Unitech MSR206 Operating and maintenance manual

MSR206
Magnetic Stripe Card Reader/Writer
(High & Low Coercivity)
Programmer’s Manual
Document PM017-U
Revision C.1
09 Oct. 2003’

MSR206 Programmer’s Manual UDN PM017-U Rev.C.1
Table of Contents 2003/10/9
Page II
Total 28 pages
Table of Contents
Section 1 Introduction__________________________________________________ 1
Accessories of MSR206 ___________________________________________________ 1
Warranty ________________________________________________________________ 1
Section 2 General description ___________________________________________ 2
Section 3 Technical specifications _______________________________________ 3
Section 4 Setup _______________________________________________________ 5
Section 5 Utilities test program __________________________________________ 6
System requirement ______________________________________________________ 6
Test program installation __________________________________________________ 6
Section 6 Command and response ______________________________________ 10
Section 7 Data format _________________________________________________ 14
Section 8 Communication sequence _____________________________________ 16
8.1 MSR 206 INITIALIZATION ______________________________________________ 16
8.2 WRITE DATA TO MSR 206 _____________________________________________ 16
8.3 READ DATA TO MSR206_______________________________________________ 16
Section 9 Addendum __________________________________________________ 18
(I) WRITE DATA TO MAGNETIC CARD ______________________________________ 18
(II) WRITE RAW DATA TO MAGNECTIC CARD ________________________________ 19

MSR206 Programmer’s Manual UDN PM017-U Rev.C.1
Table of Contents 2003/10/9
Page 1
Total 28 pages
Section 1 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the MSR 206 Manual Swipe Magnetic Card Reader/Writer. It is ideal for access control, time
keeping, banking, ID recognition & credit verification and related applications. In fact, wherever a magnetic stripe ID
or transaction card is used, one can find a related use for the versatile, user-friendly MSR206 reader/writer.
The MSR 206 is designed to offer a reading and writing solution of high and/or low coercivity cards that will
attractively complement an existing system.
This manual provides detailed information about the MSR 206. For ease of installation and programming use, we have
addressed everything from its attractive features to its various configurations.
When designing the MSR 206, we selected what we feel are the most useful features and functions. If in some cases
you find that your specific needs differ from our existing products, we welcome your comments and suggestions.
Custom-designed models are also available.
This MSR206 series 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 energy and, if not installed and used in accordance
with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a
residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference
at his own expense.
This MSR206 series also had been tested and found to comply with the agency requirements of specification for CE
mark Class B
EN 50 082-1: 1992 EN 55 022: 1994 Class B
IEC 801-2: 1984 EN 61000-3-2: 1995 Class A
IEC 801-3: 1984 EN 61000-3-3: 1995
IEC 801-4: 1988
 Accessories of MSR206
Make sure all the following accessories are contained in your package:
1. Switch power Supply, AC 110~240V in / DC 24V, 2.2A out.
2. Power cord.
3. Signal cable (DB9 to RJ45, 1.5m)
4. Utility disk (A/P S/W).
5. Blank Hi-Co test card.(or and Low-Co test card)
6. Programmer’s manual
 Warranty
One year after purchase of MSR206, any alteration and/or erasure or modification of the MSR206 will void the
warranty.

MSR206 Programmer’s Manual UDN PM017-U Rev.C.1
Section 3 – Technical specifications 2003/10/9
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Section 2 General description
The MSR206 series is designed to read and/or write high or low coercivity magnetic cards. It can encode and verify up
to 3 tracks of data simultaneously. It communicates with a host computer or other terminal using a standard RS-232
interface.

