2019-04-02
Nordic ID EXA21 User Guide
Version 1.0
NORDIC ID EXA21
USER GUIDE
2019-04-02
Nordic ID EXA21 User Guide
Version 1.0
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GETTING STARTED ............................................................................................................................................................... 4
1.1. GENERAL ................................................................................................................................................................ 4
1.2. AVAILABLE VARIANTS ....................................................................................................................................... 4
1.3. AVAILABLE ACCESSORIES ................................................................................................................................ 4
1.4. PACKAGE CONTENT .......................................................................................................................................... 4
1.5. FEATURES OVERVIEW ....................................................................................................................................... 5
1.6. CHARGING ............................................................................................................................................................. 6
1.7. FASTENING ............................................................................................................................................................ 6
QUAD LOCK® FASTENING ............................................................................................................... 6
1.8. CONNECTIONS .................................................................................................................................................... 7
CONNECTING WITH HOST DEVICE ............................................................................................... 7
1.8.1.1. PAIRING NORDIC ID EXA21 WITH A HOST DEVICE .............................................................. 7
1.8.1.2. CONNECTING WITH HOST DEVICE VIA HID MODE ............................................................. 8
1.8.1.3. CONNECTING WITH NORDIC ID SMART PAIR FEATURE .................................................... 8
CONFIGURING HID MODE WITH APPLICATION ....................................................................... 8
UNPAIR A BLUETOOTH DEVICE ...................................................................................................... 9
1.9. USING THE READER ........................................................................................................................................... 9
BUTTONS ................................................................................................................................................. 9
1.9.1.1. SCAN BUTTON ................................................................................................................................... 9
1.9.1.2. TOF SENSOR...................................................................................................................................... 10
1.9.1.3. POWER BUTTON ............................................................................................................................. 10
HID RFID MODE .................................................................................................................................. 10
STATUS LED .......................................................................................................................................... 11
BUZZER .................................................................................................................................................. 11
ANTENNA .............................................................................................................................................. 11
SOFTWARE ............................................................................................................................................................................ 12
2.1. NORDIC ID RFID DEMO APPLICATIONS ................................................................................................... 12
NORDIC ID RFID DEMO FOR ANDROID ..................................................................................... 12
NORDIC ID RFID DEMO FOR IOS .................................................................................................. 12
NORDIC ID KEYBOARD AND WEDGE SERVICE ....................................................................... 12
NORDIC ID SMART WEAR APP ...................................................................................................... 12
2.2. APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT ..................................................................................................................... 13
NUR API IN GENERAL ........................................................................................................................ 13
APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT KIT ............................................................................................... 13
2.3. FIRMWARE UPDATE ........................................................................................................................................ 14
REGIONAL SETTINGS ......................................................................................................................................................... 14
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Nordic ID EXA21 User Guide
Version 1.0
SERVICE AND SUPPORT.................................................................................................................................................... 15
WARRANTY ........................................................................................................................................................................... 15
RELATED DOCUMENTS AND CONTENT ..................................................................................................................... 15
ABOUT NORDIC ID ............................................................................................................................................................. 15
VERSION HISTORY .............................................................................................................................................................. 16
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CODE
FREQUENCY
IWC00001
868MHz (ETSI)
IWC00002
915MHz (FCC)
CODE
DESCRIPTION
ACP00097
Quad Lock Universal Adaptor v1. The Quad Lock Universal Adaptor with 3M™
Nordic ID EXA21 User Guide
GETTING STARTED
1.1. GENERAL
Nordic ID EXA21 provides UHF RFID reader capabilities for host devices, such as smartphones, tablets
or computers; Android, iOS or Windows 10. Nordic ID EXA21 is used with the host devices via
Bluetooth® Low Energy wireless technology.
1.2. AVAILABLE VARIANTS
Nordic ID EXA21 is available in 2 different variants:
Version 1.0
1.3. AVAILABLE ACCESSORIES
adhesive is a super thin adaptor that is compatible with all Quad Lock™ mounts.
The Quad Lock Universal Adaptor designed to be used only once, it is not restick-able.
1.4. PACKAGE CONTENT
Nordic ID EXA21 package contains following items
• Nordic ID EXA21
• Safety and regulations guide
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1.5. FEATURES OVERVIEW
Nordic ID EXA21 User Guide
Version 1.0
Picture 1. Key features of Nordic ID EXA21 (back cover)
Picture 2. Key features of Nordic ID EXA21 (front cover)
When holding the Nordic ID EXA21 device, please avoid covering it with the hand.
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NOTE! Quad Lock® universal adaptor is sold separately
Nordic ID EXA21 User Guide
1.6. CHARGING
Nordic ID EXA21 can be charged via USB charger. Charging time from 0 to 100 % is about 2 hours, and
70-80 % is reached after only 1 hour. The USB charger needs to have a USB-C connector and the
recommended charging power is at least 2.5 W (5 V @ 500 mA).
Charging state is indicated by blinking green LED. Please see section 1.9.3 for information how the LED
functions in different situations.
Version 1.0
Picture 3 Charging Nordic ID EXA21 via USB-C charger
NOTE! The USB-C charger is not sold by Nordic ID.
1.7. FASTENING
Nordic ID EXA21 can be fastened with several methods. Only Quad Lock fastening is described in the
user guide. Accessories for other fastening methods will be included in next versions of this guide.
QUAD LOCK® FASTENING
The Quad Lock fastening is a popular and easy-to-use fastening system. The Quad Lock fastening system
provides strong and secure fastening and is suitable for different kind of host devices. Please visit Quad
Lock web pages for more information about different adapters.
Fastening of Nordic ID EXA21 with the Quad Lock is easy. The first step is to attach a Quad Lock adapter
on the back cover (black side) of Nordic ID EXA21. The second step is to fasten Nordic ID EXA21 with
Quad Lock mount wherever needed.
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NOTE! Bluetooth Low Energy needs to be supported by host device
NOTE! XXXXXX is a serial number of the Nordic ID EXA21
Nordic ID EXA21 User Guide
1.8. CONNECTIONS
Nordic ID EXA21 supports Bluetooth Low Energy Class 2 and USB connections for host devices.
Supported Bluetooth Low Energy versions are 4.0 – 5.0 and supported profiles are GATT (generic data
transfer) and HID (keyboard emulation).
CONNECTING WITH HOST DEVICE
There are four ways to connect Nordic ID EXA with host device, being the third one (Nordic ID Smart
Pair) the most advanced and easiest way to connect wirelessly.
1. Connect without pairing via Bluetooth
Nordic ID EXA will advertise itself via Bluetooth until the host device connects to it. Bluetooth
connection remains active until the host device closes the connection. Once the connection is
closed Nordic ID EXA21 will start advertising itself again and any host device can connect to it.
2. Connect with secure pairing via Bluetooth
When Nordic ID EXA21 is paired with the host device, applications (like Nordic ID RFID demo)
connects to it automatically. Connection remains active if the host device is in Bluetooth range.
Entering a security PIN in the host device is needed to allow pairing. This code is unique and
consists of the 6 last digits of the device serial number.
3. Connect with Nordic ID Smart Pair feature
The new awesome Nordic ID Smart Pair feature provides an exceptionally easy way to connect
and disconnect host device to our EXA readers. Just select “Nordic ID Smart Pair” from
“Connection” listing in Nordic ID RFID Demo and host device starts looking for the EXA readers.
4. Connect via USB
The new awesome Nordic ID Smart Pair feature provides an exceptionally easy way to connect
and disconnect host device to our EXA readers. Just select “Nordic ID Smart Pair” from
“Connection” listing in Nordic ID RFID Demo and host device starts looking for the EXA readers.
Version 1.0
1.8.1.1. PAIRING NORDIC ID EXA21 WITH A HOST DEVICE
Before Nordic ID EXA21 can be paired with the host device, pairing support needs to be enabled. This
can be done using Nordic ID RFID demo. Connect Nordic ID EXA21 to host device and go to Settings ->
Reader -> Host device connection -> check Pairing enabled tick box
Nordic ID EXA21 can be paired based on the instructions below once pairing has been enabled.
1. Turn Bluetooth of the host device On.
NOTE: Android 6.0 or newer needs location to be enabled also
2. Power on the Nordic ID EXA21 by pressing the power button for 2...3 seconds
3. Open Bluetooth connection settings of host device and you should see “EXA21 XXXXXX” in the list
4. Select “EXA21 XXXXXX” from the list in order pair your host device with the Nordic ID EXA21
5. Enter “XXXXXX” as the security pairing code in your host device.
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NOTE! When the Nordic ID EXA21 is configured for HID mode, remember that you will need to
Nordic ID EXA21 User Guide
iOS devices typically prompt “pairing request” message box if Nordic ID EXA21 supports pairing. In case
pairing is not needed, user can press “cancel” button and device connect without the pairing. If iOS device
is going to be used without the pairing, please disable pairing support and then “pairing request” prompt
doesn’t appear anymore.
Other host devices can’t connect to Nordic ID EXA21 until pairing information has been cleared from the
host device and Nordic ID EXA21. Unpairing can be done based on information found from section 1.8.3.
1.8.1.2. CONNECTING WITH HOST DEVICE VIA HID MODE
In this mode, the Nordic ID EXA21 functions and communicates in a similar manner as a keyboard.
Therefore, the device will work with any application that supports an active cursor on input fields, for
example web browser applications. This mode works both when connecting to host via Bluetooth or when
connecting via USB. When operating in HID mode, the Nordic ID EXA21 needs to be paired with the host
device (if Bluetooth connection is used) and configured for the HID mode.
Version 1.0
reconnect the Nordic ID EXA21 after using non-HID applications (such as Nordic ID RFID Demo).
This will enable the HID mode again. The easiest way to do this is turn off/on Bluetooth of host
device.
1.8.1.3. CONNECTING WITH NORDIC ID SMART PAIR FEATURE
When using a Nordic ID EXA21 reader fastened to the back side of a smartphone, both the Nordic ID
EXA21 reader and your smartphone are always close to each other while being used. Nordic ID Smart
Pair is aware of this and thus it keeps the connection only when they are close to each other.
• Connecting: One can connect the host device to the EXA reader just by placing host device close
to the EXA reader.
• Disconnecting: Just move the host device further away from the EXA21 to disconnect
automatically.
In this mode, the Nordic ID EXA21 keeps connected to host device only when it is located nearby it, but
if you want to wear your EXA21 and use your mobile device separated from it, then you can disable the
“Auto disconnect from EXA21/EXA51e” option from “Reader” tab in Nordic ID RFID Demo for Android.
In this mode, the mobile device doesn’t disconnect automatically when moved further away.
Disconnecting will be done by pressing Power and Scan buttons simultaneously 3 seconds (LED stops
blinking).
Requirements: Nordic ID RFID demo app 1.2.7.3 (or newer) and EXA21 with firmware 2.2.5 (or newer).
The Nordic ID Smart Pair feature is always enabled in Nordic ID RFID Wear OS app.
CONFIGURING HID MODE WITH APPLICATION
1. Install Nordic ID RFID Demo application (see section 2.1)
2. Connect your device
3. Turn on HID mode, RFID mode in reader settings
4. Close application and make sure Bluetooth connection is closed
5. Reboot your EXA21 device by pressing the power button for 5...6 seconds.
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NOTE! The unpairing function is disabled when the Nordic ID EXA21
Nordic ID EXA21 User Guide
UNPAIR A BLUETOOTH DEVICE
If Nordic ID EXA21 is paired to the host device, it stores information about the paired devices and tries
to connect automatically when turned on. Unpairing process clears the paired device from the memory
of Nordic ID EXA21.
Unpairing:
• Make sure device is disconnected.
• Press and keep “Power” and “Scan” buttons down at least 3 second.
• When device beeps three times, pairing is cleared. Device may reboot.
Version 1.0
has an active Bluetooth connection with host device
1.9. USING THE READER
BUTTONS
Nordic ID EXA21 has one sensor (ToF) and two physical buttons for user interactions: Scan button and
Power button. Location of the buttons and ToF sensor can be seen in Picture 4.
Picture 4 Location of the buttons
Scanning of RFID tags can be triggered using the Scan button or the ToF sensor, which allows two
different behaviours for different uses cases:
• Scan button: the behaviour is push one’s to trigger the scanning and second push to stop it.
• ToF sensor: the behaviour is scanning as long as it’s triggered.
1.9.1.1. SCAN BUTTON
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NOTE! Reader can be powered down even though it has an active
NOTE! HID operation is slow and it’s not very useful for cases where
Nordic ID EXA21 User Guide
The scan button is located at the top of the reader. It can be used to start/stop UHF RFID scanning. When
turning the reader on the scan button needs to be pressed 0.5 seconds until blue LED starts blinking
before it triggers. This ensures that accidental presses are avoided. Depending on the application in use,
the trigger button starts/stops UHF RFID reading. By default, the first press of the button starts the
reading and the second press of the button stops it.
1.9.1.2. TOF SENSOR
The ToF sensor is located on the front side of the reader. It is used to trigger UHF RFID scanning instead
of using the Scan button. ToF mode is disabled by default. When enabled, the ToF sensor sends an
artificial light signal. UHF RFID scanning is automatically performed while any item interrupts this signal,
e.g., an object or your finger is placed in front of the sensor. Once the item disappears from the sensor
line of sight, UHF RFID scanning stops.
1.9.1.3. POWER BUTTON
Version 1.0
Power button turns reader On/Off. The power button needs to be pressed for about 1…2 seconds until
red LED turns to green before it triggers. The power button is disabled when Nordic ID EXA21 has an
active Bluetooth connection with the host device.
Bluetooth connection by pressing power button down at least 5 seconds
HID RFID MODE
Reading RFID tags:
• Scanning is triggered with Scan button or ToF sensor RFID reading starts
• Reader read tags and stores them in memory as long as scanning is not stopped. Short beep when
new tags found
nd
• Releasing trigger (2
tags in memory will be transmitted to HID. Short beep when single tag sent. If no tags found, double
low note beeps.
push of Scan button or removing item from ToF sensor) Reading stops and
need to read and transfer high amount of tags (> 5)
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NOTE! The reading range depends on used tag and environment
Nordic ID EXA21 User Guide
STATUS LED
Nordic ID EXA21 has one multicolor LED for user indications. Location of the LED can be seen in Picture
5.
Picture 5 Location of Status LED
Version 1.0
Blue, blinking slow
Device ready, not paired
Blue, blinking fast
Paired, no BLE connection
Blue, stable
Paired, BLE connection
Green, blinking
Charging
Blue and red, blinking in between
Low battery (<15%)
Blue and red, blinking fast
Critical battery (<5%)
Red, blinking fast two times
Serious error has occurred
Green
RFID scanning
Orange
DFU (firmware update) mode
Violet
ToF mode on
BUZZER
The Nordic ID EXA21 includes a buzzer which can be used to give an audible indication to user. By default,
the buzzer beeps in the following situations:
• The reader is turned On/Off
• Bluetooth unpair done
• Bluetooth is connected/disconnected
• During HID operations
ANTENNA
Nordic ID EXA21 is equipped with a circularly polarized UHF RFID antenna. Nominal read range is up to
0.5m / 1.64 ft.
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Nordic ID EXA21 User Guide
SOFTWARE
Nordic ID has taken an open source SW development approach in use with Nordic ID EXA21. Nordic ID
provides the SDK along with the examples through the GitHub. Nordic ID EXA21 supports powerful NUR
API so developers can use familiar NUR API for application development.
2.1. NORDIC ID RFID DEMO APPLICATIONS
Nordic ID provides feature rich yet easy-to-use RFID demo applications for iOS and Android platforms.
NORDIC ID RFID DEMO FOR ANDROID
Nordic ID RFID demo application for Android supports Android 5.0 and newer versions. The Nordic ID
RFID demo application is available from the Google Play store.
Version 1.0
NORDIC ID RFID DEMO FOR IOS
Nordic ID RFID demo application for iOS supports iOS 9 and newer versions. The Nordic ID RFID demo
application is available from the Apple App store.
NORDIC ID KEYBOARD AND WEDGE SERVICE
Nordic ID Keyboard and Wedge service applications do provide wedge functionality for Android devices.
Android 5.0 and newer versions are supported.
Nordic ID Keyboard Nordic ID Wedge service
NORDIC ID SMART WEAR APP
Nordic ID Smart Wear app for smartwatches supports Android Wear 2.0 or Wear OS 1.0 and newer
versions. The Nordic ID RFID Smart Wear app is available from the Google Play store.
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APPLICATION
NUR API (C/C++, .NET and Java)
Nordic ID EXA21 User Guide
2.2. APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT
NUR API IN GENERAL
NUR API is an application programming interface for Nordic ID UHF RFID module. It provides control for
all Nordic ID UHF RFID readers. The NUR API provides compatibility between Nordic ID UHF RFID
reader from RFID functions perspective. The NUR API consists of application, NUR API, transport and
HW layers as depicted in Picture 4.
Transport layer: TCP, serial port, USB and Bluetooth Low Energy
Version 1.0
Android devices: TCP, Bluetooth Low Energy and USB OTG
iOS devices: Bluetooth Low Energy
DEVICES CONTAINING NORDIC ID NUR MODULE:
All Nordic ID UHF RFID readers
(even proprietary implementation using Nordic ID NUR modules)
Picture 6 NUR API architecture
APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT KIT
Nordic ID provides Software Development Kits (SDK) and code samples via GitHub for Android, iOS and
Windows 10:
https://github.com/NordicID/
The Software Development Kits provide development basics for Nordic ID EXA21. Samples utilizing the
Android, iOS and Windows 10 specific accessory extension used with Nordic ID EXA21 are available from
GitHub as well (includes e.g. RFID HID). Samples utilizing NUR API in general are available for Android,
iOS and Windows 10 (includes RFID generic operations such as write, locate etc.).
Xamarin SDK is available on demand, too.
More information including source code and samples can be found from GitHub via:
https://github.com/NordicID/nur_nurapi_android
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Nordic ID EXA21 User Guide
Version 1.0
https://github.com/NordicID/nur_sample_ios
https://github.com/NordicID/nur_sample_windows/tree/master/Win10_UWPSample
2.3. FIRMWARE UPDATE
Firmware of Nordic ID EXA21 can be updated by using Nordic ID RFID demo applications presented in
section 2.1 or implementing update functionality to 3
found from section 2.2.
rd
party application using instructions that can be
REGIONAL SETTINGS
Nordic ID UHF RFID readers do support operating frequency range between 860 - 960MHz. Some of the
readers do cover full operating frequency band and some of them have two sub bands that are 868 ETSI
band (865.6 - 867.6 MHz) and 915 FCC band (902 - 928 MHz). Regional organizations as ETSI and FCC
have set rules and requirements for operating frequencies, output power and other RF parameters for
the UHF RFID readers to comply local regional requirements. See variants in section 1.2.
Nordic ID has created set of regional settings in order to fulfill local regulations. Nordic ID is required to
ensure compliance of Nordic ID products will remain after production. Solution for this is products
including UHF RFID functionality will be set and locked in production based on customer order e.g. if a
product is ordered to Europe, it will be locked to ETSI region. And for example, if a product is ordered to
Australia region, then it’s locked to Australia region. When a product is locked to individual region, it will
comply local regulations of the region.
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Nordic ID EXA21 User Guide
SERVICE AND SUPPORT
For technical enquiries regarding Nordic ID devices or software development, please contact our
Technical Support:
Version 1.0
E-mail: support@nordicid.com
Telephone: +358 2 727 7790
As a manufacturer, Nordic ID stands responsible for providing repair services for its devices during and
after the warranty period. Together with partners Nordic ID serves customers globally. When your Nordic
ID device needs repair, always use Nordic ID Service or our authorized service partners. We want to make
sure that your Nordic ID product serves you the best possible way, and by using our preferred service
partners the quality of the service is trustworthy and the spare parts are original. This way the existing
product warranty remains, and you receive a 3-month service warranty for the repaired devices.
Nordic ID works together with full support and primary support partners. Full support partners can handle
both warranty and non-warranty repairs on behalf of Nordic ID in their own regions. In addition, Nordic
ID has a network of smaller repair centres, primary support partners, who offer the first line of support
to their customers locally.
For any enquiries about Nordic ID repair service please contact:
E-mail: service@nordicid.com
Telephone: +358 2 727 7791
WARRANTY
Nordic ID warrants that the Products are at the time of delivery free from defects in materials and
workmanship, provided the Products remain unmodified and are operated under normal and proper
conditions. Warranty period is the longer of twenty-four (24) months from the date of delivery in case
the Customer is end-customer or twenty-seven (27) months from the date of manufacture in case the
Customer is reseller. Spare parts are warranted against defects in workmanship and materials for a period
of ninety (90) days from the date of delivery to Customer.
For more detailed information about the warranty can be found from Nordic ID Sales Terms
RELATED DOCUMENTS AND CONTENT
• Nordic ID EXA21 datasheet
• Nordic ID EXA21 Quick Guide
• Nordic ID Safety and Regulations Guide
• Nordic ID GitHub account for developers (https://github.com/NordicID
)
ABOUT NORDIC ID
Nordic ID is at the centre of today’s real-time item tracking and reliable RFID technology. We help
organizations fight the damaging effects of item loss, facilitate streamlined business procedures, and stay
ahead of the competition.
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.
2019-04-02
Version
Date
Modifications
1.0
01.04.2019
The first version
Nordic ID EXA21 User Guide
We are ready to help you take advantage of our wide range of products and services designed to fit your
needs. Contact us now, and we will help you to tackle your challenges and get your business to the next
level.
Nordic ID Group
Salo IoT-center
Joensuunkatu 7
FI-24100 Salo
FINLAND
tel. +358 2 727 7700
fax +358 2 727 7720
Version 1.0
www: www.nordicid.com
E-mail: info@nordicid.com
VERSION HISTORY
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