ThingMagic Astra-EX User Manual

Mercury6(M6) and Astra-EX

User Guide

For firmware version 4.17 and later

875-0058-05 RevB

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05 Revision B November, 2013

Introduction 7

Hardware Overview 9

What’s in the Box 9

M6 Reader 9 Astra-EX Reader 9

Ports and Connectors 9

Antenna Connections 9 Ethernet/PoE 11 USB Accessory 11 Console 11 GPIO 11 DC Power 11 Reset Button 11

Contents

Programming Interfaces 13

MercuryAPI 13 Demo Applications 13 LLRP 13 On-Reader Applications 14

Setting Up the Reader 15

Equipment Required 15 Setup Procedure 16

Connecting Antenna(s) to the Reader 16 Powering Up the Reader 17 Interpreting the Reader Indicator LED 17 Connecting Your PC to the Reader 18 Communicating with the Reader using a Link-local Address 18 Logging On to the Reader 22

Networking the Reader 25

Setting Up the Network Hardware 25

Using the Wireless Network 26 Using Power Over Ethernet (PoE) 29

Using DHCP 30

M6 and Astra-EX Setup 30 PC Setup 30 Automatic Hostname: M6-xxxxxx or Astra-EX-xxxxxx 32 MAC Address 32

Fallback Interface Options 33

Fallback to the Same Physical Interface 33 Fallback to the Other Physical Interface 33

Reader Discovery 36

Using mDNS 36 Reader Listing 36 Identify Reader 37

Connecting to the USB Console Port 39

Using GPIO 40

Inputs 40 Outputs 40 Connector Pinout 41

Controlling the Reader 43

Using the Browser-Based Interface 43

Status Page 44 Query Page 45 Settings Page 50 Restart Page 57 Diagnostics Page 58 Statistics Page 59 Firmware Upgrade Utility 59

Using Safe Mode 61

Force M6 and Astra-EX to boot in safe mode 61

Advanced Reader Functionality 63

Protocol Support 63

ISO 18000-6C (Gen2) 63

ISO 18000-6B 64

Protocol Configuration Options 64 Tag Read Meta Data 64

Reader RF Power 66

Power Settings for Authorized Antennas and Cables 66

Setting the Reader RF Power 68

Mounting the Reader 69

M6 69 Astra-EX 69 Variables Affecting Performance 70 Environmental 70 Tag Considerations 71 Multiple Readers 71

M6 Specifications 72

UHF RFID Antenna Interface 72 Power 72 Environmental 73 Physical Dimensions 73 Supported UHF Tag Protocols 73 Data/Control/Wireless Interfaces 73 Performance 74 Regulatory & Safety 74 User Memory 74

Astra-EX Specifications 75

UHF RFID Antenna Interface 75 Power 75 Environmental 76 Physical Dimensions 76 Supported UHF Tag Protocols 76 Data/Control/Wireless Interfaces 76 Performance 77 Regulatory & Safety 77 User Memory 77

Compliance and IP Notices 78

Regulatory Compliance 78

Federal Communication Commission Interference Statement 78 Industry Canada 78

Appendix A: M6 and Astra-EX Antenna and Cable Information 81

Authorized Antennas 81 Authorized Cables 82

Appendix B: M6 and Astra-EX Dimensions 83

Appendix C: Advanced Administration 85

Changing the Web Interface uid/passwd 85 Changing console/root password: 86

Appendix D: Troubleshooting 87

Troubleshooting Table 87 Reset to the Default Configuration 88 Collecting Diagnostic Data for ThingMagic Support 88 Analyzing the Boot Logs 89

Introduction

This document assumes usage of an M6 and Astra-EX with firmware version 4.17 or later.

M6 and Astra-EX

User Guide

This document explains how to set up the Mercury6 (M6) and Astra-EX Readers, how to

configure themfor network operation, and how to use the browser-based interface. See

the corresponding M6 and Astra-EX Firmware Release Notes for operational differences

that what is in this User Guide specific to a firmware version.

Separate appendices contain specifications and antenna information that are specific to the M6 and Astra-EX Reader.

Applications to control the M6 and Astra-EX can be written using the high level

MercuryAPI. The MercuryAPI supports Java, .NET and C programming environments. The MercuryAPI Software Development Kit (SDK) contains sample applications and source code to help developers get started demoing and developing functionality. For

more information on the MercuryAPI see the MercuryAPI Programmers Guide and the MercuryAPI SDK, available on the ThingMagic website.

This document is broken down into the following sections:

Hardware Overview - Provides detailed specifications of the M6 and Astra-EX

hardware and physical interfaces.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 7

Introduction

Programming Interfaces - Describes the programming interfaces, including on-reader

applications, where to find code samples, and the LLRP interface.

Connecting to the M6 and Astra-EX - Describes the methods available for connecting

to the M6 and Astra-EX over the ethernet, WiFi and USB Console interfaces.

– Setting Up the Reader

Host PC to the M6 and Astra-EX.

– Networking the Reader

static IP settings.

- Connect using a direct ethernet connection from a

- Connect over ethernet LAN or WiFi using DHCP or

– Connecting to the USB Console Port

console for command-line interface access and troubleshooting.

- Connect to the M6 and Astra-EX

Using GPIO - Details the GPIO physical interface specs and how to control it via the

MercuryAPI.

Controlling the Reader - Describes the browser-based interface and the configuration

and testing options available through it.

Advanced Reader Functionality - Provides descriptions of the M6 and Astra-EX

advanced protocol specific configuration options that ares supported through the use of the MercuryAPI

Reader RF Power - Provideds guidelines and limitations for setting the RF Power of

the M6 and Astra-EX.

Mounting the Reader and Appendix B: M6 and Astra-EX Dimensions - Provides

details of the physical dimensions of the M6 and Astra-EX.

M6 Specifications

Compliance and IP Notices

Appendix A: M6 and Astra-EX Antenna and Cable Information - Lists the authorized

Antennas and cables which can be used with the M6 and Astra-EX-NA in FCC regions.

Appendix C: Advanced Administration - Provides the steps for some advanced

administration settings, such as changing reader passwords.

Appendix D: Troubleshooting - Provides recommended debugging steps for common

problems along with data to gather when submitting a problem case to ThingMagic support.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 8

Hardware Overview

Whatʼs in the Box

M6 Reader

– M6 Reader

– WiFi antenna (with Wifi enabled M6 only)

– Ferrite Bead (to be applied when Using Power Over Ethernet (PoE)

Astra-EX Reader

– Astra-EX Reader

– WiFi antenna (with Wifi enabled Astra-EX only)

Hardware Overview

)

– Ferrite Bead (to be applied when Using Power Over Ethernet (PoE)

Ports and Connectors

Antenna Connections

The M6 supports four monostatic bidirectional RF antennas through four Reverse Polarity

TNC (RP-TNC or R-TNC) connectors: labeled RFID1 through RFID4 on the M6 - Figure

The Astra-EX supports two monostatic bidirectional RF antennas through one integrated

antenna and one Reverse Polarity TNC (RP-TNC or R-TNC) connector: labeled RFID -

Figure 2.

The maximum RF power that can be delivered to a 50 ohm load from the external port is

1.4 Watts, or +31.5 dBm (regulatory requirements permitting).

The RF ports can only be energized one at a time.

)

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 9

Figure 1: M6 RFID and WiFi Antenna Ports

WARNING!

Figure 2: Astra-EX RFID and WiFi Antenna Ports

Antenna Requirements

Hardware Overview

The performance of the M6 is affected by antenna quality. Antennas that provide good 50

ohm match at the operating frequency band perform best. Specified sensitivity performance is achieved with antennas providing 17 dB return loss or better across the operating band. Damage to the reader will not occur for any return loss of 1 dB or greater.

Damage may occur if antennas are disconnected during operation or if the M6 and Astra-EX sees an open or short circuit at its antenna port.

To comply with FCC’s RF radiation exposure requir ements, the antenna(s) used for this transmitter must be installed such that a minimum separation distance of 25cm is maintained between the radiator (antenna) & user’s/nearby people’s body at all times and must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.

Antenna Detection

To minimize the chance of damage due to transmitting on open ports or antenna

disconnection, the M6 and Astra-EX supports antenna detection. Detection is performed automatically at startup and before RF operations. In order to be detectable antennas must present a DC resistance of ~10k Ohms or less.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 10

Figure 3: M6 and Astra-EX Digital Connectors

Ethernet/PoE

See Using Power Over Ethernet (PoE).

