Manually Encoding RFID Tags for Use in DPAS

Transcription

1 While DPAS has the capability to create and encode RFID labels in two sizes, these may not be adequate for all users needs. There is a manual method which can be used to encode almost all Class 1 Gen 2 passive RFID tags. You will need an Intermec CN3G/CN3eG handheld scanner with an IP30 RFID Read/Write handle and Microsoft ActiveSync for Windows XP or Windows Mobile Device Center (WMDC) for Windows Vista/7 installed. There are several steps involved in successfully encoding RFID tags: 1. Finding RFID Tag Information in DPAS 2. Converting the DPAS RFID Number to Hexadecimal 3. Installing IP30 RFID Application 4. Loading a List of EPC Ids to the IP30RFIDAPP Program 5. Using the IP30 RFID Application to Encode Tags Finding RFID Tag Information in DPAS RFID tag information can be pulled by running an Asset Inquiry in DPAS. The only fields that are needed are Asset Id and RFID tag. This information can be converted to an Excel spreadsheet using the Submit button on the Field Selection page. Here is the information from DPAS. Page 1 of 10

2 Breaking Down the RFID Tag Number The following is for informational purposes only. This will help you understand what the DPAS RFID tag data represents. If we use an example RFID Tag Number of: 47-2-HQ is the header information which specifies that the tag data is encoded as a DoD 96-bit tag construct. 2 determines the filter used. DPAS uses Item/Unit rather than Pallet or Case. HQ0157 is NAVSUP Business System Center s DODAAC. The 1 represents the asset is serially managed compared to 0 (zero) for bulk is the DPAS assigned RFID tag number. It was system-generated when the asset was put on DPAS. This is the only portion of the DPAS RFID tag number that changes. The combination of these elements makes DPAS RFID tags unique when being scanned by the DPAS software. Converting the DPAS RFID Number to Hexadecimal All serially and bulk managed assets are assigned an RFID tag number in DPAS. This number is associated to the Asset Id whether a RFID tag is produced for it or not. This number is translated into hexadecimal. A twenty-four character hexadecimal solution is required for DPAS scanners to read RFID labels. All tags require the same 16 character prefix: 47-2-HQ which has a hexadecimal equivalent of: 2F The RFID tag number from our example was which as a hexadecimal equivalent of 16A181. Since 16A181 is only six characters long, and we need eight characters to get to the needed 24 characters, we need to add zeros to the beginning, which makes it 0016A181. Take 0016A181 and attach it to the end of the 16 character prefix and we get: 2F A181 This is what we need to use for the software to encode. Page 2 of 10

3 Using Excel to Convert Tag Information from Decimal to Hexadecimal To easily determine the hexadecimal equivalents for the DPAS RFID tag number, open the Excel spreadsheet that has the Asset Id in column A and the RFID tag number in column B. Then copy the following formula into cell C2 where the RFID Tag Number is in cell B2: =IF(LEN(B2)=20, IF(MID(B2,13,1)="1", "2F "&DEC2HEX(RIGHT(B2,6)),"2F "&DEC2HEX(RIGHT(B2,6))), IF(VALUE(RIGHT(B2,7))< , IF(MID(B2,13,1)="1", "2F "&DEC2HEX(RIGHT(B2,7)),"2F "&DEC2HEX(RIGHT(B2,7))), IF(MID(B2,13,1)="1", "2F "&DEC2HEX(RIGHT(B2,7)),"2F "&DEC2HEX(RIGHT(B2,7))))) Use the fill feature to copy the formula down for each of the RFID tag numbers. The next step is to copy the hexadecimal values into a blank Notepad document. 1. Select and copy the hexadecimal values starting in cell C2 through the end of column C. 2. Open Start > All Programs > Accessories > Notepad. 3. Paste the hexadecimal values into Notepad. 4. Save the Notepad file as usertaglist.txt on your Desktop. The contents of the file should be in the following format: 2F A181 2F EC4 2F A17D 2F FFDFA Page 3 of 10

4 Installing IP30 RFID Application Navigate to: You will have to establish an Intermec Global Sales and Service account to be able to download the application. The download is a.zip file. Once unzipped, the two files extracted will be a.cab file and a.pdf instruction file. Install the.cab file the same way you install the DPAS application file onto the scanner. IP30RFIDAPP program will now be available on the scanner. Loading a List of EPC Ids to the IP30RFIDAPP Program With this program you have the option to create a simple text file which contains a list of Electronic Product Code (EPC) Ids that you want to program. We have created this list earlier as usertaglist.txt. Using ActiveSync or WMDC, navigate to the IP30RFID folder under Program Files on the scanner. Replace the usertaglist.txt found there with the newly created one on your Desktop. Page 4 of 10

5 Running the IP30 RFID Application to Encode Tags 1. Make sure the IP30 is connected and a fully charged battery is installed. 2. Find the IP30 RFID APP folder under the Program folder on the PDCD. 3. Inside the folder, double tap the IP30RFIDAPP.exe file. 4. IP30 v2.06 home page appears. Page 5 of 10

6 5. Select the OPEN button in top left corner. 6. Select the WR tab on the bottom right corner. Page 6 of 10

7 7. Check the Use List box. Page 7 of 10

8 8. Select the drop-down menu to see all tags entered from the.txt file. 9. You are ready to encode. Make sure that only the tag you want to encode is within the area of the scanner and pull the trigger. Notice the 1 in front of the first entry. Page 8 of 10

9 10. The first tag is encoded. When a tag is written successfully, the file index will incremented automatically to the next entry. You can also jump to any data in the list by selecting it from the dropdown list. Remove the first encoded tag from the encoding area and encode the second one from the list by pulling the trigger. Page 9 of 10

10 11. Repeat step 10 until all tags are encoded. 12. Select ok in the upper right corner to exit the application. Page 10 of 10