metraTec QuasarMR1 Guide

Technical Documentation
for metraTec QuasarMR1 HF Mid-Range-Reader
Date: March 2017
Version: 2 3
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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 5
2 1 Intended Use 5
2 2 Technical Specification 5
2 3 Product Drawing 6
2 4 Scope of Delivery 6
2 5 Accessories 6
3 Power Supply and Electrical Specification 7
4 Communication 8
4 1 USB Driver Installation 8
5 Antenna Connection 9
6 Digital Input/Outputs 10
7 Further Notes 11
7 1 Environmental 11
7 2 Declaration of Conformity 11
8 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 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 QuasarMR1 HF RFID Reader was not designed for use in dangerous environments
Using this product in applications where a failure could directly results 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 QuasarMR1 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
QuasarMR1 RFID Reader, it might be useful to also read the metraTec Protocol Guide,
which explains the 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
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All further documents can be either found at the metraTec's product web page or are listed
at:
http://www metratec com  Support  Downloads  Documentation
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2 Product Description
The QuasarMR1 is a mid range RFID reader operating at a frequency of 13 65 MHz With RF
performance of 1 5 W ± 1dB and if combined with an appropriate antenna, fitting tags can
be read in a distance of up to 40 cm All tags using protocol according ISO15693 are
compatible, including a list of custom commands
Default for data transfer with an attached computer is via USB port Optionally, an additional
Ethernet connection can be included Both can be addressed via a virtual COM port or
directly via DLL Additionally, the reader comes with 8 GPIO-Pins (General Purpose Input
Output Pins) controllable by the reader software, e g to control external devices like
multiplexer or alarms
2 1 Intended Use
RFID Reader/Writer for wireless communication with RFID transponders according to ISO
15693
2 2 Technical Specification
Operating Voltage 6 5 – 9 V DC
Digital Inputs/Outputs 8 x 5 V DC
Operating Frequency 13 56 MHz
System Impedance 50 Ohm
RF Output 1 5 W +-1 dB
Power Consumption 650 mA (without Ethernet) / 800 mA (with Ethernet)
Operating Temperature -20°C to +70°C
Dimensions 130 x 105 x 44 mm
Protection IP 40 (Other on Request)
Conformity CE, e g EN 60950-1
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2 3 Product Drawing
2 4 Scope of Delivery
The QuasarMR1 RFID Reader comes with the following parts:
•QuasarMR1 RFID Reader
•7 5 V DC power supply
•Documentation, Drivers and Demo Software are available via download from
metraTec's website (http://www metratec com  Support  Downloads)
2 5 Accessories
The following accessories and modules are available to extend and evaluate the
functionality of the QuasarMR1 HF RFID Module:
•Multiplexer (4x, 8x and 16x)
•Various HF-Antennas
•Coaxial cable
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Fig. 1: Dimensions of QuasarMR1 RFID Reader (in mm)

3 Power Supply and Electrical Specification
The QuasarMR1 is powered using 6 5 – 9 V DC (7 5 V DC recommended) which are
connected at the front of the device (X3) If you do not use a power supply supplied by
metraTec, please make sure that your own PSU provides a supply voltage of sufficiently high
quality
Connector Description
X3 1 (on the right) GND
X3 2 (on the left) 6 5 – 9 V DC
Tab. 1: Description of Power onnector
Operating Voltage 7 5 V DC
Power Consumption, RF on 650 mA (without Ethernet) / 800 mA (with Ethernet)
Power Consumption, RF off 50 mA (without Ethernet) / 250 mA (with Ethernet)
Voltage Inputs/Outputs 5 V TTL (-0 3 – 5 5 V DC)
Tab. 2: Maximum Rating and Electrical Limits
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4 Communication
The QuasarMR1 offers two main options as a host interface – USB and optionally an
Ethernet connection Additionally, versions with WLAN and ZigBee are available on special
request
4 1 USB Driver Installation
The basic option for connecting the QuasarMR1 with your host PC is using the USB
connection every reader has
1 Connect the reader with a 7 5 V DC power source as described before
2 Connect the reader with a PC using a USB cable (X4)
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)
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5 Antenna Connection
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 (X1)
ATTENTION
To avoid overheating and also destruction of the antenna it has to be
designed for RF power of at least 2 W
Since the design of HF antennas can be a task requiring expert knowledge, metraTec RFID
Solutions offers a range of standard antenna types for HF applications which are compatible
to the QuasarMR1 Further, we offer an antenna design service for custom designs Most
antennas come equipped with standard BNC connectors which can be directly connected to
the QuasarMR1 In cases in which a different antenna geometry or connector is needed
please contact support@metratec com
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 HF 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 an 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
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6 Digital Input/Outputs
The QuasarMR1 has 8 digital input and output pins (X2) which can be be read or set by
firmware commands via the reader They are 5V TTL pins directly connected to the reader's
internal micro controller
ATTENTION
Make sure the pins are not charged with a power exceeding 5V DC Some
automation devices have an internal power of 24V (e g SPC, photoelectric
barrier, etc ) If 24V is connected to the pins of the QuasarMR1 without
appropriate protection measures, the device will be permanently damaged
Connector Description
X2 1 GND
X2 2 Not Connected
X2 3 Input/Output 0
X2 4 Input/Output 1
X2 5 Input/Output 2
X2 6 Input/Output 3
X2 7 Input/Output 4
X2 8 Input/Output 5
X2 9 Input/Output 6
X2 10 Input/Output 7
Tab. 3: Pin Description for digital IOs
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7 Further Notes
7 1 Environmental
Electronic devices like the QuasarMR1 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
7 2 Declaration of Conformity
The QuasarMR1 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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8 Version Control
Version hange by Date
2 0 Created in new design KD 07 12 2009
2 1 English translation CS 25 02 2015
2 2 HF Antenna Integration Guide mentioned, minor changes CS 21 04 2015
2 3 update address KS 08 03 2017
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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
© 2017 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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