ThingMagic Nomad RFID Setup Guide

Nomad

PN: 875-0066-01 RevB



RFID Reader Setup Guide

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Other product names mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered
trademarks of Trimble or other companies.

© 2012 ThingMagic – a division of Trimble Navigation Limited. ThingMagic
and The Engine in RFID are registered trademarks of Trimble Navigation
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Rights Reserved.

ThingMagic, A Division of Trimble
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PN: 700-0135-01 RevA
June, 2012

Contents

Introduction to the Nomad RFID Reader................................................................................ 5

Related Documentation ....................................................................................................... 5

Nomad RFID Reader Hardware ............................................................................................ 5

Tools Required .................................................................................................................... 5

Unpacking the Nomad RFID Reader ................................................................................... 5

Downloading and Installing the RFID SearchLight Software .................................................. 7

Assembling the Nomad RFID Reader ...................................................................................11

Before Running the RFID SearchLight Software ...................................................................13

Enabling GPS ....................................................................................................................13

Turning on Assisted-GPS ................................................................................................14

Setting the Time Zone ........................................................................................................15

Using the RFID SearchLight Application ...............................................................................17

Starting the RFID SearchLight Application .........................................................................17

Enabling and Disabling the RFID Keyboard Wedge ...........................................................19

Configuring the Application ................................................................................................21

Display Format.................................................................................................................22

Read Parameters .............................................................................................................23

Prefix/Suffix .....................................................................................................................27

Assigning Reader Settings .................................................................................................27

Reading Tags ..................................................................................................................31

Troubleshooting ....................................................................................................................34

Support ................................................................................................................................35

Compliance Information ........................................................................................................36

FCC Compliance ................................................................................................................36

Contents iii

Nomad RFID Reader Setup Guide

Introduction to the Nomad RFID Reader

The Nomad® RFID Reader and mounting kit lets users easily add UHF RFID capability to

Trimble’s popular Nomad rugged handheld PC. This reader allows handheld reading and

writing of EPC Global Gen2 tags in the harshest outdoor environments. Like the Nomad
itself, this accessory meets the rigorous MILSTD- 810F military standard for drops, vibration,
humidity, altitude and extreme temperatures, and also has an IP67 rating. The reader is
completely sealed against dust and can survive immersion in up to one meter of water for 30
minutes. Based on the best-in-class ThingMagic M5e Compact UHF RFID module, the
reader is controlled by and powered from the Nomad handheld PC via USB interface. The
reader accessory comes with drivers and software needed to immediately start reading EPC
Gen2 tags, as well as a full SDK to allow developers to write their own custom applications in
Windows Mobile.

This document covers the following:

 The Nomad RFID Reader hardware
 Assembling the Nomad RFID Reader hardware
 Downloading and installing the RFID SearchLight application
 Using the RFID SearchLight application

Related Documentation

For additional information about the Nomad Handheld PC:

http://www.trimble.com/Outdoor-Rugged-Computers/nomad.aspx?dtID=product_information

For more information about the ThingMagic’s USB RFID Reader:

http://www.thingmagic.com/usb-rfid-reader

For more information about ThingMagic’s M5e-C:

http://www.thingmagic.com/embedded-rfid-readers/m5e-compact

For support contact:

[e-mail]

Nomad RFID Reader Hardware

Tools Required

A small Phillips-head screwdriver is required.

Unpacking the Nomad RFID Reader

The package contains:

1. The Nomad RFID Reader assembly (#1 in the picture below)

2. A bumper to protect the USB port and cable from damage (#2 in the picture below)

Nomad RFID Reader Setup Guide 5

Contents of the box

3. A plastic bag containing a sample RFID tag, One spacer, and an adhesive strip for the

bumper (#3 in the picture below)

4. A Quickstart Guide (not shown in the picture below)

There is one plastic spacer in the plastic bag.
A. Spacer
The correct spacer you need depends on whether you have any other Nomad accessories.

1. If you don’t have a WWAN/GPRS modem, you need the Spacer

2. If you have a WWAN/GPRS modem, you don’t need any spacers.
WARNING: Make sure to identify the correct set of accessories and select the correct

spacers. Failure to do this could cause the Nomad RFID Reader to be installed incorrectly
and get damaged in the field.

NOTE: The following accessories are not compatible with the Nomad RFID Reader

6 Nomad RFID Reader Setup Guide

Nomad Deluxe case
Nomad standard case
Nomad AA battery pack
Nomad Serial boot
Nomad Pistol Grip

Nomad hand strap
Nomad black nylon carry case
Nomad range pole bracket
Nomad vehicle mount

Downloading and Installing the RFID SearchLight
Software

There are three methods to download and install the RFID SearchLight application.
WARNING: Do not connect the RFID Reader’s USB cable until after the software installation

is completed.
Use a USB FLASH drive

1. Download the package from http://www.trimble.com/nomad-drivers onto a USB
FLASH drive connected to your PC

2. If connected, disconnect the Nomad RFID Reader from the USB port of the Nomad.
Insert the USB FLASH drive into the USB port of the Nomad.

3. Using File Explorer, browse to the USB FLASH drive and click on
RFIDSearchLightinstaller.CAB to begin the installation process.

Use Active Sync 4.5 or greater (Windows XP) or Windows Mobile Device Center (Windows
Vista and Windows 7)

NOTE: If you are running MS Windows XP, use the Active Sync link provided here:

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=15. If you are running MS

Windows Vista or 7, use Windows Mobility Device Center provided here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/931937

1. Download the package from http://www.trimble.com/nomad-drivers onto a your PC’s
hard drive.

2. Connect the Nomad to the PC with a USB cable and follow the procedure to copy
files over to the Nomad.

3. Click on RFIDSearchLightinstaller.CAB to begin the installation process.

Directly download the installer file to the Nomad
If your Nomad is connected directly to the Internet via WiFi or WVAN, you can use this

method.
NOTE: Data charges may apply if you use this method over a Wi-FI or WVAN connection.

1. Connect to the Internet.

2. In your browser, go to http://www.trimble.com/nomad-drivers.

Nomad RFID Reader Setup Guide 7

Internet Browser window

3. Click on RFIDSearchLightinstaller.CAB to start the download.

4. Once the download completes, click on Start button. The Start dropdown menu
displays.

5. Click on File Explorer. The File Explorer directory displays.

.

8 Nomad RFID Reader Setup Guide

Start Dropdown Menu

File Explorer directory

6. In the File Explorer, click on RFIDSearchLightInstaller.cab. The installation process
steps through installing five files.

Nomad RFID Reader Setup Guide 9

RFIDSearchLightInstaller.CAB window

The installer installs the following files:

 RFIDSearchLightInstaller.CAB
 RFIDSearchLight.CAB

 FtdiVcpInstaller.CAB

 NETCFv35.Messages.EN.wm.CAB
 NETCFv35.wm.armv4i.CAB

After each component is installed, you have to press
“OK” in the top-right hand corner to install the next
component.

NOTE: You must restart the Nomad after installation.

Nomad connector panel (bottom of unit)

With RFID Reader connected to USB port.

7. After each component is installed, click on the OK button in the upper right of each
window. When the process completes, you must the restart the Nomad.

8. Click on the Start button in the Windows main menu. The Start dropdown menu
displays.

9. Plug the RFID Reader’s USB cable into the Nomad.

10. Go to the Before Running the RFID SearchLight Software, before using the RFID
SearchLight application.

10 Nomad RFID Reader Setup Guide

Back view with battery cover on

Back view with battery cover off

Removing the WWAN screws

Securing the Nomad RFID Reader

Assembling the Nomad RFID Reader

1. All Documentation, Software and Firmware are available for download from:
http://www.trimble.com/nomad-drivers - Drivers

http://www.trimble.com/nomadsupport - Setup Guide

NOTE: The RFID SearchLight application must be installed on the Nomad Handheld in order
to use the RFID reader. Use of all software and firmware is governed by the then-current End
User License Agreement or Shrinkwrap License Agreement (Software).

2. Remove existing battery door using Phillips-head screwdriver on stylus.

Nomad RFID Reader Setup Guide 11