TransCore MPRX User Manual

Multiprotocol Reader Extreme (MPRX)

System Guide

16-0079-001 Rev A 11/16

TransCore’s Multiprotocol Reader Extreme (MPRX) is a radio frequency identiﬁcation (RFID) reader that is speciﬁcally designed for harsh environment applications.

Purpose of This Guide

This guide provides site planning and testing, installing, and operating instructions for TransCore’s Multiprotocol Reader Extreme (MPRX) System, which reads Association of American Railroads (AAR) formatted tags and TransCore Super eGo® (SeGo) protocol tags. Before you begin installing the MPRX, TransCore recommends that you familiarize yourself with this manual.

Intended Audience

This document is intended for use by authorized TransCore MPRX dealers, installers, and service personnel. Because the MPRX has no operator or end-user serviceable components or features, no end-user manual or operator guide exists. Once the system is set up and tested by the authorized installer, MPRX operation requires no end-user intervention. Information in this document is subject to change and does not represent a commitment on the part of TransCore, LP.

Trusted Transportation Solutions

System Guide

© 2016 TransCore, LP. All rights reserved. TRANSCORE, AMTECH, EGO, TRU, and ENCOMPASS are registered trademarks and are used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Contents are subject to change. Printed in the U.S.A.

For further information, contact:

TransCore 8600 Jeerson Street NE Albuquerque, New Mexico 87113 USA

TransCore Technical Support

Web: www.transcore.com/rﬁdsupport

Phone: (505) 856-8007

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MPRX

WARNING TO USERS IN THE UNITED STATES

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION FCC

LOCATION AND MONITORING SERVICE STATEMENT

47 CFR §90.351

NOTE: The user is required to obtain a Part 90 site license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to operate this radio frequency identiﬁcation (RFID) device in the United States. The FCC ID number is FIHMPRX. Access the FCC website at www.fcc.gov to obtain additional information concerning licensing requirements.

NOTE: Users in all countries should check with the appropriate local authorities for licensing requirements.

FCC RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENT

47 CFR §15.105A

NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate RF energy and may cause harmful interference to radio communications if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual. Operating this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference, in which case, depending on the laws in eect, the user may be required to correct the interference at their own expense.

NO UNAUTHORIZED MODIFICATIONS

47 CFR §15.21

CAUTION: This equipment may not be modiﬁed, altered, or changed in any way without

permission. Unauthorized modiﬁcation may void the equipment authorization from the FCC and will void the warranty.

USE OF SHIELDED CABLES AND GROUNDING

47 CFR §15.27A

NOTE: Shielded cables and earth grounding the unit is recommended for this equipment to comply

with FCC regulations.

TRANSCORE, LP

USA

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System Guide

REMARQUE : L’utilisateur est tenu d’obtenir une licence d’utilisation sur site Partie 90 auprès de la Federal Communications Commission (FCC) aﬁn de pouvoir utiliser ce dispositif RFID (radioidentiﬁcation) aux États-Unis ou au Canada. Le numéro d’identiﬁcation de la FCC est FIHMPRX.Pour obtenir de plus amples informations concernant les exigences relatives aux licences, prière de consulter le site web de la FCC à www.fcc.gov.

REMARQUE : Il est recommandé à tous les utilisateurs, quel que soit leur pays, de consulter les autorités locales compétentes sur les exigences de licence.

AVERTISSEMENT À L’ATTENTION DES

UTILISATEURS AUX ÉTATSUNIS

DÉCLARATION 47 CFR §90.351 CODE DES RÈGLEMENTS FÉDÉRAUX DE LA FEDERAL

COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION FCC SUR LES

SERVICES DE LOCALISATION ET DE CONTRÔLE

DÉCLARATION 47 CFR §15.105A DE LA FCC SUR

LES INTERFÉRENCES DES FRÉQUENCES RADIO

REMARQUE : Cet appareil a été testé et déclaré conforme à la catégorie d’un appareil numérique de classe A en accord avec la partie 15 des directives de la FCC. Ces normes visent à assurer une protection raisonnable contre les interférences nuisibles lorsque l’appareil est utilisé dans un environnement commercial. Cet appareil génère, utilise et peut émettre de l’énergie RF et peut être à l’origine d’interférences nuisibles aux communications radio s’il n’est pas installé et utilisé en suivant les directives du manuel d’instructions. Si cet appareil est utilisé dans une zone résidentielle, il est probable qu’il cause des interférences nuisibles. Dans ce cas, l’utilisateur pourrait être amené à remédier aux interférences à ses propres frais, selon les lois du pays en vigueur.

