Datamax H-Class User manual

RFID Option
92-2443-01 Rev.F

1
This guide presents a systematic overview of important media requirements, setup options, and modes of
use for Datamax-O’Neil H-Class RFID-equipped printers.
CAUTION
• This device complies with FCC Radio Frequency exposure limits for an uncontrolled
environment. This equipment should be installed and operated with a minimum
distance of 20cm between the radiator and your body. If 20cm distance cannot be
maintained, end users are to be 20cm from printer extremity.
• Any changes or modifications to this RFID module not expressly approved by
Datamax-O’Neil Corporation will void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
• Operation is subject to the following conditions: (1) this device may not cause
interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interference
that may cause undesired operation of this device.
 Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital
device, pursuant to part15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a
commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential
area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct
the interference at their own expense.

2
Step 1: Know the RFID Media
Depending upon the type of encoder in your printer, ensure that your RFID media meets the following
specifications:
Smart Label and Tag Requirements [1]
HF Layout [2] UHF Layout
C
D
E
B
A
Forward
Movement
C
D
E
B
A
Forward
Movement
Definitions [3]
Designator Description Dimension (inches) Dimension (millimeters)
A Label Width 4.00 101.6
B Label Lengths 2.00, 4.00, & 6.00 50.8, 101.6, & 152.4
C Chip Location Tolerance ± 0.05 ± 1.3
D Label Pitch (minimum) 1.75 44.4
E Chip Inlay Location 1.10 27.9
[1] Reference the Operator’s Manual for additional standard media requirements.
[2] The HF RFID Chip Inlay Location can be left, right, or center justified.
[3] These definitions are referenced while looking down onto the labeling side of the media, and from the leading edge
of the label (or tag) as it moves forward through the printer.
 Note: If you have questions regarding selection, contact a Datamax-O’Neil Media Representative at
[phone].

3
Step 2: Know the Printer
For easy setup and configuration, most RFID settings can be modified via the Control Panel. Depending
upon your RFID hardware option, the factory default settings are as follows:
HF RFID Default Settings (RFID MODE = HF):
RFID POSITION = 1.10
HF SETTINGS:
TAG TYPE = ISO 15693
RETRY ATTEMPTS = 3
UHF RFID Default Settings (RFID MODE =
UHF):
RFID POSITION = 1.10
UHF SETTINGS:
TAG TYPE = GEN 2
TAG DATA SIZE = 96-BIT
RETRY ATTEMPTS = 3
WED 09:32A 14MAR 2006
OFFLINE
PRINTER OPTIONS
EXIT ENTERSYSTEM
MODULES
PRESENT SENSOR
CUTTER
SCANNER
RFID
GPIO PORT
REWINDER
RFID
RFID
UP & DOWN
Buttons
ENTER Key
EXIT Key
MENU Button
To change a factory default setting using the Control Panel, begin by accessing the ADVANCED MENU:
1) Press MENU.
2) Using the UP or the DOWN Buttons, scroll to SYSTEM SETTINGS then press ENTER.
3) Scroll to MENU MODE then press ENTER.
4) Scroll to ADVANCED MENU then press ENTER.
Next, select the factory default setting to be modified (for example, RETRY ATTEMPTS):
1) Press MENU.
2) Scroll to PRINTER OPTIONS then press ENTER.
3) Scroll to RFID then press ENTER.
4) Scroll to the factory default setting to be modified then press ENTER.
5) Enter the desired setting or parameter then press ENTER.
6) Press EXIT; and, at the SAVE CHANGES prompt, press YES.
 Notes: (1) If NOT INSTALLED is displayed after selecting RFID, then the device is not equipped or
is not communicating. In this case, proceed to the MODE setting and ensure that the correct
RFID device has been selected.
(2) For User Interface details, see the Operator’s Manual.
(3) To restore factory defaults, select SET DEFAULTS in the RFID options menu.

