Real Time Assist Intelligence Version 1-6
Appendix: Contents: Introduction 3 Tag Addressing Concepts 4 Installing the Finder Software on your computer 5 Setting up the RuBee Demonstration Kit 6 Running the Finder Software 7 Connecting Your Computer to the Blaster 8 Entering a Tag IP Address 9 Detecting and Reading Tag IP Addresses 10 Other Advanced Finder Features 11 Loop Antenna 12 Using the Handheld RuBee Reader 13-14 A1. Installing the Serial-to-USB Adaptor on Windows 15-16 If you need help. 16 A2. Quality Assurance Certificate of Compliance 17 V1-6 2
Introduction: This RuBee Demonstration Kit has been created to demonstrate features and functions of the RuBee protocol (IEEE P1902.1 pending standard). RuBee is a long-wavelength (131 KHz) TX/RX, radiating, transceiver mode protocol similar to 802.11 (WiFi) and 802.4.15 (ZigBee), but optimized and designed for Visibility Network applications. Most of the radiated power is in the form of a magnetic field (also called induction), not an electric field (that is radio waves). This means RuBee works with no attenuation near, or in liquids, and is steel friendly. RuBee is not a backscattered transponder protocol commonly used by RFID tags. This is not a development kit and has been provided to you or your company as a simple demonstration of RuBee, not as a developer s kit or technology testing kit. RuBee is a new technology that has many features that can not be cost effectively included in one demonstration package. We provide a separate Demonstration Guide document and this kit was created to do the four basic demonstrations contained in that guide. The kit includes a base-station known as a Blaster, a Ranger Antenna, RuBee Radio Tags, Finder Software, a large sample loop antenna, and a small handheld RuBee Reader. Blaster Ranger Antenna The Blaster is the low-power base station. It has 4 antenna outputs and an RS-232 serial port for communication with a computer. This is the antenna provided for demonstration purposes. Loop Antenna RuBee Tags RuBee Reader Finder Software This antenna, which can be of an arbitrary size, is discussed on page 12. These are tags provided to demonstration purposes. A handheld that can read and write to the tags. This demonstration software is provided to enable the user to evaluate the capability of the RuBee Radio Tag Network using a stand-alone computer. It can run by a serial port or a USB port. V1-6 3
Tag Addressing Concepts: Every RuBee Radio Tag has three address numbers an IP address, a Subnet address and a MAC address. Address Type IP Address Subnet Address MAC Address Description Used to address a tag in a network (32 bit number). A binary, searchable asset-based code. Enables the user to selectively identify and find an asset within a network (32 bit number). (example: doctors, nurses, and cows) A MAC (Media Access Control) fixed 32 bit number used to assign IP address. RuBee tags also have static memory (256 bytes to optional 1K bytes)) for storage of data and information that might be linked to an asset (expiry date, UPC code, EPC code). The key, addressing, and data are separate however, addressing may be based on any field in the tag. Most applications use the IP address as the primary ID for a tag. The IP address may be reassigned or altered at anytime using the handheld or other network systems (not included in this kit). The subnet address is an arbitrary number assigned to an asset type. For example: 1259 = Cell Phones 42485698 = Doctor 24536598 = Nurse 32968974 = Stent Currently, these are arbitrary tabbed numbers. However, binary searches may be used on any field including Subnets. Eventually Subnets will be rational and have a binary tree structure linked to keys, industries, assets, and people types. Again the Subnet may be altered with the handheld or network software systems. Finally, the MAC address is a 32 bit fixed ID programmed at the time the tag is made. It may be used in a network setting to get an IP address by means of network software, and it is used to uniquely identify a tag throughout its life for internal QC. The MAC address may not be changed by the handheld or by network software as it is a fixed permanent number. V1-6 4
Installing the Finder Software on your computer: 1. Insert the Finder CD into your computer CD-ROM drive. 2. On your computer click the 'Start button', then select 'Run'. 3. Click the 'Browse' button and find your CD-ROM drive. 4. Double click on the CD-ROM drive in the Browser window. 5. Double click on 'Finder Setup'. 6. Press OK in the 'RUN' window to begin installing the Finder Software. 7. Follow the set-up instructions on the next page to complete the installation of the Finder Software in your computer. V1-6 5
Setting up the RuBee Demonstration Kit: 1. Remove the contents of the RuBee Demonstration Kit from the carrying case. 2. Connect the components of the Demonstration Kit as shown in Figure 1. 3. If your computer has no serial data port, connect the serial port on the base station to your computer using the USB-to-Serial Port Adapter supplied with the Demonstration Kit. Instructions for installing the USB Adapter Software are in Appendix A1. 4. The green LED on the back of the base station blinks when the power is plugged in. When the computer communicates with the base station the yellow LED blinks. Figure 1. Demonstration Kit Connection Program Base station RS-232 serial port Computer Connect Ranger antenna to Antenna 1 Null modem cable USB port Serial-to-USB port adapter (if there is no serial port on the computer) Base station power supply Ranger antenna From 110-VAC mains V1-6 6
