ThingMagic Astra User manual

875-0025-03
RevA
Astra Reader
User Guide

GovernmentLimited Rights Notice: All documentationand manualswere developedat private expense
and no part of it was developed using Government funds.
TheU.S.Government’s rightstouse,modify,reproduce,release,perform, display,ordisclosethe technicaldata
containedhereinarerestrictedbyparagraph(b)(3)oftheRightsinTechnical
Data--Noncommercial Items clause
(DFARS
252.227-7013(b)(3)), as amended from time-totime. Any reproduction oftechnicaldataorportions
thereofmarkedwiththislegendmustalso
reproduce the markings. Anyperson,otherthantheU.S.Government,
whohas beenprovidedaccess to such data must promptly notify ThingMagic.
ThingMagic, Mercury, Reads Any Tag, and the ThingMagic logo are trademarks or registered trademarks
of ThingMagic, A Division of Trimble.
Other product names mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of Trimble or other
companies.
©2012 ThingMagic – a division of Trimble Navigation Limited. ThingMagic and The Engine in RFID are
registered trademarks of Trimble Navigation Limited. Other marks may be protected by their respective
owners. All Rights Reserved.d
ThingMagic, A Division of Trimble
One Cambridge Center, 11th floor
Cambridge, MA 02142
866-833-4069
03 Revision A
January 2012

Contents
Astra User Guide......................................................................................... 6
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................6
Regional Information .............................................................................. 8
Astra North America ............................................................................................................................... 8
Astra Australia............................................................................................................................................................. 8
Astra Korea.................................................................................................................................................................. 8
Astra India......................................................................................................................................................... 9
Astra Europe.......................................................................................................................................... 9
Programming Interfaces.............................................................................................11
MercuryAPI ........................................................................................................................... 11
Demo Applications.................................................................................................. 11
Setting Up for Single ReaderOperation.......................................................................... 12
Equipment Required ............................................................................................................... 12
Setup
Procedure ............................................................................................................................... 13
Connecting the Optional Antenna to the Reader ............................................................................ 13
Powering Up the Reader ................................................................................................................. 15
Interpreting the Reader Indicator LED.............................................................................................. 16
Connecting Your PC to the Reader......................................................................................................... 17
Setting Up
Your PC's TCP/IP Connection................................................................... 17
Logging On to the Reader............................................................................................................... 21
Networking the Reader....................................................................................................................................................................24
Setting Up the
Network Hardware..................................................................................................... 24
Using Power Over Ethernet (PoE) ................................................................................................... 26
Using DHCP..................................................................................................................................................................... 27
Automatic Hostname: Astra-xxxxxx ................................................................................................ 29
MAC
Address..................................................................................................................... 29
Reader Discovery.............................................................................................................. 30
Using mDNS....................................................................................................................... 30
Reader Listing............................................................................................................ 30

Connecting to the Astra Serial Port .....................................................................................................33
Using GPIO ............................................................................................................................................................................................................34
Inputs........................................................................................................................................ 34
Outputs........................................................................................................................................................................
34
Controlling the Reader................................................................................................................................................................36
Using the Browser-Based Interface......................................................................................................................... 36
Status
Page............................................................................................................................... 37
Query Page.............................................................................................................................................. 38
Write
Page................................................................................................................................ 41
Settings
Page.......................................................................................................................... 44
Restart Page.............................................................................................................................. 59
Diagnostics Page.................................................................................................................................. 50
Statistics
Page.......................................................................................................................................... 51
Firmware Upgrade Utility....................................................................................................... 52
Using Safe Mode........................................................................................................................................................................................... 54
Forcing Astra to boot in safe mode ................................................................................. 55
Reader
RF Power.................................................................................................................................. 56
Reader RF Power Example........................................................................................................................................ 56
Settingthe
Reader RF Power................................................................................ 57
Mounting the Reader........................................................................................................................................................................58
Variables Affecting Performance............................................................................................................................ 59
Environmental.......................................................................................................................... 59
Tag Considerations............................................................................. 60
Multiple Readers .................................................................................................................................................. 60
Astra Specifications .................................................................................. 61
Electrical................................................................................................................................. 61
Environmental.......................................................................................................................... 61
Mechanical.............................................................................................................................. 62
Supported UHF Tag Protocols.................................................................................. 62
User Memory..................................................................................................................................... 62
Compliance,
W a rr an t y , and IP Notices...................................................................................... 63
Regulatory Compliance .......................................................................................... 63
Federal Communication Commission Interference Statement.................................................. 63
Industry Canada ............................................................................................................. 63
Appendix A: Astra Antenna Information............................................................ 66
Authorized Antennas............................................................................................................................. 66
Appendix B: Astra Dimensions .............................................................................. 67

Appendix C:Advanced Administration ...........................................................68
Changing theWeb Interface uid/passwd .............................................................. 68
Changing console/root password:.................................................................................................... 69
Appendix D: Troubleshooting............................................................... 70
Troubleshooting Table...................................................................................................................................... 70
Reset to the Default Configuration............................................................................... 70
Collecting
Diagnostic Data for ThingMagic Support............................................................................................................. 71
Analyzing theBoot Logs....................................................................................................................................................................................... 72