USB Accessory

Reserved for future use.

Hardware Overview

Console

See Connecting to the USB Console Port.

GPIO

See Using GPIO

DC Power

See Power for DC Power supply requirements. The connector used (Switchcraft Inc.

761KS12) has the following specifications:

– 2.5mm hollow center pin

– Lock Ring Thread Size: 7/16-32 UN2B thread

– Handle Thread Size: 5/16-24 UNF 2A

– Electrical: Current (carry) 5A at 65°C

– IP68 Rated

Reset Button

Using a non-conductive object press and hold for 2 seconds to perform a soft reset. Press

and hold for 4 seconds to Force M6 and Astra-EX to boot in safe mode

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 11

. For dust and

Hardware Overview

moisture protection the Reset button is covered by a screw. To press the Reset the screw must be removed.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 12

Programming Interfaces

MercuryAPI

Applications to control the M6 and Astra-EX reader, and all ThingMagic Reader products, can be written using the high level MercuryAPI. The MercuryAPI supports Java, .NET and C (for on-reader applications) programming environments. The MercuryAPI Software Development Kit (SDK) contains sample applications and source code to help developers get started demoing and developing functionality. For more information on the

MercuryAPI see the MercuryAPI Programmers Guide and the MercuryAPI SDK, available

on the ThingMagic website.

Demo Applications

The primary, “Quick Start”, demo for reading tags is the Query Page of the Web Interface.

For more advanced functionality, and also a starting place for building custom

applications, a demo application is provided in the MercuryAPI SDK package. The executable for this example is included in the MercuryAPI SDK package (available on

rfid.thingmagic.com/devkit) under /cs/samples/exe/Universal-Reader-Assistant2.0.exe.

Programming Interfaces

LLRP

See the Universal-Reader- Assistant 2.0 User Guide (on rfid.thingmagic.com/devkit) for

usage details.

LLRP is the EPCglobal standard (http://www.epcglobalinc.org/standards/llrp/llrp_1_0_1-

standard- 20070813.pdf) used for communication between the M6 and Astra-EX and a client application. The M6 and Astra-EX should be “drop-in compatible” with systems supporting the standard LLRP protocol. Middleware such as BizTalk and WebSphere have standard LLRP adapters that can work with the M6 and Astra-EX. In many cases custom extensions are implemented to support non-standard configuration options and commands, which are often reader specific. If your LLRP based client uses such custom extensions it is likely that modifications will need to be made to support the M6 and AstraEX. In addition some M6 and Astra-EX functionality is only available through the use of custom extensions.

For more information on direct use of LLRP, the ThingMagic custom extensions and the

open source LLRP ToolKit please contact ThingMagic support (support@thingmagic.com).

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 13

On-Reader Applications

The M6 and Astra-EX Reader, starting with firmware v4.9.2 and MercuryAPI v1.11.1 (FW

v4.17 and API v1.19 for Astra-EX), support running custom applications on the reader, built using the MercuryAPI C Language interface. Most programs written using the C API can be compiled to run as a client application or run on the reader.

Please see the MercuryAPI Programmers Guide | On-Reader Applications Guide,

available for download from http://rfid.thingmagid.com/devkit.

Programming Interfaces

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 14

Setting Up the Reader

Note

This section describes the steps to setup all the necessary components and connect to

the Readerʼs browser-based interface.

Equipment Required

To set up Single Reader Operation, you need the reader and some additional hardware.

The additional hardware required includes:

A computer with a Java-enabled web browser

Ethernet cable (CAT5e, shielded, 5ʼ)

Wideband antenna(s) [not required for Astra-EX] Coax cable(s) (with RP-TNC connectors) [not required for Astra-EX]

Setting Up the Reader

To install the M6 and Astra-EX Reader, no software is required.

To set up the Reader as part of a larger scale deployment that uses Wireless Network

(WLAN) connection or Power Over Ethernet (PoE), refer to Networking the Reader

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 15

Setup Procedure

Note

The steps required to set up and run the M6 and Astra-EX Reader are:

1. Connecting Antenna(s) to the Reader

2. Powering Up the Reader

3. Connecting Your PC to the Reader

Setting Up the Reader

4. Communicating with the Reader using a Link-local Address

5. Logging On to the Reader

Connecting Antenna(s) to the Reader

The M6 Reader supports up to four monostatic antennas. The default power setting that

you configure is applicable to all antennas, although per-antenna settings are supported. See Settings Page

Before you apply power to the Reader, you must connect at least one antenna to an RFID

antenna port. When the Reader is powered on, any port that is not connected and meeting the Antenna Detection

Use only authorized antennas and cables. See Appendix A: M6 and Astra-EX

Antenna and Cable Information.

for configuration options.

requirements is disabled.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 16

Setting Up the Reader

Powering Up the Reader

You can power up the M6 and Astra-EX Reader using:

DC power supply - NOTE: Sold separately Power over Ethernet (PoE) - NOTE: Required cable sold separately

To power up the M6 and Astra-EX Reader using a DC power supply:

1. Plug the power supply into the Reader's DC power input connector.

2. Connect the extension cord to the power supply and plug it into a 100-240VAC

power outlet. The Reader immediately begins to power up.

There is no on/off switch on the Reader. While the Reader is powering up, the power LED is solid amber. The Reader is ready for operation after approximately 60 seconds when the power LED changes to solid green.

To power-up the Reader using PoE, see Using Power Over Ethernet (PoE)

By default, if both DC power supply and PoE are provided to the M6 and Astra-EX

Reader, the Reader will use only the DC power supply as the source of power. In this situation, if DC power is turned off, then the Reader requires a hard power cycle (a software or reset button reboot are not sufficient) in order to function properly and use PoE (even if it is already plugged in).

Interpreting the Reader Indicator LED

The M6 and Astra-EX Reader has one main multi-color LED that indicates Reader

activity. By observing the color and the state of the LED, you can determine the current operational status of the M6 and Astra-EX Reader.

The colors displayed by the LED include:

Solid Amber: Indicates that the Reader is starting up.

Blinking Amber: Indicates reader is trying to aquire an IP address using

primary network configuration. If fallback address is being used LED may stay in blinking state.

Solid Green: Indicates that the Reader has a valid IP address and is ready for

operation.

Blinking Green: Indicates that the RF field is ON and the unit is reading/writing

tags.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 17

Setting Up the Reader

Note

Solid Red: Indicates that there is a failure in the RFID subsystem.

Blinking Green/Red: Identify Reader function has been invoked. Should only be

in this mode for about 1 minute.

Additionally, when the Reader is connected to a PC or a network outlet, the two small

LEDs adjacent to the Ethernet (POE LAN) port indicate Network Status and Network Activity.

Connecting Your PC to the Reader

You can provide network connectivity to the M6 and Astra-EX Reader using either

Ethernet or WIFI. For instructions on connecting the Reader to a network using WLAN or PoE, see the section Networking the Reader

With a direct connection to a PC, with default/factory configuration the reader will use

Zero Configuration networking (also referred to as Automatic Private IP Addressing on Windows) to get a link local address.

To connect your Reader directly to your PC:

1. Connect an Ethernet cable to your PC.

2. Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to the Readerʼs POE LAN port.

Communicating with the Reader using a Link-local Address

If you are using an operating system other than Windows 7, consult your network

administrator regarding how to set up your PCʼs TCP/IP connection.

If you are using Windows 7, perform the following steps to set up (or verify) your PC's

TCP/IP connection. On most PCs this is the default configuration:

1. Select Start from the Start bar, and then select Control Panel.

2. Under Network and Internet, select “View network status and tasks”.

3. In the left menu select “Change adapter settings”.

4. The Local Area Connection Status window appears, as shown in Figure 4.

Link-local addressing does not work if DHCP is disabled on the reader. If the readerʼs Network Settings will not work.

have been modified to use a static IP address this setup

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 18

Setting Up the Reader

Note

Previous M6 firmware, v4.9.3 and earlier, did not support link-local addressing. By default the reader would fallback to a static IP address, 10.0.0.101, if a DCHP server was not available. If this functionality is desired please contact ThingMagic support for assistance in enabling it.

