R
EADER
H
ARDWARE
I
NSTALLATION AND
O
PERATION
C
HAPTER
2
ALR-9890 – RR Hardware Setup Guide
D
OC
. C
ONTROL
#8102
XXX
-000 R
EV
A
20
The frequency set by the F = n command will be entered into the reader
nonvolatile memory and will come up at that frequency any time the reader is
restarted.
System Operation: Software Control
The ALR-9890 – RR RFID Reader is controlled from software running on a host
system that communicates with the reader using the ASCII-based Alien Reader
Protocol. All applications use this protocol to communicate with the reader.
You may operate the reader from your own application code, using the example
code provided on the Developer’s Kit CD, or using the Alien RFID Gateway
application which is a demonstration program also included on your CD.
For more details, refer to either the
Reader Interface Guide
or the
Demonstration
Software Guide
described briefly below.
Reader Interface Guide
The Alien Reader Protocol, mentioned previously, is described in detail in the
Reader Interface Guide
. Using this interface, the reader can be configured to
read tags when queried or after one of a variety of event triggers (e.g., a rising
edge on one of the I/O pins, or a timer).
Tag data acquired in response to these triggers can be transmitted to the host in
a number of formats (e.g., text, XML or custom) and under a number of
conditions (e.g., on a new tag being observed, or a tag disappearing from view).
If you are a software developer, the
Reader Interface Guide
provides the
information you will need to connect to the reader from a host computer,
communicate with it, and customize its performance.
Demonstration Software Guide
The
Demo Software Guide
describes the installation and operation of the Alien
RFID Gateway application.
The Alien RFID Gateway application is a useful demonstration program that
allows users to explore the reader’s functionality and build customizable demos
with a user-friendly interface.
Using the Gateway, the various operating modes of the reader can be controlled
and custom interactive demos can be constructed using sounds, images, and
text.
Alien RFID Academy
Need to absorb RFID systems fast? Enroll in the Alien RFID Academy. In three
days we'll share our practical expertise in RFID Tags, Antennas, Readers,
Frequencies, Systems, and Protocols.
The Alien RFID Academy is a hands-on immersion into the workings, uses, and
challenges of RFID technology. Rather than a product pitch, we put products to
the test in the classroom, provide students with hands-on exposure in our RFID
Solutions Center, and short-cut the learning curve by sharing practical solutions
