caenrfid ion R4301P Technical document

TECHNICAL INFORMATION MANUAL
Revision 00 –18 March 2016
R4301P
UHF Long Range Reader with GPRS/WIFI

Scope of Manual
The goal of this manual is to provide the basic information to work with the Ion R4301P UHF Long Range Reader with
GPRS/WIFI.
Change Document Record
Date
Revision
Changes
Pages
18 Mar 2016
00
Preliminary release
-
Reference Document
[RD1] EPCglobal: EPC Radio-Frequency Identity Protocols Class-1 Generation-2 UHF RFID Protocol for
Communications at 860 MHz –960 MHz, Version 2.0.1 (April, 2015).
CAEN RFID srl
Via Vetraia, 11 55049 Viareggio (LU) - ITALY
Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]
[email protected]
www.caenrfid.com
©CAEN RFID srl –2016
Disclaimer
No part of this manual may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording, or
otherwise, without the prior written permission of CAEN RFID.
The information contained herein has been carefully checked and is believed to be accurate; however, no responsibility
is assumed for inaccuracies. CAEN RFID reserves the right to modify its products specifications without giving any
notice; for up to date information please visit www.caenrfid.com.
Preliminary Product Information
This document contains information for a new product. CAEN RFID reserves the right to modify this product without
notice.
“Preliminary” product information describes products that are ready for production, but for which full characterization
data is not yet available. CAEN RFID believes that the information contained in this document is accurate and reliable.
However, the information is subject to change without notice and is provided “AS IS” without warranty of any kind
(Express or implied). You are advised to obtain the latest version of relevant information to verify, before placing
orders, that information being relied on is current and complete. All products are sold subject to the terms and
conditions of sale supplied at the time of order acknowledgement, including those pertaining to warranty, patent
infringement, and limitation of liability. No responsibility is assumed by CAEN RFID for the use of this information,
including use of this information as the basis for manufacture or sale of any items, or for infringement of patents or
other rights of third parties.
Visit the Ion R4301P web page, you will find the latest revision
of data sheets, manuals, certifications, technical drawings, software and firmware.
All you need to start using your reader in a few clicks!

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Notice (Preliminary)
This device was tested and found to comply with the limits set forth in Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference received including interference that may cause undesired operation. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment.
This device generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy. If not installed and used in accordance with the
instruction manual, the product may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this product in
a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference, in which case, the user is required to correct the interference
at their own expense. The authority to operate this product is conditioned by the requirements that no modifications
be made to the equipment unless the changes or modifications are expressly approved by CAEN RFID.
Disposal of the product
Do not dispose the product in municipal or household waste. Please check your local regulations for
disposal/recycle of electronic products.