AUCUNE MODIFICATION NON AUTORISÉE

47 CFR §15.21

MISE EN GARDE : Il est interdit de modiﬁer, d’altérer ou d’apporter des changements à cet appareil de quelque manière que ce soit sans autorisation. Toute modiﬁcation non autorisée peut annuler l’autorisation d’utilisation accordée par la FCC et annulera la garantie.

UTILISATION DE CÂBLES BLINDÉS ET MISE À LA TERRE

47 CFR §15.27A

REMARQUE : Il est recommandé d’utiliser des câbles blindés et une mise à la terre avec cet appareil aﬁn de répondre aux réglementations de la FCC

TRANSCORE, LP

ÉTATSUNIS

TransCore Proprietary

MPRX

WARNING TO USERS IN CANADA

INDUSTRY CANADA IC INDUSTRY CANADA’S RADIO STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS RSS137 LOCATION

AND MONITORING SERVICE IN THE BAND 902928 MHZ SECTION 2.1

NOTE: The user is required to obtain a license from Industry Canada (IC), to operate this radio frequency identiﬁcation (RFID) device in Canada. The IC ID number is 1584A-MPRX, access the IC website at www.ic.gc.ca to obtain additional information concerning licensing requirements.

Industry Canada (IC) Industry Canada’s Radio Standard Speciﬁcations General Requirements

(RSS-GEN) for Compliance of Radio Apparatus Statement Section 8.4

This device complies with Industry Canada’s license-exempt RSSs. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1 ) This device may not cause interference; and

2 ) This device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause

undesired operation of the device.

AVERTISSEMENT AUX UTILISATEURS AU CANADA

INDUSTRIE CANADA IC INDUSTRIE CANADA RADIO STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS CNR137 EMPLACEMENT ET SERVICE DE SURVEILLANCE DANS LA BANDE 902928 MHZ, SECTION 2.1

Remarque : L’utilisateur est tenu d’obtenir une licence d’Industrie Canada (IC), aﬁn d’exploiter ce dispositif d’identiﬁcation par radiofréquence au Canada. Le numéro d’identiﬁcation d’IC est 1584A-MPRX. Pour obtenir de plus amples informations concernant les exigences relatives aux licences, prière de consulter le site web de d’IC à www.ic.gc.ca .

Radio Standard Spéciﬁcations exigences générales Industrie Canada (IC) Industrie Canada

(CNR-GEN) pour s’acquitter du Radio appareil déclaration article 8.4

Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d'Industrie Canada applicables aux appareils radio exempts de licence. L'exploitation est autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes :

1 ) l'appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage, et

2 ) l'utilisateur de l'appareil doit accepter tout brouillage radioélectrique subi, même si le

brouillage est susceptible d'en compromettre le fonctionnement.

TransCore Proprietary

System Guide

Several agencies (OSHA, FCC, IC) have environmental guidelines regulating maximum permissible exposure (MPE) or “safe” exposure levels that this product falls under. To ensure that proper safety guideline for the end users of this product, i.e. Occupational (Controlled) and General Population/ Public (Uncontrolled), the recommended levels for each of the agencies are presented in the next sections with TransCore’s recommendations for safety in the last section.

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

OSHA (an agency of The United States of America) legislates in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 29 Part 1910 Subpart G 1910.97 titled “Nonionizing radiation”, a maximum safe exposure limit of 10 milliwatts per square centimeter (mW/cm2) during any 0.1-hour period (i.e. 6 minutes). Using the frequency (in the middle of the band of operation of this equipment) of 915 MHz and the highest antenna gain that this equipment is certiﬁed for use in a ﬁnal installation, the minimum safe distance was calculated to be 8in (20cm).