Figure 4: Local Area Connection Status Window

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 19

Setting Up the Reader

5. Click the Properties button.

The Local Area Connections Properties window appears, as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5: Local Area Connection Properties Window

6. Scroll down and select the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) version youʼre using. If you

donʼt know which, change both.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 20

Setting Up the Reader

7. Click on the Properties button.

The Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window appears. The General tab should have both “Obtain an IP Address automatically” and “Obtain DNS server address automatically” selected. On the Alternate Configuration tab “Automatic private IP address” should be selected, as shown in

Figure 6.

Figure 6: Internet Protocol TCP/IP Properties Window

8. Click OK to save and exit the window.

9. Click OK in the Local Area Connection Properties window.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 21

Setting Up the Reader

Note

Logging On to the Reader

You may use any Java-enabled web browser to log on to the Reader.

To log on to the Reader:

1. Launch your web browser and log on to the Reader by entering the Reader's

Automatic Hostname: M6-xxxxxx or Astra-EX-xxxxxx

2. Press Enter.

The Login dialog box appears.

3. Enter the following:

Default user name: “web” Password: “radio” (all lower-case).

4. Click OK.

The Reader displays its browser-based interface. The initial page that appears

is the Status page, as shown in Figure 7.

in the address bar.

On some systems, especially when Communicating with the Reader using a Link-

local Address, the hostname must end in “.local” for the connection to succeed. i.e.

m6-21071f.local

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 22

Figure 7: M6 and Astra-EX Status Page

Setting Up the Reader

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 23

Setting Up the Reader

5. Check the Connected Antenna Ports fields. If the text is green, it indicates that

antenna is connected.

6. Do one of the following steps:

To connect the Reader to the network and log in remotely, see Networking the

Reader.

To start reading tags and controlling the Reader, see Controlling the Reader.

This section guides you through all the available Reader functions available through the web interface, including how to read tags, change settings, load firmware, and reboot the Reader into Safe Mode.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 24

Networking the Reader

Note

You can set up the M6 and Astra-EX Reader to use either manual IP addressing or

DHCP. By default, the Reader has automatic addressing enabled that boots up looking for a DHCP server. If no DHCP server is found it will use a Link-local address.

DHCP can be used to automatically assign the Reader's IP address, subnet mask, default

gateway, NTP Server, DNS server, and hostname. During the initial boot sequence, if the Reader does not get a DHCP-assigned IP address, a link-local address will be negotiated with any connected device(s). However, the Reader will periodically check to see if a DHCP server is available. See the Troubleshooting Table IP address if using the Automatic Hostname: M6-xxxxxx or Astra-EX-xxxxxx work.

Networking the Reader

for assistance determining the

doesnʼt

The following section explains how to set up your PC and Reader Using DHCP

section also explains how to manually configure the Reader without a DHCP server, how to setup advanced Fallback Interface Options ZeroConf protocol, Bonjour

, for subnet Reader Discovery, without a DHCP server.

Setting Up the Network Hardware

Whether you use DHCP or static network addressing, make sure that the network is

connected before powering up the Reader. If the Reader does not automatically get the address from a DHCP server, then, by default, a link-local address is used.

Before setting up your network:

Connect one end of an Ethernet cable to the Reader and the other end to an

Ethernet switch or hub.

Check that all antennas are securely connected, and then power-up the

Reader.

Connect your PC to the same network as that of the Reader.

. This

(wired and wireless) and how to use the

Some older 10baseT network hubs do not work properly with the Reader. If you encounter connectivity problems, we recommend using nothing below 10/100baseT hubs/switches.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 25

Networking the Reader

CAUTION!

Using the Wireless Network

You can connect the M6 and Astra-EX Reader through the wireless network, only if the

WiFi SKU is purchased. In this configuration, the Ethernet cable connection is not used.

To connect the M6 and Astra-EX Reader to a wireless network:

1. Click on Settings in the Web Interface navigation menu to access the Settings

Page, as shown in Figure 8.

2. Select the Network Interface tab then the Wireless (802.11) radio button in the All Interfaces section.

3. Enter the appropriate information into the Wireless Authentication Mode, Select the Wireless SSID, and Wireless Key for the Wireless Interface fields.

4. Once the wireless settings are entered click the Test Wifi button. This will

temporarily bring down the active network interface and try to connect to the wireless network as configured. Success or failure will be indicated and the active interface re-established. If the test fails then there is a problem with the configuration settings and they should not be saved.

Do not navigate away from the settings page or disconnect from the network during a wifi test.

5. If the test was successful click the Save Changes button at the bottom of the

page.

6. As soon as Save is clicked the new network settings will be applied. This may

cause a temporary disconnect from the reader and may require a new IP address to be entered or wait until the DNS server is updated with the new IP address.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 26

Networking the Reader

CAUTION!

Once the reader Network Interface is switched to wireless it will no longer be accessible on the wired interface by default. During initial configuration, prior to switching to wireless, it maybe useful to configure the wired interface as a fallback as described in Fallback Interface Options. If the wireless settings were not configured correctly and no fallback setup, the reader will not be accessible over the network interfaces. In that case the only methods of recovery is by Connecting to the USB Console Port or

Using Safe Mode.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 27

Figure 8: M6 and Astra-EX Settings Page

Networking the Reader

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 28

Networking the Reader

Note

WARNING!

Using Power Over Ethernet (PoE)

Another way of powering up the M6 and Astra-EX Reader is to use a single Ethernet

cable that is connected to a Power over Ethernet (PoE) network. In this configuration a power converter is not used.

To power up the M6 and Astra-EX Reader over a PoE network:

1. Connect one end of an Ethernet cable to the M6 and Astra-EX Reader

2. Connect the other end to a certified PoE port.

ThingMagic recommends using a PowerDsine 3006 or similar PoE Hub.

For operation in the EU region (applies to M6-EU and Astra-EX-EU hardware SKU only) you must use the Ferrite Bead included with the M6 and Astra-EX Reader when powering-up the Reader over a PoE network in order to meet ETSI regulatory requirements. For proper operation, you must install the Ferrite Bead on the Ethernet cable at the end closest to the M6 and Astra-EX Reader, as shown in

Figure 9. For proper installation, the Ferrite Bead should not be more than two

inches away from the connector

Figure 9: Ferrite Bead

When using PoE as a power source, the PoE must be supplied by a UL Listed ITE device.

When using PoE as a power source the unit cannot be connected to an Ethernet network with outside plant routing, including a campus environment. The network must be contained within a single building.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 29

Using DHCP

M6 and Astra-EX Setup

DHCP addressing can be used with either physical interface. To enable DHCP:

1. Click on Settings in the Web Interface navigation menu to access the Modify

Settings Page, as shown in Figure 8.

2. Select Use DHCP? | Yes radio button under the settings section of the selected

Network Interface.

3. Click the Save Changes button at the bottom of the page.

PC Setup

To use DHCP to automatically assign your PC's IP address to insure common

configuration with the M6 and Astra-EX Reader:

1. Select Start from the Start bar, and then select Control Panel.

Networking the Reader

2. Double click the Network Connections icon.

3. Disable your PC's wireless connection, if one exists.

4. Double click the Local Area Connection icon.

The local area Connection Status window appears, as shown in Figure 4.

5. Click the Properties button.

The Local Area Connection Properties window appears, as shown in Figure 5.

6. Scroll down to the bottom of the list and select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).

7. Click on the Properties button.

The Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties window appears, as shown in

Figure 10.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 30

Networking the Reader

Figure 10: Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties Window

8. Select the Obtain an IP address automatically button.

9. Click OK to save and exit the window.

10. Click OK, in the Local Area Connection Properties window.

11. Click OK, in the Local Area Connection Status window.

The PC may take few minutes to save the new network settings.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 31

Networking the Reader

Note

Automatic Hostname: M6-xxxxxx or Astra-EX-xxxxxx

At startup, the Reader, by default, generates an 'automatic hostname' by appending the

last three bytes of its MAC address to its hostname, such as M6-210027.

Your network must have properly configured DNS servers or you must be

Communicating with the Reader using a Link-local Address if you wish to connect

to the Reader through its hostname. When using DHCP, the DHCP server periodically adds the hostname to the DNS server's database.

On some systems, especially when Communicating with the Reader using a Link-

local Address, the hostname must end in “.local” for the connection to succeed. i.e.

m6-21071f.local

MAC Address

The Reader's MAC address is printed on a white label on the side of the Reader, as LAN:

#...#. You can also find the Reader's MAC address on the Status page.

