Zebra Technologies RFID-R110XI-02 User Manual

RFID Guidelines

This chapter provides an overview of how RFID works and the ZPL commands used to create RFID labels.

Contents

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Transponder Placement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

ZPL II Commands for RFID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Sample of RFID Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

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RFID Guidelines

Overview

The R110XiIIIplus “smart” label printer-encoders serve as dynamic tools for both printing and encoding RFID labels, tickets, and tags. The printer encodes information on ultra-thin UHF RFID transponders embedded in “smart” labels. It then immediately verifies proper encoding and prints bar codes, graphics, and/or text on the label’s surface. For more information about RFID media, see RFID “Smart” Labels on page 16.

Function of an encoded “smart” label depends on factors such as where the label is placed on an item as well as on the contents of the item (such as metals or liquids). Contact the supplier of your RFID transponders for assistance with these types of issues.

Transponder Placement

Communication between the “smart” label and the printer is established when the transponder lines up with the printer’s antenna. The optimal transponder position varies with the transponder size, its configuration, and the type of RFID IC chip used.

Print quality may be affected by printing directly over the transponder. In particular, there is an area on each label immediately around the location of the IC chip where the printer may print with low quality. Design your printed label around the location of the chip in the type of approved “smart” label that you select. For the list of approved transponders and related placement specifications, go to http://www.rfid.zebra.com/r110.htm.

Important • It is important to use transponders that have been specifically approved for use in

this RFID printer. Failure to do so may result in the inability to read or write to the embedded RFID tags. As new transponders become commercially available, Zebra will evaluate them for compatibility with this printer. For the list of approved transponders, go to

http://www.rfid.zebra.com/r110.htm.

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ZPL II Commands for RFID

Printing and encoding (writing) of “smart” labels is handled through the use of Zebra Programming Language (ZPL). Each transponder has memory that can be read from through ZPL commands, and most transponders have memory that can be written to. The printer divides the ZPL commands that it receives into two categories: RFID and non-RFID (such as the printing commands for bar codes or human-readable text). The RFID commands are executed first.

ZPL commands also provide for exception handling, such as setting the number of read/write retries before declaring a transponder defective. For example, if an RFID transponder fails to program correctly or cannot be detected, the printer ejects it and prints the word “VOID” across the label. This process continues for the number of RFID tags specified by the command using the same data and format.

The following pages provide the ZPL II commands that can be used for RFID applications.

Important • If a parameter is designated as not applicable, any value entered for the parameter

will be ignored, but the place holder for the field is required.

RFID Guidelines

ZPL II Commands for RFID

^RS

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RFID Guidelines

^HV

Host Verification

Description This command is used to return data from specified fields, along with an

optional ASCII header, to the host. It can be used with any field that has been assigned a number with the

^RT command.

Format

The following table identifies the parameters for this format.

Parameters Details

# = field number

specified with another command

n = number of bytes to be

returned

h = header Header (in uppercase ASCII characters) to be returned with the data.

^HV#,n,h

The value assigned to this parameter should be the same as the one used in the

^RT command.

Accepted values: 0 to 9999 Default value: 0

Accepted values: 1 to 256 Default value: 64

Acceptable values: 0 to 3072 characters Default value: none

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^RS

RFID Setup

RFID Guidelines

^RS

Important • Use care when using this command in combination with ^RT (reading tag data).

Problems can occur if the data read from the tag is going to be printed on the label. Any data read from the transponder must be positioned to be printed above the read/write position. Failure to do this will prevent read data from being printed on the label.

Description The ^RS command moves the RFID tag into the effective area for reading or writing or for possible error handling if there is an error.

Format

The following table identifies the parameters for this format.

Parameters Details

^RSt,p,v,n,e

t =tag type Accepted values:

• 1 = Auto detect (automatically determine the tag type by querying the tag)

Default value: 1

p = read/write position of

the transponder in the vertical (Y axis) in dot rows from the top of the label

v = length of void

printout in vertical (Y axis) dot rows

n = number of labels to

try in case of read/encode failure

Set to 0 (no movement) if the transponder is already in the effective area without moving the media.

Accepted values: 0 to label length Default value: label length minus 8 dot rows

Default value: label length Accepted values: 0 to label length

Default value: 3 Accepted values: 1 to 10 (number of labels)

e = error handling If an error persists after the specified number of labels are tried, perform this

error handling action.

