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AR400 RFID Reader Integrator Guide
72E-71810-01
Revision .1
April 2005

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Summary of Contents for Symbol AR400

  • Page 1 AR400 RFID Reader Integrator Guide 72E-71810-01 Revision .1 April 2005...
  • Page 2 Symbol reserves the right to make changes to any software or product to improve reliability, function, or design. Symbol does not assume any product liability arising out of, or in connection with, the application or use of any product, circuit, or application described herein.
  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Mounting the AR400 ....................2-4 Connecting Antennas to the AR400................2-4 Portal Setup ....................... 2-4 Powering the AR400 ....................2-4 Verifying Hardware Functionality ................2-5 Connecting the AR400 for Communication ..............2-5 Ethernet Connection ....................2-5 RS232 Connection ..................... 2-5 Reading Tags ........................2-7...
  • Page 4 Creating a Filter Rule ....................3-15 Read Point Classes ......................3-21 Read Point Zones ......................3-22 Adding and Modifying Read Point Zones..............3-23 Renaming, Enabling, and Disabling the AR400 ............. 3-24 Configuring Individual Read Points................3-26 Event Notification......................3-27 Visibility Events ......................3-27 Threshold Event .......................
  • Page 5: About This Guide

    About This Guide Introduction ......................... ix Chapter Descriptions ......................ix Notational Conventions ....................... ix Related Documents and Software..................ix Service Information.......................x Symbol Support Center........................x...
  • Page 6: Introduction

    This Integrator Guide provides information about installing, configuring, and using the AR400 RFID Reader. The AR400 is a multi-protocol RFID reader providing real-time, seamless tag processing for all EPC-compliant tags: Class 0 (Read Only), Class 0 (Read/Write, also known as Class 0+), and Class 1 (Read/Write).
  • Page 7: Service Information

    If the equipment is found to be working properly and the problem is symbol readability, the Support Center will request samples of bar codes for analysis at our plant. If the problem cannot be solved over the phone, you may need to return the equipment for servicing. If that is necessary, you will be given specific directions.
  • Page 8 N-1055 OSLO, Norway Waverly 2090 Johannesburg Spain Republic of South Africa 91 324 40 00 (Inside Spain) Symbol’s repair depot and shipping 11-809 5311 (Inside South Africa) +34 91 324 40 00 (Outside Spain) address: +27-11-809 5311 (Outside South Africa) Fax: +34.91.324.4010...
  • Page 9 Solna StrandvŠg 78 S-171 54 SOLNA Sweden Switchboard: 08 445 29 00 (domestic) Call Center: +46 8 445 29 29 (international) Support E-Mail: Sweden.Support@se.symbol.com If you purchased your Symbol product from a Symbol Business Partner, contact that Business Partner for service.
  • Page 10 Getting Started Introduction ........................1-3 RFID Technology......................1-3 RFID Components ..................... 1-3 The AR400 RFID Reader ....................1-4 Multiple Connection Options ..................1-4 Flexible Read Point Configurations................1-4 Configuration and Upgrading ..................1-4 Tag Management ....................... 1-5 Event Management ....................1-5 Device Management ....................
  • Page 11: Introduction

    Introduction The AR400 Reader is a ready-to-connect network element that offers a variety of options for connecting to corporate networks via Ethernet or serial connections. A Setup Wizard facilitates reader configuration. RFID Technology Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is an advanced automatic identification (Auto ID) technology that uses radio frequency signals to identify “tagged”...
  • Page 12: The Ar400 Rfid Reader

    The AR400 provides flexibility for connecting to networks via Ethernet or serial connection. Because each AR400 is identified by its unique IP address, it is accessible from anywhere on the network. The AR400 can also be configured to obtain its IP address from a DHCP server, automating the IP address...
  • Page 13: Flexible Read Point Configurations

    Pre-Processing: The AR400 restricts its ability to read tags as directed by the include or exclude filtering specification. • Post Processing: The AR400 reads all tags it sees, and applies its filters before it reports these tags to the host computer. Tag List Use the tag list feature to send information about tags from the host to the reader.
  • Page 14: Device Management

