Pepperl Fuchs IURF190 RFID Reader User Guide

Pepperl Fuchs IURF190 RFID Reader

General Description

Module description

The module operates in the UHF frequency range and is optimized for use in industrial applications involving medium distances. The device reads and writes passive tags in line with EPC Generation 2 (ISO/IEC 18000-63). The module can be used in the United States and Canada. The module is compliant with the relevant transmission regulations. Wide range of options supported for filtering data. The user can monitor the status of the module using the integrated LEDs. The module has a typical detection range of around 2 meters; this range is determined by the tag used and can be adjusted by configuring the transmission power. Other influencing factors include the setup and installation of the specific application and the surrounding materials, particularly metal. The read and write distances for the relevant tag, which are detailed separately, have been established in a test laboratory under ideal conditions. For the actual read and write distances under real conditions, the combination of module and tag must be tested in the desired application. The radio module can be interfaced to various industrial busses by host product.

Module features

• Flexible UHF read/write head with medium detection range
• Compact and robust housing for harsh industrial environments
• Switchable antenna polarization guarantees reliable tag detection and enhances process flow
• Multi-tag reading of up to 40 tags ensures increased productivity
• xProvides simple interface for host products

Qualified personnel

Only appropriately trained and qualified personnel may carry out mounting, installation, commissioning, operation, maintenance, and dismounting of the product. The personnel must have read and understood the instruction manual and the further documentation. Prior to using the product make yourself familiar with it. Read the document carefully.

Environmental conditions

Operating or storing the module outside the specified range may damage the module. Also this could lead to incorrect operation of desired module functionality.

Table 1 Environmental operating conditions

The maximum relative humidity is 80 % for temperatures up to 31 °C, decreasing linearly to 50% relative humidity at 40 °C.

Module components
The radio module consist of 3 PCBs as shown in block diagram.

• ANT-PCB (#70119402 PCBA S IUT-F190 FR2 AntHV1):
  is used as carrier for Antenna element and cover of shielding.

• RF-PCB (#70119403 PCBA S IUT-F190 FR2 RF-G2-3):
  contains the RF electronic part which acts as well bottom part of shielding.

• µC-PCB (#70109836 PCBA S IUH-F190-V1-FRx uC-G2-2):
  contains the control logic and power supply for the RF part.

The aluminum housing part (coated with black color) is used to carry the PCBs and also provides shielding for the RF circuit. The plastic top cover part (here green variant) protects the antenna to environmental harm. The top cover can be supplied in multiple color variants without affecting the module approval.

Block Diagram

PCBs of the module in the housing

Interfacing of module

The interfacing of module is made in host product, which provides the typical 24V supply to the module. Also the digital interface of RFID reader is interfaced via serial interface at CMOS Levels. The housing of module is designed to be able to contain the host product as well and a variable amount of external connectors.

Mechanical characteristics

Housing
The housing of module can also be the housing of end product, as there is space for implementing the interface PCB on the bottom side of the RFID reader module. The housing can therefore be modified in part of external connection, as long as the shielding cavity between ANT-PCB and RF-PCB is not touched.
The housing material provides a flammability class of UL94-V0.

Dimensions

Mounting
To attach the housing, use 3 screws with a diameter of 4 mm, as well as mounting materials that are suitable for the type of mounting surface. The tightening torque of the screws depends on the type of mounting.

Minimum Distances
When positioning the housing, please observe the minimum distances. The lateral distance between the housing and metals or liquids should be at least 50 cm. The distance between the housing and the ground should be at least 50 cm.

Labeling
The labeling of the module is applied on the RF-PCB. The top cover of module may be used for host product labeling.

Shielding

Cooling of RF electronic
The RF-PCB is mounted on the metal part of housing to provide a good thermal flux to the environment. Therefore the metal part is used as heat sink and may get hot. Be careful not to burn your fingers when handling the device! After shutting down the device, wait at least half an hour before handling the device.

