ESCORT MEMORY SYSTEMS COBALT HF RFID CONTROLLERS High Frequency Passive Radio Frequency Identification Controllers For the Cobalt HF Series of RFID Controllers: x HF-CNTL-232-01 x HF-CNTL-422-01 x HF-CNTL-485-01 x HF-CNTL-USB-01 x HF-CNTL-IND-01 O PERATOR ’ S M ANUAL How to Install, Configure and Operate Escort Memory Systems’ Cobalt HF RFID Controllers
E scort Memory Systems reserves the right to make modifications and improvements to its products and/or documentation without prior notification. Escort Memory Systems shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein, nor for incidental or consequential damages resulting from the use of this material.
FCC & CE COMPLIANCE NOTICE FCC & CE COMPLIANCE NOTICE FCC PART 15.105 This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS FCC & CE COMPLIANCE NOTICE ................................................... 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................... 5 LIST OF TABLES........................................................................... 9 LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................... 10 CHAPTER 1: 1.1 GETTING STARTED ............................................... 11 INTRODUCTION ..........................
TABLE OF CONTENTS 2.2.1 2.2.2 2.3 INSTALLING THE HF-CNTL-232-01 ..................................... 32 2.3.1 2.3.2 2.4 HF-CNTL-485-01 Installation ..................................................... 38 HF-CNTL-485-01 Cabling Information ......................................... 39 INSTALLING THE HF-CNTL-USB-01 .................................... 40 2.6.1 2.6.2 2.7 HF-CNTL-422-01 Installation ..................................................... 35 HF-CNTL-422-01 Cabling Information ..........
TABLE OF CONTENTS 5.4 RFID TAG EMBODIMENTS ................................................. 55 5.4.1 5.4.2 5.4.3 5.5 RFID Labels ............................................................................ 55 Printed Circuit Bo ard RFID Tags ................................................ 56 Molded RFID Tags .................................................................... 56 TAG MEMORY ................................................................ 57 5.5.1 5.5.2 Mapping Tag Memory ..........
TABLE OF CONTENTS COBALT HF RFID CONTROLLER MODELS .................................... 107 COBALT HF ANTENNA MODELS ................................................. 107 SUBNET16 GATEWAYS ............................................................ 107 SUBNET16 HUBS ................................................................... 107 POWER SUPPLIES .................................................................. 108 COBALT HF SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS .......................................
LIST OF TABLES LIST OF TABLES Table 1-1: Connections & Communication Interface Options ______________________________________13 Table 1-2: Cobalt Controllers - Interface Connectors ____________________________________________14 Table 1-3: Cobalt HF Antennas – Models and Sizes______________________________________________18 Table 1-4: Antenna to Tag Ranges ___________________________________________________________19 Table 1-5: EMS Tag IC and Memory Capacity__________________________________________________
LIST OF FIGURES LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1-1: HF-CNTL-232/422-01 Dimensions _________________________________________________15 Figure 1-2: HF-CNTL-485-01 Dimensions_____________________________________________________16 Figure 1-3: HF-CNTL-USB/IND-01Dimensions_________________________________________________17 Figure 1-4: Controllers with HF-ANT-1010-01, HF-ANT-2020-01 and HF-ANT-3030-01 Antennas _______18 Figure 1-5: HF-ANT-1010-01 Antenna Dimensions ______________________________________________22 Figure
CHAPTER 1: GETTING STARTED CHAPTER 1: GETTING STARTED 1.1 INTRODUCTION Welcome to the Cobalt HF RFID Controllers - Operator’s Manual. This manual will assist you in the installation, configuration and operation of the Cobalt HF RFID Controllers. The Cobalt HF family is a complete line of feature-rich, passive high frequency read/write Radio-Frequency Identification devices that provide RFID data collection and control solutions to shop floor, item-level tracking and material handling applications.
CHAPTER 1: GETTING STARTED 1.
CHAPTER 1: GETTING STARTED 1.3 COBALT CONTROLLER MODELS There are five models of the Cobalt HF RFID Controller. Each model is designed to support a specific communication interface option. The table below lists the five controller models, their respective connection types and communication interfaces. 1.3.
CHAPTER 1: GETTING STARTED 1.3.
CHAPTER 1: GETTING STARTED 1.4 1.4.
CHAPTER 1: GETTING STARTED 1.4.
CHAPTER 1: GETTING STARTED 1.4.
