minova MCR04G User manual

MCR04G RFID Reader
Ethernet
13,56 MHz ISO14443
User Manual
June 2022 Rev 1.0

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Minova Technology GmbH
Company Headquarters
Auf dem Wall 29
78628 Rottweil
Germany
www.minovatech.de
The information contained herein is provided solely for the purpose of allowing customers to
operate and service Minova manufactured equipment and is not to be released, reproduced, or
used for any other purpose without written permission of Minova Technology. Information
and specifications contained in this document are subject to change without prior notice and
do not represent a commitment on the part of Minova Technology.
© 2022 by Minova Technology GmbH. All rights reserved.

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Revision History
Changes of this document are listed below:
Date
Rev
Note
10.06.2022
1.0
Standard release

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Table of Content
1Introduction.......................................................................................................... 5
2Server & Client Protocols .................................................................................... 5
2.1.1 TCP/IP Client Mode Operation..............................................................................5
2.1.2 TCP/IP Server Mode Operation.............................................................................5
3Terminal Setup & Settings................................................................................... 5
3.1 miFinder Configuration Software ..............................................................................6
3.1.1 Automatic IP (DHCP) Mode..................................................................................8
3.1.2 Constant / Static IP Mode.......................................................................................8
3.1.3 Client and Web Client Modes of Operation...........................................................9
3.2 Message Formats from Server to Terminal..............................................................10
3.2.1 Example Operation...............................................................................................11
4Offline Mode of Operation ................................................................................. 12
4.1.1 Offline examples:.................................................................................................13
5Example Operation with GSA............................................................................ 14
6Test Connection with Hercules.......................................................................... 15

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1 Introduction
MCR series are high performance and flexible ISO14443-A OEM contactless smart card readers
supporting read-write capabilities. The readers are based on the 13.56 MHz contactless technology
and are fully compatible with the entire MIFARE® family, as well as supporting ISO14443A
contactless standard. The readers come with Ethernet connectivity and have extensive software
support package that is optimized for easy integration.
2 Server & Client Protocols
MCR Ethernet Terminals can be used in either Client or Server. In client mode the terminal connect to
a remote server that it listening a TCP/UDP port. Server may accept multiple connections. MCR
Terminals can be used as Server. The terminal listens own port and can accept a connection request
from outside. In this case terminal’s IP number is to be static. It depends on the application whether
the terminal is in Client or Server mode.
2.1.1 TCP/IP Client Mode Operation
When the terminal is set to operate in client mode it tries to connect a remote server IP & Port set in
configuration.
2.1.2 TCP/IP Server Mode Operation
When the terminal is set to operate in server mode it listens own TCP port to accept outcoming
request from other clients.
3 Terminal Setup & Settings
The terminal can be configured on a network (LAN). To start setup terminal must be in a network that
supports DHCP. The terminal needs to acquire an IP from a DHCP server on your network.
Configuration is made through and UDP protocol so it advisable to use a firewall free network. Most of
the firewalls filter UDP.
For the first time setup you can use miFinder software. miFinder can discover all terminals on your
network. After MCR0x is up i.e. (after gained an IP from your network) you can use miFinder. It is also
advisable to turn off any firewall & antivirus software before running miFinder. As stated before,
firewalls on PC may prevent to discover the network.

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3.1 miFinder Configuration Software
Using miFinder you can set various parameters related to terminals. Some parameters are specific to
each terminal and some parameters are global to all terminals. After all setup, your device is listed or
discovered as given below.
If your terminal is not discovered, press Discover button again.
miFinder Main Screen
In main window of miFinder you can the following parameters
•Restart or Reset all terminals connected to network.
•Setting DHCP parameter of all terminals connected to network.
•Setting the baud-rate of RS232 / RS485 / USB port.
•Setting the Real Time Clock of all terminals connected to network.
•Setting the Client mode type: Web or Normal Socket Client of all terminals connected to
network.
•Setting the remote parameters or firmware update of all terminals connected to network.
•Setting the remote NTP server parameters of all terminals connected to network. NTP server
can be used to set automatically if the device can access internet (www).
•Enter to update mode to check firmware update of all terminals connected to network.