Running Finder Software: Launch the Finder program on your computer as follows: 1. Click on the Finder icon on your computer s desktop. 2. The Finder screen (shown in figure 2) will appear on the desktop. Figure 2. Initial Settings Click 'List' Com Port V1-6 7
Connecting Your Computer to the Blaster: 1. Click on LIST button as shown in figure 2. Select Antenna 1 using the dial on upper right. 2. Click on COM 1 or whichever COM port number appears. 3. Then click on TUNE. You should hear clicks and see the yellow LED blink on the Blaster. Look for the tuning response curve under the TUNE button on the right side of the Finder as shown in Figure 3 below. If the tuning response curve appears go to the next page. The best tuned antennas are sharp and dead-on in the middle. It is OK to be shifted to right or left of center and often large antennas may give a broad curve. The tuning curve shape depends on parasitic capacitance and inductance of the loop antenna. That may be affected by steel, gauge of the wire, loop size, and other factors. 4. If the tuning curve does not appear, click on the COM Port and select another COM Port number; again click on TUNE until you find the one that is connected. 5. If the tuning response still does not appear, check that the Blaster and the Ranger Antenna are interconnected as shown in Figure 1 and repeat the sequence of four steps listed directly above. Figure 3. Tuning Curve Appears 'Tune' Button Antenna Response Curve V1-6 8
Entering a Tag IP Address: 1. Select the first green box on the spreadsheet and type in the tag number (IP address) for one of the RuBee tags in your kit. 2. Press ENTER on the computer keyboard. 3. The number will appear in column 0 of the Finder spreadsheet as shown in Figure 4. Other tag IP addresses can be similarly entered in other boxes. 4. Press GO. 5. The box containing the IP addresses of tags that have been previously entered and are in the detection range of the antenna will turn green. 6. If the tag is not within the detection range of the antenna then the box containing the tag IP address will turn red. 7. Press STOP to stop detection. Figure 4. Entering Tag IP Numbers Tag number appears V1-6 9
Detecting and Reading Tag IP Addresses: 1. Click on Discover; click on All, New Only, and Group 1. 2. Click Go. 3. The Cells containing the IP address of the tags that have been previously entered and are in the detection range of the antenna will turn green. 4. If the tag is not within the detection range of the antenna then the cell containing the tag IP address will turn red. 5. If there are other tags within the detection range of the antenna whose IP addresses have not been previously entered into Finder then these will also be detected and their IP addresses will appear in Finder. 6. Press STOP to stop detection. Figure 5. Detecting and Reading Tag IP Addresses Click on: 'Discover' 'New only' Click on: 'All' V1-6 10
Other Advance Finder Features: Finder is a general purpose tool that may be used to test and debug many problems in the field. It has a number of additional useful features. The signal processing software and basic functions may be altered with the sliders above the spread sheet. The number of attempted reads before Finder gives up is on the left (normally 5). The Threshold (center) and Confidence is on the right (normally 1 and 90). These will alter the signal processing so it will accept the tag data with different levels of acceptance. This may be useful in noisy environments. The Logging Tab on the bottom right has several options. It may be used to create a log of all transactions. This is stored as a comma separated file in root directory /C:. The name includes the date and time and pas file type.csv. It may be imported into many data miners for advanced analysis. The log may also be broken up into one hour segments or one day segments. For more information on use contact Visible Assets, Inc. In addition, delays in read rate may be added and automatic switching between antennas can be selected. Again, these are advance features that can be useful. Attempts Figure 6. Other Features Confidence V1-6 11
Loop Antenna: Though the Ranger Antenna is a fixed 10-turn Loop Antenna, a Loop Antenna is also supplied with this RuBee Demonstration Kit. This is the coil of insulated wire, about 16 feet long, that can be formed into a circular loop roughly 5 feet in diameter. A Loop Antenna, formed from a still longer wire, could be employed that would enable the Blaster to work efficiently over an area of up to about 10,000 square feet maximum (100X100 feet). Here is how to go about setting up the Loop Antenna: 1. Plug the Loop Antenna into Antenna Port 2 on the Blaster. On the Finder screen, set the Antenna to 2. 2. Press TUNE on the Finder screen. The sharper peak of the Antenna Response Curve and the closer to the middle of the screen, the better the performance will be of the Loop Antenna. The Loop Antenna will function best if it is shaped in a circle. You can now do everything you have done before with the RuBee Radio Tags. V1-6 12
