reader and PC.The data are saved in the reader by pressing the Save changes button. The data are however not loaded to the working confi guration until the reader is restarted.
396. Operating the readerNoteIf the interface is wrongly confi gured, no connection to the reader can be established. Please make a note of the data settings.Default confi guration:Host name: KBReaderUHFIP address: 192.168.0.1Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0Keep-alive time: 2000msDHCP: deactivated6.2. Basic read functionsThis tab is split into two columns; the fi rst column contains a table with information about the tags that were read, the second column contains the controls for controlling the read process.Figure: Basic read functions tabIn addition to the Electronic Product Code (EPC), the table contains the following data:1 Length – gives the length of the EPC in bits, valid lengths 0-496 bits2 EPC – the EPC of the tag in hexadecimal format3 Antenna – the antenna port by which the tag was read, valid values 1-44 RSSI – the dimensionless number for the signal strength of the tag answer, valid values 0-2555 Readings – states how often this tag was successfully read6 Cycles – states how often an inventory was started7 Last read – the time stamp of the last time the tag was read8 First read – the time stamp of the fi rst time the tag was readFor better visualisation, the appearance and disappearance of the tag is shown by colour in the fi eld. When a tag comes into the fi eld, the line with the tag information is shown green; when it disappears again, the line is shown red.
406. Operating the readerThe controlling of the read process is performed in the second column of the tab. This allows differentiation between two different modes.6.2.1. Synchronous modeThis mode is intended for applications when the requirements for timing are not so demanding. This mode allows the facility to switch the carrier off during the idle times, thus saving power.The inventory of the tags (the read process) is performed across all the antennas that are confi gured. Once all tags in the fi eld have been read on the last antenna, data are sent to the PC. The inventory of the tags is then automatically retriggered by the PC.The Pause after reading option specifi es how many milliseconds the pause between two inventories should be. During this waiting time the carrier can be deactivated. See section 7 “Reader confi guration” for more information about switching off the carrier.In order to keep the time between inventories as short as possible in synchronous mode, data transmission between the inventories can be dispensed with. That means that the reader saves all the tags that it fi nds in the fi eld in its internal RAM. After a confi gurable time this results list is sent to the PC. This time is given in milliseconds by the Bulk read parameter.The current reading performance is displayed under the item Tags per second.NoteThe read rate is infl uenced by many parameters; these include in addition to the selected broadcasting profi le with the respective data rates also application-specifi c data such as how many tags the reader should expect in the fi eld. You can optimise these parameters using the expert settings 1 and 2. There is more about this in the following sections. If you are unsure whether the settings you have chosen are optimum for your application, please contact KATHREIN Support.If the tags that have been read are to be saved to a fi le, this can be done by activating the Save to fi le option. The EPC, the length of the EPC, the antenna on which the tag was read, the RSSI valuetogether with the time stamp when the tag was read are saved.The data are then saved in a csv fi le in the Program directory. The fi le can opened or deleted in the context menu for this item.6.2.2. Asynchronous modeThis mode is intended for applications for which maximum performance is required.The reader starts the inventory as quickly as possible, and at the end of an inventory it does not deliver every tag that was read to the PC, but only those that had newly appeared in the fi eld or newly left it. This allows the time required for communication with the higher level to be minimised.The timing of when a tag was reliably read in the fi eld and when the tag no longer appears in the fi eld can be defi ned more precisely using parameters. Details of these ObservedThresholdCnt and ObservedTimeoutCnt parameters can be found in section 7 “Reader confi guration”.NoteThe read rate is infl uenced by many parameters; these include in addition to the selected broadcasting profi le with the respective data rates also application-specifi c data such as how many tags the reader should expect in the fi eld. You can optimise these parameters using the expert settings 1 and 2. There is more about this in the following sections. If you are unsure whether the settings you have chosen are optimum for your application, please contact KATHREIN Support.If the tags that have been read are to be saved to a fi le, this can be done by activating the Save to fi le option. The data are then saved in a csv fi le in the Program directory. The fi le can opened or deleted in the context menu for this item.Once the mode and the parameters have been selected, the read process can be started. Both modes are stopped by pressing the Stop button. The Delete button removes all tag entries from the table.
416. Operating the reader6.3. GPIO functionsReaders with GPIO functionality offer the facility to set up small controls which trigger the reader for instance by a light barrier or which trigger an action at the outputs of the reader by reading specifi c tags. Such an action might be switching an output to control the fl ow of goods.The GPIO function tab allows the user of the program the facility to load or switch inputs and outputs manually. For more complex procedures, action lists can be created here, which execute a sequence of commands on the reader. This list can then be linked to various inputs.This confi guration sheet is divided into 5 different headers. In order to perform settings on a card, fi rstly the card number must be selected in the GPIO card drop-down menu. This shows only cards of this type.Figure: GPIO functions tabThe Test output header can be used in order to selectively connect an output manually. In order to enable this access, the respective output of this card must previously have been connected to protocol access (see I/O card confi guration). The output in the drop-down menu is now selected in the header, and time is defi ned using the Duration parameter, until the output automatically returns to its idle mode. The connections can now be made using the Set output on and Set output off buttons.The inputs to the reader can be interrogated under the Read inputs header. Whether an input is set or not is shown in the signal fi elds. A one-off read process can be triggered by pressing the Read inputs button. If this interrogation should be performed automatically, this process can be started by pressing the Read inputs cyclic start button.To automate the processes, command sequences in the form of action lists can be stored on the reader. These are triggered by a change of fl ank at the selected input on the respective GPIO card.The action lists consist of a sequence of individual actions, which can be loaded in the form of an ML fi le in the context menu of the Action item under the Action list. This fi le can be created or edited manually, using a text editor. The syntax can be seen from the example. The individual actions can be selected from the functions described in section 7 “Reader confi guration”.The fi le is saved in the folder “..\My fi les\Kathrein Werke KG\ReaderStart v2\” and can be edited using a text editor. In order to use the newly added actions in the program, the fi le must be reloaded into the context menu.The action list must be selected from the drop-down list. The desired actions are now selected individually from the action list and added to the action list in the sequence in which they are to be executed. Pressing the Clear action list button clears down the selected list.
42When the action list has been created, it is assigned under the Assign input to action list header to an input and a selected fl ank. If it is desired to assign the list to both fl anks, the assignment must be made once for the positive fl ank and once for the negative fl ank.The assignment can be cancelled again by a restart/reset of the reader or by assignment of the No action list item.NoteThe action lists that are created are stored only in the RAM of the reader. On restarting the reader these lists are deleted again.6. Operating the reader6.4. Expert settingsThe ReaderStart v2 software is a powerful tool for confi guration of the reader. It allows the reader to be customised to any application. The expert settings 1 and 2 allow the reader's RF interface and communications profi le to be optimised to the tag so that the reader is optimally customised to the application.6.4.1. Expert settings 1There are eight parameter sets available for saving the confi guration of the reader. All settings for the transmission power, the antenna multiplex confi guration, the RF settings and the air interface parameters can be saved in these memory slots. Other parameters can be changed in Expert settings 2. See section 7 “Reader confi guration” for more information about the individual parameters.Figure: Expert settings 1 tab
436. Operating the readerPre-setting can be selected under the Current parameter set header. This is done by selecting a parameter set in the drop-down menu. This parameter is now active and loaded, and the headers are updated. When all the desired changes have been made, they can be saved. The changes to the settings can be discarded by pressing the Reload confi guration button. The parameter set can be reloaded by pressing the Load factory defaults.Under the Transmission power header, the parameters of the transmission path can be entered; these include the transmission power, transmission channel (only EU) and spectrum. The applicable standards in the related approval region are to be observed when setting the transmission power.NoteTo operate the reader in accordance with the related national standards, the antenna gain and the cable attenuation must be taken into account in the transmission power setting. In no circumstances is it allowed to exceed the permitted transmission power. Failure to observe this instruction can result in non-compliant operation of the reader rendering void the unit's type approval.6.4.1.1. Transmission powerThe radiated power is limited in Europe in accordance with ETSI 302208 to 2 W ERP. In the FCC region, max. 1 W connected RF power applies with an antenna gain of 6 dBi. If the antenna gain is greater than 6 dBi, the RF power must be reduced accordingly. While the European standard refers to a half-wave dipole, FCC part 15 refers to an isotropic radiator.To set the transmission power, the length-dependent cable attenuation and the antenna gain must be included in the calculation of the transmission power. An example for the calculation of the transmission power for Europe and FCC is given in the following.The following applies to the European approval region:The cable attenuation is the length-dependent attenuation of the cable at the related frequency:The antenna gain is stated in various different units. These units include dBi and dBic. The units dBi and dBic refer to an isotropic (spherical) radiator, where dBic refers to a circularly polarised isotropic radiator and dBi to a linearly polarised isotropic radiator.In the European approval area, the radiated power must not exceed 2 W ERP. This fi gure refers to a half-wave dipole. The relationship shown below exists between an isotropic radiator (dBi) and a half-wave dipole.PReader = PERP + DKabel – GHW PReader...Transmission power of the reader in dBmPERP......Transmission power based on a half-wave dipole in dBmDKabel.....Cable attenuation in dBGHW......Antenna gain based on a half-wave dipoleDKabel = l*DdB/mDKabel....Cable attenuation in dBl...........Length in mDdB/m.....Attenuation in db/m at frequency
446. Operating the readerIf the gain of the antenna is referred to the polarisation of a circular isotropic antenna (dBic), the linear gain of the antenna is 3 dB lower. As a result the transmission power can be increased by 3 dB.In the FCC approval region, the RF power connected at the antenna input must not exceed 1 W. If the gain of the antenna is higher than 6 dBi, the RF power connected must be reduced correspondingly. The reader's transmission power is then:If the antenna gain is stated in dBic, the reader's transmission power can be increased by 3 dB.The transmission power for the European variant can be set in 0.25-dB steps from 20 dBm to 33 dBm.The heading provides separate fi elds for inputting the antenna gain and the attenuation.NoteThe antenna gain must be stated in dBic.The RFID reader's transmission power can be set separately for each antenna or all antennas at the same time. If the All antennas same power check box is set, the sliders for the other antennas are set to the same power when a slider for the power for antenna 1-4 is adjusted. If this check box is not selected, the power at the antennas can be set separately for each output.Pre-defi ned antennas can be selected in the Antenna type selection drop-down menu. This selection sets the antenna gain in the program, and limits the transmission power to the maximum value permitted for this antenna. If Custom antenna is selected, the gain and power can be freely set.The context menu allows the XML fi le to be opened, and if changes are made to the fi le also allows it to be reloaded. When the fi le has been loaded, the changes are visible in the program.GHW = Gisot – 2.14dBGHW....Gain based on a half-wave dipoleGisot....Gain based on an isotropic radiator in dBiGHW = Gisot – 2.14dB – 3dBGHW....Gain based on a half-wave dipoleGisot....Gain based on an isotropic radiator in dBicPReader = Pcond + DKabel with Pcond ≤ 1W and Gisot ≤ 6dBPReader...Transmission power of the reader in dBmPcond......Power on antenna output in dBmDKabel.....Cable attenuation in dBmGHW......Antenna gain in dBi
456. Operating the reader6.4.1.2. Antenna multiplex confi gurationThe sequence in which the antennas are used to read the tag can be set under this header. If this antenna is not activated, the system proceeds to the next entry on the multiplex list. For asynchronous operation of the reader, the exposure time on the antenna can also be specifi ed. See section 7 “Reader confi guration”, sections MultiplexingAntennaport and MultiplexingExposureTime for more details.6.4.1.3. RF settingsDepending on the approval region, the reader transmits in the frequency range 865 MHz to 868 MHz for Europe or 902 MHz to 928 MHz for USA.In Europe the number of channels to be used can be limited. For this purpose the related check box for each channel the reader is to use must be selected on the Available channels list. In this manner it is possible to avoid from the start the usage of specifi c channels on which there is interference.Each read command connects the channels under country-specifi c conditions and in accordance with the selected communications standard. The reader then starts to search through the channels in ascending order.In the Communication standard drop-down menu, when necessary and when permitted by the reader, the reader can be switched to a different country-specifi c communications standard.The device version governs the communications standards that are permitted.The modulation type can be switched between double sideband and PR-ASK modulation in this drop-down menu.The communications profi le is critical for the data rate and the read reliability. This option allows the technician to directly infl uence the performance of the reader and the spectrum of the signal. The profi le names contain basic orientation on the transmission and reception data rates.NoteA special data rate may be necessary, depending on the tag used. Please contact Kathrein (rfi d@kathrein.de) for further details.The “Time until carrier stand-by” parameter specifi es how long the carrier of the reader remains active on the air interface after the last action. Once this time has elapsed the carrier is switched off.6.4.1.4. Selection parametersUnder this heading the user can confi gure the singularisation of the tags to the EPC standard ((B)). The parameters can be selected in the drop-down menu, and have the following meanings:1 Initial Q value – refl ects the number of tags expected in the fi eld. (see 7.2.4.2. “InitialQ”)2 Sel – specifi es whether other parameters are of interest for an inventory of the tag population, or not. (see 7.2.4.10. “QuerySel”)3 Sessions - this confi guration parameter instructs the reader the session with which it should work. (see 7.2.4.3. “Sessions”)4 Target – specifi es which tags in the population should participate in the inventory. (see 7.2.4.9. “QueryTarget”)
466. Operating the reader6.4.2. Expert settings 2The Expert settings 2 tab is split into four headings for further confi guration of the Kathrein RRU4 reader. The default parameter set can be changed, one parameter set copied into another,reader parameters read to determine their ID and select fi lter settings confi gured.Figure: Expert settings 2 tabThe Default parameter set rubric allows confi guration of the parameter set that is loaded from the EEPROM into the RAM when the Kathrein RRU4 reader is started.The Copy parameter set header allows one parameter set to be copied into another. On successful completion of the copy operation, the Copy button glows green briefl y and a corresponding message is displayed in the status window, otherwise the Copy button glows red.The Change reader parameter header allows all the Kathrein RRU4 reader settings to be changed using their respective confi guration IDs. After selection of the parameter ID, the corresponding value of the current parameter set of the Kathrein RRU4 reader is read by clicking on Get parameter value and displayed in the fi eld parameter value, optionally as a decimal (dec) or hexadecimal (hex) value. A value that has already been read can be converted to dec or hex by pressing the radio button. The Set parameter value button writes the value stated in the Parameter value fi eld into the selected parameter ID. The two actions (read and set) are shown by the respective buttons glowing the respective colour to indicate success and failure, and a message appears in the status window accordingly.In the Select settings area, fi lters can be set which are brought into effect by means of a Select command. This offers the facility to fi lter out certain tags, or to detect only tags with certain defi ned data in the respective memory banks. Up to 32 fi lters can be set in total. Successful reading of the values of the selected fi lter and successful writing of the fi lter values is indicated by the respective button glowing green and a text appearing in the status fi eld. Otherwise the respective button glows red and a description of the error is output.