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miFinder main window view
To enter a detailed setup of a particular terminal select a device from the list and double click to see a
particular terminal setting window in miFinder. This window gives you a detailed setup of each
terminal. Please note that these settings are specific to each terminal. Below given a snapshot of
detailed settings window of miFinder.
miFinder Terminal Setting Window
This setting window gives you to:
•Set the terminal IP static or dynamic
•Set protocol type of operation of the terminal: UDP or TCP
Restart Terminals
On Network
Set DHCP Mode of
All Terminals
Set Baud of Serial
Port
Set RTC of All
Terminals
Set Client Mode of
All Terminals
Set Update
Parameters of All
Terminals
Set NTP Server for
RTC of All Terminals
Enter Update Mode
of All Terminals

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•Set UDP remote ip & port
•Set TCP operation mode: Client or Server
•Set TCP remote ip and server port
•Set remote request file with GET in Web-Client mode
•Set / Clear Relays to test
•Give a alias name to terminal (i.e. MCR_Gate1 etc.)
•Set & View LCD Screen Texts ( App. Specific section )
3.1.1 Automatic IP (DHCP) Mode
In miFinder’s main screen, in Set DHCP Mode section, select ON and press Set DHCP Mode button.
Then all terminals restart and try to access a DHCP server to get an IP address from your network.
Please note that your network must have a DHCP enabled management device.
DHCP Mode Setting
3.1.2 Constant / Static IP Mode
The terminal is set up with the following IP parameters for static operation at factory.
Parameter
Value
IP Address
192.168.1.100
Gateway Address
192.168.1.1
Net Mask
255.255.255.0
Primary DNS
192.168.1.1
Secondary DNS
192.168.1.1
However, most of the terminals manufactured are set to operate in DHCP mode. Static IP mode is not
preferred for mass productions. The default setting for all terminals is DHCP.
To set a terminal to be run in static IP mode, in miFinder’s main window enter the desired terminal’s
settings screen. Then enter your desired IP, GW, Mask and DNS values in Device IP Settings section.
IP Parameters Settings Section
Note that, after opening settings screen, this section gives your terminal’s current IP parameters. After
entering the values as above figure, then press Set IP Settings button. Then the terminal restarts
again.
The last step is to set DHCP mode to OFF in main window of miFinder as given in Figure-4. The
terminal restarts again in Static IP mode. Please note that you can skip this step if your terminal is
already operating in static IP mode.

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3.1.3 Client and Web Client Modes of Operation
Any MCR0x terminal can connect to web server or server as client. The terminal’s client mode of
operation can be altered in main screen of miFinder as in Figure-6.
Web Client or Normal Client Mode Setting
When a contactless card is detected by the terminal, it tries to send card’s UID to server as follows:
Operation Type
Example Terminal Request
Web Client
GET /request.php?devID= MCR04-1000&UID=F0C189A5
Client ( Socket )
MCR04-1000,UID=F0C189A5
It is seen that the terminal tries to send data to a web-server by requesting a PHP file. You can also
change this request in miFinder’s setting window.
Http request file name for Web-Client Mode
HTTP1.1 mode with host domain
GET /request.php?devID=MCR04-1000&UID=04286CD29C3981 HTTP/1.1
Host: login.mitrack.de

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3.2 Message Formats from Server to Terminal
The message format from server to terminal is given by the following syntax.
<Device ID>,<CMD1;parameter1;…;
10
arameter>,<CMD2;parameter1;…;
10
arameter>,…
This packet can be sent by a specific TCP server via socket_send API’s or simple echo statements
defined in a web server protocols.
Command
Description
Parameter
LCDCLR
Clears LCD
None
LCDSET
Write Text to LCD
Left;Top;Font_Type;Text
Example:
LCDSET;0;0;0;Hello World
LCDLOCK
Locks the display
None
LCDUNLOCK
Releases the display
None
MSG;TEXT
Shows a message with beep
sound
MSG;Thank you
After display timeout, returns to default screen
DELAY;TIME
Waits defined time long in
ms
DELAY;500
BUZZER
Execute Buzzer
DelayMs,beepTimes
Example: (300 msec. period with 1 time Beep)
BUZZER;300;1
TRST
Terminal reset
none
ALIVE
Alive message is sent by the
Terminal periodically
If desired the server can send commands as reply.
RELAY1=xx
Energize Relay-1 by Delay in
Ms.
XX Delay in Milliseconds.
The Relay is ON with XX Delay.
RELAY2=xx
Energize Relay-2 by Delay in
Ms.
XX Delay in Milliseconds.
The Relay is ON with XX Delay.
RELAY1=ON
RELAY1=OFF
Relay-1 ON or OFF all the
time.
ON / OFF
RELAY2=ON
RELAY2=OFF
Relay-2 ON or OFF all the
time.
ON / OFF
TSYNC=UNIX_TIME
Set Terminal’s RTC from
server.
UNIX_TIME
This is a Unix time stamp value.
Ex: TSYNC=256984235
WLIST_ADD
White list add UID
Type
UID
Start date/time
End date/time
TYPE;UID;START;END
TYPE=0 UID only, T=1 UID with date/time control
UID= UID decimal
START=Unix time stamp
END= Unix time stamp
Ex:
WLIST_ADD;1;3187729446;1420074061;1422842522
Terminal answer: WLIST_ADD,ACK
WLIST_REM
White list remove UID
UID
Ex: WLIST_REM;3187729446
Terminal answer: WLIST_REM,ACK
WLIST_CLR
Clear white list
NONE
Terminal answer: WLIST_CLR,ACK
WLIST_GET=xx
Read UID form list
INDEX
Ex: WLIST_GET=12
Terminal answer: WLIST_GET,TYPE,UID,START,END
or WLIST_GET,NAK (index not exists)
LIST_INFO
Get list counters
NONE
Terminal answer: LIST_INFO,WLIST_COUNT
,WLIST_CHKSUM,BLIST_COUNT,ACTIVITY_COUNT
ACT_CLR
Clear activity file
NONE
Terminal answer: ACT_CLR,ACK
ACT_GET=
Read activity record
INDEX
Ex: ACT_GET=12
Terminal answer:
ACT_GET,TYPE,INF,UID,TIMESTAMP
or ACT_GET,NAK (index not exists)

