metraTec QuasarLR Guide

Technical Documentation
for metraTec QuasarLR HF RFID Reader
Date: January 2020
Version: 1 6
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Table 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
2 5 Accessories 6
3 Power Supply and Electrical Specification 7
4 Communication 8
4 1 USB Driver Installation 8
4 2 Ethernet 8
5 Antenna Installation 9
5 1 FCC / ISED Compliance / Professional 9
6 Digital Input/Outputs 11
7 External Status LEDs 13
8 Internal Status LEDs 14
9 Further Notes 16
9 1 Environmental 16
9 2 Declaration of Conformity EU 16
9 3 Regulatory Information FCC / ISED (USA / Canada) 17
10 Version Control 18
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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 symbols to point out potentially
dangerous situations The following signs and symbols are used throughout the document
ATTENTION
Declares a potentially hazardous situation If this is not avoided, the product
or something in its surrounding could be damaged
NOTE
Declares notes for the user as well as other useful information, where no
harmful or dangerous situations can be expected
1 2 Security Advice
The QuasarLR HF RFID Reader was not designed for use in dangerous environments Using
this product in applications where a failure could directly result in severe injuries or death
(“high risk activities”) is not permitted This includes but is not limited to applications in
nuclear facilities, flight control systems, life support systems or weapon systems The
manufacturer denies the suitability of this device for such scenarios
1 3 Export Restrictions
The QuasarLR HF RFID Reader contains components that underlie US Export restrictions It
is therefore forbidden to export the product to countries that are on the US trade embargo
list The same applies to any countries that are on the EU embargo list
1 4 Further Documents
While this documentation explains the electrical and mechanical characteristics of the
QuasarLR RFID Reader, it might be useful to also read the metraTec Protocol Guide, which
explains the ASCII protocols used to control the reader in full detail
We also offer general information about how to set up the connection of the reader to the
antenna for optimum system performance in our HF Antenna Integration Guide
All further documents can be either found at the metraTec's product web page or are listed
at: http://www metratec com/en/support/downloads/documentation html
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2 Product Description
The QuasarLR is an HF RFID reader/writer for demanding industrial applications, where high
reading reliability, speed and extensive special tag features are needed
Highlights include a reading rate of up to 100 tag-IDs/sec and reading and writing data on
tags without needing to address them individually This allows applications directly at
conveyor belts, in production machinery and in electric control cabinets
2 1 Intended Use
RFID Reader/Writer for wireless communication with RFID transponders according to ISO
15693 It is intended to be used in commercial or industrial applications only, e g on a
factory conveyor belt, as part of a RFID gate for forklifts or inside a manufacturing machine
This hardware is only sold via our authorized resellers or directly to qualified installers
ATTENTION
Changes or modifications made to this equipment not expressly approved by
metraTec GmbH may void the FCC authorization to operate this equipment
For further information on installation see chapter 5
2 2 Technical Specification
Operating Voltage 24 V DC
Digital Inputs/Outputs optically isolated 24V DC Inputs (2x), 24 V DC Outputs
(4x), 24 V DC Out (1x)
Operating Frequency 13 56 MHz
System Impedance 50 Ohm, BNC Output
RF Output 4000 mW max
Power Consumption 500 mA
Operating Temperature 0°C bis +50°C
Dimensions 190 x 205 x 65 mm
Protection IP 40
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Conformity CE, e g EN 60950-1, ETSI 300 330
2 3 Product Drawing
2 4 Scope of Delivery
The QuasarLR RFID Reader comes with the following parts:
•QuasarLR RFID Reader
•24 V DC power supply
•Documentation, Drivers and Demo Software are available via download from
metraTec's website
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Fig. 1: Dimensions of QuasarLR RFID Reader (in mm)
190
205 15

2 5 Accessories
The following accessories and modules are available to extend and evaluate the
functionality of the QuasarLR HF RFID Module:
•Multiplexer (4x, 8x and 16x)
•Various HF antennas
•Coaxial cable
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3 Power Supply and Electrical Specification
The QuasarLR is powered using 24 V DC which are connected at the front of the device If
you do not use a power supply supplied by metraTec, please make sure that your own PSU
provides a supply voltage of high quality If possible, use a PSU with high precision/high
speed linear regulator If you use a switching PSU, please make sure that the switching
frequency is > 500 kHz
Connector Description
X3 1 GND
X3 2 24 V DC
Tab. 1: Description of Po er Connector
Operating Voltage 24 V DC
Power Consumption, RF on 500 mA