476. Operating the reader6.5. ApplicationThe Application tab enables quick and easy confi guration of the Kathrein RRU4 reader for a selected application. The available applications are represented visually in the upper area of the tab by labelled pictograms. Under the Settings header, the number of tags expected, the antennas to be used, the parameter set in which the confi guration should be saved and the values for max. read frequency and max. read reliability options are stated.Figure: Application tabWhen the button for the desired application is clicked, it glows green continuously. In addition the designation, the properties and the settings of the selected application are displayed in the respective fi elds.The following applications are available for selection in version 2.00 of the ReaderStart v2:• Conveyor belt > 2 m/so Application for detecting individual tags in the antenna fi eld on a conveyor belt moving at more than 2 m/so the distance between the tags and the antenna is only a few centimetres• Conveyor belt ≤ 2 m/so Application for detecting and describing individual tags in the antenna fi eld on a conveyor belt moving at less than or equal to 2 m/so the distance between the tags and the antenna is only a few centimetres• Gateo Application for detecting multiple tags in the antenna fi eld as they pass through a gate• Slot monitoringo Application for detecting and describing multiple tags in the antenna fi eld, which are not movingo the distance between the tags and the antenna should be less than 1 m• Vehicle identifi cationo Application for detecting and describing multiple tags in the antenna fi eld, which are moving at more than 14 m/so the distance between the tags and the antenna should be less than a few metres
486. Operating the reader• Vehicle identifi cation (barrier)o Application for detecting and describing individual tags in the antenna fi eld, which are not movingo the distance between the tags and the antenna should be less than a few metres• Shelving applicationo Application for detecting and describing very many tags in the antenna fi eld, which are not movingo the distance between the tags and the antenna should be less than 1 m• Personal identifi cationo Application for detecting multiple tags in the antenna fi eld, which are moving at not more than 3 m/so the distance between the tags and the antenna should be less than 1 mIf there are more applications than fi t on the screen, the buttons alongside the applications are activated to allow scrolling.When the max. read frequency is set, for every detection (inventory) all tags are reset in order to read them afresh. Under some circumstances the time allowed for detecting the tags may be insuffi cient, so that some transponders are not detected. The frequency for detecting the tags should then be increased.When the max. read reliability is set, tags that have already been read are not reset at every detection (inventory), provided they are still being supplied with power. This means that only those tags which have not yet been registered are detected. The confi dence that all tags are read is thus increased.Clicking on the Apply settings button saves the settings that were made, as well as the settings for the selected application, in the selected parameter set. This is done by fi rst resetting them to the factory settings and thus overwriting the previous confi guration. This must be acknowledged. Success is indicated by a the Apply settings button glowing briefl y, and by display of a success message in the status window. If the process fails, the button glows briefl y orange for a warning or briefl y red for an error (and if the failure was due to an entry being omitted, in addition the fi eld that is lacking the entry glows red), and by display of a warning description or error description in the status window.If the settings have been loaded successfully, a switch can now be made to the Basic reading tab and the read process can be started.
496. Operating the reader6.6. Basic writing functionThe Basic writing tab allows input of basic descriptions of tags. A fundamental distinction is maintained between synchronous writing - write on command - and asynchronous writing - write on arrival.Figure: Basic write function tab6.6.1. Synchronous writingIn this type of writing the data can only ever be written selectively to one EPC. This is selected in the EPC ComboBox. Clicking on the Refresh button detects once again all tags in the antenna fi eld and adds them to the ComboBox.When all necessary data such as password, memory bank and memory address have been input a decision can be made whether to specify the data to be written or to generate them at random. If specifi ed data should be written, optionally a data mask can be specifi ed. When using random data, the number of them should be stated in words (16-bit).NoteRight-clicking on the Data to write fi eld opens a context menu, which allows the selected EPC to be copied into this fi eld.NoteRight-clicking on the Data mask fi eld allows this to be fi lled optionally with 0 or F according to the number of the data entered to be written.Clicking on Start starts the performance of the previously specifi ed number of write attempts. The error-free completion of all write attempts is once again indicated by the button glowing green and by a message in the status window. If any necessary data are lacking, the button briefl y glows red and the fi eld lacking the data glows red somewhat longer. The associated error message appears in the status window.The Writing successful and Writing failed fi elds indicate how often the write attempt succeeded or failed Hovering the mouse over the number of failed write attempts (provided indeed any failures did occur), calls up a window with detailed information.
506. Operating the reader6.6.2. Asynchronous writingIn this type of writing the data is written to every EPC that occurs in the antenna fi eld. When all necessary data (password, memory bank, memory address, data to be described - the input of the data mask is optional) have been input, clicking on Start starts the asynchronous write process. Successful and failed write attempts are shown in the respective fi elds. Hovering the mouse over the number of failed write attempts (provided indeed any failures did occur), calls up a window with detailed information.NoteRight-clicking on the Data mask fi eld allows this to be fi lled optionally with 0 or F according to the number of the data entered to be written.6.7. Test Gen2 functionsThis tab makes it possible to access individual functions of the reader. This includes, along with the functionality in accordance with the EPC-Gen2 standard, e. g.: read individual tags, describe tags, set and change passwords, and also select the antenna for the operation.The user interface consists of the headers Get all EPCs, Write EPC, Change password, Read/write data, Lock, Kill and the display window for EPCs that have been read. The sections that follow explain this functionality in more detail.Figure: The Test Gen2 functions menu tab
516. Operating the reader6.7.1. Get all EPCsTo read a tag in this menu, the Get all EPCs button must be clicked once the reader has been correctly confi gured. The reader now tries once again to read all the tags in the fi eld of the selected antenna. If in the Antenna selection drop-down menu the number of antennas has been restricted, reading will now be performed using the currently selected antenna, or using the antenna selected with All in the Expert settings 1.The EPCs from the tags read successfully are displayed in the fi eld below. For the following operations, a tag can be selected from this list by clicking on it.NoteRight clicking on the tag brings up additional information on the manufacturer and the chip type.6.7.2. Write EPCThe EPC of the tag can be altered as desired under this header. For this purpose an EPC in hexadecimal format must be entered in the New EPC fi eld.NoteComply with the maximum EPC length supported by the tag - if this is exceeded the tag will return an error.If the requirement is only to amend an existing tag, this tag can be loaded to the fi eld by pressing the Apply selected EPC button. Now the EPC can be changed manually, or by using the Auto increment option can be increased by one at each write event.The write event itself can optionally be executed on this tag by pressing the Write EPC to selected tag button. At this time there may be several tags in the fi eld, but at least one tag from the list must be selected. The second option is to write the specifi ed EPC without a tag being selected. When using this function, make sure there just one single tag in the fi eld.6.7.3. Change passwordThe EPC standard (see (B)) specifi es that the tag should have two modes, the open and the secured state. In the open state, operations can be performed on the tag if the associated memory areas are not secured with a password greater than 0. If a password has been set and the Lock header has been used to set the memory areas to password protected, the desired operation will not be executed, and the tag will report an access error. Normal access remains available in areas that are not blocked.If when the tag is accessed the valid password is given, the tag switches into the secured state and access is available even in blocked areas. Setting the password and setting how individual areas are blocked is performed under the Change password and Lock headers.Under the fi rst header, the password for restricting access to the tag and the password for deactivation of the tag are set. The access password can be used to restrict access to the tag in the open state. Depending on the confi guration under the Lock header, parts of the tag can be provided with completely or partially restricted access rights.The deactivation password is required to deactivate the tag permanently by means of a Kill command.NoteAfter a Kill tag command, the tag will be unusable.To change the password, the current password must be given. If no password has yet been set, the default value is 0. The new password is entered in the fi eld of the same name, in hexadecimal format. Clicking on the Set password on selected tag button replaces the old password with the new password. The deactivation password is entered in the fi eld of the same name by clicking on the associated button.If the password is changed and the memory area in question is already protected by the access password, in addition to the new password the access password must be entered in the Current password fi eld.