Using the Handheld RuBee Reader: The Handheld Tag Reader/Writer can be employed to both read and write RuBee Tags. This instrument is turned on at all times. If PIN does not appear on the screen as shown in Figure 6, the batteries probably needs replacement. To replace the batteries, remove the two screws at the rear of the Tag Reader/Writer, near the bottom, and replace the two AA batteries. When PIN appears on the screen it means you have to enter a 4-digit code to activate the Handheld Tag Reader/Writer. The default code is 0178. 1. Set Up: A. Using the keypad enter the default PIN code 0178. Then press the ENTER key. This will activate the Handheld Tag Reader/Writer. B. TAG is the default display after the PIN number is entered and is should appear on the display. C. Select the display to be read, TAG, SUB, or MAC by pressing the FNC key successively. The version number of a tag may be read as well as the version number of the handheld is also displayed as you continue to cycle through the FNC key. 2. Reading an IP Address: A. Select TAG by pressing FNC until TAG appears on the screen. B. Place the Handheld Tag Reader/Writer about an inch to ten inched above a RuBee tag. Press the READ key on the Handheld Reader/Writer. The tag IP address will appear on the screen of the handheld and the green light will go on. C. Try moving the RuBee tag roughly 2 feet away. Press the READ key on the handheld. The red light will go on signalling the read is unsuccessful. Figure 7. Handheld Tag Reader/Writer V1-6 13
3. Writing to a Tag and Bar Code Reading: A. Select TAG, SUB, or MAC by pressing the FNC key. B. Using the keypad on the handheld enter the number to be sent to the tag as the new IP for TAG. The number will be displayed on the screen of the handheld. (You may also use the Bar Code Reader to capture a number see below) C. Place the Handheld Tag Reader/Writer about 1 inch above a RuBee tag. Press the WRITE key on the Handheld. The green LED on the Handheld will flash on if the new IP has been successfully written into the tag. The display on the Handheld will also change to TAG. D. If the new IP has not been written successfully, the red LED will flash. If this occurs repeatedly the tag may be defective. E. After writing it is a good idea to confirm the correct IP address has been written into the tag by reading it (instructions on page 13). F. You may do the same for SUB the subnet address. You may not write to the MAC address or to VER the version number. These are read only locations. G. Bar Codes: If you have a bar code option, you can press the FNC key until you see BAR in the display. If you press READ the bar code reader LED will come on and you can scan a 3 of 9 barcode. The scanned bar code number will be displayed on the screen and stored in memory. If you go to the TAG display by pressing the FNC key this number may be reloaded by pushing the ENTER key. You may now push the WRITE key and the Handheld will program that number into a RuBee tag as its IP address. You can use the FNC to go to the SUB display and again you may reload the number with the ENTER key and program the tag with the WRITE key. Figure 8. V1-6 14
Appendix: Installing the Serial-to-USB Adapter on Windows 1. Installing the program: This procedure is intended for Windows XP, 2000 and 98. A. Install the CD that is packaged with the USB-to-Serial Adapter in the CD drive on your computer. Make sure that the USB-to-Serial Adapter is not connected to the computer during this procedure. B. At the lower left of your computer screen click Start and then click Run. In the Run icon click the Browse button and navigate to the \USB Serial Adapter\WINDOWS DRIVER\PL2303 on the CD drive. C. Highlight the PL-2303 Driver Installer 'exe file and click open. Once the Browse window closes click on the OK button in the Run window. D. The InstallShield' Wizard will appear. It will say Welcome to the InstallShield Wizard for PL-2303 USB-to-Serial. E. Press Next. After a brief interval IntallShield Wizard Complete! will appear. Press Finish. F. Connect the USB-to-Serial Adapter to the computer and wait for the computer to initialize the USB-to-Serial Adapter. To confirm that the adapter program has been loaded: A. Go to Start. B. Go to All Programs. C. USB PL 203 Serial-Driver will appear either at the end or in alphabetical order in the list of programs. Connect the cable supplied with the USB-to-Serial Adapter Kit: A. This cable should be connected between the serial cable that connects to the Blaster and a USB port on your computer as shown in Figure 1. B. You are now ready to run the Finder software as instructed on page 4. V1-6 15
2. To remove the USB-to-Serial Adapter Program: NOTE: Do Not Remove this program unless you no longer plan to use the Blaster and the Finder Software. A. At the lower left of your computer press Start, then Control Panel. B. Find the icon called Add or Remove and double click on it. C. The Add or Remove Programs list will appear. Find the icon called PL-2303 USB-to-Serial and click on it. D. Right click the Change/Remove ( Add/Remove for Windows 98) button. E. The InstallShield Wizard will appear telling you that PL-2303 Uninstall Completed!. F. Press Finish. If you need help you can reach Visible Assets, Inc. by calling (603) 418-8800. Hours are M-F 8:00 AM 5:00 PM - Eastern Time. Visible Assets, Inc. 195 Bunker Hill Ave. Stratham, NH 03885 USA V1-6 16
A2. Quality Assurance Certification of Compliance This is to certify that The RuBee Demonstration Kit, Part No. 105000-01, Serial Number, was thoroughly tested prior to shipment and was determined to be functioning in accordance with its governing specifications. Item Description Quantity Present & Tested? Blaster 1 Power Supply for Blaster 1 AC Cord for Power Supply 1 RuBee Tag Reader 1 Ranger Antenna 1 Loop Antenna 1 Null Modem Cable, 6 ft 1 Serial-to-Parallel Adapter 1 RuBee Demonstration Tags 5 2 Cell Phone Tags 2 Inventory Tags 1 Heavy Duty T-Tag RuBee-enabled Wrench 1 Finder Software CD (includes manual) 1 Quality Assurance Manager, Visible Assets, Inc These instructions have been carefully checked and are believed to be reliable. However, no responsibility is assumed for possible inaccuracies or omissions. Original Issue August 2006 - Visible Assets, Inc. V1-6 17