WJ Communications WJMPR6XXX, WJMPR5XXX User Manual

MPR series User’s Manual: Draft version 0.95 11/4/04 page 1

1 MPR Series MultiProtocol RFID Reader User’s Manual

Version 0.95 11/4/04

1.1 Cover sheet

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1.2 TOC

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1.3 Introduction

1.3.1 Contents of this Document

This manual describes installation and operation of the WJ Communications MPR5000, MPR6000, and
MPR7000 PC-card-compatible UHF RFID readers. A description of the installation and use of the
demonstration Graphical User Interface is also provided. The Application Programmer’s Interface to the
MPR-series devices is described.

1.3.2 Audience

This manual assumes that the reader is generally familiar with Windows personal computers and, if
applicable, Windows CE or PocketPC handheld devices. An introduction to RFID technology is provided
for readers who are new to the field.

1.3.3 RFID System Quickstart

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) uses electromagnetic waves to exchange information between a tag,
containing (at least) a number uniquely identifying that physical tag and by implication the object to which
it is attached, and a reader. RFID tags are analogous to bar codes, but can contain more information and
are more versatile.

The WJ Communications MPR-series readers are UHF readers, operating at a frequency of roughly 902­928 MHz. These readers are compatible with EPCglobal Class 0 and EPCglobal Class 1 RFID tags, as
well as class 0+ tags. They are not compatible with HF (13.56 MHz) tags generally used in Smart Cards,
or LF (125/134 KHz) tags generally used in animal identification. MPR-series readers are configured as
PC-card (PCMCIA)-slot-compatible modules, and require a host such as a laptop computer or handheld
computer. With an appropriate host and if necessary an external antenna, an MPR-series reader can be
used to acquire the unique identification number (UID) of one or more compatible tags in its reading range.
When multiple tags are present in the field, collision resolution algorithms are applied to allow effectively
simultaneous reading of all the readable tags.

A more detailed discussion of RFID technology can be found in section 1.5.

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1.3.4 Product Description

1.3.4.1 MPR 5000 card with integral antenna

The MPR5000 includes an antenna attached to the reader module, and is ready to be used as received. The
antenna is not removable or replaceable.

1.3.4.2 MPR6000/7000 card with external antenna ports

The MPR6000 and 7000 incorporate two MMCX-type adaptors for connecting up to two external antennas.
The ports are interchangeable, and only one antenna may be used at any given time if desired.

1.3.4.2.1 Approved Antennas

The MPR6000 and 7000 are approved for operation with either of two external antennas: a nearly-isotropic
low-gain monopole antenna for general short-range use, and a higher-gain directional antenna when a
specified coverage region is desired.

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Use of other than the approved antennas with this unit may result in harmful interference with other users,
and cause the unit to fail to meet regulatory requirements. Professional installation is required for the
MPR6000 and MPR7000 models.

1.3.4.2.1.1 Low gain, isotropic

For general-purpose use where convenience is the main consideration, substantially isotropic operation is
desired, and read range is unimportant, the MPR6000/7000 may be connected to a Maxrad Z1789 The
Z1789 is shipped with an MMCX connector and may be attached directly to the card antenna ports, or a
small-diameter extension cable, such as an RG-405 cable, may be used. Small-diameter cables that are
mechanically appropriate for connection to an MMCX adaptor are generally relatively lossy and should not
be used for lengths exceeding 2 meters (6 feet).

1.3.4.2.1.2 High gain, directional

For applications where read range and control of the read zone are important, the MPR6000 may be
connected to a Maxrad model MP9026CPRXFPT. This antenna is a right-hand-circularly polarized panel
antenna, with a gain of 8.5 dBiC, front-to-back ratio of approximately 17 dB, and a 3 dB beamwidth of
approximately 80°.