Index…
Scope of Manual...........................................................................................................................................................................2
Change Document Record............................................................................................................................................................2
Reference Document....................................................................................................................................................................2
Index…...........................................................................................................................................................................................4
List of Figures.................................................................................................................................................................................5
List of Tables..................................................................................................................................................................................5
1INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................................................................6
Product Description......................................................................................................................................................................6
Installation Notice ........................................................................................................................................................................7
Development Kit...........................................................................................................................................................................8
Ordering Options..........................................................................................................................................................................9
2GETTING STARTED............................................................................................................................................................. 10
Introduction................................................................................................................................................................................10
Connecting to the Ion R4301P Reader........................................................................................................................................10
Connecting to the Ion using the Easy Controller Software ............................................................................................10
Connecting to the Ion using the serial port ...................................................................................................................10
3ION EXTERNAL INTERFACES DESCRIPTION .........................................................................................................................11
Connectors .................................................................................................................................................................................11
Power supply .................................................................................................................................................................11
Ethernet port .................................................................................................................................................................12
GPIO ports......................................................................................................................................................................13
USB host ports ...............................................................................................................................................................14
GSM/GPRS antenna port (only in Mod. WR4301PXGPRS).............................................................................................15
WIFI antenna port (only in Mod. WR4301PXWIFI) ........................................................................................................15
RS232 .............................................................................................................................................................................16
RFID antenna ports ........................................................................................................................................................16
LEDs ............................................................................................................................................................................................17
4ION READER CONFIGURATION ..........................................................................................................................................18
Introduction................................................................................................................................................................................18
Reader Configuration using the Web Interface ..........................................................................................................................18
Configure Ethernet settings ...........................................................................................................................................19
Set Date and Time..........................................................................................................................................................20
Reader Configuration using the serial port.................................................................................................................................21
Configure Ethernet settings ...........................................................................................................................................21
Set Date and Time..........................................................................................................................................................22
Configure the serial port to communicate with the caenrfidd daemon ........................................................................22
How to restore the R4301P default factory settings ..................................................................................................................23
5ION GPIO...........................................................................................................................................................................29
Using Ion GPIO Interface ............................................................................................................................................................29
6ION CAENRFIDD DAEMON.................................................................................................................................................30
Introduction................................................................................................................................................................................30
Configuring the daemon.............................................................................................................................................................30
The system wide configuration file................................................................................................................................30
The main configuration file............................................................................................................................................30
The reader configuration file .........................................................................................................................................31
The CAENRFID Ion ..................................................................................................................................................32
7DEVELOPING APPLICATION FOR THE ION READER .............................................................................................................34
Introduction................................................................................................................................................................................34
Downloading the development virtual machine image..............................................................................................................34
Installing the development virtual machine...............................................................................................................................34
Using the development virtual machine ....................................................................................................................................35
8ION GETTING STARTED WITH C..........................................................................................................................................36
Development code installation...................................................................................................................................................36
New and standard API ................................................................................................................................................................36
Standard API example....................................................................................................................................................36
New API usage example.................................................................................................................................................38
9ION GETTING STARTED WITH JAVA....................................................................................................................................40
Introduction................................................................................................................................................................................40
Setup the development environment ........................................................................................................................................40
Testing the development environment......................................................................................................................................40
Running Java applications on the Ion reader..............................................................................................................................41
Optional: using the Eclipse IDE ...................................................................................................................................................42

5
10 USING THE GSM ................................................................................................................................................................ 43
SIM card placement....................................................................................................................................................................43
Setting up the GSM module .......................................................................................................................................................44
Sending a SMS message .............................................................................................................................................................44
C language .....................................................................................................................................................................44
Surfing the Internet ....................................................................................................................................................................45
11 UPGRADE PROCEDURE...................................................................................................................................................... 47
Upgrade the Ion packages ..........................................................................................................................................................47
Install new Debian software ..........................................................................................................................................47
12 ION TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ....................................................................................................................................... 49
Technical Specifications Table ....................................................................................................................................................49
Reader –Tag Link Profiles...........................................................................................................................................................50
Power Supply Connector Electrical Characteristics ....................................................................................................................50
RFID Antenna Ports Electrical Characteristics.............................................................................................................................50
GSM/GPRS Antenna Port Electrical Characteristics....................................................................................................................50
WIFI Antenna Port Electrical Characteristics ..............................................................................................................................50
GPIO Port Electrical Characteristics............................................................................................................................................51
Serial Port Electrical Characteristics ...........................................................................................................................................51
USB Port Electrical Characteristics..............................................................................................................................................51
13 ION REGULATORY COMPLIANCE........................................................................................................................................52
FCC Compliance..........................................................................................................................................................................52
RoHS EU Directive.......................................................................................................................................................................52
List of Figures
Fig. 1.1: Ion R4301P UHF Long Range Reader with GPRS/WIFI ...............................................................................................................6
Fig. 1.2: Ion R4301P Technical drawings..................................................................................................................................................7
Fig. 1.3: Ion R4301P - RFID UHF Portal Reader Development Kit ............................................................................................................8
Fig. 3.1: Ion R4301P Connectors View ...................................................................................................................................................11
Fig. 3.2: Ion R4301P Plug Cable Connector............................................................................................................................................12
Fig. 3.3: Ion R4301P GPIO Output Configuration Equivalent Schematic................................................................................................13
Fig. 3.4: Ion R4301P GPIO Input Configuration Equivalent Schematic...................................................................................................13
Fig. 3.5: Ion R4301P DB15 Socket Connector Pins Position ...................................................................................................................14
Fig. 3.6: Ion R4301P USB Connector Pins Position.................................................................................................................................15
Fig. 3.7: Ion R4301P DB9 Socket Connector Pins Position .....................................................................................................................16
Fig. 3.8: Ion R4301P RFID Connector Pinout..........................................................................................................................................16
Fig. 3.9: Ion R4301P Top Cover LEDs .....................................................................................................................................................17
Fig. 4.1: Ion R4301P Web Interface .......................................................................................................................................................18
Fig. 10.1: Bottom cover screws position................................................................................................................................................43
Fig. 10.2: SIM holder position................................................................................................................................................................43
List of Tables
Tab. 3.1: Ion R4301P Supply Voltage Connector Pinout........................................................................................................................11
Tab. 3.2: Ion R4301P Ethernet Connector Pinout..................................................................................................................................12
Tab. 3.3: Ion R4301P Ethernet Connector LEDs Functionalities ............................................................................................................12
Tab. 3.4: Ion R4301P GPIO Connector Pinout........................................................................................................................................14
Tab. 3.5: Ion R4301P USB Connectors Pinout........................................................................................................................................14
Tab. 3.6: Ion R4301P GSM/GPRS Antenna Connector Pinout................................................................................................................15
Tab. 3.7: Ion R4301P WIFI Antenna Connector Pinout..........................................................................................................................15
Tab. 3.8: Ion R4301P RS232 Connector Pinout......................................................................................................................................16
Tab. 3.9: Ion R4301P Top Cover LEDs ....................................................................................................................................................17
Tab. 12.1: Ion R4301P Technical Specifications Table ...........................................................................................................................49
Tab. 12.2: Ion R4301P reader to tag link profiles ..................................................................................................................................50
Tab. 12.3: Ion R4301P Power Supply Connector Electrical Characteristics ...........................................................................................50
Tab. 12.4: Ion R4301P RFID Antenna Ports Electrical Characteristics....................................................................................................50
Tab. 12.5: Ion R4301P GSM/GPRS Antenna Port Electrical Characteristics (only in Mod. WR4301PXGPRS) ........................................50
Tab. 12.6: Ion R4301P WIFI Antenna Port Electrical Characteristics (only in Mod. WR4301PXWIFI)....................................................50
Tab. 12.7: Ion R4301P GPIO Port Electrical Characteristics ...................................................................................................................51
Tab. 12.8: Ion R4301P RS232 Port Electrical Characteristics .................................................................................................................51
Tab. 12.9: Ion R4301P USB Port Electrical Characteristics.....................................................................................................................51

