Elatec TCPConv User manual

TCPConv
Technical Manual
DocRev5

Elatec RFID Systems
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Content
1. OVERVIEW.................................................................................................................................................. 3
2. CONNECTORS, CONTROLS, LEDS........................................................................................................ 3
3. OPERATING TCPCONV............................................................................................................................ 5
3.1 SIMPLE SCENARIO.................................................................................................................................... 5
3.2 TYPICAL SCENARIO.................................................................................................................................. 6
4. PORTS........................................................................................................................................................... 7
4.1 RS232 PORT ............................................................................................................................................ 7
4.2 USB PORT ............................................................................................................................................... 7
5. ADMINISTRATION OF TCPCONV......................................................................................................... 8
5.1 REQUIREMENTS FOR TCCONFIG .............................................................................................................. 8
5.2 INSTALLATION OF TCCONFIG .................................................................................................................. 8
5.3 STARTING TCCONFIG .............................................................................................................................. 9
5.4 LOGGING ON TO TCPCONV................................................................................................................... 10
5.5 CONFIGURING TCPCONV....................................................................................................................... 11
5.5.1 Network Configuration.................................................................................................................. 12
5.5.2 RS232 Configuration..................................................................................................................... 12
5.5.3 USB Configuration........................................................................................................................ 13
5.5.4 Configuring a TCP Link................................................................................................................ 14
5.6 RESTARTING TCPCONV......................................................................................................................... 16
5.7 CHANGING LOG-ON INFORMATION........................................................................................................ 16
5.8 TESTING TCPCONV ............................................................................................................................... 16
5.9 UPDATING THE FIRMWARE OF TCPCONV.............................................................................................. 18
6. FIRMWARE HISTORY............................................................................................................................ 19
7. TECHNICAL DATA.................................................................................................................................. 20
8. REGULATORY INFORMATION ........................................................................................................... 21
8.1 CE DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY ...................................................................................................... 21
8.2 FCC STATEMENT................................................................................................................................... 21
9. TRADEMARKS.......................................................................................................................................... 21

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1. Overview
TCPConv is a device, which enables the connection of a USB or RS232 device to a local area network
(LAN). Data can be transferred between device and host via LAN/WAN. This enables applications,
where peripheral devices such as RFID transponder readers should be controlled via long distances.
TCPConv has one RS232 and one USB port. Both ports can be operated at the same time and
independent of each other.
2. Connectors, Controls, LEDs
Following LEDs are located at the top side of TCPConv:
(1) Green LED
This LED is turned on as soon as power is supplied to TCPConv via a DC power supply. The
green LED flickers (= turned off for a short moment) as soon as data is transferred via
TCPConv.
(2) Red LED
This LED is normally off. As soon as an error occurs, this LED flashes (= turned on for a short
moment). There are following error conditions:
a. TCPConv is not able to establish a TCP/IP connection to a configured server (please
also see detailed description regarding configuration of TCP/IP server connections)
b. TCP/IP traffic was not able to be delivered to a destination address due to
communication timeout.
1
2

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(3) RS232 Port
This port allows connection of RS232 device. The connected RS232 device may be self-
powered or powered via TCPConv itself. This requires a RS232 device which can be powered
with 5V at pin 9 of the RS232 port. See detailed description of the RS232 port.
(4) USB Port
This port allows connection of USB devices. In order to operate USB devices, the USB device
must meet specific requirements regarding supported communication protocol. See detailed
description of the USB port.
(5) DC power supply
In order to operate TCPConv, it must be supplied with appropriate voltage. Elatec offers
appropriate power supplies as optional accessory.
(6) Reset button
TCPConv can restarted with this push button. A restart is identical to a power cycle (= turning
on and off the power supply). In order to restore original factory configuration of
TCPConv, push the reset button for at least 5 seconds.
(7) Ethernet ports
The two Ethernet ports do connect directly to a Ethernet switch, which is integrated into
TCPConv.
3
4
5
6
7

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Each of the two Ethernet ports is equipped with two LEDs:
(8) Yellow LED
This LED indicates the link speed:
a. If the LED is turned on, the current link speed is 100Mbit/s.
b. If the LED is turned off, the current link speed is 10Mbit/s.
(9) Green LED
This is the combined LED indicating a link and carrier sense signal.
3. Operating TCPConv
3.1 Simple Scenario
A simple scenario, where a TCPConv can be operated or tested, looks as follows:
This simple scenario operates a personal computer (“PC”, “Computer”), which is connected via
Ethernet and a network switch to TCPConv. A peripheral device (e.g. Elatec TWN3 or TWN4 RFID
reader) is connected to the TCPConv via RS232 or USB.
In this scenario, an ID, which is read by the peripheral device, is sent via TCPConv to the personal
computer.
In order to receive and operate the received data on the personal computer, it is required to run an
appropriate application, which is able to connect to the LAN. For testing, this could be TCConfig
(“TCPConv Configuration Program”), which allows running a simple TCP/IP server or client.
TCPConv
Network
Switch
Peripheral
Device
Personal
Computer
8
9