The first six characters of the MAC address are ThingMagic's manufacturer's code. The

last six characters of the MAC address are specific to the Reader and are used for automatic hostname addressing.

To log on to the Reader using the MAC address:

1. Obtain the Reader's MAC address, launch your web browser, and then log on to the Reader by entering its automatic hostname in the address bar, such as http:/

/M6-xxxxxx (the last six characters of the Reader's MAC address).

2. Press Enter. The Reader's Login dialog box appears.

3. Enter the following: User name: web Password: radio

4. Click OK. The Reader displays the M6 and Astra-EX Status Page

5. Check the Connected Antenna Ports fields. If the text is green, that antenna is connected.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 32

Fallback Interface Options

In addition to selecting the primary physical interface to Wired (Ethernet) or Wireless

(802.11, if option was purchased), the M6 and Astra-EX can be configured to fallback to one of a variety of alternative network configurations in case of failures on the primary. Each physical interface can be configured to fallback to the other physical interface or to a

different, static configuration on the same physical interface. See Figure 1 1 for a flowchart

showing the various fallback behaviors. See Network Settings: All Interfaces following Network Settings tables for more details on the settings.

Fallback settings are configured using the Web Interface | Settings page, as show in

Figure 8. To enable the use of fallback select:

Use Fallback Interface = Yes

Once fallback is enabled the fallback interface can be selected using:

Fallback Network interface = Wired | Wireless

Networking the Reader

and the

Fallback to the Same Physical Interface

If the Fallback Network interface selected is the same as the Interface being configured,

for example

Network Settings: Ethernet Interface

– Fallback Network interface = Wired is selected

Then the Fallback IP Address, Fallback Netmask and Fallback Gateway must be

configured and when a fallback occurs those static settings will be used.

Fallback to the Other Physical Interface

If the Fallback Network interface selected is different than the Interface being configured,

for example

Network Settings: Ethernet Interface

– Fallback Network interface = Wireless is selected

Then the Fallback IP Address, Fallback Netmask and Fallback Gateway are not used.

Instead, if a fallback occurs the physical interface will switch to using the other interface as if it were primary.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 33

Figure 11: Fallback Interface Flowchard

Networking the Reader

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 34

Networking the Reader

CAUTION!

Its is not advisable to configure both interfaces to fallback to the other physical interface. If neither is able to connect it will continue to “ping pong” back and forth between the two interfaces. One of the two should always fallback to a known static configuration.

When setting up and testing the Wireless interface as the primary interface it is strongly advisable to configure it to fallback to the wired interface and the wired falling back to a static wired IP address. This will make it easier to recover if the wireless configuration is not done correctly.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 35

Reader Discovery

Note

You can find the available Readers on the network by using the Multicast DNS (mDNS)

protocol (http://multicastdns.org/) and Reader Listing.

Using mDNS

To find Readers on a network, you can use any client or client API that allows discovery of

services using mDNS (a part of the Zero Configuration Network Standard). One common client implementing the Zero Configuration Network Standard is called Bonjour

developed by Apple. Bonjour works on networks without a DHCP server and is included in the Apply Safari web browser (it must be selected during the Safari install).

After you have installed Safari the Bonjour icon appears under Bookmarks | Collections

You can select the Bonjour tool to discover other Readers available on the network.

Each ThingMagic Reader in the Bonjour frame is referenced by the domain name (ThingMagic) followed by the hostname (M6 or Astra-EX) and the last six characters of the device's MAC address (such as 210027). A device frame on the left side of the browser opens and lists the names of all active Bonjour devices available.

Networking the Reader

1. Double-click on the name of the Reader that you want to access. The Login dialog box for that specific Reader appears.

2. Enter the following: User name: web Password: radio

3. Click OK. The Reader displays the Status page of the selected Reader.

The list of Bonjour devices displayed on the screen is refreshed periodically so that new

Bonjour-enabled devices appear as they come online.

Reader Listing

The Reader Listing Page allows you to find Readers including ThingMagic M6, Astra-EX,

Astra, and Mercury5, that run on the network. It uses the same Multicast DNS(mDNS) protocol used by the Bonjour.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 36

Networking the Reader

Note

In the case of Reader Listing Page, no plugin is required and works in any browser. The

Reader Listing Page contains a list of the Readers found on the network and additional information on each Reader including:

A link to the Readerʼs web interface

Readerʼs IP address

Firmware version it is running

Number of connected antennas

Status information

Identify Reader button.

To enable Reader Listing to discover Readers available on the network:

Click on the Reader List link in the navigation menu.

The M6 and Astra-EX Reader Listing Page appears, as shown in the Figure 12.

Identify Reader

In the last column of the list of readers found there is a button labelled IdentifyReader.

When clicked this will cause the corresponding readerʼs LED to flash between green and red. This provides visual confirmation of the named reader.

M6 and Astra-EX readers must be using firmware version 4.17 or later to support this functionality.

By default Identify Reader will not work with Windows Internet Explorer (IE). IE by default blocks URLs with username and passwords. In order to compromise that

setting, Windows provides a Fix It solution which is provided here.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/834489#FixItForMeAlways This is a one time setup.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 37

Figure 12: M6 and Astra-EX Reader Listing Page

Networking the Reader

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 38

Connecting to the USB Console Port

M6 and Astra-EX supports communication over its USB Console port to enable you to:

Access the boot logs.

Access the console for emergency recovery into Safe Mode.

Before you connect to the USB Console port, ensure that you have:

A PC with a USB port.

A serial terminal program (such as HyperTerminal or Putty).

A USB cable (with USB Mini-B plug)

FTDI USB to Serial Drivers

Once the USB cable is connected you must determine the port name used by the host OS

to connect. On Windows it will be assigned a "COM#" and Macintosh, and other unix based systems will see it as "/dev/tty.usbserial0" or simlar.

When you have completed setting up the serial port, you must set the following four

parameters to allow the terminal program to talk to the Reader:

– Data Rate: 115200

– Parity: None

– Data Bits: 8

– Stop Bits: 1

The procedure for connecting to a specific port is different for each terminal emulation

program. Check the documentation for your program for information on setting these parameters.

Once you have set up the USB connection, reboot the Reader, and the boot logs begin to

display. If not, recheck the terminal program configuration and try again.

FTDI USB to Serial Drivers

The console port requires the host has FTDI USB to serial virtual COM port drivers

installed. Most OSes have them pre-installed but if not they can be found at

http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm.

Please follow the instructions in the installation guide appropriate for your operating

system.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 39

Using GPIO

The M6 and Astra-EX Reader includes a 15-pin D-Sub connector (also commonly

referred to as a VGA connector). This connector is used to support four opto-isolated general purpose inputs and four opto-isolated general purpose outputs. The values of the GPIO lines can be Get and Set using the MercuryAPI. See the respective guide for more details on software control of these signals. For ease of testing the following parts (included in M6 and Astra-EX devkit) can be used to provide a terminal block interface to the GPIO pins:

– VGA male to male connector (for GPIO) [L-Com Part# DMB520M]

– VGA to terminal block (for GPIO) [L-Com Part# DGBH15FT]

Inputs

The four opto-isolated inputs support the following input levels:

Using GPIO

It is recommended that external devices guarantee a minimum pulse width of at least

100ms.

Outputs

The four opto-isolated outputs support power sourcing, up to +30V with current sink up to

200mA, through an external power supply connected between V-GPO and ISO-GND (pins 5 and 6).

Using the MercuryAPI the output signals (see note under Connector Pinout

enumeration values) can be set as follows:

All outputs have an active pull down to ISO-GND.

V-low (Logic 0) = 0-0.8V V-high (Logic 1) = 3-30V 5mA max current with 24V input

for

gpoSet(GPIO_#, 0) sets pin corresponding to GPIO enumeration to Vhigh through 10kohm pull up resistor to V-GPO.

gpoSet(GPIO_#, 1) sets pin corresponding to GPIO enumeration to Vlow through effective short (through isolated FET switch) to ISO-GND.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 40

Note

For non-isolated applications connect grounds together (pin6 and 7) and V-GPO to M6 and Astra-EX+5V (pins 1 and 5). With this configuration the reader provides the +5V supply and can sink up to 200mA, total.

