Allflex USA 30002 User Manual

RS420

Portable Stick Reader

USER MANUAL

Version 1.0

Item

features

Description

Part Number

1

Cardboard

Use to transport the reader

2

Reader

-

3

IEC cable

Supply cable to power the external adapter

4

CD-ROM

Support for user manual and reader datasheets

5

Data-Power
Cable

Conveys external power to reader and serial data to and
from reader.

6

External Power
Adapter

Power the reader and charge the battery.

7

USB flash drive
adapter

Allows the user to connect an USB stick to upload or to
download data to or from reader.

8

User Manual

-

9

Ear Tags

2 ear tags to demonstrate and test FDX and HDX reading
capabilities.

10

Rechargeable Li­Ion battery

Supplies the reader. Adds expected battery life

6

2

1 3 5

4

10

7

9

8

Description

The RS420 reader is a rugged portable hand-held scanner and telemeter for RFID tags
specifically designed for livestock applications. The reader fully complies with ISO
standards ISO11784 / ISO11785 for FDX-B and HDX technologies.

In addition to its tag reading functions, the reader can store up to 100,000 IDs in different
work sessions, each associated with a time/date stamp, in its internal memory and transmit
hem to a personal computer via an USB interface, a RS232 interface or a Bluetooth®
interface.

The device has a large display window which allows you to view the “Main Menu” and
configures the reader to your specifications.

Packaging list

2

Item

Feature

Description of use

1

Antenna

Emits activation signal and receives transponder signal.

2

Fiberglass Tube Enclosure

Rugged and watertight enclosure.

3

Audible beeper

Beeps once on first transponder reading and 2 short beeps for repeat.

4

Large graphical readout with
backlight

Displays information about current reader status.

5

Green indicator

Illuminates whenever a transponder data has been stored.

6

Red indicator

Illuminates whenever antenna is emitting activation signal.

7

black MENU button

Navigates in the reader menu to manage or to configure it.

8

green READ button

Applies power and causes activation signal to be emitted for reading
transponder

9

Vibrator

Vibrates once on first transponder reading and short vibrates for
repeat.

10

Handle grip

Rubber anti-slip griping surface

11

Cable connector

Electrical interface for attaching Data/Power cable or USB stick
adapter.

12

Bluetooth®

Wireless interface to communicate data to and from reader (not
pictured)

Figure 1 - Reader features and user interface.

Table 1 – Reader features and description of use

3

1

Insert the battery in the reader. The pack is keyed for proper
installation.

2

The stationary key should be up towards the display. The

battery pack will “snap” into place when it is properly

inserted. DO NOT FORCE the battery into the reader. If the
battery does not insert smoothly, verify it is properly
orientated.

1

Unscrew the protective cap which guards against foreign
material contamination.
Insert the data-power cable by engaging the connector and
rotating the lock-ring.

Operation

Getting Started

It is necessary first to fully charge the Battery Pack as described below and to have a few
electronic identification ear tags or implants available for testing. It is very important to

carry out the three steps described in this section before using the reader (see “Battery
handling instructions” section for more information)

Step 1: Installing the battery pack in the device.

Step 2: Charging the battery pack.

4

2

Plug the power cord into the cable socket located at the end of
the data-power cable.

3

Plug the adapter into a power outlet. The icon of the battery
level indicates that the battery pack is in charge (the level bars
flash inside the icon) and gives the battery charge level.

4

The icon of the battery level will be when charging has
finished. Charging takes approx. 3 hours.
Remove the power cord.
Unplug the adapter from the power outlet, and remove the
data-power cable inserted in the reader.

5

Item

Feature

Description of use

1

Battery level

The battery level shows the fully charged level as well as the
charge level during the charge mode.

2

USB connection

Appears when the reader is connected to a computer via USB port.
NOTE: The reading mode is disabled if there is no battery and no
external power supply. Therefore it is not possible to read a
transponder although the other functions are fully active.

3

Current number
of ID codes

Number of read and saved ID codes in the current session.

4

Clock

Clock time in 24 hour mode.

5

Bluetooth
connection

Check the Bluetooth® status and connection (see section
“Bluetooth® management” for more details).

6

Reader name

Display the reader name. It appears only upon power on and until
a tag is read.

7

Number of ID
codes

Total number of read and saved ID codes in all recorded sessions.

Note 1 - Once activated, the reader will remain activated for 5 minutes by default,
if it is powered only by its battery pack.

Power on instructions

Press the green button on the reader handle to power on the reader. The main screen will
appear on the display:

6

Item

Legend

Comments

1

Reading zone

Area in which the ear tags and the implants can be read.

2

RFID Ear tag

-

3

RFID Implant

- 4 Best orientation

Best orientation of the ear tags regarding the reader antenna

5

Antenna

-

6

Reader

-

Read Range Performance

Figure 2 illustrates the reading zone of the reader, within which tags can be successfully
detected and read. Optimum read distance occurs depending upon the orientation of the tag.
Tags and implant read best when positioned as shown below.