Power Consumption, RF off 150 mA
Power Consumption, Sleep 110 mA
Voltage Inputs/Outputs 24 V
Tab. 2: Maximum Rating and Electrical Limits
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Fig. 2: Po er Connector Description (ref. Tab. 1)

4 Communication
The QuasarLR offers two main options as a host interface – USB and optionally an Ethernet
connection The main advantage of the optional Ethernet interface lies in the very long
cable length that Ethernet allows between the host computer or network switch and the
reader in the field Additionally, versions with WiFi and ZigBee are available on special
request
4 1 USB Driver Installation
The basic option for connecting the QuasarLR with your host PC is using the USB
connection every reader has
1 Connect the reader with a 24 V DC power source as described before
2 Connect the reader with a PC using a USB cable
3 Install the USB driver metraTec offers the needed driver including Installation Guides
for Windows XP and Windows 7 (as downloads from metraTec's website)
4 2 Ethernet
Communication of the QuasarLR goes via the Ethernet connection to a host for data
evaluation
Factory IP address of the QuasarLR is 192.168.2.239
For changing the address, access the above IP address via web browser You will be asked
for a password Default password is „tucadmin“ You can now change the IP address via the
web mask
In case the changed address got lost, the „TUC Config Manager“ software from metraTec
can be used to search for the device and assign another IP address Software and more
documentation can be found here:
http://www metratec com/en/support/downloads/software html
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5 Antenna Installation
To send and receive data to and from the tags an appropriate HF RFID antenna (13 56 MHz,
50 Ohm) has to be connected to the reader This is done via the BNC connector on the
reader
To connect the antenna to the reader or multiplexer the devices are equipped with BNC
jacks and the cables are equipped with BNC plugs at both ends When connecting antennas
with multiplexers or readers please keep in mind that the cable has a signal dampening
effect reducing the RF power reaching the antenna If long cables are to be used in
connection with one or more multiplexers the reading range can be reduced measurably
Using higher quality cables can reduce the power loss in cases in which this is important
Recommended cables with different lengths can be ordered from metraTec as accessories
ATTENTION
Always connect a 50 Ohm antenna as described above first, before powering
the device Powering the reader without an appropriate 50 Ohm load for a
longer time could damage the reader permanently
5 1 FCC / ISED Compliance / Professional Installation
Installing a correct RFID system is a complex task Besides a safe electrical installation it is
also import to install the antenna in a correct manner to ensure nominal operation The
system can be influenced by the environment surrounding the antenna, the cables used as
well as other devices in the vicinity of the system Therefore, this system should only be
installed by professional installers that have the necessary equipment to make sure the
reader and antenna work as intended
Only the following antennas are approved to be used with the QuasarLR by the FCC
according to FCC Part 15 and ISED Canada according to RS210:
•metraTec MaxiPCB HF Antenna, Article-No : 2200 0027
•metraTec MidiPCB HF Antenna, Article-No : 2200 0086
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ATTENTION – FCC/ISED Compliance
To comply with FCC Part 15 rules in the United States / with ISED Rules in
Canada, the device must be installed by a professional installer to ensure full
compliance The operator of the device and the installer are responsible to
ensure that only certified systems are deployed in the United States / Canada
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6 Digital Input/Outputs
The QuasarLR has 2 digital input pins and 4 digital output pins which can be be read or set
via the reader The input pins are optically isolated 24 V DC inputs as common in
automation technology in general Up to 25 mA are needed to set the input to "high"
The output pins are 24 V high side switch DC outputs with a maximum current of 250 mA
per pin These can be used to directly power e g signal towers In total a maximum current
of 1000 mA for all pins is allowed Outputs are equipped with internal overcurrent and
overtemperature shutdown
The pins X2 1 and X2 2 are connected directly to the power supply input, i e the applied
voltage is 24 V DC This can be used for power supply of e g sensors, etc The power of
these pins is only limited by the power of the power supply used
Connector Description
X2 1 GND
X2 2 24 V DC Out
X2 3 Out 1 -
X2 4 Out 1 +
X2 5 Out 2 -
X2 6 Out 2 +
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Fig. 3: Connector description of QuasarLR

X2 7 Out 3 -
X2 8 Out 3 +
X2 9 Out 4 -
X2 10 Out 4 +
X2 11 In 1 -
X2 12 In 1 +
X2 13 In 2 -
X2 14 In 2 +
X2 15 GND
X2 16 24 V DC
Tab. 3: Pin Description for digital IOs. Note: All "Out X -" are connected to ground internally!
