Rf code Mantis ii User manual

Mantis™ II Reader

User Manual

Revision 05

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USER MANUAL – Mantis™ II Reader

User Manual Document Created: 22 April 2003

Document ID: UM-C2020-R05-20030422

Issue Date Comment Revision

22 Apr 2003 Initial Draft 00

02 Oct 2003 Revision 01

15 Dec 2003 Revision - Reformatted into new design. New

cover. 24 pgs. 02

24 Jun 2004 Revision – Updated programmer utility

information. 24 pgs. 03

16 Dec 2004 Revision – Updated programmer utility

information. 24 pgs. 04

13 May 2005 Revision – Various updates. 28 pgs. 05

Important - This document is not intended for public distribution. No

copying of this material is allowed without prior written permission.

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USER MANUAL – Mantis™ II Reader

Contents

User Manual

1. Introduction........................................................................5

2. Hardware............................................................................6

Front View – LED Indicators................................................... 6

Rear View – Data Connections................................................ 7

Antennas – Positioning.......................................................... 8

Environmental Limits ...........................................................10

Tag Positioning ...................................................................10

3. Firmware ..........................................................................11

File System ........................................................................11

Upgradeable Firmware .........................................................11

Reader Setup......................................................................12

Launch Utility .......................................................................12

Reader Settings ....................................................................14

Network Settings ..................................................................15

Advanced Network Settings ....................................................16

Programming Options ............................................................17

Network Installation ..............................................................18

Configuration Files & Default Settings.....................................18

4. Troubleshooting................................................................21

Appendix

A. List of Acronyms ...............................................................24

B. Index ................................................................................26

C. FCC Compliance ................................................................27

D. Copyright Statement.........................................................28

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USER MANUAL – Mantis™ II Reader

User Manual

1 – Introduction

2 – Hardware

3 – Firmware

4 – Troubleshooting

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USER MANUAL – Mantis™ II Reader

1 – Introduction

The Mantis™ II System by RF Code is an RFID monitoring system

designed to report Tags within defined Reader operating ranges. The system

utilizes “beacon” Tags that periodically report their presence with an encoded

radio transmission. The Mantis™ II Reader is a dual-channel radio receiver

tuned to the Mantis™ Tag transmission frequency of 303.825 MHz.

This manual provides the instructions for the Mantis™ II Reader setup and

operation. This Reader has different modes of operation and optional

functions that are user-selected depending on the system’s operational

requirements.

The instructions in this manual show how to install, configure, and upgrade

the Mantis™ II Reader as well as tips on Mantis™ Tag placement and

antenna optimization. Operational instructions for the Mantis™ II System

using the TAVIS™ Concentrator software by RF Code are found in the

TAVIS™ Concentrator user manual.

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USER MANUAL – Mantis™ II Reader

2 – Hardware

The Mantis™ II Reader is housed in a 5 x 5 x 1.5 inch (12.7 x 12.7 x 3.81

cm) metal chassis and contains the internal components of a RFID Reader

combined with connections to allow for both Ethernet and serial port

connectivity.

Front View – LED Indicators

Figure 2.1 – Mantis™ II Reader (front view)

shown with standard ¼-wave helical antennas.

Three LEDs are mounted on the front of the Mantis™ II Reader.

•Unlabeled LED – This LED is used for a feature that is not

implemented in this version of the Reader.

•On-Ready LED – This LED indicates that the Reader has power

applied through an external power adapter.

•Tag Activity LED – This LED is used for two purposes: (1) to show

the status of the Reader while in standby mode and (2) to show Tag

detections while in operation.

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USER MANUAL – Mantis™ II Reader

Tag Activity LED

•While Operating – The Tag Activity LED flashes intermittently,

indicating the Reader has read one or more Tags each time it flashes.

Because the Reader can decode Tags faster than the light can be

turned on and off, a single flash may indicate more than one Tag

being decoded.

•While in Standby Mode – The Tag Activity LED turns on and off at a

distinctive rate that indicates the Reader is in standby mode.

Rear View – Data Connections

Figure 2.2 – Mantis™ II Reader (rear view) showing connections for

Network/Ethernet (RJ-45), Power, and Serial/COM (RS-232).

Several connections are housed on the back of the Mantis™ II Reader.

•Ethernet – RJ-45 Ethernet jack. The Ethernet connection has a link-

state “LINK” LED and collision “COL” LED such as those found on

common Ethernet network connections. The LINK light stays solid

when there is no network activity and flashes when activity is present.

•Power – A plug allows for connection to both AC and DC power

sources. Power requirements are 12 to 28 VDC and 9 to 20 VAC.

•Serial – DB-9 RS-232 serial port.