Figure 2 - Optimum Read Distance Tag Orientation

Typical read distances will vary when reading different types of ear tags, in the optimum tag
orientation at the end of the reader (as shown in Figure 2), the reader will read up to 42cm
depending tag type and orientation.

Power off instructions

The reader can be powered off by simultaneously depressing BOTH buttons for
approximately 3 seconds

7

Item

Feature

Description of use

1

Transponder type

ISO standard 11784/5 has approved 2 technologies for animal
identification: FDX-B and HDX. When the reader displays the

word “IND” as transponder type, it means that its transponder

is not coded for animals.

2

Country code /
Manufacturer
code

The country code is according the ISO 3166 and ISO 11784/5 in
numeric or in alpha coding. Manufacturer code is according to
ICAR assignment.

3

First digits of ID
code

First digits of the identify code is according the ISO 11784/5.

4

Last digits of ID
code

Last digits of the identify code is according the ISO 11784/5. The
user can select the number of last bold digits (between 3 and 8
digits).

Read a RFID transponder

Scanning animals

Place the device near the animal identification tag to be read, then press the green button in
order to activate the reading mode. The screen backlight switches on and the red light is
flashing.
During the reading mode, move the reader along the animal to scan the transponder ID. The
reading mode remains activated during a programmed duration. If the user is always pressing
the green button, the reading mode remains activated. If the device is programmed in
continuous reading mode, the reading mode remains indefinitely activated up to the user stop
it by pressing again the green button.

The following picture shows the result of a successful reading session:

When a new EID transponder is successfully read, the green light flashes and the reader
stores the ID code in its internal memory after its first reading (and if the option “duplicate
search” is activated) with the current date and time (if the option is activated).
The number of read ID codes in the current session is increased.
The buzzer and the vibrator will sound and/or vibrate with every scan.

8

Note 2 –The ‘Date and Time Stamp’, and the sound/vibration features are options
that can be turned on or off according to your specific applications.

Each time a tag is scanned, the identification code is transmitted automatically via the USB
cable, the RS232 cable or Bluetooth®.

Tips for efficient reading

Tag reader efficiency is often linked with reading distance. The device's read distance
performance is affected by the following factors:

1. Transponder orientation: to obtain maximum reading distance, the axes of the

transponder and reader antenna coils must be optimally orientated as shown in Figure

2.

2. Transponder quality: Each transponder manufacturer uses their own unique

manufacturing process. Consequently, it is normal to find that many common
transponders from different manufacturers have different read range performance
levels.

3. Animal movement: If the animal moves too quickly, the transponder may not be

located in the read zone long enough for the ID code information to be obtained.

4. Transponder type: HDX and FDX-B transponders generally have similar reading

distances, but tag manufacturers and environmental factors such as RF interferences
may affect overall tag performances.

5. Nearby metal objects: Metal objects located near a transponder or reader may

attenuate and distort the magnetic fields generated in RFID systems and therefore,
reduce reading distance. An example, an ear tag against a squeeze chute significantly
reduces the read distance.

6. Electrical noise interference: The operating principle of RFID transponders and

readers is based on electromagnetic signals. Other electromagnetic phenomena, such
as radiated electrical noise from other RFID tag readers, or computer screens may
interfere with RFID signal transmission and reception, therefore, reduce the read
distance.

7. Transponder/reader interference: Several transponders in the reception range of the

reader, or other readers that emit excitation energy close by may adversely affect
reader performance or even prevent the reader from operating.

8. Discharged battery pack: As the battery pack discharges, the power available to

activate the field becomes weaker, which in turn reduces the read range field.

9

Item

Legend

Comments

1

Activation signal
of reader 1

-

2

Reader 1

reader 1 in transmitting mode.

3

Activation signal
from reader 1

-

4

Reader 2

reader 2 in listening mode.

Note 3 – Activate the wireless synchronization feature only with readers which
complied with the ISO11785 timings.

Wireless synchronization

A reader which is in the vicinity of a second reader is very likely to transmit its activation
signal during the listening pause of the second reader and vice versa. The result is that
neither reader will be able to receive the HDX telegram.
Wireless synchronization can be used to control the coordination of readers. The proviso is
that the electrical noise in the environment is low and the RFI noise is constant, for the type
of readers in use.

“A mobile transceiver by nature cannot directly be connected to other transceivers. To
prevent a mobile transceiver interfering with the interrogation protocol of other
transceivers, it must be able to detect the presence of additional active transceivers through
the reception of activation signals.
If no activation signal is detected within 30 ms, the transceiver is out of reach of other active
transceivers and its activation signal will not interfere with other interrogation processes.
The transceiver can therefore safety use the protocols defined in clause 6 of this
International Standard. If the mobile transceiver detects an activation signal it must wait for

the rising edge of the next activation signal and activate during a fixed period of 50ms.” (cf.

ISO1185 – Annex C chapter 3)

10