    The AR400 can send real-time notification of specific events and failures to the SNMP server. Security Trusted Hosts The AR400 allows specifying the IP addresses of hosts that are allowed to connect to the reader. Use this security feature to prevent unauthorized network hosts from communicating with the reader. User Level Security The AR400 recognizes three access levels to assign to users: •...
  • Page 15 Mounting the AR400 ....................2-4 Connecting Antennas to the AR400................2-4 Portal Setup ....................... 2-4 Powering the AR400 ....................2-4 Verifying Hardware Functionality ................2-5 Connecting the AR400 for Communication ..............2-5 Ethernet Connection ....................2-5 RS232 Connection ..................... 2-5 Reading Tags ........................2-7...
  • Page 16: Ar400 Physical Connections

    Ensure the AR400’s power cord can reach the power source outlet. • Mount the AR400 onto a permanent fixture, such as a wall or a shelf, where it won't be disturbed, bumped, or damaged. Allow a minimum of five inches of clearance on all sides of the AR400.
  • Page 17 When installing the antenna, ensure a minimum separation distance of 9.1 in (23 cm) between the antenna and human beings.
  • Page 18: Mounting The Ar400

    1. Position the AR400 on the wall or shelf, ensuring 5 inches (12.7 cm) of clearance on all sides. 2. Using the pre-drilled holes at the corners of the AR400 as a guide, drill four holes in the wall or shelf for mounting the AR400.
  • Page 19: Verifying Hardware Functionality

    To power on (and off) the AR400: 1. Connect the provided 24 VDC power supply to the AR400’s power port. 2. Plug the power supply into a 24 V power outlet. The green Power LED on the AR400 lights to indicate the AR400 is powered on.
  • Page 20: Ethernet Connection

    When the AR400 obtains its IP address via DHCP but you need to know the IP address. • When crossover cables are not available and you need to change the IP address of the AR400 as per the network's addressing scheme.
  • Page 21 • no hardware compression 4. After establishing a connection with the AR400, type AdvancedReaderConsole on the host computer and press Enter. 5. Enter admin as the username and change as the password. These are the default settings. You cannot change the password from the serial console. To change the password (or create a new user account) use the Web-based Administrator Console.
  • Page 22: Reading Tags

    AR400 to the host's USB port for serial communication. To connect the AR400 to a host computer and read tags in real time, connect through TCP/IP and use a real-time application such as TagVis. Refer to the TagVis Developer Guide, or the user guide provided with the application.
  • Page 23 Event Notification......................3-27 Visibility Events ......................3-27 Threshold Event ....................... 3-27 Network Status Event....................3-27 Exception Events ..................... 3-27 Selecting Event Notification Options................ 3-28 Committing / Discarding Changes .................. 3-30 Managing Trusted Hosts ....................3-31 Managing Users......................3-32 User Maintenance ....................3-33...
  • Page 24: Managing The Ar400

    The AR400 includes an Administrator Console used to manage and configure the AR400. Use a Web browser on a host computer to access the AR400’s Administrator Console. 1. To access the Administrator Console, enter the IP address of the AR400 in a web browser. The default address is 192.168.127.254. The Console’s login window appears.
  • Page 25: Using The Setup Wizard

    Using the Setup Wizard The Setup Wizard provides a simple means of setting up and configuring the AR400 for the first time. Click Help for assistance when using the wizard. To use the wizard for initial configuration, click Setup Wizard (the first item in the menu).
  • Page 26: Status

    Status Click Status on the Console main menu to view the Reader Status window, which displays information about the AR400 and read points (antennas). Figure 3-4. Reader Status Window Reader Status Window Elements describes the elements in the Reader Status window.
  • Page 27: Scan Control

    Parent Disabled Number Devices dependent on a non-operational parent device are marked Parent Disabled. For example, when a reader is system- disabled, its read points are marked parent disabled. Reader Information System Clock [Weekday] [Month] [Day of the Time of the reader system clock. Click on this to change the time Month] [Hour:Minute:Second] of the reader system clock.
  • Page 28 scheduled. Figure 3-5. Scan Control Window To initiate a scan for on-demand read points click Initiate Scan. To enable polling for polled read points click Enable Polling.
  • Page 29: Scheduling A Periodic Scan Read Point

