extronics iRFID500 User manual

Extronics Limited, registered in England and Wales no. 03076287
Registered office 1 Dalton Way, Midpoint 18, Middlewich, Cheshire, UK. CW10 0HU
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail] Web: www.extronics.com 1
USER MANUAL:
iRFID500 handheld Bluetooth
passive UHF RFID tag reader
Revision 2.1
Updated 08/12/2016

Extronics Limited, registered in England and Wales no. 03076287
Registered office 1 Dalton Way, Midpoint 18, Middlewich, Cheshire, UK. CW10 0HU
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail] Web: www.extronics.com 2
Contents
1. Safety Instructions for Hazardous Area Units.................................................................................4
1.1 Storage of the manual............................................................................................................. 4
1.2 Special conditions for safe use................................................................................................ 4
1.3 List of notes.............................................................................................................................4
2. Additional Safety Instructions for MET Certified Units...................................................................5
3. Read me first...................................................................................................................................5
3.1 Disposal of Product ................................................................................................................. 5
4. Product description......................................................................................................................... 6
5. Front panel......................................................................................................................................7
6. USB Charger/Cable..........................................................................................................................8
7. Demonstration kit ........................................................................................................................... 9
8. Ordering options ........................................................................................................................... 10
9. Getting Started.............................................................................................................................. 11
9.1 Easy2Read mode...................................................................................................................11
9.2 HID mode ..............................................................................................................................14
9.2.1 Android devices.............................................................................................................14
9.2.2 Windows devices ..........................................................................................................16
9.2.3 Apple devices ................................................................................................................ 18
9.3 USB communication setup....................................................................................................20
10. Resetting the iRFID500..............................................................................................................20
11. iRFID500 offline mode ..............................................................................................................21
11.1 Offline mode options ............................................................................................................21
11.1.1 DWNLOAD..................................................................................................................... 21
11.1.2 ERASE ............................................................................................................................22
11.1.3 VIEWTAG....................................................................................................................... 22
11.1.4 BTSCAN..........................................................................................................................22
11.1.5 LOGOPT .........................................................................................................................22
11.1.6 DISPLAY .........................................................................................................................22

Extronics Limited, registered in England and Wales no. 03076287
Registered office 1 Dalton Way, Midpoint 18, Middlewich, Cheshire, UK. CW10 0HU
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12. iRFID500 configuration menu ...................................................................................................23
12.1 Menu options........................................................................................................................23
12.1.1 PROFILE .........................................................................................................................24
12.1.2 BEEP ..............................................................................................................................24
12.1.3 VIBRATE.........................................................................................................................25
12.1.4 POWER ..........................................................................................................................25
12.1.5 CLOCK............................................................................................................................26
13. iRFID500 technical specification ...............................................................................................27
14. iRFID500 regulatory compliance...............................................................................................29
14.1 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) compliance.....................................................29
14.2 CE compliance.......................................................................................................................30
14.3 RoHS EU Directive compliance..............................................................................................30
15. Revision control ........................................................................................................................31

Extronics Limited, registered in England and Wales no. 03076287
Registered office 1 Dalton Way, Midpoint 18, Middlewich, Cheshire, UK. CW10 0HU
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail] Web: www.extronics.com 4
1. Safety Instructions for Hazardous Area Units
1.1 Storage of the manual
Keep this user manual safe and in the vicinity of the device. All persons who have to work on or with
the device should be advised on where the manual is stored.
1.2 Special conditions for safe use
The following are Conditions of Certification and relate to safe installation and/or use of the
equipment. These must be followed to comply with the certificate.
1. The USB socket must not be used in the hazardous area
2. Equipment must only be recharged with USB charger adapter model number iRFID500UC
1.3 List of notes
The notes supplied in this chapter provide information on the following.
•Warning!
oPossible hazard to life or health.
•Caution
oPossible damage to property.
•Important
oPossible damage to enclosure, device or associated equipment.
•Information
oNotes on the optimum use of the device
Warning Always follow the connection diagrams in the manual.
Warning! iRFID500 battery should only be replaced in the safe area, by a
competent person who is approved by the manufacturer.
Important! The device contains no user serviceable parts.
Important! Any repairs or replacement of parts MUST be performed by the
manufacturer or its nominated sub-contractor or agent.