Connector Pinout

The following are the pin-outs of the 15-pin connector:

Using GPIO

Figure 13: DE15 GPIO Pinout

1. M6 and Astra-EX+5V - non-isolated power from M6 and Astra-EX

2. N/A

3. N/A

4. User Output 2 (GPIO_1)

5. V-GPO - Isolated source power for outputs

6. ISO-GND - Isolated ground for outputs

7. M6 and Astra-EX Ground - non-isolated ground

8. User Output 1 (GPIO_0)

9. User Output 2 (GPIO_1)

10. User Output 3 (GPIO_2)

11. User Output 4 (GPIO_5)

12. User Input 1 (GPIO_3)

13. User Input 2 (GPIO_4)

14. User Input 3 (GPIO_6)

15. User Input 4 (GPIO_7)

Note: The values in parentheses indicate the enumeration used by the MercuryAPI for each GPIO line.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 41

Using GPIO

Note: Note that Pin 9 is normally not populated on standard VGA cables. The M6 and Astra-EX

internally connects Pin 9 to Pin 4 to permit the use of such cables.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 42

Controlling the Reader

The Reader uses RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology to read and write data

stored on RFID Tag(s).

The M6 and Astra-EX Reader provides three levels of access to controlling read/write

operations of RFID tag(s):

Controlling the Reader

1. Using the Browser-Based Interface

A web browser controls high-level Reader operations through a Java Applet. See Status Page interface.

2. MercuryAPI

High-level APIs (Application Programming Interface) provide fine control over all aspects of the Reader. See the MercuryAPI Programmers Guide at http://rfid.thingmagic.com/devkit.

3. LLRP

EPCglobal ratified protocol used for communication between the M6 and AstraEX and a client application. The M6 and Astra-EX should be “drop-in compatible” with systems supporting the standard LLRP protocol.

for information about how to access the browser-based

Using the Browser-Based Interface

The M6 and Astra-EX Reader browser-based interface communicates directly with the

RFID Reader. It includes several tools that enable you to monitor Reader performance, change Reader settings, and upgrade Reader firmware.

You can run the browser-based interface from any PC on the network. Carefully configure

the PC with an IP address and subnet mask compatible with the current operational settings of the Reader.

The Reader navigation menu provides access to the following pages:

Status Page- Displays the current operational settings.

Query Page- Allows the user to perform Anti-Collision RFID tag searches and to

specify the constraints used in the search.

Settings Page- Allows the user to modify Reader configuration and network

settings.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 43

Controlling the Reader

Note

Firmware Upgrade Utility- Upgrades the tag Reader with new firmware images

provided by ThingMagic.

Restart Page- Allows the user to restart the Reader through a "warm boot."

Diagnostics Page- Provides the current operating settings and access to the

status logs of the Reader.

Statistics Page- Provides the statistics that are defined by the EPCglobal Reader

Management Standard v1.0.1

To start the browser-based interface:

1. Exit all Reader applications on the network.

Running another Reader application while using the browser-based interface may cause a Reader error. If this happens, reboot the Reader or restart it using the browser-based interface.

2. Start a Java-enabled web browser from any network-enabled PC.

3. Type the IP address of the Reader to which you want to communicate in the

address field of the browser. You can also use Reader Discovery browse to it. A log-in dialog appears.

4. Enter the following: User name: "web" Password: "radio" (all lower-case).

5. Click OK. A navigation menu and the Status page appear in the browser, as shown in the

Figure 7.

methods to

Status Page

The M6 and Astra-EX Status Page, as shown in the Figure 7, indicates the connected

antennas, software version, and LAN configuration of the Reader.

Check to see that at least one antenna port is connected before performing any tag query operations.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 44

Controlling the Reader

Note

Query Page

Use the M6 and Astra-EX Query Page to set up and run Anti-Collision Searches quickly,

and to obtain immediate feedback. This is useful for debugging as well as for verifying performance after installation is completed.

If the Query page does not load and you do not see the Java logo, install the Java

Runtime Environment for your platform and restart your PC.

Use of the Query applet, or any Reader client application, requires port 5084 to be

open on the network. If the Query applet Connect fails to connect it is likely either

another client already has an open connection or port 5084 is being blocked by a firewall.

The basic steps to connect, read, modify the read behavior and display options are

defined in the following sections:

Read Tags

Query Results

Query Settings

In addition to modifying the query behavior using the Query Settings, the performance of

the reader can be optimized for a particular usecase by making changes to the Gen2

Protocol Settings.

Read Tags

To read tags under default performance and display options:

1. Click ʻConnectʼ to reader. A connection will not be successful if other clients are

connected to the reader.

Figure 14: Query Page - Connect

2. Position one or more tags, in front of one of the antennas connected to the

Reader.

3. Click ʻReadʼ.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 45

Controlling the Reader

Note

The Query will be run on all connected antennas (checked antennas) in the default

configuration. If Reader Power Settings query on must be selected. The query can be run once or continuously.

4. Click ʻStop Readingʼ to end the search.

You must click Stop Reading and Disconnect before exiting. Otherwise, the Reader

will continue to transmit RF energy on its antennas and other clients maybe blocked.

| Antenna Detection = Off then the antennas to

Query Results

As shown in Figure 15, the default displayed tag results shows the following columns of

data:

# - The order each tag was read.

EPC - The EPC ID of the tag, typically 96-bits of data shown in Hex.

ReadCount - The number of times the tag was read on [Antenna].

Antenna - The antenna on with the tag was read. If the same tag is read on more than

one antenna there will be a tag entry for each antenna on which the tag was read.

Protocol - The protocol of the tag.

Figure 15: Query Results

In addition to the above fields, the following fields can be displayed by right-clicking on the

settings icon in the top-right corner of the display table, as shown in Figure 16.

RSSI - The receive signal strength of the tag response, in dBm.

Frequency - The frequency on which the tag was read, in kHz.

First Seen - The timestamp when the tag was first seen during this query.

Last Seen - The timestamp of the most recent reading during this query.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 46

Controlling the Reader

Phase - Average phase of tag response in degrees (0°-180°) TagReadData - The data read when the Tag Data Settings | Read Data option is

selected. If the tag doesnʼt have the requested data “Read Data failed” will be returned.

Figure 16: Add Meta Data Columns

Query Settings

The default reading mode of continuous reading can be changed, along with other query

behavior and display options in the settings panel. To access the panel click the “Show

Settings” button once connected, as shown in Figure 17.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 47

Figure 17: Query Settings Panel

Controlling the Reader

Once clicked the settings panel will slide out and expose several groupings of settings:

Read Settings

These settings control the behavior of the Read button:

Read Once - Each click of Read causes a single query for the time specified. Read Continuously - Clicking Read causes a continuous read to be run until Stop

Reading is clicked.

Optionally select/deselect protocols, antennas, use Fast Search (optimizes

performance for maximum re-reads of a few tags).

Tag Data Settings

This settings allows an additional block of data, up to 64 bytes, to be read from each tag

during the query.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 48

Controlling the Reader

Note

Memory Bank - The memory back from which to read.

Start Address - The word offset in memory to start reading from.

Words to read - The number of words to read, beginning at the start address.

Specify ʻ0ʼ to read the full contents of the memory bank, from Start Address on. Up to 128 bytes.

If the address and/or words to read value specified exceeds the contents of the tag, no data will be read.

Tag Display Options

Settings to optionally display various summary information, while querying, in a big

number format.

Copy will copy the tag data to the clipboard.

Monitor Results

Displays of summary information when query completes.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 49

Controlling the Reader

Note

Settings Page

The M6 and Astra-EX Settings Page enables you to change network, performance and

security settings. The page is divided into four main sections:

Reader Power Settings

Gen2 Protocol Settings

Network Settings

Miscellaneous Settings

Changing these parameters changes the settings the Reader uses on startup. Although

boot options and network settings can be modified, be careful to use correct values or you may not be able to connect to the Reader without restarting in Safe Mode.

All settings set through the WebUI | Settings pages are persistent, they are

retained across reboots and become the default settings of the reader for client applications. The values shown on these pages do not necessarily reflect the active settings of the Reader if configuration parameters are transiently changed through the MercuryAPI or LLRP. All changes made through MercuryAPI or LLRP client applications are transient.

Do not disconnect power until the save process is complete. Note that new RFID, network and security settings take effect after saving. Boot-related options are saved but DO NOT take effect until the Reader is restarted (see Restart Page Therefore, to ensure that all new settings take effect, it is recommended that you restart the Reader after saving the new settings and after reconfiguring.

