Related Manuals for TransCore AP4118
Summary of Contents for TransCore AP4118
- Page 1 AP4118 Rail Tag Programmer User Guide TransCore 8600 Jefferson Street NE Albuquerque, New Mexico 87113 January 2017 P/N 16-4118-001 Rev A...
- Page 2 © 2005-2017 TransCore LP. All rights reserved. TRANSCORE, AMTECH, and EGO are registered trademarks and are used under license. All other trademarks listed are the property of their respective owners. Contents subject to change. Printed in the U.S.A. For further information, contact:...
- Page 3 47 CFR §15.21 CAUTION: This equipment may not be modified, altered, or changed in any way without permission from TransCore, LP. Unauthorized modification may void the equipment authorization from the FCC and will void the TransCore warranty. USE OF SHIELDED CABLES IS REQUIRED 47 CFR §15.27(a)
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Page 4: Table Of Contents
Generic/Non-AAR Tag Programming ........15 AP4118 Programmer CN and Permissions Tag ID Programming ... 15... - Page 5 Program Tag Using 4-Bit ASCII Hex Format (#201xxx...<cr>) ....19 Read/Verify Tag Data Using TransCore 6-Bit ASCII Format (#210<cr>) ..19 Read/Verify Tag Data Using 4-Bit ASCII Hex Format (#211<cr>)
- Page 6 Figure 6 Permissions Tag Being Slid into Tag Holder ....... . 13 Figure 7 AP4118 Rail Tag Programmer Indicator Lights ......17 Figure 8 Tag Being Slid into Tag Holder .
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Page 7: Before You Begin
AP4118 Rail Tag Programmer. This guide also provides procedures useful in troubleshooting any problems encountered after installation. Intended Audience The AP4118 Rail Tag Programmer User Guide is designed to be used by technical personnel responsible for setting up and operating the AP4118 Rail Tag Programmer and related software. -
Page 8: Typographical Conventions
Specifications Describes the cable interface configuration to a host computer Appendix B – RS–232 Connector Pin-outs Lists TransCore’s 6-bit ASCII character codes Appendix C – TransCore 6-Bit ASCII Format Lists TransCore’s 4-bit hexadecimal formats Appendix D – 4-Bit ASCII... - Page 9 Before You Begin Table 1 Typographical Conventions (continued) Convention Indication NULL Zero-value pointers. Null-terminated string refers to strings of printable ASCII characters with a zero-value byte placed in memory directly after the last printable character of the string.
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Page 10: Programmer Basics
Programmer Adapter (TransCore P/N 20-4118-001), which is required to seat the AT5549 tag during programming. To use the AP4118 programmer you need either a host system, such as a personal computer (PC), or a communications terminal to operate the programmer. TransCore does not supply this equipment for the AP4118 Rail Tag Programmer. -
Page 11: Antistatic Workstation
Well-designed workstations use a system of multiple precautions against ESD. Figure 1 shows an antistatic workstation. Figure 1 Programming Workstation with ESD Controls Contact TransCore Technical Support if you have any questions concerning the suitability of your programming station or environment. -
Page 12: Using The Esd Wrist Strap
Programmer Basics You can take several precautions to prevent ESD from affecting programming operations. The most effective precautions are listed below. The potential for ESD damage decreases when two or more precautions are used together. Using the ESD Wrist Strap Caution You should always attach the ESD wrist strap before beginning programming oper- ations in any setting. -
Page 13: Connecting The Host Device
Programmer Basics Connecting the Host Device The programmer requires connection to a host device — a host computer or communications terminal — for normal operation. Figure 2 shows the connector from the programmer to the host. Figure 2 Serial Interface Connector If the host system is a PC or a communications terminal, then you do not need to use a null modem. -
Page 14: Ap4118 Host Software
AP4118 to launch the tag programming software. Use the PT5780 tag if configuring the AP4118 programmer for 902 to 928 MHz frequency band tags and the PT5785 tag if configuring the AP4118 programmer for 860 to 880 MHz fre- quency band tags. -
Page 15: Figure 3 Tag Programming Host Software Main Screen
Programmer Basics Figure 3 shows the host software main screen. Figure 3 Tag Programming Host Software Main Screen For complete instructions to install and operate the tag programming host software, refer to AP4118 Rail Tag Programmer Host Software User Guide. -
Page 16: Configuring The Ap4118 Rail Tag Programmer
