ThingMagic Sargas User Manual
  1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. ThingMagic Manuals
  4. Rfid Systems
  5. Sargas
  6. User manual

ThingMagic Sargas User Manual

Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual
109561 RevE
Sargas
User Guide
For firmware version 5.1.2 and later
1

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the Sargas and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel

Related Manuals for ThingMagic Sargas

Summary of Contents for ThingMagic Sargas

  • Page 1 109561 RevE Sargas User Guide For firmware version 5.1.2 and later...
  • Page 2 U.S. Government, who has been provided access to such data must promptly notify ThingMagic. ThingMagic, Mercury, Reads Any Tag, and the ThingMagic logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of ThingMagic, A Division of Trimble. Other product names mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of Trimble or other companies.

  • Page 3: Revision History

    Revision History Revision History Revision Summary of Changes Rev A First Draft Rev B Second Draft Rev C Third Draft Rev D First Release Rev E Thermal Considerations section added.

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    Revision History ...........3 Introduction.
  • Page 5 Appendix B: Sargas Dimensions ........62...

  • Page 6: Introduction

    Separate appendices contain specifications and antenna information that are specific to the Sargas reader. Applications to control the Sargas from an external host can be written using the high level MercuryAPI. The MercuryAPI supports Java, .NET and C programming environments.
  • Page 7 - Describes the programming interfaces, including on-reader applications, where to find code samples, and the LLRP interface.  The following sections explain the methods available for connecting to the Sargas over the ethernet, and USB interfaces. – Setting Up the Reader - Connect using a direct ethernet connection from a Host PC to the Sargas.

  • Page 8: Hardware Overview

    – Sample Tag Pack (TM-TAG-KIT) Ports and Connectors Antenna Connections The Sargas supports two monostatic bidirectional RF antennas through two Reverse Polarity SMA (abbreviated to “RP-SMA”) connectors: labeled ANT1 and ANT2 on the Sargas - Figure 1. The maximum RF power that can be delivered to a 50 ohm load from the external port is 1.0 Watts, (+30.0 dBm).
  • Page 9 Figure 1: Sargas RFID Antenna Ports Antenna Requirements The performance of the Sargas is affected by antenna quality. Antennas that provide good 50 ohm match at the operating frequency band perform best. The degree of antenna match is measured as a return loss in negative dBm units, with a higher numerical (more negative) value being a better match.
  • Page 10 Hardware Overview Figure 2: Sargas Digital and Power Connectors DC Power (“+5VDC”) The connector used has the following specifications:  Accommodates jack with 2.1 mm center pin and 5.5 mm outer diameter; barrel connector length of 9.5 mm  Electrical: Current (carry) 3A at 5V w See the section, Power, for DC Power supply requirements.
  • Page 11 A USB 2.0 host interface Provides power and host USB connectivity for various standard and custom purposes. In the future, this interface will supports a variety of accessories, such as a keyboard, a mouse, wireless LAN interfaces, and readers that support other RFID technologies, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Sargas User Guide...

  • Page 12: Programming Interfaces

    ThingMagic website. Demo Applications As the starting point for learning the capabilities of the Sargas reader, and also a starting place for building custom applications, a demo application is provided in the MercuryAPI SDK package. The executable for this example is included in the MercuryAPI SDK package (available on rfid.thingmagic.com/devkit) under /cs/samples/exe/Universal-...

  • Page 13: On-Reader Applications

    Programming Interfaces On-Reader Applications The Sargas supports running custom applications on the reader, built using the MercuryAPI C Language interface. Most programs written using the C API can be compiled to run as a client application or run on the reader.

  • Page 14: Setting Up The Reader

    Coax cable(s) (with an RP-SMA connector on one end or an RP-TNC connector used in conjunction with our RP-SMA to RP-TNC adapter cable)   Optionally, you should have a USB cable (PC type A connector to Sargas mini- USB connector) in case console access is required. Note To initiate tag reading with the Sargas Reader, no host software is required aside from a browser.