RADIO FREQUENCY HEALTH LIMITS FOR MPRX READER

USING AN EXTERNAL ANTENNA IN FREQUENCY BAND

OF 902.25 TO 903.75 AND 910.00 TO 921.50 MHZ

FCC (Federal Communication Commission)

FCC (an agency of The United States of America) legislates in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 47 Chapter I Subchapter A Part 1 Subpart I Section 1.1310 titled “Radiofrequency radiation exposure limits” that the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) is the following:

Occupational/Controlled Exposure

Power density = frequency (in MHz)/300 mW/cm2 with an Averaging time of 6 Min

General Population/Uncontrolled Exposure

Power density = frequency (in MHz)/1500 mW/cm2 with an Averaging time of 30 Min

Using the frequency (in the middle of the band of operation of this equipment) of 915MHz and the highest antenna gain that this equipment is certiﬁed for use in a ﬁnal installation, the minimum safe distance was calculated. The MPE minimum distances are 14in (36cm) for the Occupational/ Controlled environment, and 31.5in (80.5cm) for the General Population/Uncontrolled environment.

Industry Canada (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada)

Industry Canada (a Department of the Government of Canada) sets out the requirements in Radio Standards Speciﬁcation RSS-102, Issue 5 guidelines, recommending a maximum safe

TransCore Proprietary

power density in W/m2. Thus, the maximum permissible exposure for general population/ uncontrolled exposure at 915MHz is 2.77 W/m2. The average time is 6 minutes. The maximum permissible exposure (MPE) is the following:

Controlled Environment

MPRX

Power density = 0.6455*frequency (in MHz)

0.5

W/m2 with a Reference Period time of 6 Min

General Public/Uncontrolled Environment

Power density = 0.02619*frequency (in MHz)

0.6834

W/m2 with a Reference Period time of 6 Min

Using the frequency (in the middle of the band of operation of this equipment) of 915MHz and the highest antenna gain that this equipment is certiﬁed for use in a ﬁnal installation, the minimum safe distance was calculated. The MPE minimum distances are 18in (45cm) for the Controlled environment and 47in (120cm) for the General Public/Uncontrolled environment.

TransCore Recommendation on MPE (Maximum Permissible Exposure)

The calculated power densities and MPE distance for each of the agencies respective to the environment is shown below.

Occupational/Controlled Environment

Agency Power Density (mW/cm2) MPE minimum distance Time (min)

in cm

OSHA 10 7 18 6

FCC 3.05 13 32 6

IC 1.95 16 40 6

General Population/Public/Uncontrolled Environment

Agency Power Density (mW/cm2) MPE minimum distance Time (min)

In cm

OSHA 10 7 18 6

FCC 0.61 28 72 30

IC 0.28 42 106 6

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With the equipment installed and running at the maximum transmit power of 1.6W (32dBm), 0dB transmit attenuation, using the highest gain antenna that the equipment is certiﬁed for, the recommendation for each of the operation environments is as follows:

1 ) The antenna should be installed at least 42in (106cm) from the General Population/

Public i.e. Uncontrolled Environment.

2 ) Maintenance personnel (i.e. Occupational/Controlled Environment) must remain at least

16in (40cm) from the antenna and limit their time in the environment to 6 minutes when the system is operating.

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MPRX

LIMITES D’EXPOSITION AUX RADIOFRÉQUENCES POUR LE LECTEUR MPRX

UTILISANT UNE ANTENNE EXTERNE SUR LA BANDE

DE FRÉQUENCES DE 902.25 À 903.75 ET DE 910.00 À 921.50 MHZ

Plusieurs organismes (OSHA, FCC, IC) publient des directives environnementales qui recommandent des limites d’exposition maximale autorisée (normes MPE) ou des niveaux d’exposition «sûrs» auxquels cet appareil se conforme. Pour faire en sorte que chaque utilisateur ﬁnal ait connaissance des directives de sécurité qui le concerne, que ce soit dans son travail (accès contrôlé) ou pour la population générale/le grand public (accès non contrôlé), TransCore présente les niveaux recommandés par chaque organisme dans ses recommandations sécuritaires détaillées dans la dernière section.

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

Dans le Code des réglementations fédérales (CFR), Titre 29, Partie 1910, Sous-partie G 1910.97, intitulée «Nonionizing radiation» (Rayonnements non ionisants), l’OSHA (organisme américain) recommande un plafond d’exposition maximale de 10 milliwatts par centimètre carré (mW/cm2) pendant une période de 0,1 heure (soit 6 minutes). En utilisant la fréquence de 915 MHz (milieu de la bande de fréquences de cet appareil) et le gain d’antenne maximal pour lequel cet appareil a reçu une certiﬁcation d’utilisation dans une installation ﬁnale, la distance minimale sécuritaire est de 20 cm (8 po).