Reader Power Settings

The Reader Power Settings are used to control the amount of RF Power transmitted by

the reader when active. The RF power directly relates to the range at which the reader can “see” tags, the higher the power, the longer the range.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 50

Table 1: Reader Power Settings

Setting Description

RF Power Setting Controls the method used for setting power:

• Global - all antennas will use the same power setting, the value of RF Power.

• Per Antenna - power for each antenna must be set individually for each and

antenna and both read and write power settings, the value of Antenna # Read/ Write Power.

Controlling the Reader

Antenna # Read Power (dBm)

Antenna # Write Power (dBm)

Antenna Detection Controls whether the reader will automatically detect connected antenna and only

The power setting used for Read operations on antenna #. This setting is only

used when RF Power Setting is set to Per Antenna.

The power setting used for Write operations on antenna #. This setting is only

used when RF Power Setting is set to Per Antenna.

allow those ports to be used:

• On - Only ports with antennas that meet the Antenna Detection

requirements will be active.

• Off - All ports are available for use. The user MUST specify the spe-

cific antennas to transmit on and is responsible for ensuring transmits do not occur on ports without connected antennas.

Gen2 Protocol Settings

The Gen2 Protocol Settings allow for optimization of the Reader's performance based on

real world usecase requirements. In addition, for advanced users, direct setting of low level Gen2 protocol parameters are available using the Customize option of each section.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 51

Table 2: Gen2 Protocol Settings

Setting Description

Controlling the Reader

Tag Reader Protocol Settings

Tag Population Size Settings

Tag Repeat Rate

• Maximum tag read rate - Performance is optimized for maximizing the speed

of tag to/from reader communications, which results in more tags being read faster. OR

• Maximum receive sensitivity - Performance is optimized for reading weaker,

harder to read tags.

Note: NOTE: Mostly applicable to using Battery Assisted Passive Tags. Most

Passive Tag applications are range limited by the power output from the antenna, not the reader's ability to "hear" a tag's response.

• Customize - Set low level Gen2 parameters related to tag to reader

communication speed vs sensitivity. See the MercuryAPI Programmers Guide | Performance Tuning section for more details on these settings.

• Automatically adjust settings as tag population changes - Reader

dynamically adjusts optimization setting depending on the tag population it detects in the field.

• Adjust settings for an approximate population of X - If the tag population

size is relatively well known and consistent, performance can be increased by optimizing for that size. In this case enter the approximate population size for increased performance.

• Customize - Set low level Gen2 parameters related to tag population size. See

the MercuryAPI Programmers Guide | Performance Tuning section for more

details on these settings.

• Tags repeat as often as possible - Tags will re-respond to an on-going

inventory operation as quickly as possible.

• Tags wait ~0.5 seconds to repeat - Tags will sleep for their "flag persistence"

period, typically 0.5 to 2.0 seconds. This is preferred when trying to inventory large populations of tags as it allows "weaker" tags a chance to respond.

• Customize - Set low level Gen2 parameters related to tag response rate and

session usage. See the MercuryAPI Programmers Guide | Performance Tuning section for more details on these settings.

Network Settings

Static network settings are ignored when in DHCP mode, and DHCP-related settings are

ignored when in static IP mode. Please note that your network needs to have properly configured DNS servers, to connect to the Reader through its hostname. Usually when using DHCP, the DHCP server will add the hostname to the DNS server's database.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 52

Network Settings: All Interfaces

Table 3: Network Settings: All Interfaces

Setting Description

Network Interface Select between Wired (Ethernet) and Wireless (802.11).

Controlling the Reader

Automatic Hostname

Hostname This field contains the name of the Reader.

NTP Server This field contains the address of any network time protocol server(s) (Optional).

Domain Name This field contains the network domain name.

Primary DNS Server

Secondary DNS Server

Turning on automatic hostname will append the last six numbers (3 bytes) of the Readerʼs address to the text in the hostname field. For example, given a hostname of M6 or Astra-EX and a MAC Address of 00:12:A4: 13:47:AC, the automatic hostname would be M6-1347ac or Astra-1347ac.

This field allows the M6 and Astra-EX Reader to resolve hostnames to IP addresses.

Network Settings: Ethernet Interfaces

Table 4: Network Settings: Ethernet Interface

Setting Description

Use DHCP? If set to Yes, the Reader will automatically look for its LAN IP, Netmask, and Gateway

addresses from a DHCP Server.

Use Fallback Interface

Fallback Network Interface

Vendor Class Identifier

Use DHCP Server- supplied Host- name?

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 53

If set to Yes, the specified Fallback Network Interface will be used in case of failure on this interfaceʼs primary configuration.

If set to Wired then the static Fallback IP, Netmask and Gateway will be used in case of failure of the primary configuration on this interface. If set to Wireless the interface will switch to wireless in case of failure.

This radio button enables 96-bit tag support. To optimize the Reader, keep this setting turned off unless it is needed.

If set to Yes, the manually supplied hostname (see Hostname) will be overridden by the hostname supplied by the DHCP Server.

Controlling the Reader

LAN IP Address If “Use DHCP?” is set to Yes, the LAN IP, Netmask, and Gateway values will be

supplied by the DHCP Server. Default or manually entered addresses will be dimmed out and bypassed. If “Use DHCP?” is set to No, you should manually enter the LAN IP, Netmask and Gateway settings.

LAN Gateway This is the gateway IP address for the local network, typically the IP address of a

router.

LAN Netmask This is the subnet mask IP address used to determine to which TCP/IP subnet the

Reader belongs. Devices in the same subnet can be communicated with locally without going through a router.

Fallback IP Address

Fallback Netmask

Fallback Gateway

This network configuration will be used by the Reader if DHCP is enabled but fails to acquire an IP address.

Network Settings: Wireless Interfaces

The wireless interfaces apply only when your reader supports Wi-Fi.

Table 5: Network Settings: Wireless Interface

Setting Description

Use DHCP? If set to Yes, the Reader will automatically look for its LAN IP, Netmask, and Gateway

addresses from a DHCP Server.

Use Fallback Interface

Fallback Network Interface

If set to Yes, the specified Fallback Network Interface will be used in case of failure on this interfaceʼs primary configuration.

If set to Wireless then the static Fallback IP, Netmask and Gateway will be used in case of failure of the primary configuration on this interface. If set to Wired the interface will switch to wired in case of failure.

Vendor Class Identifier

Use DHCP Server- supplied Host- name?

WLAN IP Address

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 54

This radio button enables 96-bit tag support. To optimize the Reader, keep this setting turned off unless it is needed.

If set to Yes, the manually supplied hostname (see Hostname) will be overridden by the hostname supplied by the DHCP Server.

If “Use DHCP?” is set to Yes, the LAN IP, Netmask, and Gateway values will be supplied by the DHCP Server. Default or manually entered addresses will be dimmed out and bypassed. If Use DHCP? is set to No, you should manually enter the LAN IP, Netmask and Gateway settings.

Controlling the Reader

WLAN Gateway This is the gateway IP address for the local network, typically the IP address of a

router.

WLAN Netmask This is the subnet mask IP address used to determine to which TCP/IP subnet the

Reader belongs. Devices in the same subnet can be communicated with locally without going through a router.

Wireless Fallback IP Address

Wireless Fallback Netmask

Wireless Fallback Gateway

Wireless Authentication Mode

Wireless SSID This field will contain the SSID of the wireless network to which the M6 and

Wireless Key This field will contain the Key for the wireless network to which the M6 and

This network configuration will be used by the Reader if DHCP is enabled but fails to acquire an IP address.

Select WEP, WPAPSK, or WPA2PSK for authentication.

Astra-EX will connect.

Miscellaneous Settings

Boot Option Settings

The boot option settings specify the location of downloadable firmware, configuration files

and their optional parameters, and the location of a syslog server to which all Reader events may be sent.

Table 6: Boot Option Settings

Setting Description

Boot Config Options Optional parameters used when downloading a new configuration file to the

Reader.

-f : Force a downgrade if config file version is lower than that currently running on the Reader.

-p : Preserve configuration settings under a wipe.

-w : Wipe flash memory and settings.

-a : Add the Readerʼs MAC address to the download filename.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 55

Controlling the Reader

Boot Config URI to the tm.conf file to be downloaded on startup. Specify local:default for local

tm.config file.

Boot Firmware Options

Boot Firmware URL to the firmware file to be downloaded at startup.