526.7.4. Read/write dataThis header supplies detailed access to all the data areas of the tag. Access is obtained by entering the selected memory bank, the address within the memory bank and the number of words, expressed as 16-bit words.If data are to be written, they must be entered in the Data to write fi eld. The data mask allows only individual bits on the tag to be changed. To do this, the mask must be entered in the Data mask fi eld. The reader uses this mask to change the data read from the tag at the points where 1 bits are written in the mask, and writes the result back into the tag. The desired data can optionally be written to a single tag in the fi eld or to all tags in the fi eld. If they are written to all tags in the fi eld, these tags must all have the same confi guration (lock and password).The header also offers the facility to read data from the selected tag or from all tags in the fi eld. If the tags in the fi eld have differing passwords and are confi gured differently, the data must be read by individual tags.The next section deals in more detail with the saving of the individual memory areas.6. Operating the reader6.7.5. LockThe EPC Gen 2 standard provides security mechanisms for the tag data areas. This allows individual memory areas and functionalities of the tags to be provided with a password to protect it against access and/or changes.Under the Lock header, the mask that specifi es access to the areas in accordance with the EPC Gen 2 standard can be customised to suit the application. If no changes are required for an area, No change must be selected in the respective drop-down menu. The areas are grouped as follows:1 Deactivate – specifi es whether or not a deactivation password is necessary for deactivating the tag. Further details can be found in (B).2 Access – specifi es whether an access password is necessary for accessing a tag. If no access password is set, the TAG can be addressed in the open state condition. Further details can be found in (B).3 EPC – allows specifi cation of whether or not the access password is necessary for changing the EPC.4 TID – this area contains general information about the tag. This area can also be protected against user access by setting the access password.5 USER – if the tag has a memory area provided for user data, these can be protected by setting the access password.The respective items in the drop-down menu are divided into access blocks, which prevent reading and writing, and write blocks.NoteIf the option with the suffi x is permanently selected, this option can no longer be changed. Further details can be found in (B).Clicking on the Lock selected tag button loads the mask that was created to the list of the selected tag. Alternatively all the tags in the fi eld can be blocked, on the precondition that the tags all have the same password.NoteWrongly confi guring the Lock header can render the tag unusable.
536. Operating the reader6.7.6. KillPressing the Kill selected tag button, with the stated password, executes a Kill command on this tag. The Kill all tags button, with the stated password, attempts to execute a Kill command on all the tag in the fi eld.NoteFor the deactivation of a tag, a deactivation password that is not 0 must have been set.NoteAfter a Kill tag command, the tag will be unusable.
547. Reader configurationThe RRU4 Kathrein UHF RFID reader system is characterised by great fl exibility in addressing RFID applications. One reason for this is the wide variety of reading devices from the Kathrein product portfolio, which are compatible with each other and permit optimum confi guration to the application. A further reason for the high fl exibility is the wide range of parameters for confi guring the reader fi rmware. This confi guration manual explains the various confi guration parameters and give instructions on how to make the optimum parameter settings for the application of your Kathrein RFID reader.7.1. IntroductionA confi guration parameter of the RRU4 reader system consists of a 32-bit long identifi cation number (ID) and a data part which is 8 to 32 bits depending on the parameter. The data part is referred to below as the “parameter value” or just the “value”. The ID allows the various parameters to be read or set in the reader system. Each ID – and hence each confi guration parameter – stands for a special functionality within the reader system.7.1.1. Structure of the confi guration IDsThe ID of a confi guration parameter is not selected arbitrary, rather it contains information about the respective confi guration parameter. The ID of a confi guration parameter contains the following information:- the confi guration group to which the parameter belongs- a sequential number to differentiate parameters within a group- the data type (byte, word, etc.) of the value- the number of data bytes in the value- whether the value of the parameter is signed (are negative values possible)- the unit of the valueFor ease of handling the confi guration parameters are addressed by their plain text names. The plain text name begins with “cfgid” followed by the name of the confi guration group. This includes the function name of the parameter. That is the part that clearly states the function/use of the confi guration parameter. For example:Confi guration parameter “cfgidTagCommIntelligentWrite”“cfgid” initial code“TagComm” Name of the confi guration group“IntelligentWrite” Function name of the parameterFor more details about the structure of the ID or the naming of confi guration parameters, see the fi le “konfi gids.h” in the source fi les for the programming environment of the RRU4 reader system.For programmers: This fi le contains macros in the programming language “C”, which offers you the facility in your programming environment to address the confi guration parameters by their plain text names. The plain text name is then translated into the respective confi guration ID at compile time.7.1.2. The parameter setsThe confi guration of an RFID reader of the RRU4 reader system is organised in parameter sets. Each reader has eight parameter sets. Apart from one exception (“cfgidGlobalDefaultParamset”) all the confi guration parameters listed below are represented in every parameter set. The use of parameter sets allows an RFID reader to switch from one confi guration to another with only one command. The parameter set selected is then designated the “active parameter set”. Reading and writing confi guration parameters using the protocol commands “GetParameterById” and “SetParameterById” is always performed on the active parameter set. When the active parameter set is changed it can be saved into the reader's EEPROM using “SaveActiveParamset”, and thus is available again when the reader is restarted. Changing over between parameter sets is performed using the command “SetActiveParamset”.
557. Reader configuration7.2. Description of the confi guration parameters of the RRU4 reader system7.2.1. The “Global” confi guration group7.2.1.1. “DefaultParamset”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.30.00Data type: Byte (8-bit)Unit: –Value range: 0-7Description:This parameter is the only one in its confi guration group. In contrast to all the other parameters, this one is “independent”. That means that this parameter is not held in any parameter set, it just exists on its own. The parameter indicates which parameter set is loaded and activated when the reader is started up.7.2.2. The confi guration group “RFInterface”7.2.2.1. “RFPower1...8”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.30.00Data type: Byte (8-bit)Unit: ¼ dBm(erp)Value range: 0; 68-136Description:This parameter allows the reader transmission power to be set for respective antenna port. More precisely: The power which the antenna should radiate. The data is given in dBm(erp). So that the power radiated by the antenna really does correspond to the value of this parameter, the parameters for the attenuation of the antenna cable and the antenna gain must be set correctly.It is a precondition that the transmission power is set to a value greater than 0 dBm(erp), in order that an inventory can be performed using this antenna port.NoteThe transmission power is always set in dBm(erp). If the desired transmission power is stated in dBm(eirp), this must be converted to dBm(erp): dBm(erp) = dBm(eirp) - 2.14
567.2.2.2. “TimeToPowerOff”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.30.00Data type: Word (16-bit)Unit: SecondsValue range: 0-65535Description:This parameter sets the duration for how long the transmission carrier remains switched on after the completion of an inventory, or a tag operation in general.A certain time must elapse after receipt of an inventory command before the reader can start the inventory. This time is required by the reader amongst other things for LBT (Listen before Talk) and for an antenna test. Using this parameter it is now possible to reduce this time: If an inventory has been completed by the reader, and the next inventory command is received within the time confi gured by this parameter, the reader can dispense with the LBT and the antenna test and start the inventory more quickly.7. Reader configurationNoteThe time during which the transmission carrier is switched on by not performing any tag operation represents an increase in the overall power consumption of the reader.The LBT (Listen Before Talk) operating mode is permissible only in existing systems.7.2.2.3. “ModulationType”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.30.00Data type: Byte (8-bit)Unit: -Value range: 0; 1Description:This parameter is used by the reader to specify the modulation type used for tag communication. There are two modulation types available:0: Double Side Band (DSB)1: Phase Reversal Amplitude Shift Keying (PR-ASK)NoteFor readers manufactured for the European Union (EU), Phase Reversal Amplitude Shift Keying is used irrespective of the setting of this parameter.