Extronics Limited, registered in England and Wales no. 03076287
Registered office 1 Dalton Way, Midpoint 18, Middlewich, Cheshire, UK. CW10 0HU
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail] Web: www.extronics.com 5
2. Additional Safety Instructions for MET Certified Units
•The Connector from the iRFID500UC charger is used as overall disconnect device, the
connector to the USB port host or USB PSU must be easily accessible
•The iRFID500UC charger must be used with an approved LPS (limited power source), this can
either be from the USB host port of a PC approved to IEC 60950-1 or a USB PSU previously
approved to IEC\EN\UL 60950-1 and classified as LPS.
3. Read me first
Please read this manual before using the device to ensure safe and proper use.
•The goal of this manual is to provide the basic information to work with the iRFID500
Bluetooth UHF RFID reader.
•Descriptions in this manual are based on the device’s default settings.
•Some content may differ from your device depending on the region, model specifications or
device software.
•Extronics is not liable for performance issues or incompatibilities due to associated
applications operating on smart devices or PCs.
•Modifying the device’s operating system or installing software from unofficial sources may
result in device malfunction and data corruption or loss. These actions are violations of
Extronics conditions of sale and will void both your hazardous area certification and the
product warranty.
•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 Extronics.
•The information contained herein has been carefully checked and is believed to be accurate;
however, no responsibility is assumed for inaccuracies. Extronics reserves the right to modify
its product specifications without giving any notice; for up to date information please visit
www.extronics.com.
3.1 Disposal of Product
Do not dispose of the product in municipal or household waste. Please check your
local regulations for disposal or recycling of electronic products.

Extronics Limited, registered in England and Wales no. 03076287
Registered office 1 Dalton Way, Midpoint 18, Middlewich, Cheshire, UK. CW10 0HU
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4. Product description
The iRFID500 is a handheld reader designed for hazardous areas and harsh environments.
The hazardous area versions are intrinsically safe, certified to ATEX/IECEx zones 0, 1, and 2 and for
M1 mining. In addition, it is certified for Class 1 Div 1 in North America.
It is also available in an industrial version, suitable for harsh environments requiring rugged
equipment. This version offers the same functionality as the hazardous area version but is not
suitable for use in hazardous areas.
The iRFID500 has an integrated antenna suited for short to medium range applications and, thanks
to the Bluetooth® communication interface, it is a perfect UHF RFID add-on for any Bluetooth®
enabled host such as a PC, a smartphone, a PDA, or a tablet. The reader is compatible with Windows
XP/7/10, Windows CE/Mobile, Android, iPhone, and iPad. It is a Bluetooth class 2 device and is
compliant with UHF RFID ISO 18000-6C/EPC C1G2 standards.
The HID mode supports native keyboard emulation allowing it to interact directly with applications,
office automation SW or any other generic solution requiring manual input.
Designed for use by mobile operators in indoor or outdoor areas, the iRFID500 is ideal for inventory
management, service and maintenance applications.
Industrial
“IRFID Black”
Suitable for harsh
environments
Black collar and black fascia
Ex certified
“iRFID Blue”
Suitable for hazardous areas
Blue collar and blue fascia
Label on reverse detailing the
Ex certification

Extronics Limited, registered in England and Wales no. 03076287
Registered office 1 Dalton Way, Midpoint 18, Middlewich, Cheshire, UK. CW10 0HU
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5. Front panel
Link LED
Status
Description
Off
No connection established
Orange
USB charger/cable connected
Blue
Bluetooth connected
Power LED
Status
Description
Green
Reader is active and the battery is above 35% charged
Orange
Reader is active and the battery is between 15% and 35% charged
Red
Reader is active and the battery is below 15% charged
Trigger button
Inventory mode: press to
activate an inventory
cycle (hold down to
repeat inventory cycles)
Menu mode: quick press
to scroll, hold down to
activate the chosen option
Power LED
Changes colour to
indicate reader status
and power level. See
table below for more
information
Link LED
Changes colour to indicate
Bluetooth and USB
charger/cable connection.
See table below for more
information
LCD display
Alphanumeric 8
characters by 2 lines
Power button
Press once to switch on
the reader or hold down
for 2 seconds to switch
off the reader.
Menu mode: press to
return to the main menu