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USER MANUAL – Mantis™ II Reader

Antennas – Positioning

Figure 2.3 – Standard ¼-wave helical antennas shown in various positions.

Each antenna post supplies an RF signal to the two parallel radio receivers in

the Mantis™ II Reader. Antenna input impedance is 50 ohms nominal.

Both the type of antennas used and the Reader range setting determine the

effective read range. The normal Reader-range features are defined using

¼-wave helical antennas.

These antennas are appropriate for most Reader applications. Optional

antennas that offer diverse receiving properties or extend the range of the

Reader are available for the Mantis™ II Reader. Contact your Mantis™ II

Reader distributor for more information.

The Mantis™ II Reader has two receiver channels that can operate

independently or jointly to provide Tag signal diversity reception. The Reader

can operate with one antenna on either antenna post, but the benefit of

receiver diversity reception is obtained with both antennas attached.

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USER MANUAL – Mantis™ II Reader

Depending on the location and orientation of the Tags, the signal path from

each Tag to the Reader may vary. Consequently, this may allow only one

antenna to receive the signal.

To achieve the best receiver diversity:

•Antenna Angle from Reader – It is desirable to have the antennas

positioned at different angles from the Reader.

•Antenna Angle from Each Other – Antennas should be at 90-

degree angles relative to each other. It may be necessary to

experiment with antenna positions to achieve optimum coverage.

•Height – As a rule, the higher a Reader is positioned above the

ground or floor, the better the Reader’s detection range.

WARNING – Do not allow antennas to overlap. Keep the antennas

separated. Allowing the antennas to overlap reduces the

effectiveness of each antenna.

To minimize RF interference:

•Separation – Maintain a 4-to-6-foot separation between the Reader

antennas and potential RF radiators such as computers, monitors,

printers and electronic office equipment. The local radio environment

can limit the Reader’s effective range.

•Height – Do not operate the Reader on or close to the floor or

ground. Grounded and reflective metallic structures around the

Reader and/or Tags affect the system performance. For best results,

the Reader should be mounted as high as reasonably possible.

WARNING – Readers should not be positioned close to ceilings as

they act as ground planes.

TOOLS – Low loss SMA coaxial extension cables may be used to

separate the antennas from the Reader.

NOTE – Optional antennas that offer diverse receiving properties or

extend the range of the Reader are available for the Mantis™ II

Reader. Contact your Mantis™ II Reader distributor.

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USER MANUAL – Mantis™ II Reader

Environmental Limits

The Mantis™ II Reader is approved for use within the temperature ranges

set forth below.

•Operation: -20 to +70 degrees Celsius.

•Storage: -40 to +80 degrees Celsius.

Tag Positioning

Figure 2.4 – Mantis™ Tag.

Wherever possible, Mantis™ Tags should be placed in the same orientation

(plane) in order to optimize the Reader’s ability to receive transmissions

from the Tag. The Tags should not be placed closer than ½ inch in proximity

to one another.

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USER MANUAL – Mantis™ II Reader

3 – Firmware

NOTE – The Mantis™ II Reader can only be configured through an

Ethernet connection via the RJ-45 jack on the rear of the Reader.

WARNING – When an Ethernet connection is made directly between

the Reader and a PC, a cross-over network cable is required.

File System

All embedded operating systems, signal processing software, and

configuration options of the Mantis™ II Reader are stored in a flash-based

file system internal to the Reader. If any changes or updates are required,

the files are collected in a directory on the PC, packaged into a new file

system, and then transferred to the Reader by TFTP (Trivial File Transfer

Protocol).

Upgradeable Firmware

The Mantis™ II Reader has the ability to be updated as new firmware is

released. It is vital that these updates be obtained directly from RF Code or

its authorized source, since these files define the operation of the Reader and

if defective, the files will render the Reader inoperable.

WARNING – Firmware updates should be obtained directly from RF

Code or its authorized source. If defective, these files will render the

Mantis™ II Reader inoperable.

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USER MANUAL – Mantis™ II Reader

Reader Setup

Launch Utility

Figure 3.1 – Network-Enabled Reader Programmer utility.

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USER MANUAL – Mantis™ II Reader

WARNING – Computer administrative privileges are recommended

when using the Network-Enabled Reader Programmer utility. In the

event of IP resolution conflicts, the Utility will attempt to modify the

Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) table. On some systems, this can

only be achieved with sufficient privileges.

To launch the utility and perform a Reader setup or update:

Step 1 – From the Windows® desktop, go to the Start button > Programs

> RF Code > Mantis II Reader program group. Click the Configure

Mantis II Reader option to launch the utility.