577. Reader configuration7.2.2.4. “MultiplexingAntennaport1...8”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.30.00Data type: Byte (8-bit)Unit: -Value range: 0; 1-8Description:These eight parameters form the antenna multiplex list of the reader. Either an antenna port number (1 to 8) or a zero can be entered in each of the eight list slots. If a zero is entered, the list slot is deactivated and the reader skips to the next list slot. This is shown in the following diagram:Inventory startIndex multiplex list := 0Index multiplex list +1noyesyesnoDoes the multiplex list contain an entry and is there a power confi gured for this antenna port?Perform inventory at a specifi ed antenna portHas the end of the multiplex list been reached?Inventory end
587. Reader configuration7.2.3. “MultiplexingExposureTime1...8”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.30.00Data type: Word (16-bit)Unit: millisecondsValue range: 0-65535Description:The values of these confi guration parameters are of interest only to reader commands that start with “ASync...”. Each parameter stands for an exposure time which specifi es how long the reader maintains exposure for inventories the respective position – and hence antenna – in the multiplex list. In contrast to synchronous commands, when using asynchronous commands the reader does not proceed to the next entry in the multiplex list immediately after performing an inventory; instead it fi rst waits until the exposure time given by these parameters for the respective multiplex entry has expired. An inventory in progress is not interrupted at the expiry of the exposure time, but is continued to completion.7.2.3.1. “CableLoss1...8”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.30.00Data type: Byte (8-bit)Unit: ¼ dBValue range: 0-255Description:These parameters contain the cable attenuation of the antenna cable between the reader and the antenna for the respective antenna port of the reader. The reader can set the transmission power correctly only if the attenuation values for the antenna cable have been entered correctly.7.2.3.2. “AntennaGain1...8”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.30.00Data type: Byte (8-bit); signedUnit: ¼ dBicValue range: -128 – 127Description:These parameters allows the antennas gain for the antennas connected to the reader to be communicated to the reader. The reader calculates from the transmission power setting (antenna radiated power), the antenna gain and the cable attenuation the port power at the RF output:Use the following formula to convert an antenna gain expressed in dBi to dBic units:Antenna gaindBic = antenna gaindBi + 3Port powerdBm = radiated powerdBm(erp) – antenna gaindBic + cable attenuationdB + 5.14
597. Reader configurationImportant!Close fi eld antennas have a negative gain, since they are designed not for electromagnetic coupling with the tag but for magnetic coupling. To confi gure close fi eld antennas correctly, enter the antenna gain as 5.25 dBic (a parameter value of 21 dec) and the antenna radiated power (“RFPower1...8”) as the maximum input power stated in the antenna data sheet.7.2.3.3. “RSSIThreshold1...8”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.30.00Data type: Byte (8-bit)Unit: -Value range: 0; 255Description:When the reader is performing an inventory, at the same time the fi eld strength of the response from the tag that is addressed is measured. This is called the RSSI value. These parameters allow the threshold value for the RSSI value to be set for each antenna port. Tags with an RSSI value less than the threshold setting are then no longer detected by the reader.7.2.3.4. “MultiPowerTagAccess1...8”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.30.00Data type: Bool (8-bit)Unit: -Value range: 0; 255Description:The stronger the reader transmission signal that strikes the tag, the more diffi cult it is for the tag to modulate the reader transmission signal by means of backscatter. The strength of the tag response thus decreases as the reader transmission power increases. Because of this behaviour in certain circumstances it may occur that the reader can no longer read a tag which is immediately in front of the antenna, but at a lower transmission power it can easily detect it. If “MultiPowerTagAccess” is activated for an antenna port, after an inventory with high transmission power, the reader reduces the transmission power by a half and searches for “overlooked” tags.7.2.3.5. “MaxAllowedAntennaOutputPower1...8”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.30.00Data type: Byte (8-bit)Unit: ¼ dBm(erp)Value range: 0-255Description:This parameter allows the radiated power of the antenna at an antenna port to be limited to a specifi ed value.
607. Reader configuration7.2.3.6. “EnableRSSIThresholdAtSpecifi cCmds”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.46.00Data type: Bool (8-bit)Unit: –Value range: 0; 255Description:The RSSI threshold value set by the “RSSIThreshold1...8” parameter applies equally to non-specifi c (“...GetEPCs”, “...Any”) and specifi c (“...Specifi c”) tag reader commands. The effect on specifi c tag reader commands can however be switched on and off by these confi guration parameters. The following scenario can be set: “SyncGetEPCs” commands the reader to scan cyclically for tags in the antenna fi eld. The confi guration parameter “RSSIThreshold1...8” means that tags with less than a specifi ed RSSI value are not reported. One tag is now close to the RSSI threshold and when the threshold is reached is reported by the reader to the higher level. This triggers a specifi c command for the reported tag. If “EnableRSSIThresholdAtSpecifi cCmds” is activated it can now happen that the specifi c command comes to nothing, since the RSSI value of the tag is fl uctuating around the threshold value. In such a scenario, “EnableRSSIThresholdAtSpecifi cCmds” should be deactivated.7.2.3.7. “FlashWriteAdditionalPower”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v2.00.00Data type: Byte (8-bit)Unit: ¼ dBValue range: 0-48Description:It takes more energy to write to a tag than to read a tag. Therefore for a given transmission power the tag must be nearer the antenna for writing than for reading. In order to overcome this distance differential, this parameter can be used to specify whether and by how much the reader transmission power needs to be increased for write commands compared to read commands.7.2.4. The confi guration group “Tag communication” (“TagComm”)7.2.4.1. “UsePilottone”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.30.00Data type: Bool (8-bit)Unit: –Value range: 0; 255Description:This parameter allows the pilot tone tag to be switched on and off. Tags to EPCGlobal Class 1 Gen 2 are able to carry a pilot tone ahead of the user data. The purpose of the pilot tone is the synchronisation of the reader to the response of the tag. Without a pilot tone it is more diffi cult for the reader to synchronise itself to the tag response. In order to ensure reliable tag detection, this parameter should always be activated.