The MPR7000 may be connected to a Maxrad model MP9027XFPTMSMA. This antenna is a right-hand­circularly polarized panel antenna, with a gain of 5.2 dBiC, front-to-back ratio of approximately 17 dB, and
a 3 dB beamwidth of approximately 80°.

The antenna is available with an N-female connector (-NF), or a male SMA connector (-MSMA). In either
case, an adaptor may be required to connect the antenna to the MPR antenna port. Note that caution should
be exercised in attaching any long, relatively heavy cables to the MPR MMCX adaptors, as these adaptors
are not intended to tolerate large mechanical stresses. WJ Communications recommends that the MPR
output port be connected through a short length of small-diameter cabling, such as RG-405, with stress
relief to protect the card adaptor in the event of displacement of the cabling, and then an adaptor should be
used to mate this intermediate cable to the antenna cabling.

1.3.4.3 CD with this manual, drivers, and demo software

1.4 Installation and Operation with demonstration Graphical
User Interface

1.4.1 Introduction

This chapter describes how to install the the WJ MPR series Multi-Protocol RFID PC Card Demo
Software for Microsoft Windows, Windows CE, and PocketPC operating systems.

These instructions are written for Microsoft XP operating system. For other MS Windows operating
systems the details of some instructions may be slightly different, but by following the onscreen
instructions the installation will proceed similarly. Windows 95 and Windows NT operating systems are
not currently supported.

The PC and Pocket PC demos were written using the .NET Framework and Compact Framework
respectively. Thus, the MS .NET Common Runtime must be installed for these programs (and their
installers) to run properly. The installer will warn the user if the appropriate framework is missing.
Appendix A describes how to get the latest Framework from a Microsoft website.

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1.4.2 Windows XP/Me Laptops

1.4.2.1 Card and driver installation

1) Insert WJ MPR Demo CD into CD-ROM drive.

2) Insert RFID PC-Card into a PCMCIA Type II slot.

3) A message should appear that new Hardware was found: "WJCI Multi-protocol reader".

SCREEN DUMP

4) Windows launches the "Found New Hardware Wizard".

5) If asked whether Windows should connect to Windows Update to search for software, select "No, not

this time".

6) Click Next.

7) In Windows XP, select "Install from a list or specific location (Advanced)" when asked what you want

the wizard to do.

In Windows 2000, select "Display a list of the known drivers".

8) Click Next to continue.

9) Select "Don't search..." when asked choose search and installation options.

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10) Click Next to continue.

11) On the "Select the device driver you want to install for this hardware." screen,

a) deselect "Show compatible hardware" (if selected)
b) for Manufacturer select "(Standard port types)"
c) for Model select "Communications Port"

12) Click "Have Disk..."

13) Browse to the file "WJCIRFID.inf" on the CDROM (often D:)

14) Click Open or OK.

15) "Copy manufacturer's files from:" should be D:\ (the location of WJCIRFID.inf)

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.

16) Click OK.

17) Click Next to continue.

18) Windows may warn that the software has not passed Windows Logo testing. This is fine, as you are

actually just linking to Windows' own drivers. Just click "Continue Anyway".

19) The wizard will now install the driver.

20) Click Finish.

1.4.2.2 Installing the demo program

1) Browse to the MPR install CD.

2) From the CD root directory, launch "MPRControlInstaller.msi". This will guide you through the install

process.

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"Windows Installer Loader" will inform you if you do not have the correct version of the .NETFramework.
Do NOT allow it to obtain it from the web for you. Please see Appendix A for instructions in acquiring the
Framework. If you get this message, please click NO, and Cancel out of the installation. Then proceed to
Appendix A. After installing the Framework, return to step 1 of this section.

3) Click Next to start.

4) Install to the default location, and select whether to allow all users to use the demo when installed

(usually "Everyone" is the preferred option).

5) Click Next to continue.

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6) Click Next again to start install.

7) The installer copies files and sets up some links.

8) Click Close to exit.

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9) An "MPR Demo" link to the installed application should now be in the Start Menu and on the desktop.