CHAPTER 1: GETTING STARTED 1.5 C O B A L T HF A N T E N N A S The Cobalt HF family currently includes four different RFID antennas (three of which are pictured below). Because the Cobalt Antennas are designed with different dimensions, they each generate a different size RF field and read/write range. Figure 1-4: Controllers with HF-ANT-1010-01, HF-ANT-2020-01 and HF-ANT-3030-01 Antennas 1.5.
CHAPTER 1: GETTING STARTED 1.5.2 Antenna to Tag Ranges C O B A LT A N T E N N A TO TA G R A N G E TA B L E Tag range values are listed in millimeters and inches (mm / in.). TESTING ENVIRONMENT EMS TAG ANT1010 ANT-2020 ANT-3030 ANT0750 LRP125(HT) 152 / 6.0 203 / 8.0 228 / 9.0 Pending Free Air LRP125(HT)S 152 / 6.0 216 / 8.5 228 / 9.0 Pending Free Air LRP250(HT) 178 / 7.0 267 / 10.5 305 / 12.0 Pending Free Air LRP250(HT)S 267 / 10.5 381 / 15.0 406 / 16.
CHAPTER 1: GETTING STARTED E M S TA G I C AND M E M O RY C A PA C I T Y The following table lists the integrated circuit (IC) and memory size of each Escort Memory Systems’ LRP and HMS-Series RFID tag included in the Antenna to Tag Range table above.
CHAPTER 1: GETTING STARTED 1.5.3 Connecting the Antenna to the Controller Cobalt HF Antennas mount directly to the top of the Cobalt HF RFID Controller’s housing. The antenna is first attached to the RF port on the controller and is then fastened to the controller’s housing with the two M5 screws and matching lock washers included with each Cobalt HF RFID Controller.
CHAPTER 1: GETTING STARTED 1.6 1.6.
CHAPTER 1: GETTING STARTED 1.6.
CHAPTER 1: GETTING STARTED 1.6.
CHAPTER 1: GETTING STARTED 1.6.
CHAPTER 1: GETTING STARTED 1.7 RFID O V E R V I E W The Cobalt HF-series products are designed for use with passive RFID tags. Passive tags require no batteries and are energized by the magnetic field of the Cobalt HF controller’s antenna. Through inductive coupling, power is induced from the controller’s antenna into the antenna of the RFID tag.
CHAPTER 1: GETTING STARTED in for all conditions. The system integrator must validate the performance as the products are to be used and can not rely solely on the published range specifications. The Cobalt HF RFID Controller is compatible with Escort Memory Systems LRP and HMS series RFID tags. HMS series tags are referred to as proximity whereas the LRP series are referred to as vicinity tags and have longer range.
CHAPTER 1: GETTING STARTED 1.8 S U B N E T 16™ M U L T I D R O P P R O T O C O L The HF-CNTL-485-01 model includes support for Escort Memory Systems’ Subnet16™ Multidrop RFID networking protocol. Under the Subnet16 protocol, up to 16 HF-CNTL485-01 RFID Controllers can be connected via a trunk and tap network to an Industrial Ethernet Subnet16™ Gateway (GWY-01-IND-01) or TCP/IP Subnet16™ Gateway (GWY-01-TCP-01) interface module.
CHAPTER 2: COBALT INSTALLATION CHAPTER 2: COBALT INSTALLATION 2.1 UNPACK & INSPECT THE CONTROLLER Unpack the Cobalt Controller hardware and accessories. Retain the original shipping carton and packing material in case an item needs to be returned. Inspect each piece carefully, if an item appears to be damaged, notify your Escort Memory Systems product distributor. 2.1.
CHAPTER 2: 2.1.2 COBALT INSTALLATION Providing the Power Cobalt Controllers require an electrical supply voltage of 10~30VDC and have a power consumption of 12W (450mA @ 24VDC). Employ a regulated power supply that is capable of delivering these requirements. Below is a list of power supplies available from Escort Memory Systems. C O B A L T H F R F I D C O N T R O L L E R S - P O W E R S U P P LY P A R T N U M B E R S x 00-1166: (24VDC, 1.88A max, 45W) x 00-1167: (24VDC, 4.
CHAPTER 2: 2.2 COBALT INSTALLATION INSTALLATION PRECAUTIONS RF performance and read/write range can be negatively impacted by the proximity of metallic objects. Avoid mounting the antenna within 15cm (6 inches) of any metallic object or surface. 2.2.1 2.2.2 Installation Guidelines x Do not route cables near unshielded cables or near wiring carrying high voltage or high current. Cross cables at perpendicular intersections and avoid routing cables near motors and solenoids.