Step 2 – The Network-Enabled Reader Programmer utility appears in a

DOS screen (see Figure 3.1 above). Refer to the settings below:

•Reader Settings – Refer to page 14.

•Network Settings – Refer to page 15.

•Advanced Network Settings – Refer to page 16.

•Programming Options – Refer to page 17.

•Network Installation – Refer to the example on page 18.

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USER MANUAL – Mantis™ II Reader

Reader Settings

(R)eader # R

R - Select a new Reader to program.

•Reads and displays a Reader’s saved calibration and settings from its

configuration file (SSI_info\AXnnnnnn.txt where AXnnnnnn is the

serial number). Any undefined settings will remain blank.

•Errors are displayed if the info file is missing or contains bad

calibration data.

•The Reader # is the s/n (serial number) on the silver label on the

underside of the Reader. When entering this number, ignore the

space between the two sets of 4 numbers and input it as a single 8-

digit alpha-numeric serial number.

•Note – The utility checks for reader compatibility, and does not allow

specific readers to be uploaded with conflicting code.

(U)B processor FW U

U – Choose firmware revision for the network processor.

•Prints list of available files.

•Type the desired filename (case-sensitive).

•An error message is displayed if the firmware file cannot be found.

(D)A processor SW D

D – Choose firmware revision for the DSP processor.

•Prints list of available files.

•Type the desired filename (case-sensitive).

•An error message is displayed if the firmware file cannot be found.

Calibration (loaded from reader in upload process)

Display Reader calibration data.

•Displays only the calibration data for the Reader at the time of the

upload process, when the data is retrieved from the Reader. This field

is informational only and cannot be modified.

•Note - The calibration string is read strictly from the Reader and sent

back during the upload process; the calibration string in the file

cannot be uploaded to the Reader. This prohibits users from

modifying the calibration string in this file and de-calibrating the

Reader during the upload process.

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USER MANUAL – Mantis™ II Reader

Network Settings

WARNING – Microsoft Windows®-based PCs have restrictions on

certain IP address ranges (e.g. 127.x.x.x and 224.x.x.x through

254.x.x.x). Since addresses fitting these parameters cannot be

configured on a Windows-based PC, it will not be possible to use the

utility to reconfigure a Reader assigned with such an IP address.

MAC Addr

Display Reader MAC address.

•Displays the MAC address of the Reader. This field is informational

only and cannot be modified.

(I)P Addr I

I – Change network IP address.

•Enter in normal dotted decimal format, e.g. 192.168.1.129

•An error message is displayed if the format is unintelligible or the

numbers are out of range.

•This entry represents the new IP address that will be assigned to the

Reader during an upload.

(S)ubnet S

S – Change subnet mask.

•Enter in normal dotted decimal format, e.g. 255.255.255.0

•An error message is displayed if the format is unintelligible or the

numbers are out of range.

(G)ateway Addr G

G – Change gateway address.

•Enter in normal dotted decimal format, e.g. 192.168.1.1

•An error message is displayed if the format is unintelligible or the

numbers are out of range.

(P)ing TFTP IP Addr P

P – Ping the TFTP IP address.

•An error message is displayed if the TFTP IP address is blank.

•A status message is displayed which reflects the results of the pinging

operation.

•If a ping is unsuccessful, the utility will attempt to remove the TFTP IP

address from the ARP table and perform another ping.

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USER MANUAL – Mantis™ II Reader

(A)RP Table Display A

A – Display ARP Table.

•When two or more Readers initially share the same IP address, it is

likely that the ARP will need to be either modified or flushed before

sequential accesses to the same IP address can be performed (due to

physical addressing). This feature provides a method of querying the

ARP table to assess IP resolution issues.

Advanced Network Settings

(1) Keep Alive Probes (default = 10) 1

1 – Change number of keep-alive probes.

•Defines the maximum number of keep-alive probes to send.

•An error message is displayed if an invalid number is entered (and

the field will be cleared).

(2) Keep Alive Signal Interval (default = 1000 ms) 2

2 – Change keep-alive signal interval.

•Defines the signal interval (in milliseconds) for how often the keep-

alive probes are sent on a connection.

•An error message is displayed if an invalid number is entered (and

the field will be cleared).

(3) Packet Size (default = 1400 bytes) 3

3 – Change packet size.

•Defines the maximum packet size (in bytes).

•An error message is displayed if an invalid number is entered (and

the field will be cleared).

(4) Packet Timeout (default = 500 ms) 4

4 – Change packet timeout setting.

•Defines the packet timeout (in milliseconds).

•An error message is displayed if an invalid number is entered (and

the field will be cleared).

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USER MANUAL – Mantis™ II Reader

Programming Options

WARNING – If the IP address to be assigned to the Reader is out of

scope with regard to the subnet mask, the utility will upload the file

system to the Reader but will NOT attempt to retrieve this file

system back from the Reader for verification.

