Alien ALR-8800 User manual

ALIEN TECHNOLOGY®
HARDWARE
SETUP GUIDE
ALR-8800
January 2007
ALR-8800

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Copyright ©2007 Alien Technology Corporation. All rights reserved.
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is copyrighted and licensed from Licensors. Alien, Alien Technology, the Alien logo, Nanoblock, FSA, Gen2Ready,
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trademarks of Alien Technology Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of
their respective owners. U.S. Government approval required when exporting the product described in this
documentation.
Federal Acquisitions: Commercial Software -- Government Users Subject to Standard License Terms and Conditions.
U.S. Government: If this Software is being acquired by or on behalf of the U.S. Government or by a U.S. Government
prime contractor or subcontractor (at any tier), then the Government's rights in the Software and accompanying
documentation shall be only as set forth in this license; this is in accordance with 48 C.F.R. 227.7201 through
227.7202-4 (for Department of Defense (DoD) acquisitions) and with 48 C.F.R. 2.101 and 12.212 (for non-DoD
acquisitions).
DOCUMENTATION IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED CONDITIONS, REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARANTEES, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NON-INFRINGMENT ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT
SUCH DISCLAIMERS ARE HELD TO BE LEGALLY INVALID.
European Radio Compliance.
This Equipment has been tested and found compliant with the following Mandatory Specifications:
EN 302 208
Electromagnetic Compatibility and Radio spectrum
Matters (ERM)
Radio Frequency Identification Equipment operating in
the band 865 MHz to 868 MHz with Power levels of 2W
ERP.
Part 1: Technical requirements and methods of
measurements
Part 2: Harmonized EN under article 3.2 of R&TTE
Directive.
EN 300 220 (when so marked on the equipment label)
Electromagnetic Compatibility and Radio spectrum
Matters (ERM):
Short Range Devices (SRD);
Radio equipment to be used in the 25 MHz to 1000 MHz
frequency range with power levels ranging up to 500
mW;
Part 1: Technical characteristics and test methods
Part 2: Harmonized EN covering essential requirements
under article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive
It is the users responsibility to operate the device in
compliance with the 10% duty cycle restriction as
described in the Reader Interface Guide.
EN60950
Safety of information technology equipment.
This radio must be used with the external mains to DC
power adaptor, supplied with the product.
EN 301 489
Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum
Matters (ERM)
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standards for
Radio equipment and services:
Part 1: Common technical requirements
Part 3: Specific conditions for short-Range Devices
(SRD) operating on frequencies between 9kHz and
40GHz.
Caution
Reader antennas should be positioned so that
personnel in the area for prolonged periods may safely
remain at least 25.5 cm, in an uncontrolled environment
from the antenna’s surface. This is in accordance with
EN50364 European safety standards for Human
exposure and exposure level radiation limits imposed by
The Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation. ICNIRP
.0891

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ALR-8800 HARDWARE SETUP GUIDE
DOC. CONTROL #8102052-000 REV C
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Alien Technology®
Hardware Setup Guide
ALR-8800
January 2007
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................1
Audience ....................................................................................................................................................... 1
RFID Reader Overview ................................................................................................................................. 1
EPC Class 1 UHF RFID Tags ....................................................................................................................... 2
Requirements................................................................................................................................................ 2
Specifications ................................................................................................................................................ 3
RFID Reader........................................................................................................................................... 3
RFID Reader External Circular Polarized Antenna ................................................................................ 3
Mechanical: Reader Physical Size ........................................................................................................ 4
I/O Port Terminal Interface ..................................................................................................................... 4
I/O Port Screw Terminal (Female) – Looking at Reader.................................................................. 5
Protecting the Input circuit ............................................................................................................... 6
Example I/O Port Hookup ................................................................................................................ 6
RS-232 Port Pinouts............................................................................................................................... 7
RS-232 Connector (Female) – Looking at Reader .......................................................................... 7
System Architecture ............................................................................................................................... 7
CHAPTER 2 READER HARDWARE INSTALLATION AND OPERATION................................................1
Receiving the RFID Reader .......................................................................................................................... 1
Reader I/O Panel.................................................................................................................................... 2
Antenna Panel............................................................................................................................................... 3
System Assembly and Bench Test ............................................................................................................... 4
Bench Test Configuration ....................................................................................................................... 4
Bench Test Procedure............................................................................................................................ 7
Installation ..................................................................................................................................................... 7
Requirements ......................................................................................................................................... 7
Hardware Installation Procedure ............................................................................................................ 8
System Operation: Software Control .......................................................................................................... 10
Reader Interface Guide ........................................................................................................................ 10
Demonstration Software Guide ............................................................................................................ 10
Alien RFID Academy ............................................................................................................................ 10