CHAPTER 2: 2.3 2.3.1 COBALT INSTALLATION I N S T A L L I N G T H E HF-CNTL-232-01 HF-CNTL-232-01 Installation 1. Attach the Cobalt HF Antenna to the Cobalt HF Controller (refer to Section 1.5.3). 2. Following the guidelines in Section 2.2.1, select a suitable location for the Cobalt HF Controller/Antenna. If necessary, fabricate mounting brackets from durable plastic. 3.
CHAPTER 2: COBALT INSTALLATION HF-CNTL-232-01 CONNECTOR PIN DESCRIPTIONS PIN # DESCRIPTION 1 10~30VDC PWR 2 0VDC (POWER GND) 3 NOT CONNECTED 4 NOT CONNECTED 5 NOT CONNECTED 6 RX 7 TX 8 SGND (SIGNAL GROUND) Table 2-3: HF-CNTL-232-01 Connector Pin Descriptions R S 2 3 2 I N T E R F A C E C A B L E S C H E M AT I C Figure 2-2: RS232 Interface Cable Schematic COBALT HF RFID CONTROLLERS P/N: 17-1320 REV 01 (03-06) OPERATOR’S MANUAL PAGE 33 OF 116
CHAPTER 2: COBALT INSTALLATION H F - C N T L - 2 3 2 - 0 1 D E FA U LT C O M P O R T S E T T I N G S COM PORT PARAMETER DEFAULT SETTING Baud 9600* Data Bits 8 Stop Bits 1 Parity None Handshaking None Table 2-4: HF-CNTL-232-01 Default COM Port Settings * The Cobalt HF-CNTL-232-01 supports baud rates of 9600, 19.2k, 38.4k, 57.6k and 115.2k. H F - C N T L - 2 3 2 - 0 1 C A B L I N G PA R T N U M B E R S x CBL-1478: (RS232 Cable, Female, DB9, 2.5mm DC Jack).
CHAPTER 2: 2.4 2.4.1 COBALT INSTALLATION I N S T A L L I N G T H E HF-CNTL-422-01 HF-CNTL-422-01 Installation 1. Attach the Cobalt HF Antenna to the Cobalt HF Controller (refer to Section 1.5.3). 2. Following the guidelines in Section 2.2.1, select a suitable location for the Cobalt HF Controller/Antenna. Fabricate mounting brackets from durable plastic, if necessary. 3.
CHAPTER 2: COBALT INSTALLATION HF-CNTL-422-01 CONNECTOR PIN DESCRIPTIONS PIN # DESCRIPTION 1 10~30VDC PWR 2 0VDC (POWER GND) 3 +TX (A) 4 -TX (B) 5 +RX (A) 6 -RX (B) 7 NOT CONNECTED 8 SGND (SIGNAL GND) Table 2-5: HF-CNTL-422-01 Connector Pin Descriptions R S 4 2 2 I N T E R F A C E C A B L E S C H E M AT I C Figure 2-4: RS422 Interface Cable Schematic COBALT HF RFID CONTROLLERS P/N: 17-1320 REV 01 (03-06) OPERATOR’S MANUAL PAGE 36 OF 116
CHAPTER 2: COBALT INSTALLATION H F - C N T L - 4 2 2 - 0 1 C O M P O R T D E FA U LT S E T T I N G S COM PORT PARAMETER DEFAULT SETTING Baud 9600* Data Bits 8 Stop Bits 1 Parity None Handshaking None Table 2-6: HF-CNTL-422-01 COM Port Default Settings * The Cobalt HF-CNTL-422-01 supports baud rates of 9600, 19.2k, 38.4k, 57.6k and 115.2k.
CHAPTER 2: 2.5 2.5.1 COBALT INSTALLATION I N S T A L L I N G T H E HF-CNTL-485-01 HF-CNTL-485-01 Installation 1. Attach the Cobalt HF Antenna to the Cobalt HF Controller (refer to Section 1.5.3). 2. Following the guidelines in Section 2.2.1, select a suitable location for the Cobalt HF Controller/Antenna. Fabricate mounting brackets from a durable plastic if necessary. 3.
CHAPTER 2: 2.5.
CHAPTER 2: 2.6 2.6.1 COBALT INSTALLATION I N S T A L L I N G T H E HF-CNTL-USB-01 HF-CNTL-USB-01 Installation 1. Attach the Cobalt HF Antenna to the Cobalt HF Controller (refer to Section 1.5.3). 2. Following the guidelines in Section 2.2.1, select a suitable location for the Cobalt HF Controller/Antenna. Fabricate mounting brackets from a durable plastic if necessary. 3.
CHAPTER 2: COBALT INSTALLATION HF-CNTL-USB-01 – 5-PIN FEMALE RK CONNECTOR: PIN DESCRIPTIONS PIN # DESCRIPTION 1 +5V 2 D- 3 D+ 4 GND 5 SHIELD Table 2-8: HF-CNTL-USB-01 – 5-Pin Female RK Connector: Pin Descriptions HF-CNTL-USB-01 – 5-PIN MALE CONNECTOR: PIN DESCRIPTIONS PIN # DESCRIPTION 1 SHIELD GND 2 10~30VDC PWR 3 0V (POWER GND) 4 NOT CONNECTED 5 NOT CONNECTED Table 2-9: HF-CNTL-USB-01 – 5-Pin Male Connector: Pin Descriptions H F - C N T L - U S B - 0 1 C A B L I N G PA R T N U M
CHAPTER 2: 2.7 2.7.1 COBALT INSTALLATION I N S T A L L I N G T H E HF-CNTL-IND-01 HF-CNTL-IND-01 Installation 1. Attach the Cobalt HF Antenna to the Cobalt HF Controller (refer to Section 1.5.3). 2. Following the guidelines in Section 2.2.1, select a suitable location for the Cobalt HF Controller/Antenna. Fabricate mounting brackets from a durable plastic if necessary. 3.
CHAPTER 2: 2.7.
CHAPTER 3: CONTROLLER CONFIGURATION CHAPTER 3: CONTROLLER CONFIGURATION Stored in the Cobalt’s flash memory is a group of settings and parameters known as the “Controller Configuration.” These parameters indicate, for example, the Command Protocol in use, the Tag IC to recognize and the software version currently installed.
CHAPTER 3: CONTROLLER CONFIGURATION 3.2 CONFIGURING THE COBALT VIA CONFIGURATION TAG As noted, Cobalt Controllers are software configurable via the RFID Dashboard utility. However, they can also be configured and initialized through the use the HF-Series Configuration Tag supplied with each unit. The Configuration Tag can be used to restore factory default values for all versions of the Cobalt HF RFID Controller.
CHAPTER 3: CONTROLLER CONFIGURATION 3.2.1 Restoring Factory Default Settings Note: read all instructions carefully prior to performing any of the operations below. To restore factory defaults: 1. Place the Configuration Tag in the antenna’s RF field. 2. Reset power to the Cobalt Controller or issue the reset command (Command 0x35). 3. Two seconds after power returns to the Cobalt HF, remove the Configuration Tag from the antenna’s RF field.
CHAPTER 3: CONTROLLER CONFIGURATION 3.2.2 Manually Assigning Node ID (-485 Only) 1. Place the Configuration Tag in the antenna’s RF field and cycle power to the HFCNTL-485-01controller or issue the reset command (Command 0x35). The controller’s Node ID number will be reset to the default value of 00 (all yellow Node ID LEDs should be off). 2.
CHAPTER 3: CONTROLLER CONFIGURATION 3.2.3 Automatic Node Assignment - Subnet16™ Gateway (-485 Only) Through the use of the Configuration Tag, a Subnet16 Gateway can automatically assign the Node ID number to a controller connected via Subnet16 network. Follow the steps below to allow a Subnet16 Gateway to automatically assign the Node ID number to a Cobalt HF-CNTL-485-01. 1.
CHAPTER 4: LED STATUS CHAPTER 4: LED STATUS Cobalt HF RFID Controllers have eight LEDs located on the front panel. These LEDs display RF and communications activity, diagnostic information and power and Node ID status. 4.1 LED D E S C R I P T I O N S RF LED, color is red. The RF LED will light when RF power is being transmitted. COM LED, color is green. The COM (communications) LED indicates that data is being transmitted. Upon receiving a command, the COM LED will begin flashing ON and OFF.
CHAPTER 4: LED STATUS 4.2 ERROR CONDITIONS When an error occurs, the red RF LED and one or more yellow LEDs will flash in unison. The yellow LEDs represent the error code in binary notation. These LEDs will continue to flash the error code until a valid command is received by the controller. If an unrecoverable error occurs, the LEDs will continuously flash the error code until the Cobalt Controller has been reset. See Chapter 8 for a list of error codes and their descriptions.