Worth Data 7100 RF Terminal Series User manual

Owner’s Manual
Worth Data
7100 Series
Host Controlled
RF Terminal System
Portable Radio Frequency Terminal
™
7100 RF Terminal
www.worthdata.com

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 in a residential installation. This equipment generates uses and can radi-
ate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communica-
tions. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to
radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference
by one or more of the following measures:
•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
•Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
•Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
•Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Shielded cables must be used with this equipment to comply with the relevant FCC regulations. Changes or modifications not expressly approved in
writing by Worth Data may void the user's authority to operate this equipment.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful inter-
ference, and 2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1) this device may not cause interfer-
ence, and 2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.
The 7100 RF Terminals and B50X1 Base Station have been approved for use in the United States and Canada as a low power frequency hopping
spread-spectrum radio operating in the unlicensed 915 MHz frequency range.
The 7100 RF Terminal models have a laser scanner integrated with the Terminal as one unit. The laser used is a
Class II Laser Product and has a 1.2 Milliwatt Output. To operate the laser scanner, aim the top of the case at a bar
code, and press the yellow scan key on the keyboard of the RF Terminal (and/or the Trigger on units with a Handle-
LT71XXH Models). The light source will turn off, once a successful scan has occurred or 2.5 seconds has elapsed,
whichever is first. Do not look directly into the laser light source with the "Scan Key" depressed; avoid direct eye
contact with the laser light source.
The LT7101, LT7101H, LT7102, & LT7102H models of the RF Terminal are covered by one or more of the fol-
lowing U.S. Patents:
There are no user adjustments or maintenance operations to be performed on the integrated laser scanner.
Patent #
4,360,798
4,369,361
4,387,297
4,460,120
4,496,831
4,593,186
4,603,262
4,607,156
4,652,750
4673,805
4,736,095
4,758,717
4,816,660
4,845,350
4,896,026
4,897,532
4,923,281
4,933,538
4,992,717
5,015,833
5017765
5,021,641
5,029,183
5,047,617
5,103,461
5,113,445
5,140,144
5,142,550
5,149,950
5,157,687
5,168,148
5,168,149
5,180,904
5,229,591
5,230,088
5,235,167
5,243,655
5,247,162
5,250,791
5,250,792
5,262,627
5,280,163
5,280,164
5,280,498
5,304,786
5,304,788
5,321,246
5,377,361
5,367,151
5,373,148
5,378,882
5,396,053
5,396,055
5,399,646
5,408,081
5,410,139
5,410,140
5,412,198
5,418,812
4,420,411
5,436,440
5,444,231
5,449,891
5,449,893
5,468,949
5,479,000
5,479,002
5,479,441
5,504,322
5,528,621
5,532,469
5,543,610
5,545,889
5,552,592
5,578,810
5,589,680
5,612,531

Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................................................................................1
Differences............................................................................................................................................................................................1
Quick Start Guide ......................................................................................................................................................................................2
Step 1: System Overview......................................................................................................................................................................2
Step 2: Hardware Overview..................................................................................................................................................................2
Step 3: Connecting the RF Base to the Host Computer ........................................................................................................................2
Step 4: Installing Integrated Hardware Utilities....................................................................................................................................3
Step 5: Running Hardware Utilities ......................................................................................................................................................4
Chapter 1: Installation ...............................................................................................................................................................................7
Components ..........................................................................................................................................................................................7
Installation Sequence ............................................................................................................................................................................7
Connecting the Base Station .................................................................................................................................................................7
Overview...............................................................................................................................................................................................8
Installation.............................................................................................................................................................................................8
RF Terminal Operation .......................................................................................................................................................................10
Recharging the RF Terminal Battery ..................................................................................................................................................11
Installing the Integrated Hardware Utilities Software.........................................................................................................................13
Chapter 2: RF Terminal Setup .................................................................................................................................................................14
Using the Setup Menu on the RF Terminal.........................................................................................................................................15
Bar Code Options................................................................................................................................................................................18
Bluetooth Settings:..............................................................................................................................................................................22
Date & Time Setting ...........................................................................................................................................................................22
Speaker Settings..................................................................................................................................................................................23
Laser Options......................................................................................................................................................................................23
LCD Options.......................................................................................................................................................................................24
Other Settings......................................................................................................................................................................................25
System Tools.......................................................................................................................................................................................27
Chapter 3: Base (B5011) and Relay Setup...............................................................................................................................................28
Chapter 3A: Ethernet Base (B5021) Setup...............................................................................................................................................30
Overview.............................................................................................................................................................................................30
Installation...........................................................................................................................................................................................30
Chapter 4: Operational Theory................................................................................................................................................................31
How the Two-Way RF System works.................................................................................................................................................31
How the One-Way RF System works .................................................................................................................................................32
How Site Survey works.......................................................................................................................................................................33
Chapter 5: Performance Issues................................................................................................................................................................34
Evaluating your area of planned operation..........................................................................................................................................34
Relay Stations .....................................................................................................................................................................................35
Chapter 6: Programming .........................................................................................................................................................................38
Before you begin programming… ......................................................................................................................................................38
Failure Planning..................................................................................................................................................................................39

Programming for the RF Terminal......................................................................................................................................................40
Base Station Error Feedback...............................................................................................................................................................47
Control Keys for Possible Programming.............................................................................................................................................49
ASCII Control Character and Extended ASCII Conversion (2D scanner only)..................................................................................50
Chapter 7: PromptCOM/ActiveX .............................................................................................................................................................51
Concepts - ActiveX Object Programming...........................................................................................................................................51
PromptNET TCP/IP Active X Controls ..............................................................................................................................................57
Programming Considerations..............................................................................................................................................................58
Concepts - TCP/IP COM ....................................................................................................................................................................59
Chapter 8: Portable Printers....................................................................................................................................................................63
Chapter 9: Voice Message Operations.....................................................................................................................................................65
Why Use Voice Messages and Prompts?............................................................................................................................................65
Voice Prompts and the Integrated Hardware Utilities program ..........................................................................................................65
Tips for Using Voice Prompts.............................................................................................................................................................65
Chapter 10: Troubleshooting ...................................................................................................................................................................67
General Considerations .......................................................................................................................................................................67
Problems with a new installation: .......................................................................................................................................................67
Terminal Error Messages ....................................................................................................................................................................68
Troubleshooting specific problems .....................................................................................................................................................69
RF Terminal Problems........................................................................................................................................................................70
Problems reading Bar Codes...............................................................................................................................................................70
Problems with Voice Prompts.............................................................................................................................................................71
If you still have a problem…...............................................................................................................................................................71
Chapter 11: Firmware Upgrades.............................................................................................................................................................72
RF Terminal Firmware Upgrades .......................................................................................................................................................72
Base Station Firmware upgrades.........................................................................................................................................................72
Chapter 12: Base Station Configuration..................................................................................................................................................73
Adding Relays.....................................................................................................................................................................................74
Base Station Cable Choice..................................................................................................................................................................77
Relay Station RS422 Pin-outs.............................................................................................................................................................78
Appendix A: Bar Code Specifications.....................................................................................................................................................79
Code 39 Specifications........................................................................................................................................................................79
Code 39 Advanced Features and Functions ........................................................................................................................................79
Code 93 Specifications........................................................................................................................................................................81
Codabar Specifications........................................................................................................................................................................81
Code 128 Specifications......................................................................................................................................................................82
Interleaved 2 of 5 Code Specifications................................................................................................................................................84
UPC / EAN Specifications –GS1-12, GS1-13 ...................................................................................................................................85
The UPC/EAN checksum character....................................................................................................................................................87
MSI/Plessey Specifications.................................................................................................................................................................88
Appendix B: How to scan a bar code......................................................................................................................................................89
Laser Scanners ....................................................................................................................................................................................89
ASCII Code Equivalent Table .................................................................................................................................................................90

1
Introduction
The 7100 RF Terminal is a low cost, easy-to-use radio frequency interactive terminal which communicates with PCs (or
any computer) by RS-232 serial port, USB or Ethernet. This new terminal offers unprecedented power and ease of use,
while maintaining compatibility with programs written for the older Worth Data Terminals. The list of fantastic features
includes:
Low Cost
Up to 3.3 mile range, LOS (10 x the competition)
64 Terminals per Base Station
Spread Spectrum frequency hopping avoids interference
No license required in USA and Canada
Small size, (5.9" L, 3.6" W, 1.0" D) even with laser
Designed to withstand multiple 5 ft. drops to concrete
Long Battery Life (15 hours of usage)
Fast Recharging (2-3 hours) from External Power Supply
No programming necessary on terminal
Host communication through RS-232 Serial, USB or Ethernet
User Customizable Voice Prompting plus Display
Backlit Color TFT Display Standard
Uses Li-Ion battery
The RF Terminal maintains software compatibility with applications
written for the older generation T71/LT71 and T701/LT701 RF Termi-
nals. Differences are noted below.
Differences
While the 7000series RF Terminals are fully software compatible
with the older 70 and 700 series terminals, there are a few differ-
ences between them. The differences between the older generation
of Worth Data RF Terminals and the generation referred to within
this manual are:
64 Terminals per Base Station instead of 16. Valid Terminal
IDs are 0-9, A-Z, a-z, - and =.
Valid Channels are 0-5.
Base Station parameters (Baud Rate, Parity, Security Code,
etc) are not set through the Terminal, but rather set with a
Windows program.
The maximum number of characters that can be sent to a Base Station by a host program is 1000 instead of the old 247.
Speaker volume is controlled by the RF Terminal's Setup menu.
The 7100 Series does not have a choice of battery types. It comes with one or two built-in Li-Ion rechargeable batteries. The
batteries are charged by the F17 USB Power supply and C25 Micro USB cable that is included with each new RF Terminal
purchased from Worth Data.
Voice prompts are now recorded on the PC (and/or imported from sound files) and uploaded to the RF Terminal using the
Hardware Utilities program. Up to 99 voice prompts can be stored in the RF Terminal with a total time of about 95 seconds.
Fantastic Range - 3.3 miles line-of-sight.
Optional “gun” handle with secondary battery that doubles operational time.
Color TFT display standard.
Faster transaction times.
USB & Serial Ports on B5011 Base Station
Ethernet port (with Power Over Ethernet support) on B5021 Base Station

2
Quick Start Guide
This guide will give you a basic understanding of how the system functions and step through how to get the
RF Terminal and RF Base up and running with a simple demo program.
Step 1: System Overview
The RF Terminal system consists of three main parts, the Terminal, the Base and the application program running on the host comput-
er. The RF Base works much like an access point and allows multiple RF Terminals to interact with the host application program
simultaneously. In a nutshell, the system operates as follows:
All communication between the host and terminal is initiated by the terminal (there are exceptions but this is the most common sce-
nario). First the terminal “signs-in” to the host. This lets the host program know that a new terminal is active and ready to be used.
The host responds by sending a prompt to the terminal. All communication passes through the base. The base keeps track of the data
and makes sure that nothing gets lost. The terminal responds to the prompt with some data and the host responds to the data with an-
other prompt. This process repeats over and over until there is no more data to be entered and the terminal is either “signed-out” or
turned off.
Step 2: Hardware Overview
The most common implementation is a single base connected to a host computer by a USB or serial cable. Each base can communi-
cate with multiple terminals and thus forms a “star” network with the base as the central “hub” funneling all data from the terminals to
the host computer.
The high powered radios used in the Base and Terminal have a range of several miles when used outdoors without obstructions and
can easily cover a large warehouse indoors. However, if more range is required, Relays can be attached to the Base to extend the
range further. This sometimes happens when the Base is located within a heavily shielded room or there is a great deal of RF blocking
or absorbing material near the Base. The exact range is difficult to determine since there are so many variables to consider and every
installation is different. The RF signal will not interfere with WiFi and has considerably longer range.
Step 3: Connecting the RF Base to the Host Computer
The Base can be connected to the host computer by either an RS-232 serial cable or a standard USB cable. Looking at the back of the
base you will see 4 connectors (older bases do not have the USB connector):
The simplest way to connect the Base to the host computer is with an RS-232 cable since no driver is required. If you will be using
the USB port for communication refer to the Base Installation chapter for detailed information on how to connect the Base by USB
and install the driver. A separate 5VDC power supply is required when using the RS-232 cable.
First plug the RS-232 cable into an available serial port on the host PC then plug the RJ45 plug into the SERIAL port on the back of
the Base. Then plug in the 5VDC power supply and power up the Base. The LED on the front of the Base should briefly blink orange
then blink green three times and stay green. If that’s not the case then refer to the Base Troubleshooting section.
Now you can do a quick test to verify that the Base is running. Turn on the RF Terminal (Press the green button in the upper left hard
corner) and select option #4 for RF SITE SURVEY. Press ENTER to begin the test. The RF Terminal will now send several test
packets to the Base to test the RF communication. After several seconds the RF Terminal will report the results of the test. You
should see 90% or greater for both tests if you are near the Base. More information about site testing can be found in the Base Instal-
lation chapter.

3
Step 4: Installing Integrated Hardware Utilities
The Utilities & Manuals CD that was included with your order includes the Integrated Hardware Utilities program. Simply insert the
CD into the host computer and the setup program should run. If not navigate to the CD and run SETUP.EXE. A window should open
(as shown below) with several choices of languages and programs to install. Under “Utility Programs” select “Integrated Utilities” to
install the Integrated Hardware Utilities program.
Simply click “Ok”, “Yes” or “Next” to install using the default settings. You can always install it again later if you want to change
anything.

4
Step 5: Running Hardware Utilities
Once Integrated Hardware Utilities has completed installation you should find a program called “Hardware Utilities” in the startup
menu. Go ahead and start Hardware Utilities. A window similar to the one shown below should open.
Click on the button labeled “7000 RF Terminal”. The RF Terminal options should now be listed in the upper left pane with the first
option highlighted for “Test Program”.
If the Base is already connected and powered up then go ahead and press the “Find Base Station and Run Test Program” button.

5
The program will first hunt for the Base and when found it will launch the Test Program. If the Base cannot be found refer to the Base
Installation Chapter for troubleshooting tips. The Test Program window should look like this:
Now you can power up the RF Terminal and select option #1 to SIGN ON. The status window should show that the Base received the
sign-on request along with some information about the RF Terminal and the prompt that is being sent to the RF Terminal in response
to the sign-on. The prompt should now show up on the RF Terminal.