(L)oad Defaults L

L – Load default firmware and network settings.

•These are settings as defined in the SSI_info\defaults.txt file.

•This command is useful after a (R)eader # command to update to a

standard network configuration before programming.

•Errors are displayed if any settings are invalid.

(F)ilesystem Upload to Reader F

F – Create file system and upload to the Reader.

•Prior to the upload, the Reader parameters are verified and the TFTP

IP address is pinged. The process will only continue if these are

successful.

•Creates file system (A.bin, Bcom.bin, caltable.txt, network.txt)

using currently displayed settings, uploads to the Reader, then

initiates self-programming.

•If applicable, after re-initialization of the Reader, the file system is

retrieved from the Reader and verified against the original.

•Errors are displayed if any vital components are missing, if the

settings are not properly defined, or if there are problems

communicating with the Reader over the network.

•Saves the Reader configuration data upon a successful upload.

(T)FTP Addr T

T – Set TFTP address for the file system upload.

•This address must reflect the current IP address of the Reader, which

likely differs from the new IP address to which it is being set with the

(I)P Addr command.

•Under normal circumstances, this should not have to be changed. The

TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol) address is automatically updated

when the IP address of the Reader is changed and a successful

upload is performed.

(Q)uit Q

Q – Quit the Network-Enabled Reader Programmer Utility.

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USER MANUAL – Mantis™ II Reader

Configuration Files & Default Settings

Each Reader has a configuration file under SSI_info\AXnnnnnn.txt (where

AXnnnnnn is the serial number) reflecting its last programmed state. After

a successful program upload to a Reader, the configuration file for that

Reader is updated with the current settings.

The next time the Reader is selected for configuration, these saved settings

are imported and displayed as a baseline configuration. The Reader

configuration file is therefore purposely similar to the interactive commands.

WARNING – Do not use [CTRL]+[C] to exit, or the last settings of the

Mantis™ II Reader will be lost!

Example – Network Installation

Step 1 – Select the (R) command, then enter the Reader’s serial number

when prompted.

Step 2 – Select the (I) command, then enter the new IP address for the

Reader (e.g. 192.168.4.34).

Step 3 – Select the (S) command, then enter the new subnet mask for the

Reader (e.g. 255.255.0.0).

Step 4 – Select the (F) command to upload the new file system and update

the Reader settings.

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USER MANUAL – Mantis™ II Reader

Serial Settings

The Mantis™ II Reader supports operation via a standard RS-232 serial

port, which may be used instead of, or in conjunction with the Ethernet jack.

The Reader will accept commands from either source, or output results to

both. In additional, the serial port doubles as a diagnostic port, providing

valuable feedback about Reader functionality and configuration during

power-up and programming.

Having selected the appropriate serial port (COM port) on your system, use

the following settings in your communications package:

Bits Per Second: 115200

Data Bits: 8

Parity: None

Stop bits: 1

Flow Control: None

ASCII Setup

ASCII Sending

Send Line Ends with Line Feeds: NO

Echo Typed Characters Locally: NO

LineDelay:10 ms

Character Delay: 0

ASCII Receiving

Append Line Feeds to Incoming Line Ends: YES

Force income data to 7 bit ASCII: NO

WrapLines:NO

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USER MANUAL – Mantis™ II Reader

Ethernet Settings

As shipped, the default network settings for the Mantis™ II Reader are:

IP address: 192.168.1.129

Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0

Gateway: 192.168.1.5

WARNING – These settings must be changed to match the subnet of

the network on which the Mantis™ II Reader is to be used.

These Ethernet settings are stored in the network.txt file, which is read by

the Reader at boot time. Each setting is represented as a string of

hexadecimal characters. For IP addresses, a pair of hexadecimal characters

(00 to FF) represents each decimal component (0 to 255) of the address. For

example:

IP address: 192.168.1.239 => C0A801EF

Subnet mask: 255.255.0.0 => FFFF0000

Gateway: 192.168.1.1 => C0A80101

The network.txt file consists of the following default hexadecimal strings

that are concatenated on a single line. For example:

C0A80181 FFFFF000 C0A80105 0A 3E8 578 1F4

IP Address

Subnet

Mask

Gateway

Keep-Alive

Probes

Keep-Alive

Interval

(ms)

Packet

Size

(bytes)

Packet

Timeout

(ms)

WARNING – This network.txt file should not be altered. Instead, the

Network-Enabled Reader Programmer Utility allows the user to

change these settings using dotted decimal notation for IP

addresses, the subnet mask, and other advanced settings.

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RF Code Mantis II User manual

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