TABLE OF CONTENTS
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CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
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CHAPTER 1
Introduction
This Hardware Setup Guide provides instructions for installing and operating the
ALR-8800 RFID Readers.
This document is designed for use by RFID system integrators and software
developers - those who wish to develop software products and extended systems
that take full advantage of the RFID Reader's capabilities.
Included with each reader or developer kit is the Alien RFID Fixed Reader
Software Developer’s Kit and User Documentation CD-ROM. This CD contains
additional information about RFID and the ALR-8800 including the following:
! RFID Primer (PN 8101014-000) – an overview of RFID technology and a
glossary of terms.
! Reader Interface Guide (PN 8101938-000)– an overview of the
communication interfaces for the ALR-8800.
! Multi-static Application Note (AN17001) – an overview of multi-static
readers.
! Quick Installation Guide (PN 8102003-000) – a quick start guide for
installing and running the ALR-8800 reader.
! Quick Reference (PN 8101007-000) – a quick reference guide
summarizing the Alien Reader Protocol command set.
! Demo Software Guide (PN 8101023-000) – details installing and
operating the Alien RFID Gateway demonstration software.
! Quick Upgrade Guide (PN 8101051-000) – briefly explains how to use
the demonstration software to upgrade the ALR-8800.
To access these guides, please insert the CD that came with your reader and
follow the on-screen prompts.
Audience
For the purposes of this document, we assume the readers of the Hardware
Setup Guide:
! Are competent PC users
! Have minimal previous knowledge of Radio-Frequency Identification
(RFID) technology
! Are experienced in software development and/or hardware systems
integration
RFID Reader Overview
The Alien ALR-8800 RFID reader is designed to read and program EPC Class 1
Generation 2 tags (see below) and issue event reports to a host computer

INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1
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system. The host computer can be locally connected to the reader via RS-232,
or at a remote network location.
The RFID Reader is delivered with the following components and accessories:
! One (1) RFID Reader
! One (1) RS-232 serial cable (to connect to host computer)
! One (1) power supply and cord
! Alien RFID Fixed Reader Software Developer’s Kit and User
Documentation CD-ROM
! Alien RFID Gateway Application
EPC Class 1 UHF RFID Tags
The Alien ALR-8800 RFID reader is designed to read and program EPC Class 1
Generation 2 tags (see below) and issue event reports to a host computer
system.
Class 1 Generation 2 tags are “passive” devices meaning they do not have a
battery or other onboard power source. They are powered solely by the RF
energy transmitted by an RFID reader.
Tags communicate with the reader through backscatter modulation in which the
tags do not transmit RF energy. Instead, they change their reflective
characteristics in a systematic way and reflect RF energy back to the reader. An
analogy to this is the way you can use a mirror to signal someone by reflecting
light from the Sun.
Alien Technology manufactures user-programmable EPC Class 1 tags compliant
with all key commercial and DoD mandates. Alien offers a variety of designs
capable of delivering optimal performance worldwide, including Europe and Asia.
For more information about RFID tags from Alien Technology, please visit our
website at http://www.alientechnology.com.
Requirements
To interface with the RFID Reader you will need the following:
! A PC running Windows 98 or higher, with CD-ROM drive, an available
RS-232 serial port and/or Ethernet connectivity
! Standard 120/220 VAC 50/60 Hz
! Power supply and cord (included with reader)
! Host software (Alien Gateway demo software or your own custom
software)

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
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Specifications
Specifications for key components of the RFID Reader system are provided in
the tables below:
RFID Reader
Name Alien Multi-Port General Purpose RFID Reader
Model Number ALR-8800
Architecture Point-to-multipoint reader network, multi-static
Operating Frequency 865.7 MHz to 867.5 MHz
Hopping Channels 10
Channel Spacing 200 KHz
Channel Dwell Time < 4 seconds
RF Transmitter < 2 Watt ERP
Modulation Method Phase Reversal – Amplitude Shift Keying (PR-ASK)
20 db Modulation Bandwidth < 200 KHz
RF Receiver 2 Channels
Power Consumption 45 Watts (220 VAC at 300 mA)
Communications Interface RS-232 (DB-9 F), TCPI/IP (RJ-45)
Inputs/Outputs 2 or 4 coax antenna, 4 inputs/8 outputs (optically isolated), RS-232
com port, LAN, power
Dimensions (L) 9.0” (22.9 cm) x (W) 11” (28 cm) x (D) 2.22” (5.6 cm)
Weight Approximately 1.8 kg (4 lb)
Operating Temperature 0°C to +50°C (+32 °F to +122°F)
LED Indicators Power, Link, Active, Ant 0-3, CPU, Read, Sniff, Fault (red)
Software Support APIs, sample code, executable demo app (Alien Gateway)
Compliance Certifications ETSI EN 302 208
ETSI EN 300 220
RFID Reader External Circular Polarized Antenna
Model CushCraft S8658
3 dB Beamwidth E-plane:< 70 degrees
Frequency 850 to 875 MHz
Gain (dBi) 6 dBi
Polarization Circular
RF Connector 6 m LMR-195 with Reverse-Polarity TNC
VSWR 1.5:1
Dimensions 28 x 20.3 x 3.1 cm •11 x 8 x 1.5 in
Weight 0.77kg •27 ounces

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Mechanical: Reader Physical Size
Figure 1 - Outline Drawing of the ALR-8800
I/O Port Terminal Interface
The ALR-8800 I/O port provides four digital inputs and eight digital outputs,
optically isolated from the reader circuitry. Opto-isolators have two basic
elements: a light source (usually a light emitting diode) and a photo-sensitive
detector. These two elements are positioned facing one another and inserted in
an electrical circuit to form an opto-coupler. The key property of an opto-coupler
is that there is an insulating gap between the light source and the detector. No
current passes through this gap, only the desired light waves representing data.
Thus the two sides of the circuit are electrically isolated from one another.
This protects the circuitry inside the reader from damaging ground loops (when
the external device is at a different ground potential than the reader), and voltage
spikes.

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
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I/O Port Screw Terminal Connector
(Phoenix 14-pin header)
Pin 1 V+ (5-24 VDC)
Pin 2 Output 0 (optically isolated; 500 mA max)
Pin 3 Output 1 "
Pin 4 Output 2 "
Pin 5 Output 3 "
Pin 6 Output 4 "
Pin 7 Output 5 "
Pin 8 Output 6 "
Pin 9 Output 7 "
Pin 10 Input 0 (optically isolated; 10 V maximum)
Pin 11 Input 1 "
Pin 12 Input 2 "
Pin 13 Input 3 "
Pin 14 V-
I/O PORT SCREW TERMINAL (FEMALE) – LOOKING AT READER
123 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Input
V-
Input Circuit
V-
Output n
V+
Output Circuit
Figure 2 - Input and Output Circuits

INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1
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PROTECTING THE INPUT CIRCUIT
If an input voltage greater than 5 Volts is being applied to the reader’s input, then
a series current limiting resistor is required to protect the internal input circuit.
The following chart may be used to determine an appropriate ¼ Watt resistor
value to be placed in series between the SOURCE of the photo electric sensor
and the input to the reader:
Vin R1
5 N/A
9 820 Ω
12 1500 Ω
24 3900 Ω
EXAMPLE I/O PORT HOOKUP
In the example below, a 24V power supply is being used, so a 3.9 kΩresistor is
required to be installed in series between the SOURCE and input of the reader:
24VDC Power
supply
+24VDC
DC Return
+24VDC
Green
Yellow
Red
Brown (+)
Black (Source)
Blue (-)
White (NC)
Photo
eye
24VDC Power
supply
+24VDC
DC Return
+24VDC
Green
Yellow
Red
Brown (+)
Black (Source)
Blue (-)
White (NC)
Photo
eye
Figure 3 - Example I/O Port Hookup