  • Page 15: Setup Procedure

    Setting Up the Reader Setup Procedure The steps required to set up and run the Sargas Reader are contained in the following sections: Connecting Antenna(s) to the Reader Powering Up the Reader Connecting Your PC to the Reader Communicating with the Reader using a Link-local Address...
  • Page 16 Setting Up the Reader Powering Up the Reader You power up the Sargas using a DC power supply - NOTE: Sold separately To power up the Sargas Reader using a DC power supply: Plug the power supply into the Reader's DC power input connector.
  • Page 17 The Local Area Connection Status window appears, as shown in Figure 3. Note Link-local addressing does not work if DHCP is disabled on the reader. If the readerʼs Network Settings have been modified to use a static IP address this setup will not work. Sargas User Guide...
  • Page 18 Setting Up the Reader Figure 3: Local Area Connection Status Window Sargas User Guide...
  • Page 19 The Local Area Connections Properties window appears, as shown in Figure 4. Figure 4: Local Area Connection Properties Window Scroll down and select the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) version youʼre using. If you donʼt know which, change both. Sargas User Guide...
  • Page 20 On the Alternate Configuration tab “Automatic private IP address” should be selected, as shown in Figure 5. Figure 5: Internet Protocol TCP/IP Properties Window Click OK to save and exit the window. Click OK in the Local Area Connection Properties window. Sargas User Guide...
  • Page 21 URL address in the browser address bar. This URL will be displayed on a label on the reader, for example, “http://sargas-b65b2f”. If your reader is directly connected to the PC, then add the suffix “.local” to the URL, for example: “http:// sargas-b65b2f.local”...
  • Page 22 Setting Up the Reader Note On some systems, especially when Communicating with the Reader using a Link- local Address, the hostname must end in “.local” for the connection to succeed. i.e. “http://Sargas-21071f.local” Sargas User Guide...
  • Page 23 Setting Up the Reader Figure 7: Sargas Status Page The next step will be to ensure that your settings are correct. The “Settings” icon at the top of the web page allows you to make changes to the reader configuration. If you are configuring from the web site, any changes will be used as your operational configuration and as the default for next time the reader reboots.
  • Page 24 Setting Up the Reader  General Network Settings  Ethernet Interface • Reader • Protocol  Tag Reader Protocol  Tag Population  Tag Repeat Rate • Miscellaneous Sargas User Guide...

  • Page 25: Networking Settings

    Networking Settings Networking Settings You can set up the Sargas Reader to use either manual IP addressing or DHCP. By default, the Reader has automatic addressing enabled that boots up looking for a DHCP server. If no DHCP server is found it will use a Link-local address. Optionally, you can have the reader use a static address as a fall-back instead of a link-local address.
  • Page 26 Networking Settings not support POE directly, we have pre-qualified several devices which extract a 5V power source from the POE-enabled cable, while blocking the potentially harmful power from reaching the Sargasʼ Ethernet interface. Contact support@thingmagic.com for a list of POE adapters that we have qualified.

  • Page 27: Using Dhcp

    PC Setup To use DHCP to automatically assign your PC's IP address to insure common configuration with the Sargas, do the following: Select Start from the Start bar, and then select Control Panel. Double click the Network Connections icon.
  • Page 28 Click OK to save and exit the window. 10. Click OK, in the Local Area Connection Properties window. 11. Click OK, in the Local Area Connection Status window. The PC may take few minutes to save the new network settings. Sargas User Guide...
  • Page 29 Automatic Hostname: Sargas-xxxxxx At startup, the Reader, by default, generates an 'automatic hostname' by appending the last three bytes of its MAC address to its hostname, such as Sargas-210027. (A label on the Sargas reader will also provide this default hostname.)

  • Page 30: Connecting To The Usb Console Port

    Connecting to the USB Console Port Connecting to the USB Console Port Sargas supports communication over its USB Console port to enable you to:   Access the boot logs as files.   Access the console for emergency recovery.
  • Page 31 Connecting to the USB Console Port with the name, “SARGAS”. The Gadget serial virtual COM port drivers are in this directory. When the Gadget driver is installed, the USB port will appear Please follow the instructions in the installation guide appropriate for your operating system.

  • Page 32: Using Gpio

    Using GPIO Using GPIO The Sargas Reader includes an 8-pin terminal block connector for GPIO access GPIO Connector on the reader:  On Shore OSTOQ08B151 or  Phoenix 1881503 Mating Connector  On Shore OSTHW08B050 or  Phoenix 1881383 This connector is used to support two opto-isolated general purpose inputs and two opto- isolated general purpose outputs.

  • Page 33: Inputs

    0) sets pin corresponding to GPIO enumeration to Vhigh through 10kohm pull up resistor to V-GPO. gpoSet(GPIO_#, 1) sets pin corresponding to GPIO enumeration to Vlow through effective short (through isolated FET switch) to ISO-GND. Sargas User Guide...
  • Page 34 All outputs have an active pull down to ISO-GND. Note For non-isolated applications connect grounds together (pin 7 and 8) and V-GPO to Sargas +5V (pins 2 and 1). With this configuration the reader provides the +5V supply and can sink up to 200mA, total. Sargas User Guide...