617. Reader configuration7.2.4.2. “InitialQ”7.2.4.3. “Session”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.30.00Data type: Byte (8-bit)Unit: –Value range: 0-3Description:Tags to EPCGlobal Class 1 Gen 2 support four different “sessions”. At each session a tag can be given an inventoried fl ag to indicate whether or not it has already been detected by the reader during an inventory process. Inventoried fl ags have different properties for the individual sessions, which allows recognition of their persistence times. The time thus indicates how long a tag indicates that it has been detected or not by the reader.Tag has energy Tag has no energySession 0 unlimited persistence no persistenceSession 1 persistence greater than 500 milliseconds but less than 5 secondspersistence greater than 500 milliseconds but less than 5 secondsSession 2 unlimited persistence persistence greater than 2 secondsSession 3 unlimited persistence persistence greater than 2 secondsThis confi guration parameter instructs the reader the session with which it should work.Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.30.00Data type: Byte (8-bit)Unit: –Value range: 0-15Description:The value Q in the inventory process specifi es how many tags there are in the reader antenna fi eld and which must be detected. The number x on tag is calculated by the following formula:The value Q is communicated to the tags by the reader, whereupon each of these selects from x a random “Communications slot” for its response. In order to perform an inventory as quickly and effi ciently as possible, as many of the x communications slots should be occupied by tags, but without there being any multiple occupation of communications slots (which would lead to collisions). If the reader detects that the value chosen for Q is too large (hardly any communications slots are occupied) or too small (collisions occur), it will be adjusted automatically and loaded to the tags. Since this adjustment takes time, the reader with this confi guration parameter should be informed of the approximate number of tags to expect in the antenna fi eld. This allows the number of communications slots to be set to an appropriate value right from the start of the inventory process.-1
627.2.4.4. “MaxErrors”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.30.00Data type: Byte (8-bit)Unit: –Value range: 0-255Description:The “MaxErrors” confi guration parameter indicates how often a command is issued by the reader to the tag when the response expected by the reader from the tag remains outstanding.7. Reader configuration7.2.4.5. “CommunicationProfi le”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.30.00Data type: Byte (8-bit)Unit: –Value range: 0-255Note: Up to fi rmware v2.04.00 this parameter was called “DefaultProfi le”. The confi guration ID was not changed.Description:This confi guration parameter sets the “communication profi le” between the reader and tag. A communication profi le consists of:- the data transmission rate (reader to tag communication)- the data reception rate ( tag to reader communication)- the coding of the data from tag to readerThere are various data transmission rates, data reception rates and codings available. Since not every combination of these three properties is viable, selected combinations are available as communication profi les. A list of the viable communication profi les can be downloaded from the reader by the command “GetProfi leList”. It is dependent on the selected communication profi le whether “Dense Reader Mode” is in operation in the reader or not.7.2.4.6. “CommStandard”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.30.00Data type: Byte (8-bit)Unit: –Value range: 0-255Description:Different countries have different regulations regarding the permissible transmission power and transmission channels that can be used for communication with RFID tags. This confi guration parameter informs the reader which regulations to comply with for radio communication with RFID tags.For more details on the country profi les that are supported, see the fi le “rrui4api.h” in the source fi les for the programming environment of the RRU4 reader system.
637. Reader configuration7.2.4.7. “IntelligentWrite”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.30.00Data type: Bool (8-bit)Unit: –Value range: 0; 255Description:Depending on the type of tag, it requires 10 to 20 milliseconds time to write 16 bits of data (one word). If for instance a 96-bit EPC should be written, then the time which a tag requires for saving the data is 120 milliseconds in the worst case. Only a fi fth to a tenth of this time would be required for reading the data from a tag. In practice it often happens that the data written to a tag were already present on it. Despite this, the tag requires the full stated time to complete the write command. This confi guration parameter should be activated in order to accelerate the write event and to avoid writing data when they are already present on the tag. To achieve this, before writing to the tag the reader fi rst reads the relevant data area on the tag. It then writes only those parts which it is necessary to change.Note: If a memory area on a tag is protected by a “Lock” against overwriting, and if identical content is scheduled to be written to the tag with “IntelligentWrite” activated, no error message is generated by the reader. No write command is issued to the tag in the process of reading the existing data, comparing it with the data to be written and establishing by the reader that no changed data need be written to the tag. With no write command issued, the reader is not in the position to detect the “Lock” on the memory area.7.2.4.8. “VerifyWrite”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.30.00Data type: Bool (8-bit)Unit: –Value range: 0; 255Description:After a write operation, a tag sends the result to the reader. This result can be either an error code or a success message. The memory cells of a tag cannot be written infi nitely many times, since they are subject to ageing. Depending on the tag, it has a working life of 1,000 to 1,000,000 write cycles. At the end of a tag's working life it can occur that following a write operation a tag sends out a success message to the reader, but has not stored the data correctly in the tag memory. If “VerifyWrite” is activated, the reader issues a read command after receiving the success message. This reads the data in the tag memory and reports any mismatches to the higher level as “Verify Fail”.Important!Even with “VerifyWrite” activated, there is no guarantee that the data are stored correctly in the tag memory. Aged tags may “forget” the content of their memory, be it minutes or hours after the write operation!
647. Reader configuration7.2.4.9. “QueryTarget”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.30.00Data type: Bool (8-bit)Unit: –Value range: 0; 255Description:Tags to EPCGlobal Class 1 Gen 2 support four different “sessions”. At each session a tag can be given an inventoried fl ag to indicate whether or not it has already been detected by the reader during an inventory process. The status of the inventoried fl ag can be either “A” or “B”. When the tag is detected in the inventory, the status of the fl ags switches either from A to B or from B to A. The status of the fl ag can also be infl uenced by “Select commands”.The confi guration parameter “QueryTarget” determines which tags should participate in the inventory. If the confi guration parameter has the value zero, the tags participate in the inventory for which the inventoried fl ag is set to A.Otherwise only the tags for which the inventoried fl ag is set to B. In conjunction with the “Select fi lters”, fi lter tasks can be performed in this way.NoteSee also the “EPCglobal Class 1 Generation 2 UHF RFID” specifi cation V1.2.0 section 6.3.2.2 (page 43f).7.2.4.10. “QuerySel”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.30.00Data type: Byte (8-bit)Unit: –Value range: 0-3Description:This confi guration parameter specifi es the content of the fi eld “Sel” in the Gen2 command “Query”. This fi eld instructs the tag whether the content of the “Selected fl ag” is or is not relevant for participation in the inventory. In conjunction with the “Select fi lters”, fi lter tasks can be performed in this way.NoteSee also the “EPCglobal Class 1 Generation 2 UHF RFID” specifi cation V1.2.0 section 6.3.2.11.2.1 (page 57).