Accepted values:

• N = No action (printer drops the label format causing the error and moves to the next queued label)

• P = Place printer in Pause mode (label format stays in the queue until the user cancels)

• E = Place printer in Error mode (label format stays in the queue until the user cancels)

Default value: N

Note • You can set the printer to send an error message to the host as an

unsolicited message for each failure. To enable or disable the unsolicited error message, refer to the RFID error in these commands is

^SX and ^SQ ZPL commands. The parameter for the

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RFID Guidelines

^RS

Example 1 • This example sets the printer to move the media to 800 dots from the top of the

media [or label length minus 800 from the bottom (leading edge) of the media] and voids the rest of the media in case of an error. The printer will try to print two labels, then will pause the printer if printing and encoding fail.

^XA ^RS,800,,2,P^FS ^XZ

The following illustration shows the resulting voided label. Note where the void starts. The media has been moved 800 dot rows from the top of the label (label length minus 800 dot rows from the bottom (leading edge) of a label) to bring the transponder into the effective area to read/write a tag. If the printer fails the operation, the rest of the media is voided.

Top of label

800 dot rows

Start of RFID

operation

Label length minus

800 dot rows

Bottom of label

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RFID Guidelines

^RS

Example 2 • This example sets the printer to move the media to 800 dots from the top of the

media [or label length - 500 from the bottom (leading edge) of the media] and prints “void” 500 dots in vertical length (Y axis) in case of an error.

^XA ^RS,800,500,2,P^FS ^XZ

The following illustration shows the resulting voided label. Note where the void starts. The media has been moved 800 dot rows from the top of the label [label length minus 800 dot rows from the bottom (leading edge) of a label] to bring the transponder into the effective area to read/write a tag. If the printer fails the operation, an area that is 500 dot rows of the media is voided instead of the entire rest of the media.

Top of label

800 dot rows

500 dot rows

Start of RFID

operation

Label length minus

800 dot rows

Bottom of label

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RFID Guidelines

^RT

Read Tag

Description The ^RT command tells the printer to read the current RFID tag data. The data

can be sent back to the host via the

^HV command.

Format

The following table identifies the parameters for this format.

Parameters Details

# = number to be

assigned to the field

b = starting block

number*

n = number of blocks

to read*

^RT#,b,n,f,r,m,s

Accepted values: 0 to 9999 Default value: 0

Accepted values: 0 to n, where n is the maximum number of blocks for the tag. Default value: 0

Accepted values: 1 to n, where n is the maximum number of blocks minus the

starting block number. For example, if the tag has 8 blocks (starting with block 0) and you start with block 6, n can be 2. This would give you block 6 and block 7 information.

Default value: 1

f =format Accepted values:

•0 (ASCII)

• 1 (Hexadecimal)

Default value: 0

r = number of retries Accepted values: 0 to 10

Default value: 0

m =motion Accepted values:

• 0 (Feed label after writing.)

• 1 (No Feed after writing. Other ZPL may cause a feed.)

Default value: 0

s = special mode For EPC Class 1 (Alien reader) only. Not applicable for EPC class 0.

Default value: 0 (Do not read if mismatched checksum.) Accepted values: 1 (Read even if mismatched checksum.)

*Not applicable for R110XiIIIplus

Example • This sample reads a tag, prints the data on a label, and sends the string

Tag Data:xxxxxxxx back to the host. The data read will go into the ^FN1 location of the

format. The printer will retry the command five times, if necessary.

^XA ^FO20,120^A0N,60^FN1^FS ^RT1,,,,5^FS ^HV1,,Tag Data:^FS ^XZ

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^WT

Write Tag

RFID Guidelines

^WT

Note • Check the amount of data memory available for the tag that you will be using. If more is

sent than the memory can hold, the data will be truncated.

Description The ^WT command allows you to program the current RFID tag.

Format

The following table identifies the parameters for this format.

Parameters Details

^WTb,r,m,w,f,v

b =block number Accepted values:

• 0 (ID data/EPC)

• 1 (User data)

Default value: 0

r = number of

retries

Accepted values: 0 to 10 Default value: 0

m =motion Accepted values:

• 0 (Feed label after writing.)

• 1 (No Feed after writing. Other ZPL may cause a feed.)

Default value: 0

w = write protect Accepted values:

• 0 (Not write protected.)

• 1 (Write protect.)

Default value: 0

f = data format Accepted values:

• 0 (ASCII)

• 1 (Hexadecimal)

Default value: 0

v = verify valid

data*

*Not applicable for R110XiIIIplus

Default value: y Accepted values:

• n (Do not verify)

• y (Verify valid data [Hex A5A5 in the first two bytes] before writing)

Example • This sample encodes data “RFIDRFID” and will try writing up to five times, if

necessary.

^XA ^WT,5^FDRFIDRFID^FS ^XZ

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RFID Guidelines

Sample of RFID Programming

ZPL II is Zebra’s label design language. ZPL II lets you create a wide variety of labels from the simple to the very complex, including text, bar codes, and graphics.