  • Page 35: Controlling The Reader

    Controlling the Reader The Reader uses RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology to read and write data stored on RFID Tag(s). The Sargas Reader provides three levels of access to controlling read/write operations of RFID tag(s): Using the Browser-Based Interface A web browser controls high-level Reader operations. See Status Page information about how to access the browser-based interface.
  • Page 36 A navigation menu and the Status page appear in the browser, as shown in the Figure 7. Status Page The Sargas Status Page, as shown in the Figure 7, indicates the reader status, reader version and current LAN configuration parameters. Sargas User Guide...
  • Page 37 Controlling the Reader Settings Page The Sargas Settings Page enables you to change network, performance and security settings. The page is divided into four main sections:   Reader (Power) Settings   (Gen2) Protocol Settings   Network Settings ...
  • Page 38 RF Power Setting is set to Per Antenna. W A R N I N G ! Antenna detection is currently not supported in Sargas. If no antennas are selected in the Settings --> Reader screen, no tags will be read.
  • Page 39 IP mode. Please note that your network needs to have properly configured DNS servers, to connect to the Reader through its hostname. Typically, when using DHCP, the DHCP server will add the hostname to the DNS server's database. Sargas User Guide...
  • Page 40 Turning on automatic hostname will append the last six numbers (3 bytes) of the Hostname Readerʼs address to the text in the hostname field. For example, given a hostname of Sargas and a MAC Address of 00:12:A4: 13:47:AC, the automatic hostname would be Sargas-1347ac. Hostname This field contains the name of the Reader.
  • Page 41 Turn on if you want other applications, such as Universal Reader Assistant, to discover this reader using the Multicast DNS (Bonjour) protocol. Syslog Host Hostname for remote logging. All log levels in syslog are sent to this host. Sargas User Guide...
  • Page 42 Log files may be viewed (which allows them to be copied) or cleared via this screen. Firmware Upgrade Utility Sargas provides the Firmware Upgrade Utility for updating the firmware. Note The “Revert to default settings” button on this browser page can also be used to...
  • Page 43 Controlling the Reader Do one of the following:  In the File upload field, enter the complete URL network pathname of the firmware file.  Click Browse... to locate the firmware file. Sargas User Guide...

  • Page 44: Protocol Support

    The old firmware remains active until the Reader is restarted.Advanced Reader Functionality Protocol Support Using the MercuryAPI ReadPlan classes the Sargas can be configured to perform various Read operations. The following describes protocol specific configuration options supported on the Sargas . See the MercuryAPI Programmers Guide and language specific reference guides for details on supported Gen2 command functionality.

  • Page 45: Iso 18000-6B

    ISO 18000-6B Protocol Configuration Options The Sargas , with appropriate license purchase, supports multiple ISO-18000-6B profiles including the ability to specify the Return Link Frequency, encoding, Forward Link Rate and modulation scheme. The protocol options are set in the MercuryAPI Reader Configuration Parameters (/reader/iso18000-6b/*).
  • Page 46 Controlling the Reader Tag Read Meta Data When tags are being inventoried by the Sargas , in addition to the tag EPC ID resulting from inventory operation each TagReadData (see MercuryAPI for code details) contains meta data about how, where and when the tag was read. The specific meta data...

  • Page 47: Reader Rf Power

    FCC or other regional regulations. DO NOT increase the power beyond this level. The Sargas supports separate read and write power level which are command adjustable via the MercuryAPI. Power levels must be between: – Minimum RF Power = 0 dBm –...

  • Page 48: Setting The Reader Rf Power

    Enter the maximum setting based on your cable type, length, and antenna type. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and click Save changes button. The Settings Page will reload automatically after the settings have been saved. Sargas User Guide...

  • Page 49: Thermal Considerations

    70 C to be safe to touch. If the Sargas reader is operated in free space, or mounted to a material that is not thermally conductive, it should not be operated in an ambient temperature greater than 48 degrees C.
  • Page 50 Thermal Considerations With the Sargas reader mounted to this heat sink, the temperature rise above ambient was 6 degrees C when the Sargas reader was continuously transmitting at full RF power levels. Sargas User Guide...

  • Page 51: Mounting The Reader

    Appendix B: Sargas Dimensions for mounting hole locations and dimensions. C A U T I O N ! If there is any chance of dust or water exposure, the Sargas should be mounted in an appropriate water-tight enclosure. Ceiling or Wall...

  • Page 52: Variables Affecting Performance

    These cables should be laid flat and not coiled up. W A R N I N G ! The Sargas antenna ports may be susceptible to damage from Electrostatic Discharge (ESD). Equipment failure can result if the antenna or communication ports are subjected to ESD.

  • Page 53: Tag Considerations

      Tag Orientation: Reader performance is affected by the orientation of the tag in the antenna field. The ThingMagic antenna is circularly polarized, so it reads face-to but not edge-to.   Tag Model: Many tag models are available. Each model has its own performance characteristics.

  • Page 54: Sargas Specifications

    - Meet the above operating specs - The output must comply with SELV and LPS characteristics - Have a maximum operating ambient temperature that meets or exceeds the intended Sargas operating temperatures as covered under the UL Listing of the power supply. Environmental Operating Temperature: -40°C to +60°C...

  • Page 55: Physical Dimensions

    – Dual LED boot and reading status indicators – Power On Indicator – 4 processor status indicators – Isolated GPIOs: 2 Inputs & 2 Outputs plus +5 VDC and ground references Performance   Read Rate: Over 750 tags/second Sargas User Guide...

  • Page 56: Regulatory & Safety

      FCC 47 CFR Ch. 1 Part 15   Industrie Canada RSS-21 0   ETSI EN 302 208 V1.1.1 and V1.2.1 (with corresponding Sargas-EU hardware)   ROHS Compliant, UL Listed Processor   1 GHz TI ARM Cortex A8 (AM335x) User Memory ...

  • Page 57: Compliance And Ip Notices

    Under Industry Canada regulations, this radio transmitter may only operate using an antenna of a type and maximum (or lesser) gain approved for the transmitter by Industry Canada. To reduce potential radio interference to other users, the antenna type and its Sargas User Guide...
  • Page 58 Le fonctionnement de lʼ appareil est soumis aux deux conditions suivantes: Cet appareil ne doit pas perturber les communications radio, et Sargas User Guide...
  • Page 59 Au but de conformer aux limites d'exposition RF pour la population générale (exposition non-contrôlée), les antennes utilisés doivent être installés à une distance d'au moins 25 cm de toute personne et ne doivent pas être installé en proximité ou utilisé en conjonction avec un autre antenne ou transmetteur. Sargas User Guide...

  • Page 60: Appendix A: Sargas Antenna And Cable Information

    You must also provide strain relief for all Reader connections. The only antennas authorized by the FCC for use with the Sargas Reader are listed in the table below. Detailed information on each antenna is available from their respective manufacturers.

  • Page 61: Authorized Cables

    Appendix A: Sargas Antenna and Cable Informa- tion Authorized Cables The following table contains the cable loss values for authorized shielded coaxial cables provided by ThingMagic Use of these cables requires an RP-SMA to RP-TNC adapter. ThingMagic Part Cable Description Insertion Loss...

  • Page 62: Appendix B: Sargas Dimensions

    Appendix B: Sargas Dimensions Appendix B: Sargas Dimensions Figure 11: Sargas Dimension Sargas User Guide...

  • Page 63: Appendix C: Advanced Administration

    To change the root password, used by the command-line interface and console access, use standard linux "passwd [userid]" command. debian@Sargas-c8b641:~$ passwd Changing password for debian. (current) UNIX password: Enter new UNIX password: Retype new UNIX password: passwd: password updated successfully Sargas User Guide...

  • Page 64: Appendix D: Troubleshooting

    • Try known good Gen2 tags Reader RF Power • Increase Reader error LED stays on Collecting Diagnostic Data for ThingMagic Support Following and send to support. Read “Performance” is slow Performance, as it relates to tag reading, is very usecase dependent.

  • Page 65: Safe Mode

    “8888”. To do this, you add ":8888" after the Sargas host name or IP address of the URL you are accessing. For example, http:// 10.8.80.61:8888/firmware or http://sargas-b65b2f:8888/firmware. You will be presented with the login prompt again.
  • Page 66 Physical Configuration: any details available about the number and types of antennas connected, cables used, power supply, etc. Environment: any details about the physical environment the Sargas is being used/tested in. Temperature, humidity, vehicle mounted, office, etc. Sargas User Guide...

Table of Contents