6
Astra User Guide
Introduction
Astra User Guide
This document assumes usage of an Astra with firmware version 4.1.21 or later.
This document explains how to set up the Astra Reader, how to configure it for network
operation, and how to use the browser-based interface. See the corresponding Astra
Firmware Release Notes for operational differences that what is in this User Guide
specific to a firmware version.
Separate appendices contain specifications and antenna information that are specific to
the Astra Reader.
Applications to control the Astra can be written using the high level MercuryAPI. The
MercuryAPI supports Java and.NET programming environments for Astra. The
MercuryAPI Software Development Kit (SDK) contains sample applications and source
code to help developers get started demoing and developing functionality. For more
information on the MercuryAPI see the MercuryAPI Programmers Guide and the
MercuryAPI SDK, available on the ThingMagic website.
This document is broken down into the following sections:
• Regional Information - Provides regulatory information for each specific Astra model.
• Programming Interfaces - Describes the programming interfaces, including on-reader
applications and where to find code samples.

7
Astra User Guide
Introduction
• Connecting to the Astra - Describes the methods available for connectingto the Astra
over the ethernet, WiFi and Serial Console interfaces.
– Setting Up for Single Reader Operation - Connect using a direct ethernet
connection from a Host PC to the Astra.
– Networking the Reader - Connect over ethernet LAN or WiFi using DHCP or
static IP settings.
– Connecting to the Astra Serial Port - Connect to the Astra console for
command-line interface access and troubleshooting.
• Using GPIO - Details the GPIO physical interface specs and how to control it via the
MercuryAPI.
• Controlling the Reader - Describes the browser-basedinterface and the configuration
and testing options available through it.
• Reader RF Power - Provideds guidelines and limitations for setting the RF Power of
the Astra.
• Mounting the Reader and Appendix B: Astra Dimensions - Provides details of the
physical dimensions of the Astra.
• Astra Specifications
• Compliance, Warranty, and IP Notices
• Appendix A: Astra Antenna Information - Lists the authorized Antennas and cables
which can be used with the Astra-NA in FCC regions.
• Appendix C: Advanced Administration - Provides the steps for some advanced
administration settings, such as changing reader passwords.
• Appendix D: Troubleshooting - Provides recommended debugging steps for common
problems along with data to gather when submitting a problem case to ThingMagic
support.

8
Astra User Guide
Regional Information
Regional Information
The Astra reader is currently available in four different regional hardware configurations:
Astra North America
Astra Korea
Astra India
Astra Europe
The only difference between the different hardware versions is the frequency range they
support and, in some cases, confguration for specific subsets of regulatorycompliance in
that region. The regulatory support and configuration details, if any, for each is defined
below. Each regional reader can be identified both through the Web Inteface Status Page
and by the Model Number on the reader’s lableling.
Astra North America
Model Number = Astra-NA
Astra-NA readers support ACMA LIPD Class Licence Variation 2011 (No. 1). No special
regulatory configuration is required.
Astra Australia
Model Number = Astra-AU
Astra-AU readers support FCC 47 CFG Ch. 1 Part 15 regulations. No special regulatory
configuration is required.
Astra Korea
Model Number = Astra-KR
Astra-KR readers support KCC regulations. No special regulatory configuration is
required.
The first frequencychannel(917,300kHz)of the KR2 region will be derated to +27dBm to
meet the new Korea regulatory requirements. All other channels operate up to +30dBm.
In the worst case scenario, each time the derated channel is used it will stay on that

9
Astra User Guide
Regional Information
channel for 400ms. The fastest it will move to the next channel,in the case where no tags
are found using that frequency, it will move to the next channel after 10 empty query
rounds, approximately120ms.
Astra India
Model Number = Astra-IN
Astra-IN readers support the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), 2005
regulations. No special regulatory configuration is required.
Astra Europe
Model Number = Astra-EU
Astra-EU readers support ETSI EN 302 208-1 V1.1.1 (10-Channel with LBT Option) and
Revised ETSI EN 302 208-1 V1.2.1 regulations (4-Channel options).
The Settings Page allows you to configure the regulatory plan the Astra will use. The 4-
Channel plans are the current plans which should be used for most applications. The 10-
Channel is being made available for legacy installations.
Note
Switchingbetween the 4-Channelplans and the 10-Channelplan requiresa reboot.
Switching between the two 4-Channels plans does not.
Revised ETSI EN 302 208-1 V1.2.1
When using the 4-Channel Mode with a custom channel list the Astra will operate
differently, according to the regulatory specification, based on the number of channels
used:
Single Channel Mode
If only a single channel is moved to the RF Channels in Use field, the Astra will occupy
the set channel for up to four seconds, after which it will be quiet for 100ms before
transmitting on the same channel again.?
Multi Channel Mode
If more than one channel is moved to the RF Channels in Use field,.the Astra will occupy
one of the configured channels for up to four seconds, after which it may switch to the

10
Astra User Guide
Regional Information
next channel and immediately occupy that channel for up to four seconds. This mode
allows for continuous operation, with no quiet periods.
ETSI EN 302 208-1 V1.1.1
When using the 10 Channel Mode the integrated antenna will always be used for LBT.
This means that when configured for bistatic operation the external antenna will be the
Transmit antenna and the integrated antenna will be the Receive and LBT antenna. This
is the reverse of the Astra-NA and Astra-KR which use the integrated antenna for
transmit.