4
To complete the setup, encoded data can be exported to a host device (with proper cabling) by enabling
OPTION FEEDBACK. The data is contained in the form <A;B;C;D;E;F>[CR] where:
A - Is the device type: R = RFID; and, S = Linear Scanner.
B - Is the status: C = entire label complete; F = faulted (failed) label; and, U = unknown.
C - Is the number of expected reads for bar codes or tags, given in two characters.
D - Is the number of good reads for bar codes or tags, given in two characters.
E - Is the printer’s internal Job and Sub Job Identifier, given in four characters each.
F - Is the data that was read, delimited with semicolons (;) on multiple reads.
Enable OPTION FEEDBACK as follows:
1) Press MENU.
2) Using Scroll to COMMUNICATIONS then press ENTER.
3) Scroll to HOST SETTINGS then press ENTER.
4) Scroll to OPTION FEEDBACK then press ENTER.
5) Enter the desired output format (RFID HEX or RFID ASCII) then press ENTER.
6) Press EXIT; and, at the SAVE CHANGES prompt, press YES.
Step 3: Calibrate the RFID Tag
To establish the critical tag to transducer distance setting and nominal power requirements, the printer
features two different RFID tag calibration methods, Quick and Standard. As shown below, while the
amount of operator interaction differs, both calibration methods accomplish the same result. Before
calibrating ensure that
• RFID media has been loaded;
• The Media Sensor has been calibrated for the RFID media; and,
• The RFID option has been enabled.
See the Operator’s Manual for details. Proceed with the RFID Tag calibration by choosing your preferred
method and executing the steps required:

5
• Quick RFID Calibration –
With the printer at READY, simultaneously press FEED
and TEST;
WED 09:32A 24MAR2006
READY
PAUSE CANCEL
FEED
CONFIGURATION
FEED Key
&
TEST Button
RFID
– or –
• Standard RFID Calibration –
1) From the ADVANCED MENU, press MENU.
2) Using the UP or DOWN Button, scroll to PRINTER
OPTIONS and press ENTER.
3) Scroll to RFID and press ENTER.
4) Scroll to PERFORM CALIBRATION and press ENTER.
WED 09:32A 14MAR 2006
OFFLINE
RFID
EXIT ENTERSYSTEM
RFID MODULE
RFID POSITION
HF SETTINGS
UHF SETTINGS
LOCK AFTER WRITE
RETRY ATTEMPTS
RFID
PERFORM CALIBRATION
SET DEFAULTS
ENTER Key
UP & DOWN
Buttons
Using either method, you will be prompted to PERFORM CALIBRATION? Answering YES at the prompt
will initiate the process (while NO will terminate it). If yes, the CALIBRATING RFID message will appear
and the printer will begin scanning the media for the RFID tag location. Once located, power calibration
occurs. Wait briefly while both processes finish.
Upon completion the media is retracted to the TOF position; a brief outcome message is displayed; and,
the database is updated with the new parameters.
 Note: If using the Standard RFID Calibration method, an additional pop-up window allows detailed
calibration results to be viewed and printed (see below).

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OUTCOME
RW
RW
RW
RW
RW
RW
RW
RW
RW
RW
RW
RW
RW
RW
RW
RW
R
RFID TAG REPORT
WED 09:52AM 12 APR2006
POWER LEVEL
0dB
RFID POSITION
1.41in.
POSITION
1.10in.
1.14in.
1.18in.
1.22in.
1.26in.
1.30in.
1.33in.
1.37in.
1.41in.
1.45in.
1.49in.
1.53in.
1.57in.
1.61in.
1.65in.
1.69in.
1.73in.
1.77in.
1.81in.
1.85in.
POWER
-4dB
-3dB
-2dB
-1dB
0dB
1dB
2dB
3dB
4dB
OUTCOME
RW
RW
RW
RW
RW
RW
RW
RW
RW
Step 4: RFID Programming Modes
The printer features two different operational modes for tag programming:
Direct Mode allows user (Host) control of RFID reading and writing, where each tag is individually
processed with status and data responses.
Label Formatting Mode uses the printer configuration to process all RFID read, write, and
exceptions as determined by a label format, and supports automatic increment and decrement
commands for numeric, alphanumeric, or hexadecimal.
 Note: (1) Both programming modes will auto-position to the RFID tag location.
(2) Reference the Class Series 2 Programmer's Manual for detailed programming information.
This is the optimum
power level and tag
position that was
established and set
in the printer during
the RFID Calibration
process.
These are tested tag
positions and outcomes,
where:
RW = Read/Write;
R = Read; and
blank = unreadable.
After establishing the
tag position, these are
the tested power levels
and outcomes, where:
RW = Read/Write;
R = Read; and
blank
=
unreadable.