This section is not intended as an introduction to ZPL II. If you are a new ZPL II user, order the ZPL II Programming Guide (part number 46530L) or go to download the guide.

For your programming, do the following:

1. Set up the printer and turn the power On (I).

http://support.zebra.com to

2. Use any word processor or text editor capable of creating ASCII-only files (for example,

use Microsoft

Word and save as a .txt file) and type in the label format exactly as shown

in the sample label format shown in Table 7.

3. Save the file in a directory for future use. Use the “.zpl” extension.

4. Copy the file to the printer.

From the DOS command window, use the “COPY” command to send a file to the Zebra printer. For example, if your file name is format1.zpl then type,

COPY FORMAT 1.ZPL XXXX

where XXXX is the port to which your Zebra printer is connected (such as LPT1).

5. Compare your results with those shown. If your printout does not look like the one shown,

confirm that the file you created is identical to the format shown, then repeat the printing procedure. If nothing prints, refer to

• Printer Setup on page 7

• Printer Operation on page 21

• Front Panel Controls on page 41

• Troubleshooting on page 99

to make sure that your system is set up correctly.

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RFID Guidelines

Sample of RFID Programming

Table 7 • Sample ZPL Code and Results

Line Number Type This Label Format Resulting Printout

1 ^XA ZEBRA

2^RS,0^FS

5A65627261000000

3 ^WT^FDZebra^FS

4 ^FO100,100^A0n,60^FN0^FS

5 ^FO100,200^A0n,40^FN1^FS

6^RT0^FS

7 ^RT1,,,1^FS

8^XZ

Line 1 Indicates start of label format. Line 2 Indicates no movement for media. Line 3 Writes the data “Zebra” to the tag. Line 4 Print field number ‘0’ at location 100,100.^FN0 is replaced by what we read on line 6. Line 5 Print field number ‘1’ at location 100,200. ^FN1 is replaced by what we read on line 7. Line 6 Read Tag into field number 0 in ASCII format (default). Line 7 Read Tag into field number 1 in hexadecimal format. Line 8 End of label format.

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RFID Guidelines

Sample of RFID Programming

Notes • ___________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

To provide feedback on this document, please send your comments to techpubs@zebra.com, or write your comments on this page and fax to the following:

Fax: 1.847.821.1795 Attention: TechPubs — CTC

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Data Ports

This chapter describes the standard communication ports available to connect the printer to your computer or network.

Contents

Parallel Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Serial Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Serial Pin Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

RS-232 Interface Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

RS-422/RS-485 Interconnections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

USB 2.0 Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

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Data Ports

Parallel Port

When communicating via the parallel port, the values selected must be the same as those used by the host equipment connected to the printer. Port selection for status information is determined by the channel sending the request. The parallel port can be set for bidirectional or unidirectional communication. The default setting is bidirectional.

A standard 36-pin parallel connector (Figure 30) is available on the back of the printer for connection to the data source.

Figure 30 • Parallel Connector

Table 8 shows the pin configuration and function of a standard computer-to-printer parallel

cable.

Table 8 • Parallel Cable Pin Configuration

36-Pin Connectors Description

1 nStrobe/HostClk

2–9 Data Bits 1–8

10 nACK/PtrClk

11 Busy/PtrBusy

12 PError/ACKDataReq

13 Select/Xflag

14 nAutoFd/HostBusy

15 Not used

16, 17 Ground

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Table 8 • Parallel Cable Pin Configuration (Continued)

36-Pin Connectors Description

18 +5 V at 750 mA

The maximum current draw may be limited by option configuration.

19–30 Ground

31 ninit

32 nFault/NDataAvail

33, 34 Not used

35 +5 V through a 1.8 KΩ Resistor

36 NSelectin/1284 active

Data Ports

Parallel Port

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Data Ports

Serial Port

To communicate using the serial data port of the printer, you must choose the number of data and stop bits, parity, and handshaking. Parity applies only to data transmitted by the printer because the parity of received data is ignored.

The values selected must be the same as those used by the host equipment connected to the printer. Default settings are 9600 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity, and XON/XOFF.

Connect the serial data cable to the female DB-9 connector (Figure 31) on the back panel of the printer.

Figure 31 • Serial Connector

Use a DB-9 to DB-25 interface module for all RS-232 connections through a DB-25 cable. An interface module is required for RS-422/RS-485 interface support (see RS-422/RS-485

Interconnections on page 80).

Note • For all RS-232 input and output signals, the printer follows the specifications of the

Electronics Industries Association (EIA) RS-232 and the Consultative Committee for International Telegraph and Telephone (CCITT) V.24.

