User's Manual

i-CARD User’s Guide
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Document # 7007-0001, Rev B - 5 –
1.0 Purpose
This guide explains how to install and operate the PC version of the i-CARD when using a
laptop or desktop computer.
2.0 Overview
2.1 Functionality
The i-CARD is IDENTEC SOLUTIONS’ Intelligent Long Range (ILR®) radio frequency
mobile interrogator in a type II PC Card format. The PC i-CARD is easily integrated into
portable or laptop computers and is used in conjunction with i-LINKS (or other ILR®
software) to read and write data to tags. The flexibility of an interrogator on a PC Card
allows for easy integration of ILR® into enterprise systems and permits combination
with other technologies such as bar code and wireless LAN.
Computers with a PC i-CARD can communicate to tags at a distance of up to 10 meters
(33 feet). The i-CARD communicates with the entire i-Q active tag product line including
i-Q8, i-Q8T, i-Q32, and i-Q32T tags. The current version of the PC i-CARD is not
compatible with the i-D tag product line.
The PC i-CARD is available in 916 MHz or 868 MHz to communicate in a global market.
The signal propagation characteristics of the UHF radio band used by ILR® technology
provide long-range communication and high-speed transmission rates for reliable data
exchange.
The installation and usage instructions for the PC i-CARD are identical for both the
916 MHz and 868 MHz frequencies.
2.2 Components
The i-CARD resembles a standard PC card with one addition: an external antenna. On
the exposed end of the i-CARD, there are an MMCX antenna connector, a 15-pin serial
connector (not used in the PC version of the i-CARD) and 3 status LEDs indicating
Transmit, Receive and RF Carrier Detect. These LEDs are operational after appropriate
ILR® software is installed (i.e. i-LINKS).
Figure 1: i-CARD Components