FCC (Federal Communication Commission)

Dans le Code des réglementations fédérales (CFR), Titre 47, Chapitre I, Sous-chapitre A, Partie 1, Sous-partie I, Section 1.1310 intitulée «Radiofrequency radiation exposure limits» (Limites d’exposition aux rayonnements de radiofréquence), la FCC (organisme américain) établit les limites d’exposition maximale autorisée (normes MPE) comme suit :

Exposition professionnelle/contrôlée

Densité de puissance = fréquence (en MHz)/300 mW/cm2 avec une durée moyenne de 6 min.

Exposition de la population générale/non contrôlée

Densité de puissance = fréquence (en MHz)/1500 mW/cm2 avec une durée moyenne de 30 min.

En utilisant la fréquence de 915 MHz (milieu de la bande de fréquences de cet appareil) et le gain d’antenne maximal pour lequel cet appareil a reçu une certiﬁcation d’utilisation dans une installation ﬁnale, la distance minimale sécuritaire est la suivante : les distances MPE minimales sont de 36 cm (14 po) pour l’environnement professionnel/contrôlé et de 80,5 cm (31,5 po) pour la population générale/environnement non contrôlé.

TransCore Proprietary

System Guide

Industrie Canada (Innovation, Sciences et Développement économique Canada)

Le Cahier des charges sur les normes radioélectriques 102, 5e édition, d’Industrie Canada (un ministère du Gouvernement du Canada) établit des recommandations pour une densité de

puissance maximale sécuritaire en W/m2. Ainsi, l’exposition maximale admissible pour la population générale/non contrôlée à 915 MHz est calculée à 2,77 W/m2. La durée moyenne est de 6 minutes. Les limites d’exposition maximale autorisée (normes MPE) sont les suivantes :

Environnement contrôlé

Densité de puissance = 0,6455*fréquence (en MHz)

0,5

W/m2 avec une durée de référence de 6 min.

Grand public/environnement non contrôlé

Densité de puissance = 0,02619*fréquence (en MHz)

0,6834

W/m2 avec une durée de référence de 6 min.

En utilisant la fréquence de 915 MHz (milieu de la bande de fréquences de cet appareil) et le gain d’antenne maximal pour lequel cet appareil a reçu une certiﬁcation d’utilisation dans une installation ﬁnale, la distance minimale sécuritaire est la suivante : les distances MPE minimales sont de 45 cm (18 po) pour l’environnement professionnel/contrôlé et de 120 cm (47 po) pour le grand public/environnement non contrôlé.

Recommandations de TransCore sur les limites d’exposition maximale autorisée (normes MPE)

Les densités de puissance et la distance MPE calculées par chaque organisme pour un environnement donné sont présentées ci dessous.

Exposition professionnelle/environnement contrôlé

Organisme

Densité de puissance (mW/

cm2)

Distance MPE minimale

Durée (en min.)

po cm

OSHA 10 7 18 6

FCC 3,05 13 32 6

IC 1,95 16 40 6

Population générale/environnement non contrôlé

Organisme

Densité de puissance (mW/

cm2)

Distance MPE minimale

Durée (en min.)

po cm

OSHA 10 7 18 6

FCC 0,61 28 72 30

IC 0,28 42 106 6

TransCore Proprietary

MPRX

Avec l’appareil installé et fonctionnant à la puissance de transmission maximale de 1,6W (32dBm), 0dB d’atténuation de transmission, et en utilisant le gain d’antenne maximal pour lequel l’appareil a reçu une certiﬁcation, les recommandations pour chaque environnement d’exploitation sont les suivantes :

1 ) L’antenne devrait être installée à au moins 106 cm (42 po) de la population générale/du

grand public, c’est-à-dire d’un environnement non contrôlé.

2 ) Le personnel d’entretien (c’est-à-dire dans un environnement professionnel/contrôlé)

doit rester à au moins 40 cm (16 po) de l’antenne et limiter son temps d’exposition à 6 minutes lorsque l’appareil est en fonctionnement.