INTRODUCTION - Ion Technical Information Manual 6
1INTRODUCTION
Product Description
The Ion (Model R4301P) is the top-of-the-range portal reader of the easy2read©Family.
CAEN RFID has carefully designed the device taking into account customer requests and on-field experience on RFID
installations. The result is not only an UHF reader, it's a unique combination of outstanding RFID reading performances,
computing power and communication capabilities.
The reader is optimized for portal installations, featuring full power to up to 4 antennas, GEN2 Dense Reader Mode
management and high speed read rates.
Based on an embedded HW architecture (x86) and standard operating system (Linux), the Ion eases the development
of custom software and solutions.
The on-board computing power and connectivity remove the need for an external PC and related cabling. This results
in deployment and operations cost savings, thus reducing the total cost of ownership of installed devices.
The Ion is best suited for complex AutoID scenarios, where the information can be collected and fed directly to the
reader from multiple sources such as Smart Card readers, Barcode readers, GPS and other in-field sensors.
All data can be handled locally through data buffering, filtering and aggregation, in order to directly provide decision-
making data to higher level Business Intelligence processes. The same data can also trigger local actuators and screen
displays for in-field real-time processes in a standalone mode.
The presence on board of an optional integrated GPRS modem or WIFI interface module, together with its compact
and versatile form factor, allow to use it in any worldwide installation requiring RFID usage in remote areas.
As a result of all the above, the Ion allows solution providers to customize the reader to each application, thus creating
their own specialized devices accordingly.
The Ion complies with and can operate in different regulatory environments (Europe, US, Australia, China, Korea,
Singapore, Taiwan).
Fig. 1.1: Ion R4301P UHF Long Range Reader with GPRS/WIFI

INTRODUCTION - Ion Technical Information Manual 7
Installation Notice
The Ion R4301P reader could be mounted either horizontally or vertically. Locate the four mounting slots on the
reader, as illustrated below.
All measurements are in millimetres.
Fig. 1.2: Ion R4301P Technical drawings

INTRODUCTION - Ion Technical Information Manual 8
Development Kit
The R4301PDK (Ion) RFID UHF Portal Reader Development Kit is available:
Fig. 1.3: Ion R4301P - RFID UHF Portal Reader Development Kit
The R4301PDK (Ion) reader development kit is a complete RFID set up, for a quick implementation of RFID solutions. It
includes:
n. 1 R4301P (Ion) RFID UHF Portal Reader
n. 1 Power Supply
n. 1 Circular polarized antenna (WANTENNAX019 - ETSI or WANTENNAX020 - FCC) (in Mod. R4301PDK)
n. 1 GPRS antenna (in Mod. R4301PDKGPR)
n. 1 Set of Labels
n. 1 A927Z Temperature Logger Tag
n. 1 RT0005 Temperature Logger Tag
n. 1 Antenna cable (2.5 m)

INTRODUCTION - Ion Technical Information Manual 9
Ordering Options
Code
Description
Reader
WR4301PXAAAA
R4301P - Ion - RFID UHF Portal Reader
WR4301PXGPRS
R4301P - Ion - RFID UHF Portal reader with GPRS
WR4301PXWIFI
R4301P - ION - RFID UHF Portal reader with WIFI Interface
Development Kit
WR4301PDKAAA
R4301PDK - Development kit with R4301P reader,
antenna, cable, power supply and demo tags
WR4301PDKGPR
R4301PDKG - Development kit with R4301P GPRS reader,
antenna, cable, power supply and demo tags
WR4301PDKWFI
R4301PDKW - Development kit with R4301P WIFI reader,
antenna, cable, power supply and demo tags
Accessories
WANTENNAX019
Circular polarized antenna 8.5dBc (EU)
WANTENNAX020
Circular polarized antenna 8.5dBc (US)
WANTENNAX018
GPRS Antenna for Ion
WANTENNAX021
WIFI Antenna for R4301P
WALIM0000003
Power Supply for Ion R4301P
WCAVOAAAX005
5 m RF Antenna Cable TNC/RP-N type
WCAVOAAAX006
15 m RF Antenna Cable TNC/RP-N type
WRA0003XAAAA
RA0003 - UHF Antenna Multiplexer
WRA0002XAAAA
RA0002 - Digital I/O Interface Unit

GETTING STARTED - Ion Technical Information Manual 10
2GETTING STARTED
Introduction
This guide will help you to get started with your new Ion R4301P reader.
For more detailed information on reader configuration, connections and setup options please refer to the next
chapters.
To begin, you need first to download and install the .NET framework 2.0 (only required if .NET is not already installed
on your PC).
Connecting to the Ion R4301P Reader
By default, the Ion R4301P is configured with the static IP address 192.168.0.1. If your private network matches the
default network configuration of the reader you can connect to it using a web browser to access the web interface or
by using the Easy Controller software. Otherwise you can change the network configuration of the reader connecting
to it with a serial communications program such as HyperTerminal (see § Configure Ethernet settings page 21).
After the Ion R4301P reader has been assigned a valid IP address you can connect it to your network and complete the
configuration by using a web browser interface from a desktop PC.
Connecting to the Ion using the Easy Controller Software
1. Download the latest version of the Easy Controller software from the CAEN RFID web site and install it.
2. Connect the Ion to the power supply (the power supply is an optional accessory, see § Ordering Options page 9).
3. Attach the Ion directly to your PC using a crossover cable or connect it to your network using a standard
Ethernet cable.
4. Connect the antenna cable to port 1 of the reader.
5. Launch the Easy Controller by double clicking on the icon on your desktop.
6. Click on File →Connect and select the TCP/IP Connection option and insert the Ion’s IP address (default address
is 192.168.0.1).
7. Place a tag under the antenna field, click on start inventory and see the tag information displayed on the main
window.
For more info on the use of the Easy Controller, please refer to the manual CAEN RFID Easy Controller Software.
Connecting to the Ion using the serial port
You can connect to the Ion R4301P Reader using the serial port. Please refer to Reader Configuration using the serial
port page 21.
By default, the serial port of the Ion R4301P reader is configured as a configuration console, please refer to § Reader
Configuration using the serial port page 21 for further details on this matter. The serial port can be configured to be
used as a control interface (for example to be used with the Easy Controller software or using our APIs - SDK Software
Development Kit), please refer to § Configure the serial port to communicate with the caenrfidd daemon page 22.