Biomark HPR User manual

Biomark HPR and HPR Plus User Manual
705 S. 8th Street, Boise, Idaho 83702, USA
www.biomark.com
Biomark HPR and HPR Plus Reader
User Manual
Manual Version 0.2.01
To Suit Software Version: 1.04

Biomark HPR and HPR Plus User Manual
Regularity Notices and Conformity
USA – FCC
Information to the user (FCC Part 15.105)
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user
is encourage trying to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver
Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help
Modification warning (FCC Part 15.21)
Warning: Any changes or modifications not expressively approved by Aleis could void the
user's authority to operate this equipment.
The following antennas are approved to be used with this device:
Biomark Handheld 7" Loop Antenna, Model number HPR-ANT
Canada
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

Biomark HPR and HPR Plus User Manual
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Table of Contents
1Reader Overview _____________________________________________________ 5
1.1Product Description ____________________________________________________ 5
1.2Illustrated Diagram ____________________________________________________ 6
1.3Supplied Equipment____________________________________________________ 8
1.4Care and Maintenance __________________________________________________ 8
2Getting Started_______________________________________________________ 9
2.1Switching the Reader On and Off _________________________________________ 9
2.2Charging the Reader ___________________________________________________ 9
2.3Sleep Mode __________________________________________________________ 10
2.4Using Alternate DC Power Sources_______________________________________ 10
2.5Connecting the Accessories _____________________________________________ 10
2.6Setting the Clock______________________________________________________ 11
2.7Using the GPS Receiver ________________________________________________ 11
3Configuring the Reader_______________________________________________ 12
3.1Settings Menu ________________________________________________________ 12
3.1.1Device ___________________________________________________________________ 13
3.1.2Diagnostics _______________________________________________________________ 14
3.1.3Memory __________________________________________________________________ 15
3.2Profiles______________________________________________________________ 16
4Reading Tags _______________________________________________________ 17
4.1Reading RFID tags with the Reader ______________________________________ 17
4.2RF Settings & Diagnostics ______________________________________________ 18
4.2.1Tuning ___________________________________________________________________ 19
4.2.2Power____________________________________________________________________ 19
4.3Testing the Unit_______________________________________________________ 19
4.4Test Mode ___________________________________________________________ 20
5File Management & Communication____________________________________ 21
5.1File Management Menu ________________________________________________ 21
5.1.1Viewing Tags______________________________________________________________ 22
5.2Connecting the Reader to other devices via USB or Bluetooth ________________ 23
5.2.1Connecting a PC to the Reader Using USB_______________________________________ 23
5.2.2Connecting to the Reader Using Bluetooth _______________________________________ 23
5.2.3Connecting a USB Memory Stick ______________________________________________ 23
5.3Command Interface ___________________________________________________ 25
5.4File Formats _________________________________________________________ 27
5.4.1Tag File Format____________________________________________________________ 27
5.4.2Log File Format____________________________________________________________ 27

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6Tools and Diagnostics ________________________________________________ 28
6.1Power _______________________________________________________________ 28
6.2Reports______________________________________________________________ 29
6.2.1Startup Report _____________________________________________________________ 29
6.2.2Status Report ______________________________________________________________ 30
6.2.3Noise ____________________________________________________________________ 30
6.2.4Alarms ___________________________________________________________________ 31
6.3GPS Information______________________________________________________ 33
Appendix A - UTC Time Zone Map _________________________________________ 34
Appendix B - Installation of Legacy Serial Drivers_____________________________ 35
Appendix B.1.Windows XP Driver Installation ________________________________ 35
Appendix B.2.Windows 7 and Vista Driver Installation _________________________ 38
Appendix B.3.Test Serial Connection in BioTerm ______________________________ 40

Biomark HPR and HPR Plus User Manual
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1 Reader Overview
1.1 Product Description
The HPR Plus and HPR readers (Reader) are handheld 134.2 kHz radio frequency
identification (RFID) tag readers intended for use with animal tags. The Reader has
been designed specifically for use in fish and wildlife research applications.
Consequently, it is the most capable and versatile reader available today for this
purpose. The HPR Reader is well suited to handheld field use, and bench top use.
The HPR Plus Reader contains additional features to facilitate standalone remote
monitoring applications.
The Reader features:
-Rugged drop-proof and waterproof housing
-Memory for storage of over 1 million tag reads
-High-performance ISO HDX/FDX-B 134.2 kHz RFID reader with
continuous automatic antenna tuning with the HPR Plus
-Internal high-capacity lithium battery pack
-4.3” High resolution color TFT LCD display
-454MHz ARM9 core CPU
-Class 2 Bluetooth interface
-GPS synchronized clock
-"Geotagging" of RFID tag reads with the HPR Plus
-USB 2.0 On-The-Go (OTG) interface for PC or memory stick
connection
-Dual purpose hand strap and belt loop
-Sophisticated data logging and diagnostic features
-Detachable wand antenna
-Wide range DC power input for use in remote monitoring applications
and easier field recharging
-Simple upgrading of Reader software via a USB memory stick
-Remote control of the Reader via Bluetooth, USB, or USB RS232
adapter

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1.2 Illustrated Diagram
Front Panel
Read Button
Power/OK Button
Battery Charge & Alarm
Indicator (orange) Tag Read
Indicator (blue)
GPS Signal
USB Status
Bluetooth Status
Alarm Indicator
Battery Level &
Charging Status
Waterproof Vent
Light Sensor &
Serial #
Tag Reading Status &
Tag Reading Mode
Current File & Number
of Tags Within
Date & Time
Current and Previous
Read Tag Numbers
Toggle Buttons