Permissions Tag. Permissions An AP4118 Rail Tag Programmer requires specific setup data before it can be used to program tags. Configuration of the programmer is done using a permissions tag. The permissions tag transfers parameters, such as permissions expiration date, program-... -
Page 17: Ordering A Permissions Tag
The expiration date appears in the following Use the PT5780 tag if configuring the AP4118 programmer for 902 to 928 MHz fre- quency band tags and the PT5785 tag if configuring the AP4118 programmer for 860... -
Page 18: Configuring The Rail Tag Programmer Using The Permissions Tag
Configuring the Rail Tag Programmer Using the Permissions Tag This section instructs how to configure the AP4118 Rail Tag Programmer using the permissions tag. For complete instructions on the operation of an AP4118 Rail Tag Programmer, refer to “Request Control Number (#43<cr>)” on page To use a Permissions Tag. -
Page 19: Permissions Tag/Programmer Control Number Matching
Command Set” on page 18 for programming and verifying tags. If the AP4118 tag programmer did not accept the permissions tag, you will not be able to program or read rail tags. Check the permissions tag expiration date (etched into the tag face) to ensure the tag is valid. You can enter the #44 Request Expiration Date to retrieve the permissions expiration. -
Page 20: Aar Tag Programming
Upon receiving a legacy AP4110-compatible tag programming command, the AP4118 programmer checks the incoming security characters embedded in the user data. If the incoming characters are secure, the AP4118 programmer then checks the secure char- acters against the security characters in the permissions tag. The data remains the same if a match is made;... -
Page 21: Generic/Non-Aar Tag Programming
Regardless of the incoming programming command format (6-bit or 4-bit), the secu- rity characters reside in bits 106 through 117 of the actual tag ATA frame data. The AP4118 programmer treats the security field as two 6-bit characters. For reference, Table C-1 of this user guide for the entire 6-bit ASCII character set. -
Page 22: Operating The Programmer
The accompanying AP4118 Rail Tag Programmer Host Software User Guide provides detailed instructions for operating the TP software. Note: If you are using the TransCore TP software on your host computer, do not use the RS–232 commands listed in this chapter. -
Page 23: Indicator Lights
Operating the Programmer Indicator Lights Figure 7 shows the indicator lights used by the programmer during operation. Figure 7 AP4118 Rail Tag Programmer Indicator Lights PROGRAM The tag is being programmed. VERIFY The programmer has read and verified the tag identification (ID) code. -
Page 24: Rs-232 Command Set
Operating the Programmer #abcxxxxxx...xxxxxx<cr> where start of command character. All commands must start with this character. the command xxx... user data carriage return <cr> If command execution is successful, the programmer sends the response #Done<cr> If command execution is unsuccessful, the programmer sends the response #Error<cr>... -
Page 25: Program Tag Using Transcore 6-Bit Ascii Format (#200Xxx
Read/Verify Tag Data Using TransCore 6-Bit ASCII Format (#210<cr>) The programmer reads the data from the tag, puts it into the TransCore 6-bit ASCII format, and sends it to the host device. Refer to Appendix C for a description of this 6-bit ASCII format. -
Page 26: Read/Verify Tag Data Using 4-Bit Ascii Hex Format (#211
Operating the Programmer and close the door within 10 seconds, the programmer will abort this command. See “Programming a Tag” on page 24 for tag insertion instructions. Response: #xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<cr> #Done<cr> #Error<cr> Read/Verify Tag Data Using 4-Bit ASCII Hex Format (#211<cr>) The programmer reads the data from the tag, puts it into the 4-bit ASCII hex format, and sends it to the host device.) -
Page 27: Write A Byte Of Data Using Hex Format (#221Yyxx
Operating the Programmer Response: #xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<cr> #Done<cr> #Error<cr> Write a Byte of Data Using Hex Format (#221yyxx<cr>) The programmer programs the user hex data (xx), 2 hex characters, at hex address yy. If the tag is not already in the tag holder, a series of beeps indicates that the program- mer is waiting for a tag to be placed in the holder.) - Page 28 Operating the Programmer The programmer will not read the data if the programmer does not have permission to read the memory area of the tag that is requested by the user. Each programmer will be assigned permissions at the factory, or through the use of a permissions tag that must be placed in to the programmer at pre-specified intervals.
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Page 29: Read A Byte Of Data Using Hex Format (#231Yy
System Reset (#30<cr>) The command resets the programmer to its original power-on state with the self-test. System reset takes approximately eight seconds. Response (system sign-on message): #Model AP4118 Ver X.XX #Copyright 2005 TransCore where X.XX is the current software version #Error<cr>...) -
Page 30: Display Tag Door Switch Status (#42
This command requests the tag programmer permissions expiration date. Response: MMDDYYYY or None Request Programming Mode (#45<cr>) This command requests the current AP4118 programming mode, based on the permis- sions tag. Response: #AAR = AAR S-918 compatible #GEN = Generic, non-AAR programming format...) -
Page 31: Figure 8 Tag Being Slid Into Tag Holder
Send the programmer the appropriate command along with the user data you want to program onto the tag. Use command #200 if you are using the TransCore 6-bit format for your data, command #201 for the 4-bit hex data format, command #220 if you are writing a page of SeGo data to the tag, and command #221 if you are writing a byte of SeGo data to the tag. -
Page 32: Verifying Tag Data
Table 5 on page 28 for troubleshooting remedies. Verifying Tag Data To verify the data on a tag Send the programmer the appropriate command. Use command #210 if you are using the TransCore 6-bit format for your data, command #211 for the 4-bit hex... -
Page 33: Security Characters
Security Characters The tag security character function prevents the use of unauthorized tags in TransCore electronic identification systems. All AP4118 Rail Tag Programmers have the capabil- ity, when enabled by settings in the PT5780 or PT5785 Permissions Tag, to program specific, predefined security characters into a tag. -
Page 34: Troubleshooting
Chapter 5 Troubleshooting Table 5 lists some problems that you may encounter when using the AP4118 Rail Tag Programmer, along with suggestions for troubleshooting each problem. If a problem persists, call TransCore Technical Support. Table 5 Troubleshooting Problems and Solutions... -
Page 35: A Tag Programmer Specifications
Appendix A Tag Programmer Specifications Tag Programmer Specifications This appendix lists the AP4118 Rail Tag Programmer physical and environmental specifications. Table A-1 lists the AP4118 Rail Tag Programmer parameters and specifications. Table A-1 AP4118 Rail Tag Programmer Physical and Environmental... -
Page 36: B Rs-232 Connector Pin-Outs
Appendix B RS–232 Connector Pin-outs RS–232 Connector Pin-outs Table B-1 identifies the pin-outs of the programmer’s DB9 rear panel RS–232 connec- tor. Note: The signal input/output is listed from the tag programmer side. Table B-1 RS–232 Connector Pin-outs Input/Output Function No connection Transmit Receive... -
Page 37: Transcore 6-Bit Ascii Format
TransCore 6-Bit ASCII Format TransCore 6-Bit ASCII Format In TransCore’s 6-bit ASCII format, each ASCII data character is represented by a cer- tain 6-bit pattern. These bit patterns are placed in specific groups of six consecutive bits within the tag. The ASCII characters and their corresponding 6-bit codes are listed Table C-1. -
Page 38: 4-Bit Ascii Hex Codes
4-Bit ASCII Hex Codes 4-Bit ASCII Hex Codes In TransCore’s 4-bit hex format, each ASCII character is represented by a certain 4-bit pattern. These bit patterns are placed in specific groups of four consecutive bits within the tag. The ASCII characters and their corresponding 4-bit hex codes are listed in Table D-1. -
Page 39: Programmer Response Codes
The AP4118 has detected an attempt to write illegal security operation characters to the security character positions of the tag’s ATA frame data. The AP4118 has then coded the SPACE character in the positions, therefore altering the user’s original tag data. Invalid permissions This programmer does not have permission to write data to the tag address that the user requested. -
Page 40: Security Characters
Security Characters Security Characters You can enter security characters into a TransCore AT5118 Tag if your programmer has been configured at the factory to perform the security character function. These ASCII security characters are encoded in the Amtech 6-bit data encoding scheme and...
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