Mounting host inside housing

1. PCB outline of host for integration into module housing
   • A 3D model of module can be requested by module integrator.
2. Position of host interface connector
   • A 3D model of module containing position of interface connector can be requested by module integrator.
3. Variants of host interface connectors
   • The housing has a connection area where different connection variants can derivate from the module housing, without having influence on the modular approval of radio part. For this purpose the connection area is designed without touching the inner module parts and the shielding volume. The connection can be made by 1 or by multiple connectors as shown below. These connections are located outside the scope of approval and are only connected to the interface PCB (host part).
4. Filling
   For the bottom part of the module housing a filling with potting material is allowed. The filling may also cover the µC-PCB of module. The shielded volume and the area around the antenna shall not be filled by any material different than normal air.

Electrical characteristics

Maximum Ratings

Table 2 Electrical operating conditions

Pin definition

Table 3 Pinning of module to host connection

3.3V
11| To host| | 0V … 3.3V
12| GROUND| Bidirectional| GROUND|

Supply voltage
Nominal power supply voltage is 24 VDC; voltage range is 20 … 30 VDC. Supply must be PELV (Protective Extra Low Voltage). The ground connection is module internal connected to metal housing and its grounding screw. The current / power consumption of module will be in range of ≤ 450mA / ≤ 9 W

Data Interface
A UART interface is used for module configuration and RFID data transfer.

ESD sensitivity
The digital interfacing signals must be protected against electro static discharge on host side, if made available to end user.

Ground connection
The housing provides the possibility to connect a ground connection. The module does not require grounding, but in case of various interface variants of host product this connection can be used for EMC reasons.

RF characteristics

Transmit characteristics

• UHF frequency range: 902 MHz … 928 MHz
• Radiated Power: 3 … 1250 mWEIRP; Default setting = 125 mWEIRP
• Channel bandwidth: 500 kHz
• Channel spacing: 500 kHz
• Frequency access method: frequency hopping spread spectrum.
• Number of channels: 50
• Channels used: 1, 2, 3, … 50
  Center frequencies: 902.25 MHz + (M x 0.5) MHz
  All 50 channels are always used.

Hopping scheme

The ISM band from 902 MHz … 928 MHz is available in the USA / Canada. The band is split into 50 channels, each with a 500 kHz bandwidth. FHSS with a maximum retention time of 0.4 seconds is used. All channels must be used. Channel restriction is not permitted. A pseudo random hopping scheme is used.

Antenna

Polarization
The module has an integrated linear dual polarized antenna. The read/write heads can transmit and receive waves with horizontal and vertical polarization.

The module operates in combined mode by default. In combined mode, both horizontal and vertical polarization are used for each read/write access. This increases the reading reliability of tags with an unknown location in the room.

Antenna diagram
The antenna diagrams show the electric field strength in the far field depending on the direction. The front of the integrated antenna points towards 0°.

1. Horizontal polarization
2. Vertical polarization
3. Full width at half maximum

1. Horizontal polarization
2. Vertical polarization
3. Full width at half maximum

Firmware characteristics

Description of air interface

For detailed information about the air interface protocol please refer to EPC Gen 2 (ISO/IEC 18000-63) and GS1 organization (https://www.gs1.org/).

Country Identifier

The module operates within their maximum frequency range with the appropriate settings for the relevant country. The country-specific settings are configured during production and cannot be subsequently modified.

Channel set and hopping

The number and position of the frequencies is fixed and cannot be changed by the user. All channels are used.

Indicator Elements

The read/write head has 3 LEDs, which are green/blue/yellow. The various indicators denote:

• Green LED: Power on
• Blue LED: Transmission mode
• Yellow LED: Read/write operation successful

UART settings

The default interface setting is:

• 38400 baud
• 8 data bits
• 1 stop bit
• no parity
• no flow control

Structure of Control commands

Note: The notation “.” With following two digits (e.g. “.0A”) shows one byte with hexadecimal value 0x0A.

Commands to module
The command format is build up by several elements: