Tagsys LIBREADERLP101 User Manual

L-P101 Library USB Reader

User's Guide

Revision 1.0

August 2005

L-P101 Library USB Reader

Publishing Information

Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability

All information herein is either public information or is the property of and owned solely by TAGSYS who shall have and
keep the sole right to file patent applications or any other kind of intellectual property protection in connection with such
information.

Nothing herein shall be construed as implying or granting to you any rights, by license, grant or otherwise, under any
intellectual and/or industrial property rights of or concerning any of TAGSYS’ information.

This document can be used for informational, non-commercial, internal and personal use only provided that:

 the copyright notice below, the confidentiality and proprietary legend and this full warning notice appear in all copies.

 this document shall not be posted on any network computer or broadcast in any media and no modification of any

part of this document shall be made.

Use for any other purpose is expressly prohibited and may result in severe civil and criminal liabilities.

The information contained in this document is provided “AS IS” without any warranty of any kind. Unless otherwise
expressly agreed in writing, TAGSYS makes no warranty as to the value or accuracy of information contained herein.
The document could include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Changes are periodically added to the
information herein. Furthermore, TAGSYS reserves the right to make any change or improvement in the specifications
data, information, and the like described herein, at any time.

Therefore TAGSYS assumes no liability and is not responsible for customer applications or product or software which
include TAGSYS products.

TAGSYS HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS WITH REGARD TO THE INFORMATION
CONTAINED HEREIN, INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL TAGSYS BE LIABLE, WHETHER
IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY
DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DAMAGES RESULTING FROM LOSS OF USE,
DATA, PROFITS, REVENUES, OR CUSTOMERS, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR
PERFORMANCE OF INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT.

TAGSYS does not and shall not warrant that this product/system/equipment will be resistant to all possible attacks, and
shall not incur, and disclaims, any liability in this respect. Even if each product is compliant with current security
standards in force on the date of their design, security mechanisms' resistance necessarily evolves according to the
state-of-the-art in security and notably under the emergence of new attacks. Under no circumstances shall TAGSYS be
held liable for any third party actions, and in particular in case of any successful attack against systems or equipment
incorporating TAGSYS products.

TAGSYS disclaims any liability with respect to security for direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages that result
from any use of its products. It is further stressed that independent testing and verification by the person using the
product is particularly encouraged, especially in any application in which defective, incorrect, or insecure functioning
could result in damage to persons or property, denial of service, or loss of privacy.

© 2000-2005 TAGSYS. All rights reserved.

Microsoft, Visual C++, Windows, and Windows NT are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation in the U.S.A. and/or other countries.

I-Code is a registered trademark of Philips.

Tag-It is a registered trademark of Texas Instruments.

Printed in France.

TAGSYS – 180 Chemin de St Lambert, 13821 LA PENNE SUR HUVEAUNE, France.

Tel: [phone] / Fax: [phone]

Document Reference: DOC11754A0

2/25 Revision 1.0 August 2005

Read This First

Read This First

Welcome to the TAGSYS range of products operating at the 13.56 MHz frequency. This range of
products is used to implement high-quality RFID systems for demanding applications.

This document provides information about how to install and use Medium Range L-P101 Tag
Readers.

Audience

This document requires familiarity with RFID technology. It is intended for people in charge of
installing and using the product.

Conventions

Symbol Meaning

CAUTION: A note that advises users that a specific action could result in the loss of data or

damage the hardware.

WARNING: A note that advises users that a specific action may result in physical harm.

A note that provides additional information that helps the user perform a task or obtain the
best performance from the product.

Abbreviations and Acronyms

AFI Application Family Identifier

AON All Or None

API Application Programming Interface

ASK Amplitude Shift Keying

CPU Central Processing Unit

CRC Cyclic Redundancy Check

DLL Dynamic-Link Library

DPU Digital Processing Unit

DSFID Data Storage Format Identifier

DSP Digital Signal Processor

EAS Electronic Article Surveillance

ETX End of Text

HPI Host Port Interface

I/O Input/Output

IFD Interface Device

August 2005 Revision 1.0 3/25

L-P101 Library USB Reader

LED Light Emitting Diode

LSB Least Significant Bit

MSB Most Significant Bit

OS Operating System

PC Personal Computer

PCB Printed Circuit Board

RAM Random Access Memory

RF Radio Frequency

RFID Radio Frequency IDentification

RFU Reserved for Future Use

RPU Radio Processing Unit

RTC Real Time Clock

RTF Reader Talks First

SAM Security Access Module

STX Start of Text

TTF Tag Talks First

TTL Transistor-Transistor Logic

TTY TeleTYpe

UID Unique Identifier

Glossary

Anti-Collision Tag capability making it readable while other tags are present in the RF field.
Antenna An aerial that receives and/or transmits radio frequency signals. Aerials are

manufactured in a variety of forms, shapes and sizes.

Baud A unit of measure of data transmission speed representing the number of signal changes per

second.

BNC Connector Cylindrical metal connector with a copper core that is located at the tip of a

coaxial cable, and is used to connect cables together. It attaches by pushing and twisting the outer
cylinder on to two locking pins.

Coupler See Reader.
Data Storage Format Identifier Identifies the structure of the data stored in the tag.
Digital Signal Processor This part of the Radio Processing Unit (RPU) performs real-time tag

decoding and manages the Medio L200 configuration.

Dynamic-Link Library Executable routines that are stored as separate files with DLL extensions
and executed only when needed by the program.

Host Port Interface Interface used to access the DSP memory.
IEC Connector Three-pin connector used on sockets that carry mains electricity to the computer.

All PCs use a male IEC connector and mains lead with a female IEC connector.

4/25 Revision 1.0 August 2005

Read This First

Interrogation Pulse A signal transmitted by the coupler to activate the tag’s transponder.
Monitoring Port Parallel Port granting access to the HPI. It communicates directly with the Radio

Processing Unit

Multi-Read See Anti-Collision
Nibble Half a byte (4 bits)
Packaged Reader A reader in its casing.
Phase Shift Difference of phase between the 13.56 MHz field emitted by two antennas. This

feature is dedicated to rotating field applications and three-dimensional volume tag detection.

Protocol A set of rules governing a particular function, such as the flow of data/information in a

communication system (communication between a tag and a reader or a reader and a PC or host
computer).

Radio Frequency Identification System (RFID) An automatic identification and data capture

system comprising one or more readers and one or more tags in which data transfer is achieved by
means of suitable modulated inductive or radiating electromagnetic carriers.

Radio Processing Unit This unit controls the main features of the Medio L200, such as the RF

channels, the multiplexer and the tag decoding.

Reader Electronic system for the communication between tags and host computers.
Reader Talks First Chip protocol for exchanges between the reader and the chip, whereby the

chip waits for a command from the reader to which it responds.

RS-232 Electronic Industries Association (EIA) standard for serial interfaces between computers

and peripherals which defines the function, the electrical characteristics and the timing of signals.

RS-485 Electronic Industries Association (EIA) standard for multipoint, differential data

transmission. It allows multiple nodes to communicate bi-directionally over 1 or 2 twisted pairs.

Smart Label See Tag
Tag Small, flexible label from the 13.56 MHz TAGSYS product line. A tag is made of a chip

connected to an etched antenna.

Tag Talks First Chip protocol for exchanges between the reader and the chip, whereby the tag

sends information continuously, without waiting for a specific command from the reader.

Transceiver A combined transmitter and receiver.
Transponder A combined receiver/transmitter that automatically transmits a signal when a ‘trigger’

is received by it. The trigger is often a pulse, called an interrogation pulse.

August 2005 Revision 1.0 5/25

L-P101 Library USB Reader

If you need assistance

Please contact your nearest TAGSYS sales representative or the TAGSYS welcome desk at:

Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-Mail:
Website: http://www.tagsysrfid.com/

[e-mail]

Contact for Comments

We welcome your feedback to help us provide high quality documentation.

For technical comments, please contact our welcome desk:

Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-Mail:

[e-mail]

Please remember to quote the Document Reference Number DOC11754A0, your job title and your
company.

Quality Issues

TAGSYS implements stringent quality controls at all stages of its manufacturing process. However,
should you find a defect with this product, please notify your TagSys Quality Service representative
using the dedicated Product Return Form.

Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

6/25 Revision 1.0 August 2005

Read This First

Table of Contents

Publishing Information ___________________________________________________________________________________ 2

Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability ____________________________________________________________________ 2

Read This First __________________________________________________________________________________________ 3

Audience ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 3
Conventions___________________________________________________________________________________________ 3
Abbreviations and Acronyms ___________________________________________________________________________ 3
Glossary ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 4
If you need assistance__________________________________________________________________________________ 6
Contact for Comments _________________________________________________________________________________ 6
Quality Issues _________________________________________________________________________________________ 6

1 For Your Safety ______________________________________________________________________________________ 8

1.1 General Use _____________________________________________________________________________________ 8

1.2 Care and Maintenance____________________________________________________________________________ 8

1.3 Important Safety Information______________________________________________________________________ 9

1.3.1 Operating Environment ________________________________________________________________________ 9

2 Certification ________________________________________________________________________________________ 10

2.1 Occupational Health_____________________________________________________________________________ 10

2.2 Regulatory Notices______________________________________________________________________________ 10

2.2.1 In Europe (CE and RTTE Directives)____________________________________________________________ 10

2.2.2 In USA (FCC Directive) _______________________________________________________________________ 11

2.2.3 In Canada___________________________________________________________________________________ 11

3 Introduction ________________________________________________________________________________________ 12

3.1 Product Description_____________________________________________________________________________ 12

3.2 L-P101 Key Features ____________________________________________________________________________ 12

3.3 Delivery ________________________________________________________________________________________ 12

4 Installing the Reader ________________________________________________________________________________ 14

4.1 Reader Connections ____________________________________________________________________________ 14

4.1.1 Front Panel__________________________________________________________________________________ 14

4.1.2 Rear Panel __________________________________________________________________________________ 14

4.2 Installing the USB Drivers _______________________________________________________________________ 15

4.2.1 Window 98® USB Drivers Installation ___________________________________________________________ 15

4.2.2 Windows XP USB Drivers Installation ___________________________________________________________ 15

5 Px Explorer_________________________________________________________________________________________ 17

5.1 Installing Px Explorer ___________________________________________________________________________ 17

5.2 Running Px Explorer ____________________________________________________________________________ 19

5.3 Reading and Writing a Tag_______________________________________________________________________ 19

6 Technical Specifications_____________________________________________________________________________ 21
7 Electrical Characteristics ____________________________________________________________________________ 22

7.1 Absolute Maximum Ratings______________________________________________________________________ 22

7.2 DC Characteristics ______________________________________________________________________________ 22

8 Warranty Conditions ________________________________________________________________________________ 23

8.1 Warranty _______________________________________________________________________________________ 23

8.2 Warranty Exclusions ____________________________________________________________________________ 23

8.2.1 General Provisions ___________________________________________________________________________ 24

8.2.2 How to Return Defective Products ______________________________________________________________ 24

August 2005 Revision 1.0 7/25

L-P101 Library USB Reader

1 For Y our Safety

1.1 General Use

The L-P101 is designed to be reliable and to provide years of trouble-free service. Please observe
the following general tips:

 Take care not to scratch the device. Keep the device clean. When working with the device,

use only TAGSYS-approved accessories.

 This device is not waterproof and should not be exposed to rain or moisture. Under extreme

conditions, water may enter the circuitry.

 Protect the device from extreme temperatures. For example, do not place the device in a

windowed area where the sun may cause extreme temperatures, and keep it away from
heaters and other heat sources.

 Do not store or use the device in any location that is extremely dusty, damp, or wet.

 Use a soft, damp cloth to clean the device. If the surface of the device becomes soiled,

clean it with a soft cloth moistened with a diluted window-cleaning solution.

1.2 Care and Maintenance

This device is a product of superior design and should be handled with care. The suggestions
below will further increase the lifetime of this device.

 Keep the device and all parts and accessories out of the reach of small children.

 Keep the device dry. Precipitation, humidity and liquids contain minerals that will corrode

electronic circuits.

 Do not use or store the device in dusty, dirty areas. Its moving parts can be damaged.

 Do not store in hot areas. High temperatures can shorten the life of electronic devices, damage

batteries and warp or melt certain plastics.

 Do not store in cold areas. When the device warms up (to its normal temperature), moisture

can form inside the device, which may damage electronic circuit boards.

 Do not attempt to open the device. Non-professional handling of the device may damage it.

 Handle the device with care. Shocks may break internal circuit boards.

 Do not clean the device with harsh chemicals, cleaning solvents or strong detergents. Gently

wipe the device with a soft cloth slightly dampened in a mild soap-and-water solution.

 Do not paint the device. Paint may clog the device’s moving parts and prevent proper

operation. Paint with metallic contents may limit device performances.

 If the device or any accessory are not working properly, take it to your nearest qualified

TAGSYS representative.

8/25 Revision 1.0 August 2005