MSR206 Programmer’s Manual UDN PM017-U Rev.C.1
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Section 3 Technical specifications
ITEM SPECIFICATION
Standard ISO7811
Electrical
Current/operating Typical 350mA Max
Consumption
600mA plus for each writing track
Communication Standard RS232 signal voltage levels. Default, 9600 Baud, None Parity, 8 bits
Power supply External switching Power 24V/2.2A regulated
Interconnection
Cable RJ45->DB9, 5 feet
1.shield
2.TXD / MSR206 data transmit
3.RXD / MSR206 data receive
4,6,7,8,9, no connection
Pin Assignment
DB-9
5. circuit ground
Mechanical
Body ABS 94V-0
Swipe Manual, single direction
Outline 210Lx68Wx60H mm
Weight 1.5Kg approx.
Environment
Operation -10ºC to 60ºC
10 to 85% humidity, non condensing
Storage -30ºC to 70ºC
10 to 90% humidity, non condensing
Performance
Track 1&3 210bpi
Read Circuit
Track 2,75 or 210 bpi
Bit per Char 5-7 bit per char.
Read, 5-50 ips (read speed 5-40 ips for track 2 at 210bpi)
Media Speed
Write, 5-30
Read 300-4000 Oe Mag. Card
MSR206-XHC write 2750-4000 Oe Mag. Card
Media Coercivity
MSR206-XHL write 300-4000 Oe Mag. Card
Media Thickness 0.76-1.2mm
Jitter Card Read bit to bit interval <+/-15% card

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Write bit to bit interval <+/-10%,Sub interval<+/-12% at 30ips
Low amplitude Card Read 60% for both 75& 210bpi
Error Rate Read < 0.5%
Write < 0.8%
Media Swipe Head life 1,000,000 passes for both read & write head
Model Read/Write Track Hi-C Lo-C
MSR206-3HC 1,2&3 R/W R
MSR206-5HC 1&2 R/W R
MSR206-1HL 2 R/W R/W
MSR206-3HL 1,2&3 R/W R/W
Configuration
Available Model
MSR206-5HL 1&2 R/W R/W

MSR206 Programmer’s Manual UDN PM017-U Rev.C .1
Section 4 – Setup 2003/10/9
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Section 4 Setup
1. Power off your system (PC).
2. Connect PC and MSR206 as below.
3. Connect DB9 of signal cable to a free serial port then connect RJ45 at the other end of the cable to MSR206
4. Connect outer plug of Power-out cable to the power inlet of MSR206.
5. Connect Power-in cable to Power supply and AC receptacle (110V~240V).
6. Power on your system (PC).

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Section 5 Utilities test program
Every MSR206 comes with a utilities test program disk that includes a Windows version. This program is to verify and
demonstrate the functionality of the MSR206. In some cases, it can be used as a card reading and writing program.
 System requirement
a. 80286 PC/AT compatibles or later model with color display.
b. Either the following operating systems: Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, or NT4.0.
c. 256K available conventional memory.
d. A free serial port (Com 1 or Com 2) with DB9 male connector.
 Test program installation
User shall follow the steps below in order to install test program
A. Connect MSR206 to RS232 port, and power on it.
B. Insert utility diskette into floppy disk drive on PC, and execute the self-extracting file (e.g.: MSR206.exe)
C. Execute test program from the subdirectory of ‘Demo AP’ (e.g. 206DDX21.exe)
D. The test program will auto-detect communication port. If there is any errors occurred, it’ll appear in the
information dialog box after opening the program. User can close the AP by pressing OK button.

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E. If “Not Find Reader/Writer!” appears in the information dialog box after opening the program, check to see
that the DB9 connector is plugged into the correct COM port and the power cord/connector is also attached to
DB9 thus lighting the green LED on the MSR206.
F. When the test program is first opened, a password dialog box will ask whether you wish a first time password.
If yes, enter a password of one or more characters, maximum to 16 characters. And proceed to step H.
G. If a password is not required, press ESC and a dialog box will ask you to confirm that a password is not
required. Click on Yes and proceed to demo program.
H. When entering a password for the first time, the system will require you to confirm the password, Click OK,
after you reenter your password.
* Remember the password you entered, because if it is forgotten, you must re-install the Test Program.
* Remember, however; should you desire password protection in the future, you must re-install the program.
I. When the test program is opened, you’ll see the main window of the READER/WRITER UTILITY
PROGRAM.
From this main window you can activate all functions by clicking the appropriate buttons and following the on
screen instructions.