Extronics Limited, registered in England and Wales no. 03076287
Registered office 1 Dalton Way, Midpoint 18, Middlewich, Cheshire, UK. CW10 0HU
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6. USB Charger/Cable
The iRFID500 is supplied with a USB charger/cable. When the reader is charging, the display lights up
and shows a blinking charge indicator message. The display shows a static message, “charge 100%”,
to indicate charging is complete.
Warning: The hazardous area certified versions of the iRFID500 must not be charged
within the hazardous area under any circumstances.
Attention: Empty battery condition
If the battery becomes fully discharged, the display may not illuminate when the USB
charger/cable is connected. If this occurs, leave the reader connected for at least 5
minutes, then disconnect the USB charger/cable and perform the reset procedure as
explained in section 9 of this manual. Switch off the reader by pressing the power
button and then reconnect the USB charger/cable again.
Attention: Voltage levels
Note: only the USB charger/cable supplied may be used, as it provides the correct
voltages for the reader. Other USB cables are not suitable for charging the iRFID500.
The USB charger/cable should not be used to charge any other device as the higher
voltage level may cause damage to the attached device.
A micro USB type B socket is located on the bottom side of the iRFID500 and can be used to connect
the reader to a USB host port or to an AC/DC plug top charger.

Extronics Limited, registered in England and Wales no. 03076287
Registered office 1 Dalton Way, Midpoint 18, Middlewich, Cheshire, UK. CW10 0HU
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail] Web: www.extronics.com 9
7. Demonstration kit
To test the iRFID500 in your own environment, a demonstration kit is available. This includes:
•iRFID500 (variant of your choice)
•USB charger/cable
•Wrist strap lanyard
•A selection of Extronics iTAG500 passive tags
The demonstration kit also gives you access to the CAEN easy2read app and the Software
Development Kits (SDKs) for Windows or Android, so you can try potential integrations with your
systems.

Extronics Limited, registered in England and Wales no. 03076287
Registered office 1 Dalton Way, Midpoint 18, Middlewich, Cheshire, UK. CW10 0HU
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8. Ordering options
Name
Hazardous area
Certificate
Frequency
Order Code
Reader
iRFID Blue
ATEX/IECEx
ETSI
iRFID50001
MET
FCC
iRFID50003
iRFID Black Not for use in
hazardous areas
ETSI
iRFID50005
FCC
iRFID50007
Demonstration kit
iRFID Demo
Black
ETSI
iRFID500DK1
FCC
iRFID500DK2
iRFID Demo
Blue
ATEX/IECEx
ETSI
iRFID500DK3
MET
FCC
iRFID500DK4
USB charger/cable
*
All models
iRFID500UC
* USB charger/cable is identical for all models.

Extronics Limited, registered in England and Wales no. 03076287
Registered office 1 Dalton Way, Midpoint 18, Middlewich, Cheshire, UK. CW10 0HU
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9. Getting Started
The IRFID500 has two communication interfaces: Bluetooth and USB. The Bluetooth interface is the
preferred communication using the SPP profile (Serial Port Profile).
After powering on the reader, the Bluetooth interface is available to accept incoming connection
requests (discoverable) from Bluetooth enabled hosts like PCs, PDAs, tablets, and smartphones.
In the IRFID500 configuration menu you can choose between two different profile options:
•EASY2RD (factory default): choosing this option you select the CAEN RFID easy2read
communication protocol. Select this option in order to control the reader using the CAEN
RFID Easy Controller application or the SDK (Software Development Kit) library.
•HID: choosing this option you select the keyboard emulation protocol. For details on the use
on the HID profile please refer to iRFID500 HID PROFILE in section 8.2 of this manual.
The iRFID500 factory profile is set to EASY2RD.
9.1 Easy2Read mode
Bluetooth Communication Setup using the Easy Controller for Android
1. Download in to your smart device the CAEN RFID Easy Controller for Android app from the
Google Play store.
2. Launch the CAEN RFID Easy Controller app.
3. Click on Add
Reader
4. Click on Bluetooth

Extronics Limited, registered in England and Wales no. 03076287
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5. Click on “yes” to
confirm the Bluetooth
permission request
6. Click Here to select
the iRFID500 reader
7. Confirm the passkey
8. Once the connection is
established the Bluetooth
LED turns blue

