BECKHOFF DK9322-1109-0011 User Manual

TwinCAT

Application Note DK9322-1109-0011

TwinCAT Supplement ‚RFID Reader Communication‘

TwinCAT RFID Library

Keywords

RFID
TwinCAT
Supplement
Reader
Middleware
Serial interface
PLC

The ‘TwinCAT PLC RFID Reader Communication’ supplement is a middleware for connecting RFID readers

by different manufacturers to TwinCAT PLC via an abstract interface. Communication between the reader

and TwinCAT PLC takes place via the serial interfaces EL60xx (Beckhoff EtherCAT Terminal system) and

KL60x1 (Beckhoff Bus Terminal system) or also via the COM port of the PC, so that automated detection of

the presence of tags can be used extending as far as write accesses to the production controller and other

applications.

Basic principles and advantages of RFID

RFID (radio frequency identification) is a contactless identification system for objects that is used in the manufacturing or

logistics controller in order to initiate further sequences and steps via presence detection. An RFID system consists of several

transponders (tags), a reader and software that evaluates the data from the tags. A tag contains an ID, which does not change

over the entire lifetime, and a memory in which data can be stored. In addition to presence detection, the memory can be

used to read or write further data. The size and writability of the memory (Write-once-Read-Only/Read-Write) of the tags are

manufacturer-specific.

For application notes see disclaimer on the last page

Beckhoff

New Automation Technology

1

Application Note DK9322-1109-0011

IPC

RFID reader

RFID tag

Areas of application

for RFID

Access systems

Payment systems

Credit chips
Immobiliser

Parts tracking
Tool identification

Product history

Process management

Security

Membership card
Time recording

Personnel

Tracking of hazardous goods

Servicing

Tracing

Waste management
Forgery-proofing

Goods marking

Goods flow

TwinCAT Supplement ‚RFID Reader Communication‘

Fig. 1 Structure of an RFID connection

TwinCAT

The object to be detected is fitted with a tag that transmits its data as soon as the object is within range of the reader.

A specific alignment of the tag and the readers, such as is required with a barcode, is not necessary, since the data is

received contactlessly within the range cone of the reader. As opposed to barcodes, tag detection is also assured in poor

lighting conditions and in the case of dirty surfaces. Since RFID has short detection times and many tags can be detected

simultaneously (bulk reading ability), the individual goods on an entire pallet of different goods, for example in a goods

reception area, can be identified individually without having to take the container apart. Thus, all goods can be identified

within a very short space of time and their data made available for further processing. RFID offers many advantages over other

identification systems and is now used as an industrial standard in almost all industries.

Fig. 2 Areas of application of RFID

For application notes see disclaimer on the last page

Beckhoff

New Automation Technology

2