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ACK_STR
Set offline ACK string
Max. 120 Bytes long
Command string
Ex: ACK_STR;RELAY1=1500,BUZZER;50;2
NAK_STR
Set offline NAK string
Max. 120 Bytes long
Command string
Ex: ACK_STR;BUZZER;500;1,
LCDCLR,LCDSET;10;20;2;DENIED;
MSG_TEXT
Update display message
DISPL_TEXT
Ex: MSG_TXT;TAG YOUR CARD
INPUTS
Return inputs
NONE
Terminal answer:
INPUTS,INPUT0,INPUT1,INPUT2,INPUT3
Ex: INPUTS,IO0=0,IO1=0,IO2=0,IO3=1
INP0_STR
Set input 0 string
Command string
Ex: INP0_STR;LCDCLR,LCDSET;7;25;3;DO NOT
DISTURB,LCDLOCK
INP1_STR
Set input 1 string
Command string
Ex:
INP1_STR;LCDCLR,LCDSET;7;25;3;EMPTY,LCDLOCK
STR_GET
Get stored strings
INDEX
Terminal answer: Command String
Ex: STR_GET=0;
BARCODE
Activate and scan
NONE
Terminal answer:
ACK,BAR_CODE,INPUTS
GET_UID
Get the UID of the shown
card
NONE
Terminal answer: UID
GET_TYPE
Get ATQ and SAK bytes of
the card
Terminal answer: CARDTYPE=0400;20
LOADKEYS;TYPE;KEYA;KEYB
Load mifare keys
LOADKEYS;0;A0A1A2A3A4A5; B0B1B2B3B4B5
BLOCKREAD;BLOCKNR
BLOCKREADX;BLOCKNR
Read 16 bytes mifare block
Read 16 bytes in HEX mode
BLOCKREAD;2
Answer: BLOCKDATA=Test string 1
Answer: BLOCKDATAX=000102030405060708090A0B0C0D0E0F
Answer: NAK block authentication error
BLOCKWRITE;BLOCKNR;DATA
BLOCKWRITEX;BLOCKNR;DATA
Write max 16 bytes mifare block
Write max 16 bytes in HEX mode
BLOCKWRITE;2;Test
BLOCKWRITEX;2;000102030405..
FORMATSECTOR;SECTORNR;DATA
Format a sector
FORMATSECTOR;1;
FFFFFFFFFFFFFF078069FFFFFFFFFFFF
SECTORREAD;SECTORNR
SECTORREADX;SECTORNR
Read 48 bytes of sector data
Read 48 bytes in HEX mode
SECTORREAD;1
SECTORREADX;1
SECTORWRITE;SECTORNR;DATA
SECTORWRITEX;SECTORNR;DATA
Write max 48 bytes of sector
data
Write max 48 bytes in HEX mode
SECTORWRITE;1;MAX MUSTERMAN
MUSTERSTRASSE 2 MUSTERSTADT
CAPDU;APDU[0]..APDU[n]
Send APDU
DESFire or Bank Card
SELPPSE:CAPDU;
00A404000E325041592E5359532E444446303100
Anser: RAPDU=06675041259000
3.2.1 Example Operation
The Terminal sends the following to Server:
MCR04-1000,UID=3187729446,IO=0F
The Server may send the following to Terminal:
MCR04-1000,BUZZER;500;1,LCDCLR,LCDSET;0;0;0;Test1,LCDCLR,LCDSET;0;10;0;Hello World!
or MCR04-1000,BUZZER;500;1,LCDCLR,LCDSET;0;0;0;Test1,LCDCLR,LCDSET;0;10;0;Hello World!,RELAY1=500
Web-Client Mode Message:
GET /request.php?devID=MCR04-1000&UID=2492345374 HTTP/1.0\r\n\r\n
Web-Client Mode Alive Message:
GET /request.php?devID=MCR04-1000&cmd=ALIVE&io=0F HTTP/1.0\r\n\r\n

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4 Offline Mode of Operation
Offline mode is automatically activated as soon as the server connection is broken, or the Ethernet cable was
disconnected. To be sure that this mode works correctly, the following offline strings must be defined.
•ACK_STRING: Will be called in case of a card is tagged and the UID is in white list
•NAK_STRING: Will be called in case of denied card
•MSG_STR: Defines the 3th line text of the display permanently
•INP0_STR: Will be called when the input 0 is activated
•INP1_STR: Will be called when the input 1 is activated
After the server is again reachable or the Ethernet cable is reconnected, the reader switches to online mode
within some seconds.
Testing via miFinder
Define strings for offline operation
In offline mode, depending on the whitelist, the ACK_STR/NAK_STR commands will be processed by card
readings.
Offline Whitelist and Activity File
Up to 4000 UIDs and 5000 activity records can be stored in the internal memory.
Examples to initialize the whitelist:
* Clear the white list. All stored UIDs will be deleted.
MCR04-1000,WLIST_CLR

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* Add an UID to the list. Type = 1, UID =3187729446, time/control between 20.03.2011 - 20:49:57 and
20.03.2015 - 20:49:57
MCR04-1000,WLIST_ADD;1;3187729446;1300650597;1426880997
* Remove an UID from the list. UID =3187729446
MCR04-1000,WLIST_REM;3187729446
* Get the UID index 0
MCR04-1000,WLIST_GET=0
* Get list info.
MCR04-1000,LIST_INFO
After this command, the UID list count, the list checksum and the activity length will be returned. The server can
check the list checksum to update the complete list.
* Get an activity record.
MCR04-1000,ACT_GET=0
Example: MCR04-1000,ACT_GET,0,0,3187729446,1422913388
Activity type 0 (UID activity)
Activity info 0
UID 3187729446
Timestamp 02.02.2015 - 22:43:08
* Clear the activity list. All activity records will be deleted.
MCR04-1000,ACT_CLR
4.1.1 Offline examples:
Activity file
MCR04-1000,LIST_INFO
MCR04-1000,ACT_GET=0
MCR04-1000,ACT_CLR
White list
MCR04-1000,WLIST_GET=0
MCR04-1000,WLIST_CLR
MCR04-1000,WLIST_ADD;1;3187729446;1300650597;1426880997
MCR04-1000,WLIST_REM;3187729446
Offline strings
MCR04-1000,ACK_STR;RELAY1=500,BUZZER;50;2,RELAY2=1000,LCDCLR,LCDSET;10;20;2;ACCESS
GRANTED,LCDSET;10;35;1;OFFLINE;
MCR04-1000,NAK_STR;BUZZER;300;1,LCDCLR,LCDSET;10;20;2;ACCESS DENIED,LCDSET;10;35;1;OFFLINE;
MCR04-1000,MSG_TXT;TAP YOUR CARD
MCR04-1000,INP0_STR;LCDCLR,LCDSET;7;25;3;DO NOT DISTURB,LCDLOCK
MCR04-1000,INP1_STR;LCDCLR,LCDSET;7;25;3;EMPTY,LCDLOCK

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5 Example Operation with GSA
The GSA_Testserver.exe can be used to test the server connection. More than one terminal can
connect to this multi-thread server application.
•Set terminal’s TCP/IP address to your IP and port 6666
•Run the GSA_Testserver.exe application and wait until the terminal is connected
•Present a contactless card to the terminal
The Terminal sends the following to Server:
MCR04-1000,UID=1E2C8E94
The Server may send the following to Terminal:
To approve:
MCR04-1000, RELAY1=1500,BUZZER;50;2,LCDCLR,LCDSET;10;20;2;ACCESS
GRANTED,LCDSET;10;35;1;Minova Technology,TSYNC=1475792451
To deny:
MCR04-1000, BUZZER;500;1,LCDCLR,LCDSET;10;20;2;ACCESS DENIED,LCDSET;10;35;1;Minova
Technology,TSYNC=1475792451
The server application adds to each response the TSYNC command with the actual Unixtime. This
way the RTC is always synchronized with the server.
The source code of this server project is included in the SDK.

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6 Test Connection with Hercules
Hercules Setup Utility can be used to test the terminals behavior.
•Select TCP Server and enter the Terminals port number
•Click on Listen
•The terminal will connect automatically as seen in the connection status
•After presenting a card, the message will be displayed in the Received data window
•Enter the response message and send to the terminal. The device ID must be the same
in the received and sent data
•As the TCP connection is open, we can send commands directly to the terminal
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