metraTec hfMux-X Guide

Technical Documentation
for metraTec HF Multiplexer (4, 8 and 16 Port)
Date: Decem er 2016
Version: 2.5
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Ta le of Contents
1 General Information / Security Advice.................................................................................3
1.1 Notes on the use of this documentation........................................................................3
1.2 Security Advice..............................................................................................................3
1.3 Export Restrictions.........................................................................................................3
1.4 Further Documents........................................................................................................3
2 Product Description.............................................................................................................4
2.1 Intended Use.................................................................................................................4
2.2 Technical Specification..................................................................................................4
2.3 Product Drawing............................................................................................................5
2.4 Scope of Delivery..........................................................................................................5
3 Installation............................................................................................................................6
4 Antenna Selection................................................................................................................9
5 RF Specification..................................................................................................................10
6 Further Notes.....................................................................................................................11
6.1 Environmental..............................................................................................................11
6.2 Declaration of Conformity...........................................................................................11
7 Version Control..................................................................................................................12
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1 General Information / Security Advice
1.1 Notes on the use of this documentation
This user manual and integration guide uses different sym ols to point out potentially
dangerous situations. The following signs and sym ols are used throughout the document.
ATTENTION
Declares a potentially hazardous situation. If this is not avoided, the product
or something in its surrounding could e damaged.
NOTE
Declares notes for the user as well as other useful information, where no
harmful or dangerous situations can e expected.
1.2 Security Advice
The hfMux-X Multiplexers where not designed for use in dangerous environments. Using
these products in applications where a failure could directly result in severe injuries or death
(“high risk activities”) is not permitted. This includes ut is not limited to applications in
nuclear facilities, flight control systems, life support systems or weapon systems. The
manufacturer denies the suita ility of these devices for such scenarios.
1.3 Export Restrictions
All metraTec hfMux-X Multiplexers contain components that underlie US Export restrictions.
It is therefore for idden to export these products to countries that are on the US trade
em argo list. The same applies to any countries that are on the EU em argo list.
1.4 Further Documents
None
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2 Product Description
The metraTec hfMux-X is an RFID multiplexer for HF systems with an operating frequency of
13.56 MHz and an RF output power of 2 W (-MP version) resp. 4 W (-HP version). It allows
connecting up to four, eight or 16 antennas (depending on the product version) to a single
antenna port. This reduces system complexity and setup costs in cases where many
antennas are needed and also lowers hardware system costs as the num er of RFID readers
needed decreases.
The device works irrespective of the manufacturer of the antennas and readers used.
Furthermore, the multiplexer has a very small size and a minimal power consumption which
ena les mo ile operation. For compati ility of the multiplexer with any other HF RFID
reader, please contact the metraTec Team.
Versions with 4, 8 and 16 antenna ports are availa le.
2.1 Intended Use
The hfMux-X HF Multiplexer is a device for switching etween RFID antenna ports at a
frequency of 13.56 MHz with an RF power of up to 2 Watt (-MP version) resp. 4 Watt (-HP
version. The device is not specified for any other application or frequency.
2.2 Technical Specification
Operating Frequency 13.56 MHz
Antenna Connector BNC
Voltage 24 V DC nom. (min 18 V DC – max 26 V DC)
Control Inputs 2-4 x 24 V DC, optically isolated
Power Consumption 60 mA
Switching Time 4 µs
Temperature Range -20 °C to +70 °C
Dimensions 130 x 106 x 44 mm (hfMux-4)
190 x 104 x 39 mm (hfMux-8 and -16)
Housing/Protection IP 40
Conformity CE, eg. EN 60950-1
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2.3 Product Drawing
2.4 Scope of Delivery
The hfMux-X Multiplexer comes with the following parts:
•hfMux-X HF Multiplexer
•Control Ca le
•Documentation (availa le via download from metraTec's we site:
http://www.metratec.com  Support  Downloads)
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Fig. 1: Drawing of hfMux-4 Multiplexer, other models
accordingly (all dimensions in mm

3 Installation
Installing the hfMux-X is an easy task for experienced electrical personnel. Some important
notes should e considered as listed at the end of the installation instructions.
Step 1:
Place the multiplexer in the desired installation location and attach it there if necessary. The
device does not have a preferential mounting orientation.
Step 2:
Both the reader connection and the antenna connections are connected via BNC
connectors. No special tools are necessary for this step.
Step 3:
Connect the control lines etween reader (or any other device that controls the multiplexer)
and the multiplexer. The device has optically isolated 24 V inputs which are used y many
industrial devices, e.g. PLCs. Each input needs a 24 V line (e.g. hfMux-4: Inputs IN1+ and
IN2+) as well as a ground line (IN1- and IN2- for hfMux-4) for the differential signal. If your
devices doesn't have single GND lines, you can connect all of them to the ground of the
controlling device.
If you use a metraTec RFID Reader to control the multiplexer, just connect the multiplexer
control ca le you should have received with the multiplexer.
Step 4:
Connect the multiplexer with a 24 V power source. This can come directly from the reader if
it supports this (Pins 24V and GND).
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Technical Documentation metraTec HF Multiplexer Page 7 of 13
Fig. 4: Connector description of the hfMux-
16
Fig. 2: Connector description of the
hfMux-4
Fig. 3: Connector description of the
hfMux-8

