TransCore X5 Users Manual
Mercury5 RFID Reader
Installation and Service Guide
Contents
Mercury5 RFID Reader Installation and Service Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
About this Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Installation Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Performance Considerations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Tag Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Setting the Reader RF Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Reader Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Install the Reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Install the Antennas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Connect the Reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Reader Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Reader Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Using the Browser-Based Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Status Page. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Query Page. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Write Page. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Settings Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Instructions for Modifying the Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Firmware Upgrade Page. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Restart Page. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Diagnostics Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Help Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Rebooting the Reader. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Using Safe Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Reader. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Separate Power Supply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Environmental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Mechanical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Reader. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Supported Tag Protocols. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Declarations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Regulatory Compliance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
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Appendix A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Authorized Antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Antenna Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2 Mercury5 RFID Reader Installation and Service Guide
Mercury5 RFID Reader Installation
and Service Guide
The ThingMagic Mercury5 RFID Reader uses RFID (radio frequency identification) technology to
read data stored on RFID tags and labels. The reader operates as an SQL (structured query
language) server, providing tag data in response to requests from another application. A separate
software application may be used to direct its operation and provide a user interface.
The reader supports UHF (ultra high frequency) antennas, which are available separately. The
reader supports multiple configurations of UHF antenna ports and transfers data to a remote
computer through a wired 10/100 Ethernet connection.
If you need assistance call the RFID support line at 1-800-555-RFID.
M5 RFID Reader Parts
Reader Version
Description
4 Port UHF - NA 1/0
Ruggedized
Part No.
TM-M5-NA-01
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Mercury5 RFID Reader Installation and Service Guide About this Guide
About this Guide
This installation and service guide explains how to install the Mercury5 Reader and use the
browser-based interface.
Use the instructions provided with the antennas to install and service the antennas.
Other related Mercury5 Reader documents are:
Regulatory Information for the User, TM-M5-X-REG
Query Protocol Reference Guide, TM-M5-X-RQL
Industrial Enclosure Installation Guide, tm p/n
Note
Because customer requirements dictate the placement of reader and antenna
components, your ThingMagic representative will supply this information
separately.
2 Installation and Service Guide
Mercury5 RFID Reader Installation and Service Guide Installation Requirements
Installation Requirements
The reader is shipped with a certified limited power source with a cable length of 1.8m
(6ft).
Use only authorized antennas and cables to maintain FCC approval (see Appendix A).
In order to comply with FCC requirements for RF exposure safety, a separation distance
of at least 22 cm (8.7 in) needs to be maintained between the radiating elements of the
antenna and the bodies of nearby persons.
Provide strain relief for all reader connections.
The minimum screw size for mounting the reader is #12 (M5). Use suitable wall
anchors when mounting to drywall or masonry.
A shielded Ethernet cable must be used to communicate with other devices.
Multiple readers and antennas can be used in combination to enhance detection at
specific locations provided the software application is able to synchronize antenna
operation.
Recommended minimum configuration for a computer running an application that
interfaces with the Mercury5 Reader:
– Pentium® 400 MHz processor
– 128MB memory
– 10 GB hard drive
– Microsoft® Windows® 2000 or Windows XP operating system
– T-10/100 Ethernet® port
– CD-ROM drive
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Mercury5 RFID Reader Installation and Service Guide Installation Requirements
Performance Considerations
Reader performance may be affected by external factors including tag variables and environment.
Performance tests conducted under typical operating conditions at your site are recommended to
help you optimize system performance.
Tag Variables
There are several variables associated with tags that can affect reader performance:
Application Surface—Some materials interfere with tag performance including metal
and moisture. 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.
Tag Model—Many tag models are available. Each model has its own performance
characteristics.
Environment
Reader performance may be affected by the following:
Metal surfaces such as desks, filing cabinets, bookshelves, and wastebaskets may
enhance or degrade reader performance.
Mount antennas as far as possible from metal surfaces that are adversely affecting
system performance.
Devices that operate at 900MHz, such as cordless phones and wireless LANs, can
interfere with reader performance.
These devices may degrade performance of the reader. The reader may also adversely
affect performance of 900MHz devices.
Antennas operating in close proximity may interfere with one another, thus degrading
reader performance.
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.
4 Installation and Service Guide
Mercury5 RFID Reader Installation and Service Guide Installation Requirements
Product Configuration and Part Numbers
Mercury5 Reader
Description /Part
Number
UHF 4-Readpoint
Ruggedized
TM-M5-NA/W-02A
Analog
Modules
1 4 Yes Yes Yes
Addressable
Read Points
Protocol Support
Class 0/1 ISO
18000
Gen2
Setting the Reader RF Power
During initial installation, the reader must be properly configured to use the correct RF power to
comply with FCC regulations. DO NOT increase the power beyond this level.
The maximum RF power is determined from antenna gain and antenna cable loss using the
formula:
Pmax = 36 dBm - Antenna Gain + Cable Loss
For example, if the antenna has a maximum gain of 6 dBi, and the cable has a minimum loss of 0.6
dB, the maximum RF power that may be set is (36- 6 + 0.6) = 30.6 dBm.
The Reader RF Power is set through the Settings Page. See the Status Page
in no case may the power be set higher than 32.5 dBm.
on page 13. Note that
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Mercury5 RFID Reader Installation and Service Guide Installation Requirements
Reader Installation
The following parts are provided with the reader:
Part Description Part Number Qty.
Multi-frequency RFID Reader TM-M5-NA-0x 1
Power Supply TM-M5-PS 1
Installation and Service Guide TM-M5-X-INSTALL 1
Regulatory Information for the User TM-M5-X-REG 1
Query Protocol Reference Guide TM-M5-X-RQL 1
Note
IMPORTANT: Be sure the user receives Mercury5 Reader Regulatory Information
for the User.
6 Installation and Service Guide
Mercury5 RFID Reader Installation and Service Guide Installation Requirements
Install the Reader
You can place the reader on a shelf or mount it to a wall.
To mount the reader on a wall use the following instructions:
1. Hold the reader in its mounting location and mark the position of the two mounting
screws. The minumum screw size is #12 (M5).
MODULE A
MODULE B
FAULT / ERROR
Mounting Holes
STATUS
ACTIVITY
2. Drill holes for the screws and install wall anchors if necessary.
3. Insert the screws and tighten until almost flush with the wall.
4. Slip the reader over the screws and slide down to lock the screws in the keyhole openings.
5. Tighten the screws.
ThingMagic 7
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