    Scheduling a Periodic Scan Read Point To schedule a periodic scan for a read point, modify the read point class setting: 1. Click Read Point Class. Figure 3-6. Read Point Classes Window 2. Enter a name for the read point class in the Class Name: field. 3.
  • Page 30 8. Select a filter from the Tag Selection: drop-down list to specify which tags to read. See Query for information on creating filters. 9. In the Write Gain: drop-down list select the gain (a percentage) to designate the antenna’s power setting for writing RFID tags.
  • Page 31 point. Figure 3-8. Read Point Configuration Window 14. Select the new read point class from the Class: drop-down list. This associates the read point with the new read point class, scheduled to perform a scan every 5 minutes. 15. Click Modify Read Point, then Commit/Revert to apply the changes. See Committing / Discarding Changes.
  • Page 32 16. Click Scan Control to open the Scan Control window. This window indicates when the next periodic scan is scheduled. Figure 3-9. Reader Scan Control Window...
  • Page 33: Query

    Query Use the query feature to read tags and get their status information. The AR400 replies with one of the following tag status indications: • The tag is not known to the system. (The tag was never seen or imported.) •...
  • Page 34 Query. Figure 3-11. Tag Query Window 5. Enter the type and ID from Step 3 in the Type: and Id: fields. 6. Click Submit Query. The AR400 responds with the read point of the antenna that is reading the tag.
  • Page 35: Writing A Tag

    Writing a Tag Use the Write a Tag option to perform the following with a re-writable (R/W) tag: • Write, Erase and/or Lock Tag ID. • Write, Erase and/or Lock User Data. • Write / Lock kill code. • Kill A Tag To write a tag: 1.
  • Page 36: Writing Tips

    Writing Tips Before writing to tags consider the following tips: • Locking a tag ID and/or user data prevents further erasing and writing the tag ID and user data on this tag. • After writing and locking the kill code, the kill code is required to kill the tag. •...
  • Page 37: Filtering

    Filtering The AR400 allows setting filters based on rules and then associating the filters with a specific read point. This prevents the AR400 from reporting specific tags. Filtering out tags involves the following steps: • Creating a filter rule •...
  • Page 38 2. Click Create A New Rule. Figure 3-14. Tag Filter Rule Window 3. Choose the values for specific bits on which to base the filter. 4. Enter a name for the rule in the Filter Rule Name: field. 5. Select an option from the Test Method drop-down list. Inclusive indicates that all tags matching the rule are reported.
  • Page 39 8. Click Create a New Filter. Figure 3-15. Tag Filter Window 9. Select the new rule from the Available Rules list and click <<. The rule moves to the Selected Rules list, adding it to the filter. 10. Click Add/Modify Tag Filter. The Tag Selection Filter window appears with the new filter in the Tag Filter List.
  • Page 40 12. Click on Read Point Class. Figure 3-16. Read Point Classes Window 13. Enter a class name in the Class Name: field. 14. Select settings for the class from the drop-down lists. See Scheduling a Periodic Scan Read Point for field descriptions. 15.
  • Page 41 18. Click Configuration. Figure 3-17. Selecting a Read Point 19. Select the read point with which to associate the new filter.
  • Page 42 20. Select the new class which contains the new filter from the Class drop-down list. 21. Click Modify Read Point. The Reader Configuration window displays the new read point class associated with the selected antenna. The selected read point of the AR400 now reports tags as per the selected rule.
  • Page 43: Read Point Classes

    Use an existing read point class as a template, copy it, change its settings, and save the new class with a different name. The AR400 includes several read point classes to use as templates. To create a new class based on one of the existing classes: 1.
  • Page 44: Read Point Zones

    Read Point Zones Read point zones provide a logical way of grouping one or more read points on the same reader or across readers. A read point zone facilitates arbitrary user aggregations of read points. Read Point Zone 1 Read Point 3 Read Point 2 Read Point 1 Tag 1...
  • Page 45: Adding And Modifying Read Point Zones

    Adding and Modifying Read Point Zones To create a zone: 1. Click Read Point Zone. Figure 3-21. Read Point Zone Diagram 2. Manage read point zones as follows: • To add a zone, enter a name for the zone in the Zone Name: field and click Add Zone. •...
  • Page 46: Renaming, Enabling, And Disabling The Ar400

