TransCore AP4119 User manual

Trusted Transportation Solutions
P/N 16-4119-001 Rev B 3/2023
AP4119 Rail Tag
Programmer
User Guide
The AP4119 Rail Tag Programmer User Guide provides information necessary for
installing, operating, and troubleshooting the AP4119 Rail Tag Programmer.
This Guide describes the proper setup and operation of the AP4119 Rail Tag Programmer and provides
procedures useful for troubleshooting problems encountered after installation.
The AP4119 Rail Tag Programmer User Guide is designed to be used by technical personnel responsible
for setting up and operating the AP4119 Rail Tag Programmer and related software.
Figure 1 AP4119 Rail Tag Programmer

AP4119 Rail Tag Programmer User Guide
TransCore Proprietary
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© 2022-2023 TransCore LP. All rights reserved. TRANSCORE, AMTECH, and EGO are registered
trademarks and are used under license. All other trademarks listed are the property of their respective
owners. Contents subject to change. Printed in the U.S.A.
For further information, contact:
TransCore
8600 Jeerson Street NE
Albuquerque, NM 87113 USA
Web: www.transcore.com
TransCore Technical Support
Phone: [phone]
email: [email protected]

TransCore Proprietary iii
WARNING TO USERS IN THE UNITED STATES
FCC RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENT
47 CFR §15.105(A)
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 (RF) energy and
may cause harmful interference to radio communications if not installed and used in accordance
with the instruction manual. Operating this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful
interference, in which case, depending on the regulations in eect, the users may be required to
correct the interference at their own expense.
NO UNAUTHORIZED MODIFICATIONS 47
CFR §15.21
CAUTION: This equipment may not be modified, altered, or changed in any way without
permission from TransCore, LP. Unauthorized modification may void the equipment
authorization from the FCC and will void the TransCore warranty.
USE OF SHIELDED CABLES IS REQUIRED
47 CFR §15.27(A)
NOTE: Shielded cables must be used with this equipment to comply with FCC regulations.
TRANSCORE, LP
USA

AP4119 Rail Tag Programmer User Guide
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Programmer Basics ............................1–7
Factory Supplied and Optional Equipment ..................................1–7
Preventing Electrostatic Discharge Damage ................................1–8
Connecting to a Host Device..............................................1–9
AP4119 Host Software...................................................1–11
Chapter 2 Configuring the Programmer ................. 2–13
Permissions .......................................................... 2–13
PT5780 Permissions Tag ............................................... 2–13
AAR Tag Programming ................................................. 2–16
Generic/Non-AAR Tag Programming ......................................2–17
Chapter 3 Operating the Programmer ................... 3–18
Before You Program Tags............................................... 3–18
Indicator Lights ....................................................... 3–19
Sign-On .............................................................. 3–19
Command Execution Protocol........................................... 3–19
Serial Command Set ...................................................3–20
Programming a Tag....................................................3–25
Verifying Tag Data .....................................................3–26
Security Characters....................................................3–26
Regulatory Region .....................................................3–27
Chapter 4 Troubleshooting ............................ 4–31
Appendix A Tag Programmer Specifications..............A–32
Appendix B RS–232 Connector Pin-outs.................B–33
Appendix C 6-Bit ASCII Format.........................C–34
Appendix D 4-Bit ASCII Hex Codes .....................D–35
Appendix E Programmer Response Codes ...............E–36
Appendix F Security Characters ........................F–38
Appendix G Commands ...............................G–39

TransCore Proprietary v
List of Figures
Figure 1 AP4119 Rail Tag Programmer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i
Figure 2 Programming Workstation with ESD Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–8
Figure 3 RS–232 and USB Connectors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–9
Figure 4 Host Software Installer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–11
Figure 5 Label Printer and USB Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–11
Figure 6 Tag Programming Host Software Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–12
Figure 7 Permissions Tag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–13
Figure 8 AP4119 Tag Programmer LEDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2–14
Figure 9 Permissions Tag Being Slid into Tag Holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–15
Figure 10 AP4119 Rail Tag Programmer Indicator Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–19
Figure 11 Tag Being Slid into Tag Holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3–25
Figure 12 Programmer Adapter and AT5549 EOT Tag Being Slid into Tag Holder. . . . . . . 3–28

AP4119 Rail Tag Programmer User Guide
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List of Tables
Table 1 Accessory Kit P/N 19143-01 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–7
Table 2 PC Interface Protocol Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–10
Table 3 Data format code, AP4119 handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–16
Table 4 Rail tag Page 3 layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–17
Table 5 List of Regional Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–28
Table 6 Region Codes and Operating Frequency Hop Set. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–29
Table 7 Troubleshooting Problems and Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–31
Table 8 AP4119 Rail Tag Programmer Physical and Environmental Specifications . . . . . . . A–32
Table 9 RS–232 Connector Pin-outs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B–33
Table 10 6-Bit ASCII Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C–34
Table 11 4-Bit ASCII Hex Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D–35
Table 12 Programmer Response Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E–36
Table 13 Permission File Download Responses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E–37
Table 14 Permissions Tag Download Responses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E–37
Table 15 ASCII Security Characters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F–38
Table 16 Serial Command Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .G–39