Extronics Limited, registered in England and Wales no. 03076287
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9. To start using your
iRFID500, click on the
reader ID line
10. Click on start inventory
11. A list of the tags
read will be shown

Extronics Limited, registered in England and Wales no. 03076287
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9.2 HID mode
By choosing the HID profile option you select the keyboard emulation protocol. The HID profile can
be connected to all devices and different operating systems (Android, Windows, and iOS).
9.2.1 Android devices
On your Android device, go to Settings and enable the Bluetooth.
1. A list of the
Bluetooth available
devices will be shown
2. Click on the
iRFID500 reader and
wait while the pairing
is completed
3. Click OK to confirm
the passcode if
required

Extronics Limited, registered in England and Wales no. 03076287
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4. Once the connection is established the Bluetooth blue LED turns on.
5. Launch a text editing app (or any other app accepting keyboard input).
6. Start an inventory read by pressing the trigger button.
Note that when configured in HID profile and paired to a device, the iRFID500 will automatically
reconnect to the same device every time the Bluetooth link is active (iRFID500 switched ON and
Bluetooth activated on the host). When the iRFID500 is switched on, the blue LED lights up
automatically to verify the Bluetooth link is active.
7. In the text editing
app window you will
see the identity number
of each tag read

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9.2.2 Windows devices
On your Windows device / PC, right click on the Bluetooth icon in the taskbar
1. Click on Add a
Bluetooth Device
2. Select the
iRFID500 reader and
click on “Pair”

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4. Once the connection is established the Bluetooth blue LED turns on.
5. Launch a text editing app (or any other app accepting keyboard input).
6. Start an inventory cycle by pressing the trigger button.
Example with Microsoft Excel
Note that when configured in HID profile and paired to a device, the iRFID500 will automatically
reconnect to the same device every time the Bluetooth link is active (iRFID500 switched ON and
Bluetooth activated on the host).
3. Click on “yes” to
confirm the passcode
7. In the window you will
see the identity number
of each tag read

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9.2.3 Apple devices
1. On your device, go
to Settings and
enable Bluetooth
2. A list of the
available Bluetooth
devices is shown

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4. Once the connection is established the Bluetooth blue LED turns on.
5. Launch a text editing app (or any other app accepting keyboard input).
6. Start an inventory cycle by pressing the trigger button.
3. Click on the
iRFID500 reader and
wait while the pairing
is completed:
7. In the app window you
will see the identity
number of each tag read

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9.3 USB communication setup
The iRFID500 reader can be connected to a PC using the provided USB charger/cable and it is
detected by the PC as an emulated serial port. In order to correctly operate with the reader you
need to install a driver.
1. Power ON the reader and plug the USB charger/cable into the iRFID500USB port.
2. In order to connect the iRFID500 reader to the PC you need to install the VCP (Virtual Com
Port) drivers for your operating system. You can download VCP drivers for Windows based
systems from the CAEN RFID Web Site, SW/FW section or from the Software and Firmware
download area.
3. Open the System properties: go to Control Panel → All Control Panel Items → System and
click on Device Manager.
4. After having installed the driver, the reader is detected by the PC as an emulated serial port
(VCP)
Note that when configured in the HID profile, the iRFID500 reader cannot be controlled using the
CAEN RFID Easy Controller application.
The iRFID500 reader, when configured in the HID profile and connected via USB to a PC, sends the
identity numbers of the detected tags via the serial port as ASCII characters. So, in order to operate
with the reader in this configuration, follow these steps:
1. Launch a terminal emulator application (e.g Hyperterminal)
2. Connect the terminal emulator application to the virtual COM port assigned to the iRFID500
reader
3. Press the trigger button to perform an inventory cycle (hold down the button to repeat
inventory cycles)
The identity numbers are displayed on the terminal emulator window
10. Resetting the iRFID500
To reset the reader, press the power and the trigger buttons (see Section 4. iRFID500 Front Panel)
simultaneously for about six seconds and then release the buttons. The reader restarts by itself.
Attention: Reset Warning
Note that the reader MUST NOT be connected to the USB charger/cable during a
reset, otherwise the reader enters in the firmware upgrade state. If, by mistake, you
enter in the firmware upgrade state, restore the normal reader operation by
disconnecting the USB charger/cable and repeat the reset procedure once again.