657. Reader configuration7.2.4.11. “ForcePowerOffAfterEPCWrite”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.40.00Data type: Byte (8-bit)Unit: millisecondsValue range: 0-255Description:During the inventory process a tag transmits its EPC and a checksum to the reader. This checksum is formed when the tag is “Powered up” from the memory area of the EPC. If now a write command changes the EPC and a new inventory is started without any intervening “Power up” – i.e. without switching off the antenna fi eld, the tag cannot participate in the inventory, because the checksum it communicates no longer matches the EPC it transmits.This confi guration parameter specifi es whether and for how long after a write operation to the memory bank of the EPC the carrier should be switched off so as to “repower” the tag.NoteSee also the “EPCglobal Class 1 Generation 2 UHF RFID” specifi cation V1.2.0 section 6.3.2.1.2.1 (page 38).7.2.4.12. “TransmitGetEPCsPreSelect”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.41.00Data type: Bool (8-bit)Unit: –Value range: 0; 255Description:The content of this confi guration parameter affects only the protocol commands “SyncGetEPCs”, “SyncBulkGetEPCs”, “ASyncGetRawEPCs” and “ASyncGetEPCs”. All other protocol commands behave as if “TransmitGetEPCsPreSelect” is zero. Depending on the value of this confi guration parameter, an inventory runs as follows:• “TransmitGetEPCsPreSelect” is zero:1. the fi rst antenna is selected from the multiplex list2. a Select to reset all tags within the reception range of the selected antenna is executed3. an inventory is executed by the selected antenna, until no further tags are found4. as long as there remain further antennas in the multiplex list, the next antenna is selected and the process resumes at point 25. the protocol command is completed and the result is transferred to the higher level• “TransmitGetEPCsPreSelect” is not equal to zero:1. the fi rst antenna is selected from the multiplex list2. a Select to reset all tags within the reception range of the selected antenna is executed3. as long as there remain further antennas in the multiplex list, the next antenna is selected and the process resumes at point 24. the fi rst antenna is selected from the multiplex list5. an inventory is executed by the selected antenna, until no further tags are found6. as long as there remain further antennas in the multiplex list, the next antenna is selected and the process resumes at point 57. the protocol command is completed and the result is transferred to the higher level
66If several antennas look at a population of tags and it is immaterial which antenna detects any tag, the time for a complete detection of the tag population can be reduced by activation of this confi guration parameter: Tags which had already been detected by one antenna are no longer detected by the following antennas in the multiplex list.7.2.4.13. “TransmitSelectIfNoFilterIsOn”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.45.00Data type: Bool (8-bit)Unit: –Value range: 0; 255Description:At the start of an inventory the reader sets all tags that are within antenna range to a defi ned initial status, using a defi ned “select fi lter” or a “select” command. The subsequent inventory then detects all tags that are in this defi ned initial status. If no select fi lters were defi ned, this confi guration parameter can be used to specify whether or not before the inventory a select command should be sent to perform a global reset of all tags within the antenna range.7. Reader configuration7.2.4.14. “NumberOfEPCWords”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v2.00.00Data type: Byte (8-bit)Unit: –Value range: 0-31; 255Description:From fi rmware version v2.00.00, RRU4 RFID readers of the Kathrein reader system can read tags with an EPC length of 0 to 31 words (0 to 496-bit EPCs). This parameter allows deactivation of the automatic detection of the EPC length, thus forcing the reader to work with a fi xed length.7.2.4.15. “UseBlockWrite”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v2.00.00Data type: Bool (8-bit)Unit: –Value range: 0; 255Description:If this confi guration parameter is activated, the reader uses the command “BlockWrite” for writing data to a tag. This means that more than 16 bits (one word) can be written to a tag with just a single command and thus save “write time”.NoteNot all tags support the command “BlockWrite”. See also the “EPCglobal Class 1 Generation 2 UHF RFID” specifi cation V1.2.0 section 6.3.2.11.3.7 (page 74).
677. Reader configuration7.2.4.16. “DisableReceivingNXPReadProtectedTags”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v2.01.00Data type: Bool (8-bit)Unit: –Value range: 0; 255Description:If a tag from the company NXP was protected by “ReadProtect”, at inventory it would no longer communicate its EPC or a valid checksum. The data content of the EPC and the checksum is zero. To allow such tags to be detected, the reader allows tags for which the EPC and checksum are zero to pass. Since such tags are no longer secured with a valid checksum, it can happen very occasionally that the reader detects such a tag where none exists. In order to prevent this, the reception of “ReadProtected” tags can be suppressed by activation of this confi guration parameter.7.2.5. The confi guration group “ObservedList”7.2.5.1. “GlimpsedTimeoutCnt”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.30.00Data type: Byte (8-bit)Unit: –Value range: 0-255Description:This confi guration parameter applies only to asynchronous protocol commands (“ASync...”). For the duration of an asynchronous command, the reader compiles a list of all the tags found within the antenna range. If a tag is present in the antenna range for multiple inventories, a “coming” message is generated for that tag and the message is sent to the higher level. If a tag is no longer detected during multiple inventories, a “going” message is generated and sent.Once the “going” message has been generated for a tag, this confi guration parameter specifi es the number of inventories where the tag is not detected, which then triggers deletion of this tag from the internal administration list. This parameter should not be changed. It has no infl uence over the generation of a “coming” or “going” message. Kathrein reserves the right to remove this parameter from fi rmware versions at a future point in time.7.2.5.2. “ObservedThresholdCnt”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.30.00Data type: Byte (8-bit)Unit: –Value range: 0-255Description:This confi guration parameter applies only to asynchronous protocol commands (“ASync...”). For the duration of an asynchronous command, the reader compiles a list of all the tags found within the antenna range. If a tag is present in the antenna range for multiple inventories, a “coming” message is generated for that tag and the message is sent to the higher level. If a tag is no longer detected during multiple inventories, a “going” message is generated and sent.This confi guration parameter specifi es the number of inventories where the tag is detected, which then triggers the generation of a “coming” message which is sent to the higher level.
687. Reader configuration7.2.5.3. “ObservedTimeoutCnt”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.30.00Data type: Byte (8-bit)Unit: –Value range: 0-255Description:This confi guration parameter applies only to asynchronous protocol commands (“ASync...”). For the duration of an asynchronous command, the reader compiles a list of all the tags found within the antenna range. If a tag is present in the antenna range for multiple inventories, a “coming” message is generated for that tag and the message is sent to the higher level. If a tag is no longer detected during multiple inventories, a “going” message is generated and sent.This confi guration parameter specifi es the number of inventories where the tag is no longer detected, which then triggers the generation of a “going” message which is sent to the higher level.7.2.6. The confi guration group “Host communication” (“HostComm”)7.2.6.1. “ExtendedResultFlag”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.30.00Data type: Byte (8-bit)Unit: –Value range: 0-15Description:This confi guration parameter allows specifi cation of which additional information on a tag should be sent when tag data are sent to the higher level. Every bit of the lower four bits that is set to “1” in this confi guration parameter causes the sending of certain additional information:Bit 0: Sending the antenna information (the antenna which detected the tag)Bit 1: Sending the RSSI value (fi eld strength information of the tag response)Bit 2: Sending the time stamp (the time when the tag was detected)Bit 3: Sending the protocol control word of the tag (PC, [XPC_W1, [XPC_W2]]; see also the “EPCglobal Class 1 Generation 2 UHF RFID” specifi cation V1.2.0 section 6.3.2.1.2 (page 38).)7.2.6.2. “AntennaIndependentOperation”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.30.00Data type: Bool (8-bit)Unit: –Value range: 0; 255Description:This confi guration parameter allows differentiation between “antenna-dependent” (confi guration parameter deactivated) and “antenna-independent” (confi guration parameter activated) operation of the reader. This confi guration parameter is relevant to all asynchronous protocol commands (“ASync...”) and to the command “SyncBulkGetEPCs”. In the case of the specifi ed protocol commands the reader compares a tag which it has detected during an inventory with the tags listed on an internal list.