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Table of Contents

Purpose of This Guide ................................................i

Intended Audience .................................................... i

Chapter 1 Introduction ..........................................1–2

Licensing Requirements ........................................... 1–4

Technical Support................................................. 1–4

Chapter 2 Developing the Site Plan ...............................2–2

System Description ...............................................2–2

Overview of Site Planning..........................................2–3

Reading of Mixed Population Tags.......................................2–3

Antenna and Tag Alignment ........................................2–4

Antenna Selection ................................................2–6

MPRX

Site Layout and Trac Flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–6

Electrical and Communications Requirements.........................2–9

Chapter 3 Choosing, Installing, Removing Tags .....................3–2

Compatible Tag Types ................................................3–2

Recommended Mounting Locations .................................3–2

Locomotive Mounting Guidelines ...................................3–6

Rail Car Mounting Guidelines.......................................3–8

Tank Car Mounting Guidelines .....................................3–10

Chapter 4 Installing the MPRX.............................................4–2

Installation Process ...............................................4–2

Pre-installation Testing of the MPRX .................................4–3

Mounting the MPRX...............................................4–9

Mounting the Antenna Rail-Side ....................................4–11

Connecting the Power Supply ......................................4–11

Connecting Communications ...................................... 4–12

Connecting Sense Input and Sense Output Circuits................... 4–12

Marking the Read Zone ........................................... 4–13

Chapter 5 General Software Information ..........................5–2

Command Entry Conventions........................................ 5–2

Command Response Conventions ................................... 5–3

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i–i

System Guide

Operating Parameters .............................................. 5–3

Power Fail ......................................................... 5–4

Program Download ...............................................5–4

Startup ..........................................................5–4

Tag/Message Buer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5–5

Chapter 6 Communications Protocols .............................6–2

Introduction......................................................6–2

Basic Protocol ....................................................6–3

Error Correcting Protocol...........................................6–3

Data Inquiry Protocol ..............................................6–4

Basic Protocol and ECP Format .....................................6–4

Host-Addressed Failure Conditions..................................6–11

ECP Reliability...................................................6–12

CRC Calculation .................................................6–12

Manually Disabling ECP for Maintenance............................ 6–15

Chapter 7 Commands ...........................................7–2

Introduction......................................................7–2

Operating Modes .................................................7–2

Command List....................................................7–4

Chapter 8 Conﬁguring the MPRX..................................8–2

Conﬁguring the Reader ............................................8–2

Conﬁguring Parameters with Terminal Emulation Software..............8–3

Conﬁguring MPRX Parameters.......................................8–11

Chapter 9 Troubleshooting and Maintenance ......................9–1

Error Messages ................................................... 9–1

MPRX Repair .....................................................9–4

Technical Support .................................................9–4

Marketing Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9–5

Chapter 10 Interface to Train Recording Unit .....................10–2

TRU System Overview............................................10–2

MPRX to TRU Connection.........................................10–3

Chapter 11 AT5720 Check Tag-to-MPRX Assembly.................. 11–2

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Required Supplies ................................................11–2

Appendix A Glossary............................................A–2

Appendix B Technical Speciﬁcations...............................B–2

Reader Speciﬁcations .............................................B–2

Appendix C Wiring Information ...................................C–2

Appendix D Command Quick Reference ...........................D–2

Command Syntax .................................................D–2

Factory Default Settings ...........................................D–2

Numerical Command List ..........................................D–3

Alphabetical Command List .......................................D–14

MPRX

Appendix E Compatible Tag Information ...........................E–2

Tag Conﬁgurations ...............................................E–2

Tag Data Formats .................................................E–4

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List of Figures

Figure 2 – 1 MPRX End Views ........................................................................................................ 2–2

Figure 2 – 2 Tag and Antenna Orientation (horizontal polarization) ..................................... 2–4

Figure 2 – 3 Horizontally Polarized Tag ........................................................................................................2–5

Figure 2 – 4 Antenna Location Relative to Tag Position ..........................................................2–6

Figure 2 – 5 Location of Host Port on MPRX..............................................................................2–11

Figure 2 – 6 Pin Assignments for Host Connector ...................................................................2–11

Figure 2 – 7 Location of Sense Port on MPRX .......................................................................... 2–12

Figure 2 – 8 Pin Assignments for Sense Connector ............................................................... 2–12

Figure 3 – 9 Clear Zone –Side View ............................................................................................. 3–4

Figure 3 – 10 Clear Zone –End View ............................................................................................ 3–4

Figure 3 – 11 Mounting Location Examples ..................................................................................3–5

Figure 3 – 12 Tag Placement Window for Locomotives – Right Front ..................................... 3–6

Figure 3 – 13 Right Front Placement of Tag on Locomotive .................................................... 3–7

Figure 3 – 14 Tag Placement Window Location for Locomotives — Left Rear ......................3–7

Figure 3 – 15 Optimal Tag Placement for Locomotives ........................................................... 3–8