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Reader Connectors
Folding Desk Stand Attached Loop Antenna
USB OTG DC Input Antenna

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1.3 Supplied Equipment
1. Biomark HPR Unit, (the Reader)
2. Biomark HPR Loop Antenna
3. Fish-Shaped FDX-B RFID Key-chain Test Tag
4. Power Charger Kit (100-240V input, 24V 30W output)
5. 2 m Antenna Cable
6. 2 m USB Cable for PC Connection
7. 0.5 m USB Cable for Flash Drive connection
8. Desk Stand
9. Combined Adjustable Hand Strap & Belt-Loop
10.User Manual (on Biomark flash drive provided)
11.Custom soft case
Please ensure you have received all of the above equipment upon receipt of your
new Reader.
Optional Accessory Equipment
1. DC Power Input Cable
2. HPR to LEGACY Antenna Cable Adapter
3. Hard-shell Protective carry case
4. Hard-shell Protective remote monitoring case/enclosure
1.4 Care and Maintenance
While the HPR Reader has been designed to be as rugged and durable as
possible, please observe the following points to ensure your Reader provides many
years of trouble free service:
Charge the battery before first using the Reader or before putting the
Reader into storage.
The protective caps should be fitted to the connectors whenever possible to
protect them from corrosion, dust, and physical damage.
Always properly tighten the locking collets on cables connected to the
Reader to prevent moisture entering the connectors and damaging the
contacts.
If the Reader has become wet, ensure the connectors and their caps are dry
before removing the cables and replacing the caps. This is to avoid “locking
in” the moisture and causing corrosion damage to the contacts.
If the Reader is exposed to salt water, rinse the entire unit with fresh water
and dry it before removing the cables.
Clean and dry the reader before putting it back into its carry case.
NOTE: Water cannot enter into the Reader through the connectors with or without
the protective caps fitted, but the moisture could damage the terminals in the
connectors.

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2 Getting Started
2.1 Switching the Reader On and Off
The unit can be powered on by any of the following methods:
1. Connecting the unit to the AC Adapter
2.
3. Holding the OK button for more than 1 second.
NOTE: Once the unit has been powered up, it will take up to 30 seconds to boot
into the software.
The unit can be powered off by holding the OK button for more than 1 second. A
menu will pop up asking the user to confirm the shutdown.
In the event of a software crash, the unit can be forced off by holding the OK button
down for longer than 10 seconds.
2.2 Charging the Reader
The Reader has an internal 28.8W/h lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery. This
type of lithium battery is much safer and has a longer cycle life than lithium
batteries typically used in consumer electronics.
To preserve the life of the battery, the Reader should be fully charged before first
use and also before the Reader is put away into storage.
To charge the Reader’s internal lithium battery, follow these steps:
1. Plug the DC Jack on the charger into the center plug on the end of the
Reader.
2. Connect the charger to a grounded AC power socket.
The battery charge indicator will continuously light orange while the battery is
charging, and change to green once the battery is charged. The Reader will take
around 4-5 hours to charge a completely flat battery.
If the charger is connected and the charge indicator is neither green nor orange
then the Reader is not charging. Check the connections and verify that the DC
input voltage cutout setting discussed in section 3 is configured correctly.
NOTE: The battery cannot charge if the internal temperature of the Reader is
below 0°C (32°F) or above 60°C (140°F). The unit will indicate a charging error
under these conditions.
Please be aware that when using the reader in environments below freezing
temperature, the battery's ability to supply current will be reduced. This will reduce
the Reader's battery run-time and possibly reduce the maximum usable RF
transmit power setting. Please use the lowest practical RF power setting (refer to
section 4.2.2) under these conditions to avoid excessively loading the battery.

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2.3 Sleep Mode
Momentarily pressing the OK/Power button when the Reader is displaying the main
screen will put the Reader into low power “Sleep” mode. In this mode, the screen is
switched off, tag reading stops, and any PC connection (USB or Bluetooth) is lost.
Sleep mode is useful for extending battery runtime when there is a long period
between reading tags.
The Reader can be “woken up” by pressing the OK or READ buttons. The Reader
can also be configured to auto-sleep after a certain amount of time if it is not being
used. Please refer to Section 3 for more information about configuring this setting.
2.4 Using Alternate DC Power Sources
It is possible to use alternate DC sources to charge and power the Reader
provided the following points are considered:
The charging input to the Reader operates over 11-30V DC. Connecting
voltages sources above 30V DC may damage the Reader.
Observe the polarity of the DC connection. The tip of the charger connection
is positive and the ring is negative.
The Reader requires a power source capable of providing at least 20W to
operate at full transmit power and charge the internal battery.
Use of AC adapters (particularly ungrounded types) other than the one
provided with the Reader may result in poor read range of tags due to noise.
DC Power Input Cable is an available accessory item from Biomark.
NOTE: It is possible to configure the cut-off voltage for the DC input via the settings
menu. This feature is useful when powering the reader from an external battery or
other alternate power supply. Refer to Section 3 for more information on
configuring these settings.
2.5 Connecting the Accessories
The unit should be connected to the loop antenna with the supplied cable.
Depending on what other functionality is required, the unit can also be connected
to a USB port on a PC, or USB Flash Drive.
The threaded locking collets should be fully screwed onto their mating connectors.
NOTE: When data is transferring from the reader to a USB drive, the USB icon will
show a lock symbol. DO NOT remove the USB drive while the lock status symbol
is showing. Failure to observe this procedure can result in loss or corruption of data
from the USB drive.
Un-safe to disconnect: Safe to Disconnect: