CRYPTAG CENSUS Instructions Manual

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CRYPTAG

CENSUS

LABEL READER

TYPE ELC 1

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Identec Ltd Tel: [phone]
Mercantile Road Fax: [phone]
Rainton Bridge Industrial Estate Tech Support: 0800 018 1661
Houghton-le-Spring www.identec.co.uk
County Durham e-mail: [e-mail]
England [e-mail]
DH4 5PH

Issue 2, July 2000

Page 1 of 21

Complete ELC Reader Kit

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This manual is provided for information purposes only. All information included in this manual is subject
to change without notice. Identec is not responsible for any damages, direct or indirect, arising from or
related to the use of this manual, or associated product.

© Copyright 1999 Identec Limited. All rights reserved.
Printed in the United Kingdom.

This manual may be reproduced by Identec's customers for the purpose of assisting with the
installation of Cryptag Census equipment. Reproduction in any form, physical or electronic, of
all or part of this manual for any other purpose requires the express written permission of
Identec Ltd.

Trademark Notice:

Cryptag is a registered trademark of Identec Ltd.
Census is a registered trademark of Identec Ltd.
Cliptag is a registered trademark of Identec Ltd
Identec is a registered trademark of Identec Ltd

Patents:

Patents in the UK and other countries protect Cryptag systems.

Registered Designs

Various aspects of the reader design are registered.

WARNING NOTICE

This product uses radio frequency signals, and is therefore subject to possible interference. Any
application should bear this in mind, and in particular it should not be possible for personal safety to be
jeopardised by a failure to read.

This reader neither uses nor generates hazardous voltages. You should not connect any such vol tage to it.

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This product complies with the following European Community directives:

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Low Voltage Directive. (73/23/EEC)
EMC Directive. (89/336/EEC)

FCC Regulations

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules, but approval is pending. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
(1) this device must not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired
operation.

FCC Identifier: Application 15 JHD-CEN5

Note:

Systems that comply with FCC regulations operate at different frequencies, and only such systems are to
be installed in USA. These systems have some performance differences (in particular a slight increase in
reading speed). Throughout this manual, the effect of the change in frequency is noted, e.g. “131kHz (in
USA, 153kHz)”. The part numbers of readers and tags for use in USA has an “A” added, so the US
version of ELC1 is ELC1A.

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For more information on approvals, refer to Appendix B.

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CONTENTS

C hapter 1 Crypta g C ensus L abe l Rea der P a g e

1.1 Introduction 5

1.2 The reader 5

1.3 Unpacking 5

1.4 Getting started 5

Chapter 2 Reader Location 6

Chapter 3 Installing and commissioning 7

3.1 Installation 7

3.2 Commissioning 9

Chapter 4 Troubleshooting 10

A p pendix A Techn i c a l Da ta 12

Appendix B Approvals 13

Appendix C User Instruction 14

Index 15

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1. CRYPTAG CENSUS LABEL READER

1.1 Introduction

Cryptag Census is a high performance tag identification system, offering fast long range multiple reading
with the CR1 readers. Complementing the top end CR1 readers and short range EC1 range of readers, the
ELC1 (ELC1A-USA) reader provides a mid-range solution where moderate reading range is required.
The ELC1 is easy to install, and its thin profile means it can be mounted unobtrusively, for instance on
doors.
All Census Tags work on all Census Readers.

For most applications the instruction sheet provided with each reader should suffice. Installers should
rarely (if ever) need to refer to this manual, which should be treated as a reference document. This
manual complements the Cryptag Census Site Manual, which for instance contains data on the Census
tags.

1.2. The ELC1 reader

A Cryptag Census reader identifies tags (sometimes referred to as tokens or cards) using low frequency
radio signals. ELC1 transmits to the tag at 131kHz (in USA 153 kHz) and detects the tag’s response
which is at 98kHz (in USA 115kHz). The USA version is denoted as ELC1A.

The ELC1 reader is configurable, and this is normally done in the factory. Configuration controls the
output format, ti mings etc.

1.3 Unpacking

Check the following list of contents

Reader
Spacer
Labels
Manual
Mounti ng kit

1.4 Getting started

1. Connect a power supply to the reader.
The positive connection goes to V+ (terminal 1), while the negative connection goes to 0V (terminal 2).
The supply should be at least 5V, and should not exceed 18V. For optimum range the supply should be at
least 12V. For supply voltages less than 12V reading range will be reduced.

2. Bring a tag near the reader.
The reading range should be at least 100cm (39 inches) for a TC1 tag, but is usually more. (Reading

range is reduced unless terminals 3 and 4 are connected.)

3. The red LED 2 (see page 9) will flash when the tag is within range.
The red LED 2 will flash when the tag is being read. At the same time the red “Noise” LED 4 will
flicker, and the flickering gets more intense as the tag gets closer to the reader. The green “Data” LED 3,
and will blink once when the tag’s identity is reported.

4. The reader reports the tag only once.
The reader sends the identity of the tag when the tag is first identified. (As shown by the Data LED 3
blinking). To get another report, take the tag away from the reader for a few seconds, then bring it back
in towards the reader.

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2. READER LOCATION

The range of the ELC1 is such that some care is needed in selecting the reader’s location.

A Do not locate an ELC1 reader near another reader. If tags can pick up signals from two or more

readers, they respond to neither. The separation should be about 1.5 times the sum of their
ranges. For the ELC1 reader the reading range is normally well over 1 metre (3.3 ft), so two
ELC1 readers should be kept at least 3 metres (10 ft) apart.

If there are readers from other manufacturers there may be an interaction. If the other reader
uses frequencies similar to those used by Cryptag Census the safe distance may be more than
expected. (This is because Cryptags are more sensitive than most tags.)

B ELC1 readers should not be mounted directly on to a metal surface. Not only will the reading

range be severely affected, but also the current consumption will rise. (In extreme cases there is
a danger that the reader may cut out temporarily.)

It is safe to mount on metal using the spacer provided but reading range will be affected.

The reader can be mounted on metal backboxes 75mm square (such as are used for standard
electrical fittings). It is better to use plastic backboxes, as the metal backbox has a small effect
on range.

Take care not to over-tighten backbox attachment screw/bolts.

C Interference. The reading range may be affected if the ELC1 is mounted close to a computer

monitor, or other sources of interference. (The effect on reading range will vary with the
monitor’s scan frequency.)

D ELC1 readers can be mounted on glass or other flat surfaces using the spacer provided.

The ELC1’s reading range is such that a Site Survey is desirable. Using the MS3 Test/Tune meter, the
reading range will only be affected significantly if the MS3, with the probe attached, shows that the
reading range is reduced below 1 metre.

ELC1 Label readers are designed so that they can be mounted directly on to a door. The reader’s
dimensions match those of commonly used labels (signs), and the reader’s low profile and bevelled edges
mean that it can be mounted unobtrusively. Using the spacer supplied, the reader can be mounted on
other surfaces.

In general the reader is best mounted in the centre of a door, or towards the handle. This maximises the
probability of the tagholder being detected before reaching the door. The reader can be mounted on either
side of the door. Check that no problems will arise from tags being read behind the reader or to the side.
(The reading zone is almost spherical.)

When tags are being carried by people, the best height should be selected with regard to the way in which
tags will be read.. The best height is generally where tags will naturally be presented face on to the reader
(except TC3). The reader should be within reach of people in wheelchairs.

ELC1 readers have LEDs fitted, but in some cases they will be covered by the label (sign).

The ELC1 requires a hole to be drilled in the surface on which it is to be mounted. This hole should be
45mm (1.75 inch) diameter, and have a depth of at least 10mm). If the reader is to be mounted on a fire
door, make sure that the door’s integrity is maintained.

If the reader is to be mounted in an outdoor location, you should use a suitable version of the reader.

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