Figure 3 – 16 Tag Placement Window Location for Rail Cars –“A” Right Side ...................3–9

Figure 3 – 17 Tag Placement Window Location for Rail Cars -“B” Left Side ........................... 3–9

Figure 3 – 18 Optimal Tag Placement for Rail Cars ................................................................... 3–10

Figure 3 – 19 Tag Placement Window Location for Tank Cars –“B” Left Side ...................3–11

Figure 3 – 20 Optimal Tag Placement for Tank Cars ..............................................................3–11

Figure 4 – 1 Wiring for Audible Circuit Tester ........................................................................... 4–4

Figure 4 – 2 Connect RF N-type Load or Attenuator to Reader Cable End .......................4–5

Figure 4 – 3 Short Load to Earth Ground ..................................................................................... 4–5

Figure 4 – 4 MPRX Showing Antenna Ports ................................................................................ 4–6

Figure 4 – 5 Location of MPRX Ground Stud .............................................................................. 4–7

Figure 4 – 6 Location of Communications/Power Port on MPRX .........................................4–8

Figure 4 – 7 MPRX Outer Dimensions and Mounting Hole Locations (not to scale) ....... 4–10

Figure 4 – 8 Sample Read Zone Marking Pattern ..................................................................... 4–15

Figure 8 – 1 Connection Description Dialog Box ........................................................................... 8–4

Figure 8 – 2 Phone Number Dialog Box ........................................................................................... 8–4

Figure 8 – 3 COM 1 Properties Dialog Box ........................................................................................ 8–5

Figure 8 – 4 Hyper Terminal Main Screen....................................................................................8–6

Figure 8 – 5 Sign-on Message ........................................................................................................ 8–7

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Figure 8 – 6 Tag and Antenna Orientation (horizontal polarization) ..................................... 8–9

Figure 8 – 7 Successful Tag Read ................................................................................................. 8–10

Figure 8 – 8 Second Successful Tag Read ................................................................................ 8–10

Figure 8 – 9 MPRX RF Control Options ....................................................................................... 8–14

Figure 10 – 1 TRU Front Panel Showing Operational LEDs..................................................10–2

Figure 10 – 2 TRU-MPRX Communications Interface Cable Port (bottom of TRU) .......... 10–3

Figure 10 – 3 MPRX-TRU Communications Interface Cable .................................................. 10–4

Figure 11 – 1 Place Nut and Grommet Over Exposed Check Tag Wires ............................. 11–3

Figure 11 – 2 Feed Check Tag Wires through Plastic Housing Connector ........................... 11–3

Figure 11 – 3 Connect Check Tag Wires ........................................................................................11–3

Figure 11 – 4 Two Check Tag Assemblies Connected to Terminal Strip .................................11–4

Figure 11 – 5 Securing Terminal Strip into Connector Housing .............................................. 11–5

Figure 11 – 6 Plastic Nuts with Grommets ....................................................................................11–5

MPRX

Figure 11 – 7 Nylon Cap Securely Fastened in Unused Port ..................................................11–6

Figure 11 – 8 Check Tag Assembly Secured to MPRX Port .....................................................11–6

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System Guide

List of Tables

Table 1 – 1 MPRX System Guide Overview .................................................................................. 1–2

Table 1 – 2 Typographical Conventions .........................................................................................1–3

Table 2 – 1 Staggered Reader Frequencies for AAR-formatted Tag Operation ................. 2–8

Table 2 – 2 Staggered Reader Frequencies for Tag Operation Outside the U.S. .............. 2–8

Table 2 – 3 Connector Cabling Accessory Kits ........................................................................2–10

Table 2 – 4 Power Supply Current Requirements ...................................................................... 2–10

Table 2 – 5 Reader to Antenna Cable Performance ................................................................. 2–13

Table 3 – 1 Tags Read by the MPRX ................................................................................................3–2

Table 4 – 1 Installation Accessories................................................................................................4–3

Table 4 – 2 MPRX-to-Host Communications Cable Pin Designations .................................. 4–8

Table 4 – 3 Commands for Testing RF Port-0 ............................................................................. 4–14

Table 4 – 4 Commands for Testing RF PORT-1 ......................................................................................4–16

Table 4 – 5 Commands for Testing RF PORT-2 ....................................................................................4–16

Table 4 – 6 Commands for Testing RF PORT-3 .........................................................................4–16

Table 5 – 1 Four-Character Command Structure ........................................................................ 5–1