Syslog Host Hostname for remote logging. All log levels in syslog are sent to this host.

Same as Boot Config options. Used when downloading new firmware to the Reader.

Reader Identification Settings

The Reader identification settings show the user-defined identifier strings.

Table 7: Reader Identification Settings

Setting Description

Reader Description This is a user-defined identifier string to describe the Reader that gets

echoed back verbatim via the web interface, SNMP, or the API.

Reader Role This is a user-defined identifier string to describe the Readerʼs role in a

system that gets echoed back verbatim via the web interface, SNMP, or the API.

Ant# Description This is a user-defined identifier string to describe the default Antenna # that

gets echoed back verbatim via the web interface, SNMP, or the API.

Security Settings

These settings control secure access to the Reader using a combination of SSH (Secure

Shell), HTTPS, and secure RQL calls.

Table 8: Security Settings

Setting Description

Secure Shell Only (disable telnet)

Secure Web Only (disable standard http)

SNMP Enabled Enables access to the reader statistics as defined by the EPC Global

MDNS enabled Enables reader discovery via Multicast DNS.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 56

If Yes, the telnet server is disabled, and Reader access can only be performed via a secure shell (SSH).

If Yes, the Reader will only respond to requests using https URLs.

Reader MIB via Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).

Controlling the Reader

Note

Restart Page

The M6 and Astra-EX Restart Page enables you to activate reconfigured network Reader

settings or to recover from a Reader error.

To restart the Reader:

1. Click the Restart link on the navigation menu.

The Restart Reader page appears, as shown in Figure 18.

Figure 18: M6 and Astra-EX Restart Reader Page

2. Click the Restart System button.

3. Click OK.

The following message appears, as shown in Figure 19 and remains on the

screen until the Reader restarts.

Figure 19: Restarting Reader

It takes at least 60 seconds for the Reader to boot up. During this time the Power/ Heartbeat LED is solid amber. When the LED is solid green, the boot process is complete.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 57

Controlling the Reader

Diagnostics Page

The Diagnostics page expands on information found on the Status Page, including the

current settings of the Reader, comprehensive version information, and the current status of network interfaces.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 58

Controlling the Reader

Statistics Page

The Statistics Page displays the M6 and Astra-EX Reader statistics. These statistics are

defined by the EPCglobal Reader Management Standard v1.0.1, specifically, the

statistics defined in sections 5.5 AntennaReadPoint and 5.6 Source Object. These sames

statistics are available through the SNMP interface.

More information on these statistics can be found at the following URL:

http://www.epcglobalinc.org/standards/rm/rm_1_0_1-standard-20070531.pdf

Firmware Upgrade Utility

M6 and Astra-EX provides the Firmware Upgrade Utility for updating the firmware.

1. Click the Firmware link on the navigation menu.

The Firmware Update page appears, as shown in Figure 20.

Figure 20: M6 and Astra-EX Firmware Update Page

2. Do one of the following:

In the File upload field, enter the complete URL network pathname of the

firmware file.

Click Browse... to locate the firmware file.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 59

Controlling the Reader

Note

CAUTION!

If you select the "Erase contents before installing" check box, you will erase all user-installed programs or files residing on the reader. DO NOT select this option if you wish to preserve any user programs residing on the reader.

If you select the "Revert to default settings" check box, you will erase any changes made to the reader's configuration settings and revert to factory default settings. If you select this option, the reader's current configuration settings will be erased. DO NOT select this option if you wish to preserve the reader's current configuration settings.

3. Click the Update button to download the new firmware to the reader.

The status frame at the bottom of the page displays the progress of the update.

4. Restart the reader to activate the new firmware. The old firmware remains active until the Reader is restarted.

If for any reason a firmware update fails, the device may restart in Safe Mode.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 60

Using Safe Mode

Note

There are two reasons to enter Safe Mode:

To perform a firmware update for repairing a corrupted filesystem.

To change settings that prevent the Reader from operating normally.

Both of these tasks can be performed through the web interface.

Safe Mode is used to recover from errors that prevent the Reader from operating in

normal mode. In Safe Mode the Reader is configured to try DHCP and fallback to a linklocal address (see Communicating with the Reader using a Link-local Address

When in Safe Mode the browser-based interface pages navigation menu will display

“Safe Mode” at the top and the Status page will indicate it is “Unable to communicate with the MercuryOS server”. In this mode the Reader is still functional though it cannot read or write tags. The web server, telnet server, and SSH (Secure Shell) server run in Safe Mode, however none of the RFID features are activated.

Using Safe Mode

In most cases, after starting in Safe Mode, the Reader will need to be reconfigured for

operation with the Reader application, after starting in Safe Mode. To communicate with the Reader in Safe Mode, your PC must be configured for DHCP (and automatic private IP addressing on Windows). You can then reconfigure the desired settings through the web interface. After you have completed the maintenance, restart the Reader to activate the changes.

Force M6 and Astra-EX to boot in safe mode

The M6 and Astra-EX Reader can be forced to boot into Safe Mode in one of two ways:

Physically pressing the Reset Button:

1. With the reader running (green LED is solid), use a non-conductive object to hold down the recessed reset button for 4 seconds.

2. The green LED should turn solid Amber as soon as the button its ready to boot and the button can be released. It should take approximately 30 seconds to boot into Safe Mode.

3. Once the maintenance has been performed, restart the reader to activate the changes.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 61

Using Safe Mode

Command line interface (through console port or telnet/ssh):

1. Connect to the Readers serial port (See Connecting to the USB Console Port

Enter the following to log into the console

Default UserID: root Password: secure

2. Type the command: touch /tm/etc/safe-boot

3. Click the Enter button.

4. Type the command: reboot

5. Click the Enter button.

Reader reboots.

In both methods the M6 and Astra-EX will now boot into Safe Mode and you can connect

to it using the steps defined in Connecting Your PC to the Reader

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 62

Advanced Reader Functionality

Protocol Support

Using the MercuryAPI ReadPlan classes the M6 and Astra-EX can be configured to perform various Read operations. The following describes protocol specific configuration

options supported on the M6 and Astra-EX. See the MercuryAPI Programmers Guide and

language specific reference guides for details on supported Gen2 command functionality.

ISO 18000-6C (Gen2)

Protocol Configuration Options

The M6 and Astra-EX supports multiple ISO-18000-6C profiles including the ability to specify the Link Frequency, encoding schemes, Tari value and modulation scheme. The protocol options are set in the MercuryAPI Reader Configuration Parameters (/reader/ gen2/*). The following table shows the supported combinations:

Advanced Reader Functionality

Backscatter

Link Frequency

(kHz)

250 Miller (M=8) 12.5 PR-ASK

250 Miller (M=4) 12.5 PR-ASK

250 Miller (M=2) 12.5 PR-ASK

250 FM0 12.5 PR-ASK

250 Miller (M=8) 25 PR-ASK

250 Miller (M=4) 25 PR-ASK

250 Miller (M=2) 25 PR-ASK

250 FM0 25 PR-ASK

250 Miller (M=8) 25 PR-ASK

640 FM0 6.25 PR-ASK

ISO-18000-6C Protocol Options

Encoding

Tari

(usec)

Modulation

Scheme

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 63

Advanced Reader Functionality

ISO 18000-6B

Protocol Configuration Options

The M6 and Astra-EX, with appropriate license purchase, supports multiple ISO-180006B profiles including the ability to specify the Return Link Frequency, encoding, Forward Link Rate and modulation scheme. The protocol options are set in the MercuryAPI Reader Configuration Parameters (/reader/iso18000-6b/*). The following table shows the supported combinations:

ISO-18000-6B Protocol Options

Return Link

Freq (kHz)

40 FM0 10 Manchester

160 FM0 40 Manchester

Return

Encoding

Forward Link

Freq (kHz)

Forward

Encoding

Tag Read Meta Data

When tags are being inventoried by the M6 and Astra-EX, in addition to the tag EPC ID

resulting from inventory operation each TagReadData (see MercuryAPI for code details)

contains meta data about how, where and when the tag was read. The specific meta data

available for each tag read is as follows:

Tag Read Meta Data

Meta Data Field Description

Antenna ID The antenna on with the tag was read. If the same tag is read

on more than one antenna there will be a tag object returned for each antenna on which the tag was read.

Read Count The number of times the tag was read on [Antenna ID].