697. Reader configurationDuring antenna-dependent operation the antenna information is used in this process, as well as the EPC. That means that a tag which was detected by multiple antennas also generates multiple records in the reader. Each record then contains the same EPC but a different antenna port number. During antenna-independent operation the antenna information is irrelevant. A tag which was detected by multiple antennas generates only a single record in the reader.7.2.6.3. “ASyncAdditionalRSSIDataDeliveryDelta”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v2.00.00Data type: Byte (8-bit)Unit: –Value range: 0-255Description:This confi guration parameter infl uences the behaviour of all asynchronous protocol commands (“ASync...”) except for “ASyncGetRawEPCs”.During asynchronous commands, when a tag comes within range of an antenna, a “coming” message is generated and sent to the higher level. When the tag leaves the antenna fi eld, a “going” message is generated. In various application scenarios it is of interest to view how the fi eld strength (RSSI value) of a tag behaves in the time between the “coming” message and the “going” message. This allows amongst other things conclusions to be drawn regarding the movement of a tag within the antenna fi eld.This confi guration parameter specifi es how much the change in strength of the RSSI value of a tag must be in order to generate a “TagDataChanged” message which is then sent to the higher level. At a value of 255, no “TagDataChanged” messages are generated.NoteIn order that the RSSI value is also included in the “TagDataChanged” message, the confi guration parameter “ExtendedResultFlag” should also be set.7.2.6.4. “UseMillisecondsAsTimestamp”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v2.00.00Data type: Bool (8-bit)Unit: –Value range: 0; 255Description:After an inventory, a time stamp with the time of detection of the tag can also be sent to the higher level as part of the tag information (see “ExtendedResultFlag”). This confi guration parameter specifi es whether the time stamp should be the UTC time in seconds since the 01.01.1970 0:00, or the milliseconds elapsed since the the reader was started. If this confi guration parameter is activated, the milliseconds since the start of the reader will be sent as the time stamp.
707. Reader configuration7.2.7. The confi guration group “ETSI”7.2.7.1. “PortChannelListGlobalValue1...16”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.30.00Data type: Byte (8-bit)Unit: –Value range: 0-15Description:These confi guration parameters are relevant only if “ETSI_EN302208” or “ETSI_EN302208_LBT” was selected as the communications standard.These confi guration parameters serve for the administration of the radio channels approved for Europe; taken together they constitute the ETSI channel list. This channel list contains a maximum of 16 entries. Each entry can contain an ETSI channel number in the range from 1 to 15. A value of zero denotes the end of the channel list. All entries of confi guration parameters with a higher index are then ignored. If the confi guration parameter “ChannelSwitchingMode” is set accordingly, the reader selects a channel from this channel list at random for communication with the tags.7.2.7.3. “ChannelSwitchingMode”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.30.00Data type: Byte (8-bit)Unit: –Value range: 0-1Description:This confi guration parameters is relevant only if “ETSI_EN302208” or “ETSI_EN302208_LBT” (only in existing systems) was selected as the communications standard.NoteThe LBT (Listen Before Talk) operating mode is permissible only in existing systems.This confi guration parameter specifi es whether the reader performs the channel selection in “mode 0” or in “mode 1”:ETSI-Communication standardMode 0 Mode 1ETSI_EN302208 no LBT; uses the global channel list for every port, random selection of the channelno LBT; uses the channel list associated with the port, with random selection of the channelETSI_EN302208_LBT LBT on the fi rst parameterised antenna; uses the global channel list for every port, with random selection of the channel sequence; no new LBT - and hence no channel change - when changing portLBT at each change to this port; uses the channel list associated with the port, with random selection of the channel
717. Reader configuration7.2.7.4. “PowerCheckOverAllAllowedChannels”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.30.00Data type: Bool (8-bit)Unit: –Value range: 0; 255Description:These confi guration parameters are relevant only if “ETSI_EN302208” or “ETSI_EN302208_LBT” was selected as the communications standard.Different maximum transmission powers are allowed per channel, depending on the communications standard:For EN 302208 these are:channel 1 23456789101112131415maximum permitted transmis-sion powerW000200200200200For EN 302208_LBT these are:channel 1 23456789101112131415maximum permitted transmis-sion powerW0,10,10,122222222220,50,51. The transmission power that is used is limited to the lowest maximum power for the selected channels. For example: If “EN302208_LBT” was selected and channels 3 and 4 are entered in the channel list, and 2 Watt has been set as the transmission power, the reader transmits only at 0.1 Watt, since within these channels channel 3 has a maximum power setting of only 0.1 Watt.2. If point 1 yields a maximum power setting of 0 Watt (if for instance “EN302208” was selected and a channel other than channels 4, 7, 10 or 13 was entered in the channel list), the reader generates a “power check error” for the respective antenna port.7.2.8. The confi guration group “communication standard” (“CommStandard”)The following confi guration parameters contain the setting options for the “Special” communications standard. This communications standard allows country profi les to be entered for countries (so far) lacking an entry implemented in the reader. The principal condition for this is that the communications standard to be entered is in the form of a schematic channel grid specifi ed exposure times and pause times, and random channel selection. A further condition is that the values of the confi guration parameter, taken together, ensure 100% coverage of the time. That means that the reader is in the position at all times to determine a valid channel from the values set in the parameters. For 100% coverage of the time, one of the following conditions must be satisfi ed:or(“FirstChannel” = “LastChannel”) AND (“MinChannelWaitTime” = 0)(“MaxChannelTime” – 5ms) * (“LastChannel” – “FirstChannel” + 1) ≥ “MinChannelWaitTime”
72Important!Since there are frequencies which the hardware of the RFID reader cannot deliver, when using the “Special” communications standard, a spectrum analysis must be performed to check whether each channel frequency is available for the correct setting.7. Reader configuration7.2.8.1. “CenterFreqCH0”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.32.00Data type: DWord (32-bit)Unit: kiloHertzValue range: 0-1048575Description:This confi guration parameter specifi es the mid-frequency of channel 0 for the “Specia” communications standard.7.2.8.2. “ChannelWidth”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.32.00Data type: Word (16-bit)Unit: kiloHertzValue range: 0-65535Description:This confi guration parameter allows the width of each radio channel for the “Special” communications standard to be specifi ed.7.2.8.3. “MaxChannelTime”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.32.00Data type: Word (16-bit)Unit: millisecondsValue range: 0; 10-65535Description:This confi guration parameter for the “Special” communications standard specifi es how long the reader may occupy a selected channel until it must change to the next channel.
737. Reader configuration7.2.8.4. “MinChannelWaitTime”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.32.00Data type: Word (16-bit)Unit: millisecondsValue range: 0-65535Description:This confi guration parameter for the “Special” communications standard specifi es how long the reader must wait before returning to a channel after its maximum exposure time (“MaxChannelTime”) has elapsed.7.2.8.5. “FirstChannel”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.32.00Data type: Byte (8-bit)Unit: –Value range: 0-255Description:This confi guration parameter for the “Special” communications standard specifi es the fi rst channel to be used for this communications standard. The frequency of the channel is determined by the following formula:7.2.8.6. “LastChannel”Characteristics:available from fi rmware: v1.32.00Data type: Byte (8-bit)Unit: –Value range: 0-255Description:This confi guration parameter for the “Special” communications standard specifi es the last channel to be used for this communications standard. The frequency of the channel is determined by the following formula:f = “CenterFreqCH0” + “FirstChannel” * “ChannelWidth”f = “CenterFreqCH0” + “LastChannel” * “ChannelWidth”
748. Reference literature(A) Kathrein-Burgstädt Reader Protocol (KBRP) V1.23(B) EPCTM Radio-Frequency Identity Protocols Class-1 Generation-2 UHF RFID in the version V1.2.0 on www.epcglobalinc.org
0711/ZWT - Technical data subject to change.Internet: www.kathrein-rfi d.deKATHREIN-Werke KG • Anton-Kathrein-Straße 1 - 3 • P.O. Box 100 444 • 83004 Rosenheim • GERMANY • phone +49 8031 184-0 • Fax +49 8031 184-494

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