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J. The test program will auto detect if a MSR206 is connected.
By clicking Setup from main window, you can change COM ports, Leading Zeros for all 3 tracks and BPI of
track 2.
K. By choosing User Type from the main window, you can then define your user parameters by clicking Setup &
selecting User Type.

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MSR206 Programmer’s Manual UDN PM017-U Rev.C.1
Section 6 – Command and response 2003/10/9
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Section 6 Command and response
This section gives detailed description of commands to the MSR206 and the corresponding response from MSR206.
Notional Conventions:
<ESC> Control character named
[[[[ [sname]
Special string named sname, meaning can be found in section 7.
ie.[Data Block] [Status Byte] [Select Byte] etc.
X Standard ANSI character
Command Description:
1. Command: RESET
Command code: <ESC> a
Hex code: 1B 61
Response: none
Description: This command reset the MSR206 to initial state.
2. Command: READ
Command code: <ESC> r
Hex code: 1B 72
Response: [Data Block] <ESC> [Status Byte]
Description: This command request MSR206 to read a card swiped and respond with the data read.
3. Command: WRITE
Command code: <ESC> w [Data Block]
Hex code: 1B 77 [Data Block]
Response: <ESC> [Status Byte]
Description: This command request MSR206 to write the Data Block into the card swiped.
4. Command: Communication test
Command code: <ESC> e
Hex code: 1B 65
Response: <ESC> y [1B] [79])
Description: This command is used to verify that the communication link between computer and MSR206 is up
and good.
5. Command: All LED off
Command code: <ESC> <81>
Hex code: 1B 81
Response: none
Description: This command is used to turn off all the LEDs.
6. Command: All LED on
Command code: <ESC> <82>
Hex code: 1B 82
Response: none

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Description: This command is used to turn on all the LEDs.
7. Command: GREEN LED on
Command code: <ESC> <83>
Hex code: 1B 83
Response: none
Description: This command is used to turn on Green LED.
8. Command: YELLOW LED on
Command code: <ESC> <84>
Hex code: 1B 84
Response: none
Description: This command is used to turn on the Yellow LED.
9. Command: RED LED on
Command code: <ESC> <85>
Hex code: 1B 85
Response: none
Description: This command is used to turn on the Red LED.
10. Command: Sensor test
Command code: <ESC> <86>
Hex code: 1B 86
Response: <ESC> 0 (1B 30) if test ok
Description: This command is used to verify that the card sensing circuit of MSR206 is working properly
MSR206 will not response until a card is sensed or receive a RESET command.
11. Command: Ram test
Command code: <ESC> <87>
Hex code: 1B 87
Response: <ESC> 0 (1B 30) ram test ok; <ESC> A (1B 41) ram test fail
Description: This command is used to request MSR206 to perform a test on its on board RAM.
12. Command: Set leading zero
Command code: <ESC> z [leading zero of track 1 & 3] [leading zero of track 2]
Hex code: 1B 7A [00~ff] [00~ff]
Response: <ESC> 0 (1B 30) set ok
<ESC> A (1B 41) set fail
Description: This command is used to set how many leading zeros will be written before the card data starts, and
the space should calculated as [leading zero] X25.4 / BPI (75or210) =mm
Default setting of leading zero: [3D] [16]
TK1 & TK3: [3D] means leading zero=61
TK2: [16] means leading zero=22
13. Command: Check leading zero
Command code: <ESC> l
Hex code: 1B 6C