Chapter 1 Programmer Basics
TransCore Proprietary 1–7
Chapter 1 Programmer Basics
This chapter lists the factory-supplied and optional equipment for the AP4119
programmer, and describes how to prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage
to tags, connect to a host device, and install the optional tag programming software
to the host computer.
Factory Supplied and Optional Equipment
The programmer is shipped with the items listed. Make sure all of the items are included when unpacking
the order:
• AP4119 Rail Tag Programmer
• Programmer Accessory Kit P/N 19143-01 (Table 1)
Table 1 Accessory Kit P/N 19143-01
Accessory Kit Item Qty
(ea)
Power transformer and cable to convert AC voltage to 24 VDC 1
Power cord 1
Programmer-to-PC RS–232 connecting cable 1
Programmer-to-PC USB Type A Cable 1
Static-suppression wrist strap with cord 1
TransCore USB flash drive with AP4119 Tag Programmer Host Software 1
AP4119 Programmer User Guide 1
If any of the items in Table 1 are missing from the order, contact the TransCore distributor.
Note: The AT5549 End-of-Train Tag requires a Programmer Adapter (P/N 20-4119-001) in order to
seat the AT5549 tag during programming. This adapter is an optional purchase item.
The AP4119 requires a host computer system such as a PC or communications terminal for operation.
TransCore does not supply this equipment for the AP4119 Rail Tag Programmer.

AP4119 Rail Tag Programmer User Guide
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Preventing Electrostatic Discharge Damage
Caution
TransCore tags are sensitive to ESD, and precautions are necessary to ensure proper tag
programming operation. Use the grounded ESD static-suppression wrist strap when using the
programmer. Additional protection from ESD is recommended where practical.
Static is generated by friction. Some causes of static include the following:
• Shoes moving across a carpeted or plastic floor
• Hot air blowing into a room from a hot-air duct
• Rubbing tags together
• Rubbing tags across a tabletop
• Wearing certain types of clothing
ESD may cause significant damage to the tag and will adversely aect a tag’s operating performance.
Typical symptoms of ESD include the following:
• Inability to program the tag
• Greatly reduced operating range
• Tag operating failure
Anti-static Workstation
In a factory or fixed indoor environment, position the programmer in an anti-static workstation. Well-
designed workstations use a system of multiple precautions against ESD. Figure 2 shows an anti-static
workstation.
Contact TransCore Technical Support with any questions concerning the suitability of the programming
station or environment.
Take precautions to prevent ESD from aecting programming operations. A list of some of the most
eective precautions follows. The potential for ESD damage decreases when two or more precautions are
used together.
Figure 2 Programming Workstation with ESD Controls

Chapter 1 Programmer Basics
TransCore Proprietary 1–9
ESD Wrist Strap
Caution
Always attach the ESD wrist strap before beginning programming operations in any setting.
1. Be sure the programmer is connected to an earth ground.
2. Connect the banana plug of the ESD wrist strap to the ESD jack on the front of the unit.
3. Attach the ESD strap to your wrist.
Antistatic Mat
The anti-static work mat on which the programmer sits should be connected to earth ground through the
standard 1 M-Ohm resistance that should be provided with the mat. The mat also should be clean and free
of any electrical path to direct earth ground.
Ionized Air Blower
An ionized air blower may be set up at the workstation to provide additional ESD protection. Ionized air
blowers neutralize tags from static build-up before programming.
ESD-Safe Tags Container
Keep tags in the original box on an anti-static mat or within an ESD-safe container until they are
programmed. Grounded metallic containers are best for inhibiting ESD.
Connecting to a Host Device
The programmer requires connection to a host device — a host computer or communications terminal —
for normal operation. Figure 3 shows the RS-232 and USB connectors from the programmer to the host.
For RS–232, if the host system is a PC or a communications terminal, a null modem is not needed.
The tag programmer’s PC interface complies with the RS–232 and USB standard for data terminal
equipment and uses the protocol settings listed in Table 2. Refer to Appendix B for specifications of the
programmer’s RS–232 pin-outs.
HW-0341C
Figure 3 RS–232 and USB Connectors

AP4119 Rail Tag Programmer User Guide
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Table 2 PC Interface Protocol Settings
Protocol Setting
Data Rate 9600 bps
Data Bits 8
Parity None
Stop Bits 1
Software Flow Control None
Hardware Flow Control None
Download USB Drivers
Before using the AP4119 programmer with a USB connection, the proper drivers may need to be installed
on the host computer. The USB drivers can be installed during the AP4119 Host installation process (“Rail
Tag Programmer Host Software” on page 1–11). Alternatively, the FTDI USB drivers can be manually
installed by following the next steps:
1. Connect the USB cable from the USB port at the back of the AP4119 to one of the host computer’s USB
ports.
2. Allow the device driver to be detected and installed automatically. If the device driver fails to
automatically load, disconnect the AP4119 from the host computer.
3. Locate and download the device driver setup executable file for your operating system from https://
ftdichip.com/drivers/
Detailed installation guides can be found here: https://ftdichip.com/document/installation-guides/.
4. Launch the downloaded software and follow the steps to install the driver.
5. Reconnect the AP4119 and allow it to be detected by the operating system.
Note: While any hyperlinks included in this section were valid at the time of publication, TransCore
cannot guarantee their long term validity.
Connect the programmer to the host computer
1. Connect the RS–232 or USB cable from the unit to the host computer system.
2. Switch on power to the programmer. The POWER then READY LEDs should illuminate. When the
READY LED illuminates, begin using the tag programmer. The tag programmer has factory default
settings installed to allow tag reads only.
To configure the tag programmer for your tag requirements, use a PT5780 permissions tag or
License Certificate (requires AP4119 Host Software) to program specific operational and security
information into the programmer. “Chapter 2 Configuring the Programmer” on page 2–13 instructs
the user in configuring the tag programmer using the permissions tag.
If the READY LED does not illuminate or if the host system cannot communicate with the tag
programmer, refer to “Chapter 4 Troubleshooting” on page 4–31.