ATMI NOWTRAKI Users Manual

Manual

NOWTrak Tagwriter

TM002E A0503

Operation and Installation Manual

- Critical Materials Packaging Solutions -

NOWTrak Tagwriter

Operation and Installation Manual

ATMI Packaging, Inc.

10779 Hampshire Avenue South

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55438-2359 USA

Phone [phone] Fax [phone]

www.atmi.com

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... 4

1.1. NOWTrak System Overview .................................................................................................................. 4

1.2. NOWTrak Tagwriter ...............................................................................................................................4

1.3. NOWTrak Components........................................................................................................................... 4

2. Installation....................................................................................................................................................... 5

2.1. PC Requirements..................................................................................................................................... 5

2.2. Reader Card Installation.......................................................................................................................... 5

2.3. Software Installation ............................................................................................................................... 5

2.4. Antenna and Cable Installation ............................................................................................................... 7

3. Operation......................................................................................................................................................... 9

3.1. Hardware Operation ................................................................................................................................ 9

3.2. Tag Writing Templates (csv files)......................................................................................................... 10

3.3. Tag Data Tab......................................................................................................................................... 12

3.4. Setup Tab............................................................................................................................................... 13

3.5. History Tab............................................................................................................................................ 15

3.6. Diagnostics Tab..................................................................................................................................... 16

3.7. I/O control ............................................................................................................................................. 16

3.8. Version Tab........................................................................................................................................... 17

4. Troubleshooting and Repair.......................................................................................................................... 18

4.1. Computer............................................................................................................................................... 18

4.2. Reader Cables and Hardware ................................................................................................................ 18

4.3. NOWTrak Tagwriter software ..............................................................................................................19

4.4. NOWTrak Technical Support ...............................................................................................................20

5. Regulatory Information .................................................................................................................................21

5.1. United States ......................................................................................................................................... 21

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1. Introduction

1.1. NOWTrak System Overview

The NOWTrak system is divided into three major subsystems, the Material Supplier, Material User and
Intelligent Package. The Material Supplier subsystem is made composed of the NOWTrak Tagwriter
software, Controller, and RFID Writer Hardware. The Material User subsystem includes the NOWTrak,
NOWTrak Editor and NOWTrak Fabview software, RFID Reader Hardware. The Intelligent Package
subsystem includes the NOWPak and IntelliCap.

1.2. NOWTrak Tagwriter

The NOWTrak Tagwriter system provides the NOWTrak product line with the ability to write information
to the RFID tag embedded in a NOWTrak “IntelliCap”. The Tagwriter is capable of automatic or manual
operation. There is also a read-only mode to display the data stored on the tag.

1.3. NOWTrak Components

1.3.1. Controller

The NOWTrak controller is typically an industrial PC running the Microsoft Windows 2000
Professional operating system. For small tag writing systems a desktop PC may be used provided it

meets the minimum requirements of the software. The controller is equipped with a NOWTrak RFID
circuit board inserted into a PCI card slot.

1.3.2. IntelliCap

The IntelliCap is a chemical bottle cap with an RFID tag embedded in it. The
IntelliCap is an integral part of the NOWTrak system. The embedded RFID tag
contains information about the contents of the NOWPak.

1.3.3. Tagwriter Antenna

A NOWTrak antenna is attached to wand or capping fixture and connected to the controller with coaxial
cable.

1.3.4. IntelliCheck PCV

The IntelliCheck PCV is a wand that contains an RFID antenna and cable and
an I/O cable. When the wand is within close proximity to a RFID tag, it has the
ability to read or write data to the RFID tag. The wand also contains a red and
green LED. These LEDs provide feedback to the operator during tag reading
and writing.

1.3.5. NOWTrak Tagwriter Software

The NOWTrak Tagwriter software has a graphic user interface that assists the user with the process of
writing tag data. NOWTrak Tagwriter is also called NOWTrak CSP. These terms are interchangeable.

1.3.6. NOWTrak Reader Card

The NOWTrak Reader card performs the actual writing of the RFID tag. It is
the interface between the PC software and the RFID tag. The reader card is a
PCI card with connections for 4 RFID antennas, although the NOWTrak
Tagwriter only works with one antenna at a time. The reader card, like any
PCI card, requires a PCI slot and a windows driver to become operational.

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2. Installation

2.1. PC Requirements

The NOWTrak Tagwriter application operates on a MS-Windows 2000 PC system. It may operate on other
MS-Windows 32 bit professional operating systems such as NT-4 and XP Professional, but it has not been
tested on these systems. The PC must contain at least one free PCI slot. When configured to operate as part
of an automated line, a monitor, keyboard and mouse are not a required, but are recommended. The
Tagwriter is not resource intensive but for best performance and reliability the computer hardware should be
of recent vintage meeting the minimum specifications below.

• Processor: Pentium III, 500Mhz or Better

• RAM: 256MB

• Video: SVGA 1024x768

• HDD: 10GB

• CDROM: 8X

2.2. Reader Card Installation

Caution: A qualified PC technician should install the reader board.
Caution: Observe ESD procedures during board installation.

• Shut down the computer and disconnect the power cord.

• Open the chassis to expose an available PCI Slot.

• Install the Reader card and secure the card using the chassis retaining screw or clamp.

• Close the chassis.

• Reconnect power and start the computer.

• Load the reader card device driver, See Driver Installation below.

2.3. Software Installation

2.3.1. Driver Installation

When the system is booted with a newly installed reader board, MS-Windows will detect it and launch
the “New Hardware Wizard”.

1. Load the NOWTrak CD into the CD-ROM drive.

2. When the wizard asks for the location of the driver. Select the “Have Driver” option and browse to
IOP480.sys on the NOWTrak CD-ROM.

3. Finish the wizard by accepting the defaults.

Once the driver is installed, the board becomes operational.

2.3.2. Unicode Font Installation

Note: This font MUST be installed for proper operation of the NOWTrak software.

• Load the NOWTrak CD into the CD-ROM drive.

• Using Windows Explorer, Browse to the CD.

• Double-click on ArialUnicodeFont.exe.

• Accept the license agreement and complete the installation.

• Restart the computer if required.

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2.3.3. NOWTrak Software Installation

• Copy the NOWTrakCSP directory from the CD to the C: Drive. Note: an alternate drive may be used
but the program registry must be edited to reflect the correct directory assignment. See Software
Configuration below.

• Using Windows Explorer, edit the properties of the C:\NowTrakCSP directory. Clear the read-only
attribute on and apply changes to the folder, subfolders and files. (See picture below)

2.3.4. NOWTrak Software Configuration

• Load the NOWTrak CD into the CD-ROM drive.

• Using Windows Explorer, Browse to the CD.

• Double-click on NOWTrakCSP.reg

• Click “Yes” to the edit system registry dialog box.

• If the Tagwriter software was NOT installed in C:\NOWTrakCSP edit the directory path in the

NOWTrak registry: HKEY_LOCALMACHINE/SOFTWARE/ATMI/NOWTrakCSP.

• Note: Improperly editing the system registry can cause system instability or loss of data. A qualified
system administrator should perform this task.

2.3.5. Key files and folders

File and Path Description

C:\NOWTrakCSP\bin\NOWTrakCSP.exe Tagwriter executable file
C:\NOWTrakCSP\Database\Config\ConfigDatabases.xml Stores software configuration

data.

C:\NOWTrakCSP\Database\History\HistoricalDatabases.xml Stores the historical

information
C:\NOWTrakCSP\Database\Html\ChemicalSupplierProgram.htm Help files and related data
C:\NOWTrakCSP\Database\System\RFIDTagMemoryMap.xml Defines the RFID tag memory

map. Used in writing the data

in the CSV file to the tag.
C:\NOWTrakCSP\Database\TEMP Default directory for storing

the CSV files. CSV files can

also be stored in other

locations.

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2.4. Antenna and Cable Installation

2.4.1. Reader Board Cable

Attach the Reader Board Cable to the Reader Card using the 60-pin mini d-sub connector. Tighten the
retaining screws.

Reader Board Cable

Reader

Board

I/O RF Cable

Tool Enable

Line

LED Ring

Antenna

2.4.2. Single I/0-RF Cable

• Attach the female Molex connector of the I/O-RF cable to the male connector labeled “1 2 3 LED”
on the I/O Splitter cable.

• Attach the straight TNC connector (same end of the cable as the female Molex) to the TNC jack on
the reader board furthest from the I/O Splitter. Labeled ‘1’ in the diagram below.

• If more than one cable is used see the table below.

Cable I/O Splitter TNC Jack

1 1 2 3 LED 1
2 4 5 6 LED 2
3 7 8 9 LED 3
4 10 11 12 LED 4

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