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Response: 1B [00~ff] [00~ff]
Description: This command is used to ask MSR206 the present setting number of leading zeros.
14. Command: Erase card
Command code: <ESC> c [Select Byte]
Hex code: 1B 63 [Select Byte]
Response: <ESC> 0 [1B] [30] command Select Byte ok
<ESC> A [1B] [41] command Select Byte fail
Description: This command is used to erase the card data when card swipe.
*[Select Byte] format:
00000000: Track 1 only
00000010: Track 2 only
00000100: Track 3 only
00000011: Track 1 & 2
00000101: Track 1 & 3
00000110: Track 2 & 3
00000111: Track 1, 2 & 3
15. Command: Select BPI (only for TK2)
Command code: <ESC> b [Density]
Hex code: 1B 62 [D2 or 4B]
Response: <ESC> 0 [1B] [30] select ok
<ESC> A [1B] [41] select fail
Description: This command is used to select the density of TK2.
[D2]: TK2 BPI=210 [4B]: TK2 BPI=75
16. Command: Read raw data
Command code: <ESC> m
Hex code: 1B 6D
Response: [Raw Data Block] <ESC> [Status Byte]
Description: This command requests MSR206 to read a card swipe but send without ASCII decode.
Refer to [Raw Data Block] & [Raw Data] format.
17. Command: Write raw data
Command code: <ESC> n [Raw Data Block]
Hex code: 1B 6E [Raw Data Block]
Response: <ESC> [Status Byte]
Description: This command requests MSR206 to write raw Data Block into the card swiped.
Refer to [Raw Data Block] & [Raw Data] format.
18. Command: Get device model
Command code: <ESC> t
Hex code: 1B 74
Response: <ESC> [Model] S
Description: This command is used to get the model of MSR206. There are four models

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Model 1, 2, 3, & 5
Models Description
MSR206-1 Track 2
MSR206-2 Track 2 & 3
MSR206-3 Track 1,2 & 3
MSR206-5 Track 1 & 2
19. Command: Get firmware version
Command code: <ESC> v
Hex code: <ESC> 76
Response: <ESC> [version]
Description: This command can get the firmware version of MSR206.
* [version] is a 5 bytes version number, format is “ REV?X.XX “
MSR206? = 0
MSR206HC? = H
MSR206HL? = U
20. Command: Set BPC
Command code: <ESC> o [tk1bit][tk2bit][tk3bit]
Hex code: <ESC> 6F [05-08][05-08][05-08]
Response: <ESC> 30 [tk1bit][tk2bit][tk3bit]
Description: This command is used to set the bit per character of every track.
21. Command: Set Hi-Co
Command code: <ESC> x
Hex code: 1B 78
Response: <ESC> 0
Description: This command is used to set MSR206HL status to write Hi-Co card.
22. Command: Set Low-Co
Command code: <ESC> y
Hex code: 1B 79
Response: <ESC> 0
Description: This command is used to set MSR206HL status to write Low-Co card.
23. Command: Get Hi-Co or Low-Co status
Command code: <ESC> d
Hex code: 1B 64
Response: <ESC> H -------to write Hi-Co
: <ESC> L ------- to write Low-Co
Description: This command is to get MSR206HL write status

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Section 7 Data format
* [Data Block] format:
Start Field R/W Data Field Ending Field
Command code <ESC> s [Card data] ? <FS> <ESC> [Status]
Hex code 1B 73 [Card data] 3F 1C 1B [Status]
* [Card data] format:
* [Status Byte] format:
Status description HEX ASCII
Ok If read, write or command ok 30h 0
Write or read error 31h 1
Command format error 32h 2
Invalid command 34h 4
Error
Invalid card swipe when in write mode 39h 9
* Note:
1. When [Status Byte] equal 39h means card moving error
2. None available and none data tracks will not be transmitted when swipe of card.
For example, when read card with data encoded on track 2 only for MSR206-5, it will transmit data like 1B 73 1B 01
1B 02 [string]3F 1C, for no data on track 1 so it shown 1B 01 only.
* [Raw Data Block] format:
Start Field R/W Data Field Ending Field
Command code <ESC> s [Raw data] ? <FS> <ESC> [Status]
Hex code 1B 73 [Raw data] 3F 1C 1B [Status]
* [Raw Data] format:
Raw Data
Char Code <ESC>1[L1][string1]<ESC>2[L2][string2]<ESC>3[L3][string3]
Hex Code 1B 01[L1][string1]1B 02[L2][string2]1B 03[L3][string3]
Note:
1. [L1], [L2], [L3] is the length of [string1],[string2],and [string3]
2. None available and none data tracks will not output when swipe of card,
For example, when read card (encoded data on track 2 only) on MSR206-5, it will transmit data like
1B 73 1B 01 00 1B 02 [L2] [string] 3F 1C
* [Raw Data] bit orientation:
Track 1 for 8 BPC
Read
Card Data
Char Code <ESC> 1[string1] <ESC> 2 [string2] <ESC> 3 [string3]
Hex Code 1B 01 [string1] 1B 02 [string2] 1B 03 [string3]

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MSB LSB MSB LSBLSB MSB
1B01B11B21B31B41B51B62B02B12B22B32B42B52B63B03B13B23B33B43B53B64B04B14B2
Write
2B01B61B51B41B31B21B11B03B13B02B62B52B42B32B22B14B24B14B03B63B53B43B33B2
Track 2 & 3 for 8 BPC
Read
1B01B11B21B31B42B02B12B22B32B43B03B13B23B33B44B04B14B24B34B45B05B15B25B3
Write
2B22B12B01B41B31B21B11B04B03B43B33B23B13B02B42B35B35B25B15B04B44B34B24B1
*Refer to 9.ADDENDUM
1st byte 2nd byte 3rd byte

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Section 8 Communication sequence
The examples below assumes data on track1, 2 & 3 to be 01, 23, 45 respectively
 8.1 MSR 206 INITIALIZATION
HOST Direction MSR206
Command code: <ESC>a
HEX code: [1B][61]
(Reset)
Command code: <ESC>e
HEX code: [1B][65]
(Serial port test)
Command test ACK: <ESC>y
HEX code: [1B][79]
Command code: <ESC>a
HEX code: [1B][61]
(Reset)
 8.2 WRITE DATA TO MSR 206
HOST Direction MSR206
Command code:
<ESC>w<ESC>s<ESC>[01]01
<ESC>[02]23<ESC>[03]45?<FS>
HEX code:
[1B][77][1B][73][1B][01][30][31][1B]
[02][32][33][1B][03][34][35][3F][1C]
(write command)
(status ACK)
(Wait until swipe card)
Command ACK: <ESC>
<status>
HEX code: [1B][status]
Status =[30] no error
Status =[31]~[3F] if error
 8.3 READ DATA TO MSR206
HOST Direction MSR206
Command code: <ESC>r
HEX code: [1B][72]
(read command)

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(status ACK) (Wait until swipe card)
Command ACK:
<ESC>s<ESC>[01]%01?<ESC>[02];23?<ESC>[03];45??<
FS><ESC><status>
HEX code:
[1B][73][1B][01][25][30][31][3F][1B][02][3B][32][33][3F]
[1B][03][3B][34][35][3F][3F][1C][1B][status]
Status=[30] ok
Status=[31]~[3F] if error
* [XX] = HEX Code XX

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Section 9 Addendum
 (I) WRITE DATA TO MAGNETIC CARD
The WRITE command:
Command WRITE
Command code <ESC> w [Data Block]
Hex code 1B 77 [Data Block]
Response <ESC> [Status Byte]
Description This command request MSR106 to write the Data Block into the card swiped.
[Data Block] format:
Start Field R/W Data Field Ending Field
Command code <ESC>s [card data] ?<FS>
HEX code 1B 73 [card data] 3F 1C
[card data] format:
card data
Char. code <ESC>[01] [string] <ESC> [02] [string] <ESC> [03] [string3]
HEX code 1B 01 [string1] 1B 02 [string2] 1B 03 [string3]
As an example the following information will be written to the card:
Track1: %ABC123?
Track2: ;12345?
Track3: ;12345?
HOST DIRECTION MSR106/MSR206
Command code:
<esc>w<ESC>s<ESC>[01]ABC123<ESC>
[02]12345<ESC>[03]12345?<FS>
HEX code:
[1B][77][1B][73][1B][01][41][42][43][31][
32][33][1B][02][31][32][33][34][35][1B][0
3][31][32][33][34][35][3F][1C]
(write command)
----------→
After send command to MSR106/206 Yellow LED on, then swipe
card
write data to the magnetic card
(status ACK) (wait until swipe card)
Command ACK: <ESC><status>
HEX code: [1B][status]
Status = [30] no error
Status = [31] ~ [3F] if error