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7 External Status LEDs
The reader features 3 external status LEDs indicated the operating state
The LEDs are listed from left (24 V power connector) to right (USB connector)
Status LEDs Farbe Status
LED E1 green* 24 V Power OK
LED E2 green* RF Output on
LED E3 blue Tr nsponder detected
Tab. 4: Meaning of the external LEDs
* Revisions up to 1 1 have red LEDs instead of green ones
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8 Internal Status LEDs
Internally, the reader is equipped with 2 LED bars for status display which might be useful
for the advanced system integrator for setting up and analyzing the system's status The
LEDs can be reached by opening the upper housing half after removing the upper two
screws The LEDs are labeled on the circuit board
The LEDs of the status bar signals the status of the reader as listed in Tab 5
Status LEDs Color Status
LED S1 green Tr nsponder detected
LED S2 green RFU
LED S3 green RFU
LED S4 green RFU
LED S5 green Applic tion processor detected
LED S6 red Short circuit t the ntenn port. This is not just
b d volt ge st nding w ve r tio, but short circuit t
the ntenn port: Turn off the re der nd repl ce the
ntenn
LED S7 red Collision detected. Indic tes either collision of the
tr nsponder, or d t error due to disturb nces, or
b dly tuned ntenn
LED S8 red Overtemper ture. Turn off re der nd let it cool
down
Tab. 5: Meaning of the internal Status LEDs
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The VSWR LED bar signals the tuning of the antenna The standing wave ratio should be
better than 1:2, and there should be only green or at least orange LED lights active Tab 6
lists the LED colors
VSWR LEDs Color Value
(VSWR)
Quality of Standing Wave Ratio
LED V1 green 1 optim l
LED V2 green 1,2 very good
LED V3 or nge 1,5 good
LED V4 or nge 1,7 still ccept ble
LED V5 red 2 poor, re ding efficiency reduced. Antenn
needs to be tuned
LED V6 red 2,5 poor, re ding efficiency reduced. Antenn
needs to be tuned
LED V7 red 3 poor, re ding efficiency reduced. Antenn
needs to be tuned
LED V8 red INF poor, re ding efficiency reduced. Antenn
needs to be tuned
Tab. 6: VSWR LED Bar
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9 Further Notes
9 1 Environmental
Electronic devices like the QuasarLR are covered by the (German) ElektroG (electronic waste
law) as well as the European WEEE directive and as such may not be disposed of by way of
the normal household trash Instead they have to be recycled properly For you as our
customer this is no additional burden, however, as you can send the device back to us for
proper recycling We assure you that the devices received back will be 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 substances as required by the RoHS Directive for
many industries Hence, our products are produced in the most environmentally friendly way
possible
9 2 Declaration of Conformity EU
The QuasarLR complies with all directives and regulations applicable in the European Union
for this kind of device This especially includes all laws regarding use of spectrum and EMC
The product therefore bears the CE sign, as required by 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 possible, if required Please ask us or your system integrator for further
information
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9 3 Regulatory Information FCC / ISED (USA / Canada)
NOTE
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 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 his own expense
This device contains licence-exempt transmitter(s)/receiver(s) that comply with
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s licence-exempt
RSS(s) and part 15 of the FCC rules Operation is subject to the following two
conditions:
1 This device may not cause interference
2 This device must accept any interference, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device
L’émetteur/récepteur exempt de licence contenu dans le présent appareil est
conforme aux CNR d’Innovation, Sciences et Développement économique
Canada applicables aux appareils radio exempts de licence L’exploitation est
autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes:
1 L’appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage;
2 L’appareil doit accepter tout brouillage radioélectrique subi, même si le
brouillage est susceptible d’en compromettre le fonctionnement
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10 Version Control
Version Change by Date
1 0 created TM 17 02 2015
1 1 Chapter 8 (Internal Status LEDs) integrated TM 17 03 2015
1 2 added reference to Antenna Integration Guide; description of
USB driver installation externalized, product drawing added,
scope of delivery and temperature range corrected, minor
changes
CS 21 04 2015
1 3 Chapter on external LEDs added TM 5 10 2015
1 4 insert 4 2 Ethernet, update address KS 28 11 2016
1 5 Regulatory Information added KD 21 10 2019
1 6 Added more FCC requirements KD 29 01 2020
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Contact
metraTec GmbH
Niels-Bohr-Str 5
39106 Magdeburg, Germany
Tel : [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: support@metratec com
Web: http://www metratec com
Copyright
© 2020 metraTec GmbH
Reprint or reproduction of this documentation for other than internal purposes is only allowed with
written permission by metraTec GmbH
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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