User Manual

URFI HOST PROGRAMMING
Universal RF Interrogator ? Host Programming Guide Page 16
AMCO Automated Systems • P/N 52845G125 Rev 1 FEB 2004
Purpose Command Response
Group Mode G<+|->[,nn] [GA]
Where: G- = Normal Interrogation mode, 1.5 seconds of Dummies before each command.
G+ = run the transmitter continuously , sending Dummy Ints. between commands. About 15 times faster, when
conditions permit. (60 dummies before first Int. only)
nn = G+ mode Time-out (in seconds), reverts back to G- mode (default=30 sec.)
GA= Group mode Aborted, if Vbat<9V or Vcc<5V or TxPwr>~3W, and stops the Tx.
The G+ command will wait for 5 Dummies before returning. During this time it monitors the battery, Vcc and TxPwr and
returns GA if they are out of range. These items are also tested once a second when G+ is active, but no message is
sent if the Tx is aborted, but the next G+ will repeat these tests and will return GA if the condition still exits.
WARNING
: “G+,00” will leave the transmitter on forever, but can overheat the URFI if it is not well ventilated, and will
drain a battery in about 30 minutes, so use with care.
The G+ command would be sent before the first SN in a group of meters known to be close together (such as in an
apartment building or a new shipment of meters on the loading dock). Then the transmitter will be left on between
commands, to keep all of the transponders awake, until the G- command is sent after the last SN in the group. This will
allow the whole group to be read in a fraction of the normal time. In applications where battery life is not a concern the
Group interrogate mode could be used all the time, to achieve near Van-like reading rates, but a G+ should still be sent
again periodically to verify proper operation.
Group mode is only possible when the URF is using antennas more than 3 feet apart or all transponders in the group are
within 10 feet, with the supplied antennas.
Antenna-switch A<E|I>
Set the Antenna switch to External or Internal. (old
MURFI only)