ALIEN TECHNOLOGY Hardware Setup Guide For The ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A RFID Readers Four Antenna and Two Antenna 915MHz Passive Tag Readers Release: v01.03.00 ALR-9780 ALR-9750-A 915MHz Hardware Setup Guide: ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A Passive Doc.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Alien Technology RFID Reader User’s Guide (ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A RFID Readers) Table of Contents CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................1 AUDIENCE ..................................................................................................................................................................1 RFID READER OVERVIEW ...................................................
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 Introduction This Hardware Setup Guide provides instructions for installing and operating the ALR 9780 and ALR 9750-A RFID Readers. This book 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 Readers’ capabilities.
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Class 1 NanoBlock Tags The ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A RFID readers are designed to read and program Alien’s Class 1, NanoBlock Tags. These tags comply with the MIT Auto ID Centers’ open specification for RFID. Class I tags are “Passive” devices. That is they do not have an onboard power source. They are powered by the RF energy transmitted by the reader. They communicate with the Reader by Examples of Alien NanoBlock tag and means of “Backscatter Modulation”. That is, antenna designs.
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 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 Part Number ALR 9780 or ALR 9750-A Architecture Point-to-multipoint reader network Frequency 902.6 MHz – 927.4 MHz Hopping Channels 63 Channel Spacing 400 KHz Channel Dwell Time < 0.4 Seconds RF Transmitter < 30 dBm at the end of 15 ft LMR-195 cable.
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 3 dB Beamwidth E-plane: 40 degrees Frequency 902-928 MHz Gain (dBi) 6.0 dBi Polarization Linear RF Connector 15 ft 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 Mechanical Figure 1. Outline Drawing of the ALR-9780 (ALR-9750-A has the same physical layout with two antenna ports.) Hardware Setup Guide: ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A Doc.
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION RS-232 Port Pinouts RS232 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 RS232 CONNECTOR (FEMALE) –LOOKING AT READER 5 4 9 Hardware Setup Guide: ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A Doc.
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION IO Port Connector Pinouts I/O Port Connector (Male DB-9M) Pin 1 Output 0 Pin 2 Output 2 Pin 3 Input 0 Pin 4 Input 2 Pin 5 Ground Pin 6 Output 1 Pin 7 Output 3 Pin 8 Input 1 Pin 9 Input 3 I/O PORT CONNECTOR (MALE) –LOOKING AT READER 1 2 6 Hardware Setup Guide: ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A Doc.
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Reader Schematics A0 Host Communication Interface Digital Control Circuitry A1 RF Receiver Antenna Switch A2 A3 RF Source RF Modulator Figure 2. System Architecture for the ALR 9780 Reader A0 Host Communication Interface Digital Control Circuitry RF Receiver Antenna Switch A1 RF Source RF Modulator Figure 3. System Architecture for the ALR 9750-A Hardware Setup Guide: ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A Doc.
CHAPTER 7 WEB BASED APPLICATION EXAMPLES CHAPTER 2 Reader Hardware Installation and Operation This chapter describes the RFID Reader and provides installation and operation information. Requirements In order to interface with the RFID Reader you will need the following: PC running Windows 98 or higher, with CD-ROM drive (for demo system software) and one available RS-232 serial port. Standard 120 VAC power. Host software (either Alien’s demo software or your own custom software).
CHAPTER 7 WEB BASED APPLICATION EXAMPLES Reader I/O Panel The I/O panel (shown below) contains the following features: • Power connector • 9-pin D male I/O connector • 6 Diagnostic LEDs (RF Power, RX, TX, CPU Power, Sniff/, Lock/green) • 9-pin D female RS-232 serial port • LAN TCP/IP port • Network Activity LEDs LAN Connector RS 232 I/O Power Connector Connector Connector LAN LEDs Diagnostic LEDs Figure 4. Reader Connections and LEDs Hardware Setup Guide: ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A Doc.
CHAPTER 7 WEB BASED APPLICATION EXAMPLES Diagnostic LEDs The LEDs provide external indication of three conditions: • CPU Power (green). Indicates power is applied to the reader. • RF On (red). Indicates that RF is being emitted by the reader. • Sniff (yellow). Indicates tag signal has been detected, though it may not yet be strong enough to complete a transaction. • Lock (green). Indicates a tag has been read. • TX (red). Indicates transmission of data on serial line to a host. • RX (yellow).
CHAPTER 7 WEB BASED APPLICATION EXAMPLES Antenna Panel The antenna panel (opposite the reader’s I/O panel) contains either two or four coax antenna connector ports as shown below. These are reverse-polarity TNC connectors. Figure 6. Antenna Connections Hardware Setup Guide: ALR-9780 and ALR-9750-A Doc.
CHAPTER 7 WEB BASED APPLICATION EXAMPLES System Assembly and Bench Test Assembling the RFID Reader system is very easy. We recommend you set up the system and verify its operation in a bench test configuration (shown below) before installing it in a live application. Picture of Typical Test Setup Figure 7. Typical Bench Test Setup Bench Test Configuration 1. Situate the Reader on a tabletop.
CHAPTER 7 WEB BASED APPLICATION EXAMPLES Figure 9. RS232 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. 4. Connect the power supply to the reader. • Using the thin cable attached to power supply, push the connector into the port until it is securely seated. 5. Connect the coaxial cable(s) to antenna port(s) (1-4).
CHAPTER 7 WEB BASED APPLICATION EXAMPLES • You may use Alien’s demo system software or custom software developed per the reader-host protocol for your specific application. You are now ready to bench test or demonstrate the RFID Reader system. Bench Test Procedure 1. Access an operational mode suitable for bench testing. • Select a mode that will allow multiple consecutive reads of a single tag. • Refer to the applicable software application user guide for specific instructions. 2.
CHAPTER 7 WEB BASED APPLICATION EXAMPLES Installation The following Installation section provides basic guidance for configuring components in your RFID system. You should consider the overall design of your specific system before permanently mounting the equipment. Installation involves all the same connection steps required for bench test. However, instead of situating equipment on a tabletop, the reader and antenna and their accessories will mounted in your application environment.
CHAPTER 7 WEB BASED APPLICATION EXAMPLES Mounting Holes Figure 12. View of the Reader Showing Mounting Holes Hardware Installation Procedure 1. Select mounting position for antenna(s). CAUTION: Reader antennas should be positioned so that personnel in the area for prolonged periods may safely remain at least 23 cm (9 in) in an uncontrolled environment from the antenna’s surface.
CHAPTER 7 WEB BASED APPLICATION EXAMPLES 4. Install reader. • Secure the reader through the two mounting holes on either flange to its mounting location (wall, post, mounting bracket) using appropriate hardware. • If desired, position the reader so that the LEDs are easily observed. 5. Install antennas. • Secure each antenna through the mounting holes on either flange to its mounting location using appropriate hardware. 6. Connect antennas to reader.
CHAPTER 7 WEB BASED APPLICATION EXAMPLES System Operation: Software Control The RFID Reader is controlled from software running on a host system that communicates with the reader using a text-based protocol. All applications use this protocol to communicate with the reader.