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3.2 Typical Scenario
A typical scenario, where a TCPConv is operated looks a follows:
This scenario is showing a typical application for TCPConv. It shows the topology for a RFID-based
printing solution:
An ID is read via a peripheral device, which is connected to TCPConv (either RS232 or USB). This ID
is sent via TCPConv and the LAN to the host computer. The host is evaluating this ID and depending
on the result releasing and sending a print job to the printer. TCPConv allows placing the RFID reader
nearby the printer even if the printer itself has no possibilities to connect a RFID reader. Furthermore
and due to its built-in 2-port network switch TCPConv allows connecting the peripheral device without
routing an additional LAN cable from the printer to the network switch.
TCPConv
Network
Switch
Peripheral
Device
Host
Computer

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4. Ports
TCPConv has one RS232 and one USB port. Both ports can be operated at the same time and
independent of each other.
4.1 RS232 Port
The RS232 port allows connection of many different peripheral devices such as RFID transponder
readers. The communication parameters can be configured via TCConfig. The pin out is identical to a
normal PC RS232 port except pin 9, which is reserved for special use. The pin assignment is as
follows:
Pin
Signal
1
DCD
2
RXD
3
TXD
4
DTR
5
Device Ground
6
DSR
7
RTS
8
CTS
9
+5V
Output for supplying
connected devices.
Frame
Device Shield
4.2 USB Port
The USB port allows connection of specific USB devices. Firmware V1.08 of TCPConv is able to
operate following USB devices:
Manufacturer
Device Type
Function
Elatec
TWN3, TWN4
HID keyboard emulation
Elatec
TWN3, TWN4
Virtual COM port (intelligent or transparent
mode)
-
USB Keyboard
USB HID keyboards or USB devices emulating a
HID keyboard
Please contact Elatec for support of specific USB devices.

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5. Administration of TCPConv
In order to operate TCPConv in a specific network environment, an appropriate configuration of the
device is necessary.
For the configuration of TCPConv a program is delivered as part of the developer pack for TCPConv.
The program is called TCConfig.
5.1 Requirements for TCConfig
TCConfig has following requirements for proper operation:
PC with operating system Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7.
.NET Framework 3.5
Proper configured TCP/IP network connection
5.2 Installation of TCConfig
TCConfig does not require to be installed. It consists of the single file TCConfig.exe. This executable
is part of the developer pack for TCConfig. Normally you simply would unpack the developer pack into
an empty directory on your hard disk.

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5.3 Starting TCConfig
Start TCConfig by double clicking TCConfig.exe. The following main dialog appears:
If one or more TCPConv are connected to the network, the devices will be displayed in the list of
devices.
Please note:
Only TCPConv, which are connected to the local network segment, will be detected by
TCConfig.
Therefore, only TCPConv, which are connected to the local network, can be configured with
TCConfig.
TCConfig is searching TCPConv via UDP broadcast. Even TCPConv, which are not
configured properly, will be found and displayed.

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5.4 Logging On to TCPConv
On order to do any configuration of TCPConv, the administrator has to specify a name and a
password. Name and password can be configured. The default log-on information is name “admin”
leaving password empty.
Please note:
TCPConv will delete log-on information after 5 minutes of inactivity. This means, after 5 minutes of
inactivity, the administrator has to specify log-on information again.

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5.5 Configuring TCPConv
In order to change the configuration of TCPConv, in the main dialog of TCConfig select the
appropriate device in the list of devices and click the button “Configuration”. After a successful log on,
the following dialog appears:
Please note:
In order to finally make the new configuration working, it is necessary to
Close the configuration dialog with the button “OK”. The “Cancel” button will discard all made
changes.
After closing the configuration button with the button “OK”. The new configuration is written to
the selected TCPConv, but TCPConv is still working with the old configuration. The new
configuration will take an effect as soon as the device is restarted. There are three ways to
restart the device:
1) A power cycle (turning off and on the power of TCPConv). In order to display up-to-
date information within TCConfig, the button “Search” should be clicked.
2) Pressing the reset button of TCPConv. In order to display up-to-date information
within TCConfig, the button “Search” should be clicked.
3) Clicking the button “Restart”. This is the simplest and therefore preferred way of
restarting TCPConv.

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5.5.1 Network Configuration
Please select the tab folder “Network” in order to change the network settings of TCPConv.
The default network settings of TCPConv are:
Setting
Default Value
Device Name
DEFAULTNAME
DHCP
Off
IP-Address
192.168.0.98
Network Mask
255.255.255.0
Gateway
0.0.0.0
In order to better distinguish different TCPConvs in a network, a name (“Device Name”) can be
assigned to the device. This name is displayed in the list of devices in the main dialog for each device
which is found by TCConfig. There is no further meaning to this device name. The maximum length of
the device name is 16 bytes. The name is internally stored in UTF-8 format. This means, that special
characters may limit the maximum length of the device name to less than 16 characters.
5.5.2 RS232 Configuration
Please select the tab folder “RS232” in order to change the settings for the RS232 port of TCPConv.
The dialog is separated into three parts, “Communication Parameters”, “TCP Server” and “TCP
Client”.
The sections “TCP Server” and “TCP Client” are identical for the RS232 and USB port. Therefore this
two sections are explained separately later in this document.

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5.5.2.1 RS232 Communication Parameters
These are the default and possible RS232 communication parameters:
Parameter
Default Value
Possible Values
Baud rate
9600 Baud
300 Baud, 600 Baud, 1200 Baud,
2400 Baud, 4800 Baud,
9600 Baud, 19200 Baud,
38400 Baud, 57600 Baud,
115200 Baud
Data bits
8
7 or 8
Parity
None
None, Even or Odd
Stop bits
1
1 or 2
5.5.3 USB Configuration
Please select the tab folder “USB” in order to change the settings for the USB port of TCPConv.

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5.5.3.1 USB Communication Parameters
These are the default and possible USB communication parameters:
Parameter
Default Value
Possible Values
Baud rate
9600 Baud
300 Baud, 600 Baud, 1200 Baud,
2400 Baud, 4800 Baud,
9600 Baud, 19200 Baud,
38400 Baud, 57600 Baud,
115200 Baud
Data bits
8
7 or 8
Parity
None
None, Even or Odd
Stop bits
1
1 or 2
Please note:
The USB communication parameters only have an influence to appropriate USB devices such
as USB/serial converter. Currently, no such devices are supported by TCPConv. Therefore,
the USB communication parameters are reserved for future use.
Elatec’s families of USB RFID transponder readers (TWN3 and TWN4) are operating
independent of the settings above.
5.5.3.2 Binding USB Devices
TCPConv allows accepting USB devices with specific product ID and vendor ID only. In order to do so,
specify according USB product and vendor ID in hexadecimal digits in the dialog. Both product and
vendor ID must be specified. If only product or vendor ID is specified, the given information is refused
and any USB device will be accepted.
5.5.4 Configuring a TCP Link
Before a link can be established between TCPConv and a host, the type of connection has to be
determined. Generally spoken a TCP connection is always initiated by a client. The connection is
always established against a server. TCPConv can be configured to act as a client or a server.
Link initiated
by
TCPConv must
be configured as
Host acts as
Host
TCP Client
TCP Server
TCPConv
TCP Server
TCP Client
Please note:
If a port (RS232 or USB) acts as client or server can be configured for both ports and
independent of each other.
It is possible to configure both RS232 and USB to act as a client, which initiate a connection to
identical TCP/IP address and TCP port number.

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5.5.4.1 Configuring a TCP Server
By default, TCPConv is configured as TCP server. On the side of TCPConv, this is the easier way to
configure the link, because only the appropriate port has to be set up. Depending on the RS232 or
USB interface of TCPConv, the default ports are:
Interface
Default TCP Port
RS232
7777
USB
7778
In order to activate operation as TCP server, click the checkbox “TCP Server” in the appropriate tab
folder (“V24” or “USB”)
Furthermore, the appropriate TCP port must be configured.
5.5.4.2 Configuring a TCP Client
In order to activate operation as TCP client, click the checkbox “TCP Client” in the appropriate tab
folder (“V24” or “USB”). Furthermore, some more information has to be enteredIn order to configure a
TCP client, some more information is required:
Remote IP address and port of the TCP server TCPConv should connect to
The way in which a connection should be initiated.
All these information can be entered in the dialog field as shown below:
Please note:
It is possible to turn off both TCP Client and TCP Server functionality of a selected port. In
order to do so, click the checkbox of the currently configured functionality (“TCP Client” or
“TCP Server”). Finally, neither the checkbox “TCP Client” nor “TCP Server” is activated and
therefore, this port is “turned off”.

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5.6 Restarting TCPConv
In order to take effect of any changes having been made to the configuration of TCPConv, it must be
restarted. In order to restart TCPConv, there are two possibilities:
Press the button “Restart” in the main dialog of TCConfig
Press the reset button of TCPConv
5.7 Changing Log-On Information
In order to change log-on information, click button “Change Name/Password” in the main dialog. This
will open another dialog, where appropriate information can be entered. The password must be
entered twice and identical in order to be accepted as a valid password.
5.8 Testing TCPConv
The configuration program TCConfig offers an easy way for testing the functionality of TCPConv:
As soon as a device is selected in the main dialog of TCConfig, the configuration of the device is
evaluated. Depending on the configuration of the selected TCPConv, the appropriate buttons are
enabled in the main dialog.
The example below shows the default setup of a TCPConv: Both interface (RS232 and USB) are
configured as TCP server. Therefore, the buttons “V24 Client” and “USB Client” are enabled.
It is now possible to establish a link between TCConfig and TCPConv simply by clicking one of the two
buttons depending on which of the two interfaces of TCPConv should be tested.
As soon as a button is clicked, a terminal window appears, which displays sent and received
characters. In the example below, the button “USB Client” has been clicked. This USB client initiates a
link to the USB interface of TCPConv.

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In the first line of the screen show above, the connection to the server has been logged. The two
following lines are showing transponder IDs, which have been sent from a transponder reader (e.g.
TWN3 or TWN4) via the USB interface of TCPConv to this terminal window of TCConfig.
Please note:
It is possible to open a terminal window for each of the two ports of TCPConv at the same
time.
Testing of a connection between TCPConv and TCConfig requires a proper setup network
connection.
Testing with TCConfig is only possible, if both TCConfig and TCPConv reside in the same
subnet. Otherwise TCConfig is not able to detect the TCPConv in the network.
The terminal window can display ASCII data only. If control characters are received, a ‘?’ is
displayed instead.
ASCII data can be sent to the connected device by simply hitting the appropriate keys in the
terminal window.

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5.9 Updating the Firmware of TCPConv
TCConfig offers the possibility of updating the firmware. This can be achieved with the following steps:
1) In the main dialog of TCConfig select one of the listed TCPConv.
2) As soon as a device is selected, the button “Update Firmware” will be enabled. Click this
button.
3) A dialog is opened, where you can select the appropriate firmware image. Firmware images
for TCPConv have the extension “.bix”.
4) After accepting the firmware image in the file dialog with the button “OK”, the firmware will be
programmed immediately. The programming progress is shown in the protocol section of the
main dialog.
Please note:
If there is any interruption of the programming process (loss of power, system crash) it is
possible to repeat the programming sequence. In this situation, TCPConv will be detected and
displayed by TCConfig as “TCPConv (Bootloader)”.

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6. Firmware History
Version
Changes
V1.01
Initial release
V1.02
USB device Elatec TWN3 and TWN4 configured in
keyboard emulation are supported
Status LEDs do blink instead being turned off for a
long time. This gives a better usage experience.
V1.03
Hotfix for handling big Ethernet frames
V1.04
Configuration is protected by log-on information
Possibility for connection of any USB device, which
emulates a HID keyboard
Bind USB devices with specific vendor and product ID
V1.08
Fix issue regarding slow communication in big network
environments
Fix issue regarding DHCP lease time

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7. Technical Data
Section
Parameter
Value
Housing
Material
ABS V0
Dimensions
82mm x 65mm x 25mm
Power
Power Supply
External wall plug 5V
Supply Current
300mA (max., no external load), up to 800mA
Environment
Temperature Range
0°C to 50°C
Humidity
10% to 90%, none condensing
Ethernet Switch
Transfer Rate
10/100Mbit/s
Other Features
Auto MDI/MDIX
USB
Type
USB Host
Supported Devices
Elatec TWN3 and TWN4 transponder readers and HID
keyboards
Please contact Elatec for your specific device!
Maximum Current
500mA
RS232
Baudrate
Configurable 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600,
19200, 38400, 57600 or 115200 Baud
Databits
7 or 8 Bits
Parity
None, even or odd parity
Stop bits
1 or 2 stop bits
Connections
Ethernet
2 x RJ45, 10/100BaseT
USB
1 x USB-A receptacle
RS232
1 x DSUB 9pos
Power
For plug 5.5mm/2.1mm
LAN
Communication
Protocols
TCP, IPV4 (IPV6 on request), DHCP, ARP, PING
Modes of Operation
TCP Server:
Device is connected by a TCP client.
TCP Client:
Device connects automatically to a specified TCP
server. Connection may be triggered by incoming flow
of data on either the USB or RS232 port.
Disclaimer:
Elatec preserves the right to change technical data at any time and without notice.