1.4.2.3 Running the PC Demo

1) A shortcut to MPR Demo should be installed on the desktop, and in the START menu in the MPR Demo

directory.

2) Launch the Demo Application.

3) It will prompt you to setup comm config details. "Would you like to setup comm config details now?"

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4) Select Yes.

5) The Comm Settings dialog appears.

6) Server TCP Port should be left as the default, 10200.

7) COM Port should be set to whatever COM port your operating systems enumerates the MPR series

reader to. See Appendix B to determine the COM port. The dropdown menu will only allow selection of
the valid COM ports reported by the Windows' Registry.

8) The Baud Rate should be left as the default, 57600.

9) Click OK.

10) The Inventory window will appear.

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11) To verify communications with an MPR PC Card, click the "Config Reader" Tab.

12) Clicking the "Reader Info" button will query the card for its Serial Number and Firmware Version.

13) If numbers appear, then the MPR is successfully communicating over the PC Card bus. If "unknown"

appears in these boxes, verify that the reader is fully inserted into the PC Card slot. If this doesn’t solve the
problem, refer to TROUBLE SHOOTING for further instructions.

14) Select the "Inventory" Tab to start reading Tags.

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15) If using an MPR with multiple external antenna ports, attach an antenna to a port. The MMCX

connector is a press-fit connector; push gently inwards until you feel it ‘click’ into place. Pull outwards to
remove the connector. Note that the connector is mechanically delicate, and should be protected from
excessive stress. If a long antenna cable is used, the portion of the cable near the card should be supported
to ensure that it does not pull laterally on the connector.

16) select Ant A or Ant B radio buttons to select the antenna port used by the card (MPR6000/7000 only).

The naming convention for the ports is shown below. Note that the MPR6000/7000 devices automatically
detect excessive reflected power at an antenna port and attenuate the output signal to protect the amplifier;
therefore no harm is done to the unit if you direct it to the wrong port, or forget to attach the antenna
connector.

17) Click the "Get Inventory" button. Tags should appear in the box as they are read. Each new tag icon

is accompanied by an alert sound. The type of icon indicates whether a class 0/0+ or class 1 tag was read;
below each icon the full ID of the tag is displayed as a hexadecimal number.

18) The software can be set to inventory only class 0 tags, only class 1 tags, or to alternately search for

both types, using the Inventory Type pull down menu:

19) The time that a tag icon remains displayed on the screen once it has been read can be adjusted with the

Persist Time pull down menu. If ‘Infinite’ is selected tag icons will accumulate on screen until the
inventory process is terminated or the screen is full.

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1.4.3 Windows CE / Pocket PC devices

1.4.3.1 Installing the Pocket PC Demo

Note that the MPR card may be installed in the handheld device at any time during the installation process.

1) Attach Pocket PC device to PC and make ActiveSync connection.

2) Browse to the MPR install CD

3) From the CD root directory, launch "WJReader_PPCsetup.msi". This will guide you through the install

process.

4) Click Next to start.

5) Install to the default location, and select whether to allow all users to use the demo when installed

(usually "Everyone" is the preferred option).

6) Click Next to continue.

7) Click Next again to start install.

8) The installer copies files.

9) An Add/Remove Programs box should appear. This will allow you to download & install the demo to

an attached Pocket PC device.

10) Click "Yes" to install "WJ Communications MPR Demo".

11) Check the device screen for any messages, and click OK on the PC.

12) Click Close to exit.

13) An "MPR Demo" shortcut to the installed application should now be in the Program Files directory,

accessible through the PocketPC start menu.

1.4.3.2 Running the Pocket PC demo

1) A shortcut to MPR Demo should be installed in the program files directory.

2) Launch the Demo Application.

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3) It will prompt you to setup comm config details. "Would you like to setup comm config details now?"

4) Select YES.

5) The Comm Settings dialog appears.

6) At first, just leave the server address and port to whatever default values appear.

7) COM Port should be set to whatever COM port your operating systems enumerates the MPR series

reader to. The demo searches the Registry for an installed MPR Series reader. This is usually COM4 for
Pocket PC. There is no easy way to determine the COM port to which an MPR reader enumerates itself in
Pocket PC without using a registry browser.

8) The Baud Rate should be left as the default, 57600.

9) Close the Options Window by clicking on the X in the upper right corner.

10) The main demo window will appear.

11) To verify communications with an MPR PC Card, click the "Config" Tab.

12) Clicking the "Reader Info" button will query the card for its Serial Number and Firmware Version.

13) If numbers appear, then the MPR successfully communicating over the PC Card bus. If "unknown"

appears in these boxes, verify that the reader is fully inserted into the PC Card slot.

14) Select the "Read" Tab to start reading Tags.

15) Click the "Run Inventory" button...

16) Tags should appear in the box as they are read!

1.4.4 Appendix A: getting the .NET framework

1) Open web browser to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

2) Select Custom Install.

3) Find a link for "Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1".

Select .NET and unselect all other updates.

4) Click it, and MS will download & install the Framework.

5) A reboot may be needed before installing the Demos.

Click the Download button and then click Run to download & install the latest Framework Service Pack.

1.4.5 Appendix B: Determining the Comm port

1) Open the Control Panel from the Start Menu.

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2) Open the System panel.

3) Select the Hardware Tab.

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4) Click the Device Manager button.

5) Expand the device tree to "Ports (COM & LPT)"

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6) If an MPR is properly seated in the PC Card port, and the driver is installed, one of the resident COM

Ports will say something like "MPR5000 Series (COM9)". In this example, the card is enumerating itself
as COM9.

1.5 RFID overview

1.5.1 RFID operating principles

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is an auto-identification technology, similar in concept to other
common auto-identification technologies such as bar code scanners, magnetic strip readers, or magnetic ink
readers. Like other auto-ID techniques. RFID associates an identifying number with a physical object. In
RFID, the unique identifying number (UID or, as will be explained below, EPC) is incorporated in a
special system, an RFID transponder (often simply known as a tag). An RFID Interrogator (usually
known as a reader) is used to obtain the UID from the tag using electromagnetic waves. The tag is usually
attached to a physical object that is to be identified, such as a carton, a pallet, or a container filled with a
product.

In order to reduce the cost of the tag, most tags do not incorporate a battery or other source of power, but
instead operate using DC power derived from the radio frequency signal they receive from the reader. In
addition, low-cost tags do not incorporate a radio transmitter, but instead use varying reflection of the
received signal from the reader to communicate back to it. Such tags are known as passive tags. Since
passive tags are the most common type, the description below will assume their use. Variants are also
available: semi-active tags incorporate a battery to power the integrated circuit, but still use reflected
waves (backscattering) to communicate with the reader. Active tags incorporate both a battery and a radio
transmitter, and are much more costly than passive tags, but also more versatile.

RFID systems can operate at different radio frequencies. The frequency chosen has important effects on
the way tags and readers interact and on what applications are appropriate.

Low-frequency (LF) tags and readers typically operate at 125 or 134 KHz. This is a very low frequency,
with a wavelength of about 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles). Low-frequency radiation is very effective at
penetrating water and living tissues, so that LF tags can be used to identify livestock. However, because
the tags and readers are very much smaller than a wavelength, they cannot radiate effectively, so LF readers
and tags depend on inductive coupling to operate. In effect, the reader and tag form the primary and
secondary windings of a transformer. The tag must be in close proximity to the reader antenna to be read;
read ranges are comparable to the size of the reader antenna, typically a few 10’s of cm (5-10 inches) for a
small reader antenna. Because the induced voltage per coil winding is also very small at these frequencies,
the tags are composed of many turns of wire, often wound around a ferrite core to increase coupling. Since