ATTENTION
The output power of the reader may not exceed the maximum input power of
the multiplexer (2W resp. 4W). The RF in- and outputs may not e supplied
with CD offsets greater than 10 V. Disregarding may result in a damaged
device in oth cases.
ATTENTION
The multiplexer is not terminated. If there is no 50 Ohm load connected to
the selected antenna port, the signal will e reflected to the reader. This can
potentially damage the reader permanently. Please o serve the maximum
voltage standing wave ration (VSWR) of your reader.
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4 Antenna Selection
The active antenna is selected using the digital inputs of the multiplexer. Input 1 is LSB. See
the following ta le for a complete overview. The multiplexer has a fail-safe feature. If there
is no control signal, the multiplexer will connect antenna port one as active port.
Input 1 Input 2 Input 3 (8x / 16x Input 4 (16x Active Antenna
LOW LOW LOW LOW Antenna 1
HIGH LOW LOW LOW Antenna 2
LOW HIGH LOW LOW Antenna 3
HIGH HIGH LOW LOW Antenna 4
LOW LOW HIGH LOW Antenna 5
HIGH LOW HIGH LOW Antenna 6
LOW HIGH HIGH LOW Antenna 7
HIGH HIGH HIGH LOW Antenna 8
LOW LOW LOW HIGH Antenna 9
HIGH LOW LOW HIGH Antenna 10
LOW HIGH LOW HIGH Antenna 11
HIGH HIGH LOW HIGH Antenna 12
LOW LOW HIGH HIGH Antenna 13
HIGH LOW HIGH HIGH Antenna 14
LOW HIGH HIGH HIGH Antenna 15
HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH Antenna 16
Furthermore, the multiplexer is hot switcha le. This means that the antenna port can e
switched without having to turn off the HF signal. The power supply has to e connected,
however.
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5 RF Specification
The following ta le shows the insertion loss (dampening of the signal when switched on)
and the channel isolation etween the antenna ports of the multiplexer. The values were
measured in the standard version of the multiplexer with BNC connectors.
Frequency Insertion Loss Channel Isolation
13.56 MHz 0.45 dB 43 dB
The input reflection ehavior depends strongly on the type of connector used and on the
quality of the connection (e.g. dependent on connector wear).
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6 Further Notes
6.1 Environmental
Electronic devices like the hfMux-X are covered y the (German) ElektroG (electronic waste
law) as well as the European WEEE directive and as such may not e disposed of y way of
the normal household trash. Instead they have to e recycled properly. For you as our
customer this is no additional urden, however, as you can send the device ack to us for
proper recycling. We assure you that the devices received ack will e recycled properly
and in an environmentally friendly way. Our WEEE Registration ID is DE 56060482.
When selecting electronic components we additionally made sure that all components are
free of heavy metals and other harmful su stances as required y the RoHS Directive for
many industries. Hence, our products are produced in the most environmentally friendly way
possi le.
6.2 Declaration of Conformity
The hfMux-X complies with all directives and regulations applica le in the European Union
for this kind of device. This especially includes all laws regarding use of spectrum and EMC.
The product therefore ears the CE sign, as required y Directive 1999/5/EC (Radio &
Telecommunication Terminal Equipment Directive).
The product is currently not registered for use in the US or Canada. However, metraTec is
registered as a manufacturer of electronics at the FCC and IC. A certification of this product
is therefore possi le, if required. Please ask us or your system integrator for further
information.
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7 Version Control
Version Change edited by Date
1.0 created KD 12.08.2009
2.0 Translated to English KD 02.09.2012
2.1 Connector for -8 and -16 added KD 04.02.2014
2.2 minor corrections CS 18.09.2014
2.3 scope of delivery completed CS 05.11.2014
2.4 conformity notes added, dimensions
corrected, minor changes
CS 18.06.2015
2.5 update address KS 01.12.2016
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Contact
metraTec Gm H
Niels-Bohr-Str. 5
39106 Magde urg, Germany
Tel.: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
We : http://www.metratec.com
Copyright
© 2016 metraTec Gm H
Reprint or reproduction of this documentation for other than internal purposes is only allowed with
written permission y metraTec Gm H.
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
All right reserved.
We are constantly improving our products. Changes in function, form, features can happen without
prior notice.
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