    Renaming, Enabling, and Disabling the AR400 Assign a new name and description to the AR400 to use later to identify AR400s on the network. If desired, disable the AR400 for all future operations. To rename or disable an AR400: 1. Click Configuration.
  • Page 47 3. To modify the name and description of the AR400, enter this information in the Name: and Description: fields. Note that the serial number cannot be modified. 4. Select the Read Tag User Data checkbox to ensure the AR400 reads user data along with tag IDs. 5. To disable the AR400, select the Disable Reader checkbox.
  • Page 48: Configuring Individual Read Points

    Configuring Individual Read Points The Reader Configuration window also allows configuring and managing read points connected to the AR400. To manage an antenna: 1. Select the specific read point from the Reader Configuration window, shown in Reader Configuration Window Figure 3-24. Modify Read Point Configuration Window 2.
  • Page 49: Event Notification

    AR400 receive a 'user/disable/parent' notification. Similarly, if a device fault occurs for the AR400, all corresponding events for the device fault also occur for each read point associated with that AR400. After correcting the fault, enabling the AR400 also enables 'parent disabled' devices associated with it.
  • Page 50: Selecting Event Notification Options

    Selecting Event Notification Options To select the event notifications to receive: 1. Select Notifications. Figure 3-25. Event Notifications Window 2. Click on the appropriate Notify option for each event type. Figure 3-26. Setting Notify Options...
  • Page 51 3. In the Notify Option: drop-down list, select one of the following options: • Never: do not provide notification for the event type. • Immediate: provide notification when the event occurs, provided the event is not filtered out. • Moderated: retest this condition every minute up to the timeout value. If the condition still exists and an intervening event has not occurred, provide notification for this event type, if the event is not filtered out 4.
  • Page 52: Committing / Discarding Changes

    Commit/Revert. Figure 3-28. Commit/Revert Window 2. Click Commit to save a new configuration and apply changes to the AR400's configuration file. 3. Click Discard to discard changes made to the reader configuration during this session. 4. Click Revert only if a saved backup configuration exists to discard current changes and revert...
  • Page 53: Managing Trusted Hosts

    AR400 even if they are on the same network as the AR400. When disabled (the default), the AR400 logs the IP addresses of any computers that attempt to access the AR400 to provide a history of attempted accesses.
  • Page 54: Managing Users

    4. Select an option from the Access Level: drop-down list for the new user: • View: Allows the user to connect to the Administrator Console and view AR400 settings. • Edit: Allows the user to make configuration changes excluding tasks such as updating the firmware.
  • Page 55: User Maintenance

    User Maintenance To modify the access level or other account parameters and settings for an existing user: 1. Click Manage Users. Figure 3-31. Modifying Users Window 2. To assign the default password (change) to a user, select the user from the User List, select the Clear Password radio button, and click Modify User.
  • Page 56 Maintenance and Troubleshooting Introduction ........................4-3 Reader Maintenance - Changing Communication Settings ..........4-3 Setting Date and Time...................... 4-5 Getting Firmware Version Number ................... 4-6 Monitoring Logs ........................ 4-8 Backing Up the Configuration................... 4-8 Restoring a Configuration....................4-9 Backup / Restore Example..................4-10 Logging Out from the Console..................
  • Page 57: Introduction

    Reader Maintenance - Changing Communication Settings The AR400 provides typical configuration settings that make the reader a plug-and-play device. The Administrator Console allows customizing these communication parameters. For example, it enables changing the default IP address of the reader when the network does not have a DHCP server.
  • Page 58 Identifies a station, node, or individual computer on a Auto / 0 - 31 network. In this case the node address identifies the AR400 on the network. Obtain IP Address via DHCP The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol server running Checked (enabled) / unchecked...
  • Page 59: Setting Date And Time

    Setting Date and Time To set the reader’s date and time: 1. Click Maintenance in the main Administrator Console window. 2. Click Date/Time. Figure 4-2. System Time Management Window 3. To synchronize the reader’s clock with a particular SNTP server, enter the server’s address in the SNTP Server Address: field and click Set SNTP Parameters.
  • Page 60: Getting Firmware Version Number

    See Version Control Fields for descriptions of fields. Table 4-2. Version Control Fields Access Level Setting Description Radio Frequency Regulation Select a Radio Frequency Regulation region for the AR400. Region Image The current image is marked Active. This is the active firmware version the reader is running.
  • Page 61 Load Time Indicates when the image was loaded into the reader. Source Indicates the channel from which this image is loaded.
  • Page 62: Monitoring Logs

    Download the FPGA image first if both this image and a firmware image are available. The FPGA does not reboot the AR400; if only updating the FPGA image, reboot the reader after the update. Refer to the log before rebooting to ensure the update was successful.
  • Page 63: Backing Up The Configuration

    Backing Up the Configuration The reader supports the following backup configuration functions: • Rolling back maintenance errors and restoring the reader to a particular date and time. • Pushing reader-specific changes made to the config.xml file to multiple readers, simplifying multi-reader management.
  • Page 64: Restoring A Configuration

    Restoring a Configuration The restore feature restores a backed-up configuration file to enable quick configuration parameter recovery. This section describes how to restore the backup file on the reader from which it was backed up. For restoring a reader’s backup to another reader, see Restoring Backup Across Readers. Config.xml contains reader-specific configuration parameters such as IP address and port number.
  • Page 65: Backup / Restore Example

    4. In the FTP Link field, enter the FTP URL of the server. 5. Enter the username of a user account on the server in the FTP User Name field. 6. Enter the password in the FTP Password field. 7. Click Download New Firmware. A message indicates the XML file is loading. After several minutes, refer to the FTP server log to confirm the download was successful.
  • Page 66: Logging Out From The Console

    server. Figure 4-7. Sample Config.xml File 3. Restore the backup Config.xml file. See Restoring a Configuration . The Administrator Console indicates that the reader successfully restored the previous configuration. Logging Out from the Console Before closing the browser, log out of the console. Click Logout from either the maintenance menu or the main menu.
  • Page 67: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting Table 4-3. Troubleshooting Problem Possible Causes Possible Solutions AR400 error LED lights after the reader The CPU cannot communicate Refer to the system log for error messages. has been in operation. with the DSP and cannot reload the DSP firmware to it.
  • Page 68 If problems still occur, contact the distributor or call the local Symbol Support Center. page x for the telephone numbers.
  • Page 69 Specifications Technical Specifications ....................A-3 Cable Pinouts ........................A-5 Ethernet Connections....................A-5 RS232 Port Connections.................... A-5 RS485 Port Connections.................... A-6...
  • Page 70 Technical Specifications The following table summarizes the mobile computer’s intended operating environment and general technical hardware specifications. Table A-1. Technical Specifications Feature Description Physical Specifications Dimensions 8.75" H x 11.75" W x 2" D (22.23 cm H x 29.85 cm W x 5.08 cm D) Weight ~ 6 lbs (2722 g) Base Material...
  • Page 71 Safety EMI/RF Emissions Regulatory Region 1, FCC Part 90 Exposure To satisfy FCC RF exposure requirements, a mobile transmitting device must operate with a minimum separation distance of 99 cm or more from a person’s body. Operational Specifications Frequency UHF band, 909.75-921.75 MHz Method Fixed Frequency within the 909.75 to 921.75 band Power Output...
  • Page 72 mix) RS422/RS485 Connector Connect to host PC 1.0/2.3 DIN Jack Antenna Connectors Connect to external antennas (4 Transmit and 4 Receive.) Cable Pinouts Ethernet Connections Table A-2. Ethernet Connector: RJ45 10- Description Pin 1 Reserved/Do not use Pin 2 TXD (+) Pin 3 TXD (-) Pin 4...
  • Page 73 Pin 7 CTS (input) Pin 8 Not Used Pin 9 TXD (output) Pin 10 Not Used...
  • Page 74 RS-485 (-) Power Amplifier The Symbol technologies RFID part 90-power amplifier is a single stage class AB amplifier with a nominal static drain current bias of 150mA. With the application of full RF input power, the drain current will increase to 3.0A nominally.
  • Page 75 6 dB pad to add stability. Once the gain has been tested and set, the driving source, the Symbol Technologies Inc. AR400 output is set to a level, which results in less then the FCC limit of...
  • Page 76 Block Diagram of AR400 with power amplifier: System Block Diagram AR400 Filter 20 Ft Cable (RFID Reader) Antenna 20 Ft Cable Antenna...

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