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Serial Pin Configuration

Table 9 shows the pin configuration and function of the rear panel serial data connector on

the printer.

Table 9 • Serial Connector Pin Configuration

Pin No. Name Description

1 — Not connected

2 RXD Receive data—data input to printer

3 TXD Transmit data—data output from printer

4 DTR Data terminal ready—output from printer

5 SG Signal ground

6 DSR Data set ready—input to printer

7 RTS Request to send—output from printer

8 CTS Clear to send—input to printer

Data Ports

Serial Port

9 +5 VDC +5 VDC at 750 mA

The maximum current draw may be limited by option configuration.

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Data Ports

Serial Port

RS-232 Interface Connections

Note • Adapters are available from Zebra Technologies LLC.

• RS-422/RS-485 adapter, Zebra part number 33114M

• RS-232 DB-9 to DB-25 adapter, Zebra part number 33109M

Direct Connection to a Computer

The printer is configured as Data Terminal Equipment (DTE).

Note • Use a null modem (crossover) cable to connect the printer to a computer or any other

DTE device.

Figure 32 shows the internal connections of the printer’s RS-232 connector.

Figure 32 • RS-232 Connections

RS-232 Connector (DTE)

Rear Panel Female DB-9

RXD (receive data) input

TXD (transmit data) output

DTR (data terminal ready) output

SG (signal ground)

DSR (data set ready) input

RTS (request to send) output

+5 VDC

NOTE: Pin 1 is unused and unterminated.

CTS (clear to send) input

+5 VDC signal source

Pin 9 is also available as a +5 VDC signal source at 750 mA. The maximum current draw may be limited by option configuration.

Caution • To enable this capability, a qualified service technician must install a jumper on the printer’s main logic board on JP1, pins 2 and 3.

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Data Ports

Serial Port

DB-9 to DB-25 Connections

An interface adapter is required (Zebra part number 33109M) to connect the printer’s DB-9 interface to a DB-25 connector. A generic DB-25 adapter CAN be used, although the +5 VDC signal source would not be passed through the adapter.

Figure 33 shows the connections required for the DB-9 to DB-25 interface.

Figure 33 • DB-9 to DB-25 Connections

Male DB-9 Adapter

Connector

(plugs into printer)

RXD

TXD

DTR

DSR

RTS

CTS

+5 VDC

SIGNAL

NOTE: Pin 1 of DB-9 connector is unused and unterminated.

Female DB-25 Adapter

Connector

(plugs into cable)

TXD

RXD

RTS

CTS

DSR

+5 VDC SIGNAL

DTR

Modem Connection

When the printer is connected via its RS-232 interface to Data Communication Equipment (DCE) such as a modem, use a standard RS-232 (straight-through) interface cable.

Figure 34 shows the connections required for this cable.

Figure 34 • RS-232 Connections

DTE

(Printer)

NOTE: Pin 1 is unused and unterminated at the printer.

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RXD (receive data)

TXD (transmit data)

DTR (data terminal ready)

SG (signal ground)

DSR (data set ready)

RTS (request to send)

CTS (clear to send)

+5 VDC signal source

DCE

(Modem, etc.)

Data Ports

Serial Port

RS-422/RS-485 Interconnections

Caution • A qualified service technician must install a jumper on the printer’s main logic

board at JP1, pins 2 and 3, for the RS-422/RS-485 interface adapter to function properly.

An interface adapter (Zebra part number 33114M) is required to connect the printer’s RS-232 DB-9 interface to a host computer through an RS-422 or RS-485 interface. A generic DB-25 adapter can be used. Figure 35 shows the cable wiring for interconnecting the DB-9 to the interface adapter’s DB-25 female connector.

Figure 35 • DB-9 to DB-25 Connections

Frame ground

+5 VDC 725 mA source

Signal ground ref.

Data input B (–)

Data output B (–)

Data input A (+)

Data output A (+)

NOTE: Pins 2–8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 18, and 20–25 are unused and unterminated.

Female DB-25 Connector on

RS-422/RS-485 Adapter

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USB 2.0 Port

A USB 2.0 port (which is USB 1.1 and 1.0 compatible) is available to connect your printer to the host equipment. The industry-standard USB cable has an A-male connector on one end and a B-male connector on the other end as shown in Figure 36.

Data Ports

USB 2.0 Port

Figure 36 • USB Connectors

16.4 ft (5 m) maximum

Note • Use a USB 2.0-certified compliant cable no longer than 16.4 ft (5 m) long. A cable that

meets these requirements is available from Zebra (part number 33011).

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Zebra Technologies RFID-R110XI-02 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual