Agrident APR500 Quick start guide

Agrident GmbH, Steinklippenstrasse 10, D-30890 Barsinghausen
Phone [phone] - Fax [phone]
APR500 - Classic Mode
Operational Manual
V16/10/14
For Firmware Version 4.08 and higher

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© Copyright 2014 by Agrident GmbH
All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording, scanning or other, without the prior written permission of Agrident GmbH.
Agrident GmbH reserves the right to make changes to any and all parts of this
documentation without obligation to notify any person or entity of such changes.
October 2014
Agrident GmbH
Steinklippenstrasse 10
30890 Barsinghausen
Germany
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.agrident.com

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Contents
1.Introduction.........................................................................................................5
1.1Features..........................................................................................................5
1.2APR500 Kit......................................................................................................6
2.Optional accessories...........................................................................................7
2.1APC510 RS232 cable .....................................................................................7
2.2ACC500 car charger........................................................................................7
2.3AEA580 external antenna ...............................................................................7
2.4AMA060 and AMA090 mountable antennas ...................................................7
3.Security Advice...................................................................................................8
4.Basic Operations of the APR500 ........................................................................8
4.1Keys of Operation............................................................................................8
4.2Getting Started................................................................................................9
4.3Main Screen and Acoustic Signals................................................................11
4.4Navigating through the menus.......................................................................12
4.5Communication interfaces of the APR500.....................................................13
4.6Battery management.....................................................................................15
5.Advanced Features of the APR500...................................................................16
5.1Alias ..............................................................................................................16
5.2Action Codes.................................................................................................18
5.3Weight from Scale.........................................................................................20
5.4Group Separator............................................................................................21
5.5Speed Mode..................................................................................................21
5.6Race Mode....................................................................................................21
6.The APR500 main menu...................................................................................22
6.1Operation menu.............................................................................................23
6.2Speed Mode menu........................................................................................27
6.3Race Mode menu..........................................................................................27
6.4Data menu.....................................................................................................28
6.5Setup Menu...................................................................................................31
6.6Bluetooth Menu.............................................................................................37
6.7Menu Structure and Factory Defaults............................................................38
7.Technical Data..................................................................................................40
8.Safety and Care................................................................................................41

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9.Warranty...........................................................................................................41
10.International approvals......................................................................................42
11.Annex A – Online mode output formats............................................................44
12.Glossary............................................................................................................45
13.Index.................................................................................................................46

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1. Introduction
This manual describes the basic functions, the advanced features and the menu structure
of the Agrident Portable Reader APR500.
Please read the manual carefully in order to get access to all features of the reader.
1.1 Features
Fully compatible with ISO standards 11784/11785
Reads FDX-B and HDX transponders
Up to 6000 datasets including transponder ID, time stamp, ALIAS, ACTION CODE
and ACTION CODE PLUS can be stored. The non-volatile memory of the reader
ensures that the data are protected from getting lost if the batteries run empty.
The two Hotkeys do not only initiate a reading process, they can be configured to
start several different operations, e.g. to record actions for read animal IDs.
The electronic ID can be linked to an alphanumeric string with up to 14 characters.
These strings are called ALIAS (please see chapter 5.1).
A preassembled list of ALIASES (Tag List) can be linked to scanned IDs with
the APR in the field.
The ALIASES can be assigned to IDs on the PC and the APR can display the
ALIAS instead of the ID in the field.
ALIASES can be entered manually after reading a transponder in the field
using the “Assign Ask” mode.
In combination with the SEARCH MODE feature the ALIAS allows to find
individual animals in a larger group of animals.
ACTION CODES allow assigning events to animals like sale, movement, disease,
treatment etc. (see chapter 5.2).
The ACTION CODES are free editable in the ACTION CODE LIST on the PC and
have to be uploaded before they are available in the APR.
The ACTION CODE PLUS offers the possibility to assign a numeric value in addition
to an ACTION CODE – e.g. the weight, pen number, etc. (see chapter 5.2.2).
The WEIGTH FROM SCALE feature enables the APR500 to import the weight from
electronic scales via RS232 or Bluetooth (see chapter 5.3).
Missing or defective transponder can be stored manually as an ALIAS using the NO
TAG MODE (see chapter 6.1.3)
GROUP separators allow the user to distinguish between groups of collected
datasets – e.g. operator, location, buyer or seller (please see chapter 5.4)

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In the SPEED MODE the APR500 reads continuously without pressing the according
Hotkey again after a tag was read. This allows the fast reading of larger groups of
animals within a short time (see chapter 5.5).
The RACE MODE enables the APR to operate as a data collector for Agrident
Stationary Readers (see chapter 5.6). The EIDs from the stationary readers are
received via RS232 or Bluetooth, displayed and stored in the APRs memory.
Up to 5 different configurations can be uploaded into the Handheld. These custom
defined PRESETS allow the user to switch between different operation modes (see
chapter 6.1.2) easily.
The APR500 is equipped with an internal BLUETOOTH Class 1 module, configurable
as Bluetooth Master or Slave (see chapter 4.5.2)
The APR500 comes with the APR PC-Demo Software. This program can be used for
configuring the reader and for demonstrating all features – it is not suitable for
replacing comprehensive management software.
1.2 APR500 Kit
The APR500 is usually part of a kit. The kit consists of an APR500 reader, an APC500
USB cable, an APS500 USB power supply, a Quick Start Guide and a CD containing the
manuals, the APR demo software and an APR500 USB driver.
1.2.1 APC500 USB cable
The APC500 is an USB cable for the APR500 reader. It has to be connected to the top-
mounted plug on the APR side and to an USB-A port on the PC side. It allows data transfer
between reader and PC and the internal charging of the batteries, if the Agrident supplied
rechargeable batteries are used.
You can fast charge the batteries in less than 6 hours from a computers USB port (if
Agrident supplied rechargeable batteries are used). The APS500 USB power supply or the
ACC500 car charger might also be used as power source. In this case you can charge the
batteries in 5 hours maximum.
1.2.2 APS500 USB power supply
The APS500 is a power supply with wide input voltage range (100-240V AC) and
interchangeable plugs. This allows using the power supply in most countries of the world
without the need for additional mains adaptors. The power supply contains an USB-A plug
for connecting to the APR500 via the APC500 USB cable.

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2. Optional accessories
The APR500 reader can be purchased with a wide range of optional accessories:
2.1 APC510 RS232 cable
The APC510 is an RS232 interface cable for the APR500 reader. It has to be connected to
the top-mounted plug on the APR side and to an RS232 port with a male 9pin D-Sub
connector on the other side. It allows the communication between the reader and other
devices with RS232 interface like computers or electronic weighing scales.
2.2 ACC500 car charger
The ACC500 offers the possibility to charge your APRs batteries from a cigarette lighter in
your car. The input voltage can be either 12V or 24V and thus it also might be used in
trucks with 24V battery voltage. The APC500 cable has to be used for connecting the
APR500 to the car charger.
2.3 AEA580 external antenna
The very robust AEA580 external stick antenna gives the user an extended physical read
range in order to obtain a transponder signal even from harder accessible tags. The
electrical reading distance is the same as for the internal antenna.
The APR automatically detects an external antenna. While using the AEA580, the internal
APR antenna will be deactivated. If the external antenna plug is removed, the reader will
automatically use the internal antenna again.
2.4 AMA060 and AMA090 mountable antennas
The AEA060/090 mountable antennas give the user an extended physical read range of 60
respectively 90cm. They are mounted directly to the APR500 housing and allow a one-
hand operation. The electrical reading distance is the same as for the internal antenna.
The APR automatically detects an external antenna. While using the AMA, the internal
APR antenna will be deactivated. If the external antenna plug is removed, the reader will
automatically use the internal antenna again.

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3. Security Advice
Caution! Dispose of exhausted rechargeable and non-rechargeable
batteries must be compliant with your local laws. To ensure proper
compliance is entirely the responsibility of the owner and / or user of
the reader.
4. Basic Operations of the APR500
This chapter introduces the basic operations of the APR500.
4.1 Keys of Operation
The APR500 has an ergonomic mobile phone style alphanumeric keyboard with 21 buttons
for easy operation. The function of the buttons is described below.
Hotkey A
Activates the reading function
as configured for Hotkey A
Hotkey B
Activates the reading function as
configured for Hotkey B
Enter button
Selects menu items, moves to
the next field during an
operation and confirms inputs
Arrow buttons
Move up/down/left/right
Up/Down: Scrolls through the
menu, alters selected
values, higher/lower
case letters for
alphanumeric input
C button
Switches the Handheld on/off.
Moves into the next higher
menu level, cancels the input
Left: Moves one digit back
in input fields
Right: Skips the input field
Alphanumeric keys
Are used in order to enter
numbers and / or characters
into input fields
F button
Opens the readers main menu
# button
Activates the alphanumeric
Keypad (No Tag mode, Assign
Mode)

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4.2 Getting Started
Press the button in order to activate the APR500. The display will show the APR
firmware version briefly…
…before the main screen appears.
In order to save battery capacity, the APR will switch off after a certain time – this is called
“Switch off time”. The default setting is 10 seconds but you can change this value in the
“Switch off time” submenu (please see chapter 6.5.1).
4.2.1 Reading a Transponder
After switching on your reader with the button, a reading attempt can be started
pressing or , per default the APR will try to read a transponder for 7 seconds.
You may also start reading directly without using the button. If the reader is switched
off and you press the Hotkey or , the reader is switched on and reading will be
started in one step.
A successful reading attempt shows…
…the EID (999 000000002796), the note “stored”, the number of stored data sets (here 12)
and the memory space which is left (here 5988).
If no transponder could be read the display will show the following status message:
Reasons might be that there was no transponder in range or the transponder could be
damaged. The “No Tag Mode” (see chapter 6.1.3) allows the user to enter an Alias (see
chapter 5.1) manually, if the reading attempt failed.

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4.2.2 Transponder Orientation
The APR is using a ferrite antenna. Accordingly the flux lines of the electromagnetic field
have the following characteristics:
As a result of the flux line characteristics, there is a best reading orientation and a worst
reading orientation:
The reading range does not only depend on the transponder orientation but also on the
type of transponder. Transponders with a good performance have a better reading distance
than low performance tags.
Generally HDX transponders can be read up to 25cm, FDX-B up to 20cm.