ALIEN TECHNOLOGY® HARDWARE SETUP GUIDE ALR-9800 July 12, 2005 U.S.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Alien Technology® Hardware Setup Guide ALR-9800 July 12, 2005 Table of Contents CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 1 Audience ....................................................................................................................................................... 1 RFID Reader Overview ...................................................................................
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CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 Introduction This Hardware Setup Guide provides instructions for installing and operating the ALR-9800 RFID Readers. This document is designed for use by RFID system integrators and software developers - those who wish to develop software products and extended systems that take full advantage of the RFID Reader's capabilities. Included with each reader or developer kit is the Alien RFID Fixed Reader Software Developer’s Kit and User Documentation CD-ROM.
INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 RFID Reader Overview The Alien ALR-9800 RFID reader is designed to read and program any EPC Class 1 Generation 1 or 2 tag (see below) and issue event reports to a host computer system. The reader is also designed to read Class 0 tags and to read and program Class 0+ tags. The host computer can be locally connected to the reader via RS-232, or at a remote network location.
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION For more information about RFID tags from Alien Technology, please visit our website at http://www.alientechnology.com.
INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 Specifications Specifications for key components of the RFID Reader system are provided in the tables below: RFID Reader Name Alien Multi-Port General Purpose RFID Reader Model Number ALR 9800 Architecture Point-to-multipoint reader network, multi-static Operating Frequency 902.75 MHz – 927.25 MHz Hopping Channels 50 Channel Spacing 500 KHz Channel Dwell Time < 0.4 Seconds RF Transmitter < 30 dBm at the end of 6 m LMR-195 cable.
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION RFID Reader External Linear Polarized Antenna Model ALR-9610-AL 3 dB Beamwidth E-plane: 40 degrees Frequency 902-928 MHz Gain (dBi) 6.0 dBi Polarization Linear RF Connector 6 m LMR-195 with Reverse-Polarity TNC VSWR 1.5:1 Dimensions (cm) 19.5 x 28 x 4 • (in) 7.75 x 11.25 x 1.65 Weight .57 kg • 1.25 lb ALR-9800 HARDWARE SETUP GUIDE DOC.
INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 Mechanical: Reader Physical Size[d2] Figure 1 - Outline Drawing of the ALR-9800 6 ALR-9780 Hardware Setup Guide DOC.
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION RS-232 Port Pinouts RS-232 Connector (Female DB-9F) Pin 1 DCD Connected to Pin 6 Pin 2 TR1 Transmit Data (Output) Pin 3 RC1 Receive Data (Input) Pin 4 DTR Connected to Pin 6 Pin 5 Ground Pin 6 DSR Connected to Pin 4 Pin 7 RTS Connected to Pin 8 Pin 8 CTS Connected to Pin 7 Pin 9 Not Connected RS-232 CONNECTOR (FEMALE) – LOOKING AT READER 5 4 9 3 8 2 7 1 6 IO Port Terminal Interface I/O Port Screw Terminal Connector (Female DB-9M) Pin 1 V+ Maximum Voltages…[d
INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 I/O PORT SCREW TERMINAL (FEMALE) – LOOKING AT READER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 System Architecture A0 A1 Host Communication Interface Digital Control Circuitry RF Receiver Antenna Switch A2 RF Source RF Modulator A3 Figure 2 - System Architecture for the ALR-9800 Reader 8 ALR-9780 Hardware Setup Guide DOC.
CHAPTER 2 READER HARDWARE INSTALLATION AND OPERATION CHAPTER 2 Reader Hardware Installation and Operation This chapter describes the RFID Reader and provides installation and operation information. Receiving the RFID Reader Your RFID Reader Kit is shipped with the items listed below. Please verify the contents of your received shipment before assembling.
READER HARDWARE INSTALLATION AND OPERATION CHAPTER 2 Reader I/O Panel The I/O panel (shown below) houses the following: 14-pin female I/O terminal block LAN TCP/IP port 9-pin D female RS-232 serial port Power connector Figure 4 - ALR-9800 Reader Connections Diagnostic LEDs The ALR-9800 includes diagnostic LEDs on the face of the reader to provide easy and convenient external indication for various operating conditions: POWER (green) - indicates power is applied to the reader LINK (green) – indicates tha
CHAPTER 2 READER HARDWARE INSTALLATION AND OPERATION Figure 5 – ALR-9800 Reader Diagnostic LEDs Antenna Panel The antenna panel (opposite the reader’s I/O panel) contains four coax antenna connector ports as shown below. These are reverse-polarity TNC connectors. Also included on this panel is the Listen Before Talk (LBT) connector which will be available in future models. Figure 6 - Antenna Connections ALR-9800 HARDWARE SETUP GUIDE DOC.
READER HARDWARE INSTALLATION AND OPERATION CHAPTER 2 System Assembly and Bench Test Assembling the RFID Reader system is easy. We recommend you set up the system and verify its operation in a bench test configuration (shown below) before installing it in a production setting. Figure 7 - Typical Bench Test Setup Bench Test Configuration 1. Place the Reader on a tabletop. Ensure the following conditions: A standard 120 or 220 VAC outlet is nearby.
CHAPTER 2 READER HARDWARE INSTALLATION AND OPERATION Figure 9 - RS-232 Connector Push the aligned connector into the port. Finger-tighten the screws to secure the cable/connector to the reader. 3. Connect the RS-232 cable to the serial port on the PC. Settings for RS-232 are 115200 Bits per second, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit, and no flow control. Start up terminal software on the PC, such as HyperTerminal with these settings, and be prepared to observe the reader's messages as it boots up.
READER HARDWARE INSTALLATION AND OPERATION CHAPTER 2 ports. If using the Alien Gateway software, please note that ANT 0 is selected by default when first initialized. Antennas must be connected in pairs (one to transmit, one to receive). At this time, the reader pairs antenna 0 with antenna 1, and antenna 2 with antenna 3. This means that when antenna 0 is the active (transmit) antenna, antenna 1 will be the receive antenna, and vice versa. The same pairing applies to antennas 2 and 3.
CHAPTER 2 READER HARDWARE INSTALLATION AND OPERATION In order for you to be able to connect to the reader over TCP/IP, the host PC must be on the same subnet as the reader. If you are unfamiliar with how to do this, consult your local IT service for assistance. Once the initial connection is made, you may configure your reader's network settings as you choose. Refer to the Reader Interface Guide for instructions on how to do this. You are now ready to bench test or demonstrate the RFID Reader system.
READER HARDWARE INSTALLATION AND OPERATION CHAPTER 2 Installation involves all the same connection steps required for bench test. However, instead of placing equipment on a tabletop, the reader, antenna, and their accessories are mounted in your application environment. Requirements Before installing your RFID Reader system, you will need the following: A PC running Windows 98 or higher, with Ethernet connectivity and, optionally, one available RS-232 serial port.
CHAPTER 2 READER HARDWARE INSTALLATION AND OPERATION Mount the second antenna approximately 18 inches from the first antenna, facing the read zone, unless otherwise indicated in your system design specification. NOTE: To maintain compliance with FCC regulations, use only antennas supplied with the unit. 2. Select mounting position for reader. Reader should be positioned close enough to the antenna to accommodate the cable length without putting strain on the connectors.
READER HARDWARE INSTALLATION AND OPERATION CHAPTER 2 9. You are now ready to use the reader. If using the Alien Gateway software, please refer to the Demonstration Software Guide included on your CD. System Operation: Software Control The ALR-9800 RFID Reader is controlled from software running on a host system that communicates with the reader using the ASCII-based Alien Reader Protocol. All applications use this protocol to communicate with the reader.
CHAPTER 2 READER HARDWARE INSTALLATION AND OPERATION to real-world challenges. You'll learn best industry practice tag placement techniques for packaging and pallets alike. Upon completion of the training, you will learn how to implement, avoid common costly mistakes, know how to make the correct decisions for your business, how to select the right RFID options for your requirements, and where to find RFID answers.