Timestamp The time the tag was read. For accurate time an NTP server

should be configured.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 64

Advanced Reader Functionality

Tag Read Meta Data

Meta Data Field Description

Tag Data When reading if an embedded TagOp is specified for a Read-

Plan the TagReadData can contain up to 128 bytes of data

returned for each tag.

Note: Tags with the same TagID but different Tag Data

can be considered unique and each get a Tag Buffer entry if set in the reader configuration parameter /reader/tagReadData/ uniqueByData. By default it is not.

Frequency The frequency on which the tag was read

Tag Phase

LQI/RSSI The receive signal strength of the tag response in dBm.

Average phase of tag response in degrees (0

°-180°)

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 65

Reader RF Power

Note

WARNING!

During initial installation, the reader must be properly configured to use the correct RF

power to comply with FCC or other regional regulations. DO NOT increase the power beyond this level.

The M6 and Astra-EX supports separate read and write power level which are command adjustable via the MercuryAPI. Power levels must be between:

– Minimum RF Power = +5 dBm

– Maximum RF Power = +31.5 dBm (+0.0/- 0.5 dB accuracy above +15 dBm)

The maximum RF Power setting for the Astra-EX integrated antenna is 30dBm.

Operation using an RF Power setting above 30 dBm requires a professional installer.

Reader RF Power

Power Settings for Authorized Antennas and Cables

This device has been designed to operate with the antennas listed in Authorized

Antennas list using the cables in the Authorized Cables list. For any combination of

antenna and cable the maximum RF power is determined from antenna gain (Max Linear Gain value from antenna list) and antenna cable loss (Insertion Loss value from cable list) using the formula:

Pmax = 36 dBm - Antenna Gain + Cable Loss

For example, for the Laird S8658WPL and the ThingMagic CBL-P6 6ft cable the following calculation can be performed:

Max linear antenna gain = 6 dBiL Minimum cable insertion loss = 0.8 dB Pmax = 36 - 6 + 0.8 = 30.8 dBm

The maximum RF power that may be set using this configuration is 30.8 dBm (see Warning above).

For more information about setting the RF power, refer to Setting the Reader RF Power

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 66

Reader RF Power

Note

Be sure to read Compliance and IP Notices to maintain compliance with FCC or other applicable regional regulations.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 67

Setting the Reader RF Power

Note

To set the Reader RF power:

1. Log on to the Reader using your browser. The M6 and Astra-EX Status Page

2. Click on the Settings tab. The first field on the Settings page is RF Power. Its factory default value is 30 dBm.

3. Enter the maximum setting based on your cable type, length, and antenna type.

Reader RF Power

appears, as shown in the Figure 7.

4. Scroll down to the bottom of the M6 and Astra-EX Settings Page changes button. The Settings Page will reload automatically after the settings have been saved.

If the Status page does not appear after a minute, manually recycle the power on the Reader. After repowering, load the Settings Page again and check the new maximum RF power setting.

, and click Save

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 68

Mounting the Reader

CAUTION!

Mounting the Reader

See Appendix B: M6 and Astra-EX Dimensions for mounting hole locations and

dimensions.

If there is any chance of dust or water exposure, the Astra-EX should be mounted with the Ethernet, USB, Console, Power and GPIO ports facing down to prevent ingress.

When mounting the M6 reader it is recommended to use four #10 x ? in. min. screws or

M5 x 20 mm screws, with washers min. ? in. in diameter. Nylon plastic expansion wall anchors shall be suitable for the screw size. The mounting surface should be minimum ? in. drywall. If mounting to the ceiling use nylon hollow wall anchors suitable for the screw size and application. As an alternative, # 10 x 1-1/2 in. screws and washers may be used if mounting directly to a wall stud.

Follow these steps to mount the reader on a ceiling or wall:

1. Hold the reader in its mounting location and mark the position of the four

2. Drill holes for the screws and install wall or ceiling anchors if required. For ceiling

3. Hold reader over holes and insert the screws and tighten until almost flush with

4. Tighten the screws.

Astra-EX

When mounting the Astra-EX Reader it is recommend to use an NRTL approved VESA

100 mount, following the standard mounting procedure of the VESA mount referencing

the Astra mounting hole locations as shown in Figure 22.

Alternatively you can use the centered Tripod mounting hole for 1/4"- 20 screws. This is

for use with tripods shorter than one meter.

mounting screws.

mount, use only anchors specifically designed for ceilings.

the wall.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 69

Variables Affecting Performance

WARNING!

Reader performance may be affected by the following variables, depending on the site

where your Reader is being deployed:

Environmental

Tag Considerations

Multiple Readers

Environmental

Reader performance may be affected by the following environmental conditions:

Metal surfaces such as desks, filing cabinets, bookshelves, and wastebaskets

may enhance or degrade Reader performance.

Antennas should be mounted far away from metal surfaces that may adversely

affect the system performance.

Mounting the Reader

Devices that operate at 900 MHz, such as cordless phones and wireless LANs,

can degrade Reader performance. The Reader may also adversely affect the performance of these 900 MHz devices.

Moving machinery can interfere the Reader performance. Test Reader

performance with moving machinery turned off.

Fluorescent lighting fixtures are a source of strong electromagnetic interference

and if possible should be replaced. If fluorescent lights cannot be replaced, then keep the Reader cables and antennas away from them.

Coaxial cables leading from the Reader to antennas can be a strong source of

electromagnetic radiation. These cables should be laid flat and not coiled up.

The M6 and Astra-EX antenna ports may be susceptible to damage from Electrostatic Discharge (ESD). Equipment failure can result if the antenna or communication ports are subjected to ESD. Standard ESD precautions should be taken during installation to avoid static discharge when handling or making connections to the M6 and Astra-EX reader antenna or communication ports. Environmental analysis should also be performed to ensure static is not building up on and around the antennas, possibly causing discharges during operation.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 70

Tag Considerations

Note

There are several variables associated with tags that can affect Reader performance:

Application Surface: Some materials, including metal and moisture, interfere with

tag performance. Tags applied to items made from or containing these materials may not perform as expected.

Tag Orientation: Reader performance is affected by the orientation of the tag in

the antenna field. The ThingMagic antenna is circularly polarized, so it reads face-to but not edge-to.

Tag Model: Many tag models are available. Each model has its own

performance characteristics.

Multiple Readers

The Reader adversely affect performance of 900 MHz devices. These devices also may

degrade performance of the Reader.

Mounting the Reader

Antennas on other Readers operating in close proximity may interfere with one

another, thus degrading performance of the Readers.

Interference from other antennas may be eliminated or reduced by using either

one or both of the following strategies:

Affected antennas may be synchronized by a separate user application using

a time-multiplexing strategy.

Antenna power can be reduced by reconfiguring the RF Transmit Power

setting for the Reader.

Performance tests conducted under typical operating conditions at your site are recommended to help you optimize system performance.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 71

M6 Specifications

Note

M6 Specifications

The following are the specifications for the M6 Reader.

UHF RFID Antenna Interface

Interface: Four RP-TNC Connectors RF Power Output: Separate read and write levels, adjustable from 5 dBm to 31.5 dBm*

(1.4W) from 5 dBm to 31.5 dBm* (1.4W)

Frequency: Hop table with up to 62 entries, configurable in 50KHz steps, accommodating

the following ranges (hardware dependant):

– 902-928 MHz (FCC; NA, SA)

– 865.6-867.6 MHz (ETSI; EU)

– 865-867 MHz (MCIT; India)

– 917-920 MHz (KCC; KR)

Note: 1 - The first frequency channel (917,300kHz) of the KR2 region will be derated to +22dBm to meet

the new Korea regulatory requirements. All other channels operate up to +30dBm. In the worst case scenario, each time the derated channel is used it will stay on that channel for 400ms. The fastest it will move to the next channel, in the case where no tags are found using that frequency , it will move to the next channel after 10 empty query rounds, approximately 120ms.

Power

Power over Ethernet: PoE 802.3af in both modes A and B (Supports 100m cable) Will

supply 2.5 W to either USB external device or internal WiFi adapter

Optional External DC Power: 10- 30 VDC supply voltage. Maximum DC power: 15 W

If a DC Power supply is used it must meet the following criteria:

- Be UL Listed

- Meet the above operating specs

- The output must comply with SELV and LPS characteristics

- Have a maximum operating ambient temperature that meets or exceeds the intended M6 operating temperatures as covered under the UL Listing of the power supply.

M6 and Astra-EX User Guide 72