Table 5 – 2 Sample Command Sequence....................................................................................5–2

Table 7 – 1 Select Baud Rate Commands ..................................................................................... 7–6

Table 7 – 2 Select Stop Bits Commands ......................................................................................7–6

Table 7 – 3 Select Parity Commands ............................................................................................. 7–7

Table 7 – 4 Append Time and Date Commands ....................................................................... 7–9

Table 7 – 5 Append Auxiliary Information Commands ............................................................. 7–10

Table 7 – 6 Unique ID Code Criteria .............................................................................................. 7–11

Table 7 – 7 Select Valid Code Commands and Frames ........................................................... 7–12

Table 7 – 8 Flow Control Commands ...........................................................................................7–25

Table 7 – 9 RF Control Commands ...............................................................................................7–26

Table 7 – 10 RF Attenuation Command Variables .....................................................................7–27

Table 7 – 11 Select RF Frequency Commands ............................................................................7–29

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Table 7 – 12 Presence Without Tag Report Commands .......................................................... 7–30

Table 7 – 13 RF Control Algorithm Commands .......................................................................... 7–31

Table 7 – 14 Timeout Period Values ..................................................................................................... 7–32

Table 7 – 15 Input Inversion Options .............................................................................................7–33

Table 8 – 1 MPRX Default Conﬁguration Settings ..................................................................... 8–2

Table 8 – 2 Command Sequence to Verify Communications ................................................ 8–8

Table 9 – 1 Error Messages ............................................................................................................. 9–1

Table 9 – 2 Symptoms and Remedies ..........................................................................................9–2

Table 10 – 1 MPRX-to-TRU Interface Cable Pin and Signal Designations ......................... 10–4

Table 11 – 1 Check Tag Kit Parts List ............................................................................................... 11–2

Table 11 – 2 Check Tag 0 Wire Assignments ................................................................................ 11–4

MPRX

Table 11 – 3 Check Tag 1 Wire Assignments ................................................................................. 11–4

Table C – 1 Communications Interfaces and Conductor Requirements ............................... C–2

Table C – 2 MPRX Host Communications Cable Pin Designations ......................................C–2

Table C – 3 MPRX SENSE Communications Cable Pin Designations ..................................C–4

Table D – 1 MPRX Default Conﬁguration Settings ......................................................................D–2

Table D – 2 MPRX Commands Listed Numerically .................................................................... D–4

Table D – 3 MPRX Commands Listed Alphabetically ............................................................... D–14

Table E – 1 SeGo Protocol Tags ...................................................................................................... E–2

Table E – 2 AAR-formatted Tags ..................................................................................................................E–3

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Chapter 1

Introduction

System Guide

Chapter 1 Introduction

This chapter presents an overview of the MPRX System Guide.

Table 1 – 1 describes the contents of each chapter.

Table 1 – 1 MPRX System Guide Overview

Chapter Number

and Title

Chapter 1 – Introduction Outlines the manual’s organization, provides a brief description of the

MPRX, and discusses Federal Communications Commission (FCC) licensing requirements.

Chapter 2 – Developing the Site Plan

Chapter 3 – Choosing, Installing, and Removing Tags

Chapter 4 – Installing the Multiprotocol Reader Extreme

Chapter 5 – General Software Information

Chapter 6 – Communications Protocols

Chapter 7 – Commands Discusses the host-transmitted commands that are used to control MPRX

Chapter 8 – Conﬁguring the Multiprotocol Reader Extreme

Chapter 9 – Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Chapter 10 –Interface to Train Recording Unit

Chapter 11 – Connecting AT5720 Check Tag-toMPRX Assembly

Discusses factors to be considered when developing the site plan and before ordering equipment and installing the MPRX. These considerations include antenna and tag alignment, site layout and trac ﬂow, and electrical and communications requirements.

Contains information on compatible tag models and provides procedures for installing tags onto, and removing tags from, railcars where the MPRX is installed.

Lists the materials needed and provides procedures to install the MPRX, including pre-installation testing, installing the MPRX in a railside hut or NEMA enclosure, connecting power and communications, connecting to TransCore’s Train Recording Unit (TRU™), and marking the read zone

Provide reference information on various software-related topics

Provide reference information on various communications protocols.

conﬁguration and operation.

Provides procedures for conﬁguring and ﬁne-tuning the MPRX after installing it at the site, including marking the read zone.

Answers the most commonly asked questions about installing and maintaining the MPRX.

Describes the interoperability between the MPRX and the TRU.

Explains how to connect one or two check tags to the MPRX.

Description

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MPRX

Chapter Number

and Title

Appendix A – Glossary Contains frequently used terms.

Appendix B – Technical Speciﬁcations

Appendix C – Wiring Information

Appendix D – Command Quick Reference

Appendix E – Compatible Tag Information

Index Provides an alphabetical listing of guide topics.

Provides the MPRX speciﬁcations.

Shows the wiring connections for the communications interfaces, electrical cable connections, and the external interface signal wiring.

Lists the MPRX factory default conﬁguration settings and provides host software commands in numerical and alphabetical order.

Provides helpful information about tags that are compatible with the MPRX.

Description

Typographical Conventions

The conventions listed in Table 1 – 1 are used in this manual.

Table 1 – 2 Typographical Conventions

Convention Indication

Concerns about a procedure.

Code

Dialog Box Title Menu Item

Factory Default Settings

Note Auxiliary information that further clariﬁes the current

NUL NULL

Caution

Code, including keywords and variables within text and as separate paragraphs, and user-deﬁned program elements within text appear in courier typeface.

Title of a dialog box as it appears on screen.

Appears on a menu. Capitalization follows the interface.

Identiﬁes factory default settings

discussion. These important points require the user’s attention. The paragraph is in italics and the word Note is bold.

Zero-value ASCII character or a zero-value byte.

Zero-value pointers. Null-terminated string refers to strings of printable ASCII characters with a zero-value byte placed in memory directly after the last printable character of the string.

This procedure might cause harm to the equipment and/or the user.

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System Guide

Licensing Requirements

An FCC license provides the user with the legal authorization to operate the MPRX on the licensed frequencies at the site speciﬁed in the license. Only an authorized installer or service technician can set the RF frequency of the MPRX to the frequency speciﬁed in the FCC site license. No end-user-operated controls exist on the MPRX.

The FCC license may provide the user with protection and authorization to maintain the system should any other RFID product be used in the licensed area after the MPRX equipment is installed.

Users of the MPRX in the United States must obtain a license from the FCC. In the United States, the authorized modulated (SeGo protocol operation) frequency band for this product is 911.75 to 919.75 MHz and the authorized continuous wave (AAR-formatted operation) frequency band is 902.25 to 903.75 MHz and 910.00 to 921.50 MHz.

The user is responsible for ﬁling the FCC license according to FCC regulations, but the TransCore dealer will provide assistance and support as necessary to complete these forms. Forms are available online at the FCC internet site http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls. For further information on obtaining the license contact TransCore.

Caution

This equipment can be set to frequency ranges outside those authorized for use in the U.S. by the FCC. Users in all countries should check with the appropriate local authorities for licensing requirements.

Technical Support

Authorized dealers and distributors are responsible for the direct support of all customers. Authorized dealers and distributors needing technical support can contact:

Technical Support: Phone: (505) 856-8007

Web: transcore.com/rﬁdsupport

Please be prepared to answer a series of questions that are designed to direct you to the best support resource available.

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MPRX

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Chapter 2

Developing the Site Plan

System Guide

Antenna Ports

Interface Selection Switch

Host Port

Sense Port

Ethernet Port

Chapter 2 Developing the Site Plan

This chapter provides a brief description of the Multiprotocol Reader Extreme (MPRX) and discusses site plan development for installing the MPRX System.

System Description

The MPRX is a reader that supports Association of American Railroads (AAR) formatted tags and TransCore’s low-cost, high-performance Super eGo® (SeGo) radio frequency identiﬁcation (RFID) technology.

The MPRX is a high-power unit that reads full frame tags. The reader output power can be adjusted using reader commands.

The MPRX can multiplex up to four antennas, which allows a single reader to be used for two tracks. The MPRX can support up to two AT5720 Check Tags.

Reader

The MPRX consists of an input/output (I/O) module, a power supply, a reader logic board (also called a tag decoder), and a radio frequency (RF) transmitter/receiver (called the RF module) in a compact enclosure. These MPRX components are contained in a highly reliable, compact, and easy-to-install package. Figure 2 – 1 shows the Host connector, Sense connector, Ethernet connector, Interface Selection Switch, and antenna ports locations on opposite ends of the MPRX.

Figure 2 – 1 MPRX End Views

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TransCore MPRX User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual