User's Manual

Travel Document Reader User Guide DRAFT 3M Confidential

Contactless Integrated Circuits Reading Procedure

To read passports with a chip, the ePassport reader is equipped with an antenna that completely

surrounds the document window. Whether the chip is in the front or rear cover, the data page, or

any other page, the reader’s antenna will detect and read the chip. You do not have to turn the

book around to ensure the chip is read. In issuance environments, the reader has the ability to

write personalized information, like that on the data page, to the chip. This provides an additional

level of security to the travel document. (For information on writing to contactless chips please

contact Global Technical Services (GTS) at 3M.) The reader:

• reads and writes to ISO 14443 Type A and Type B ICs

• supports reader to chip transfer rate of 424 Kbps when applicable (IC dependent)

• provides functionality according to ICAO NTWG Technical Reports

The RF (radio frequency) technology used in the ePassport reader is very short range, and does

not interfere with other electronic equipment such as PC monitors, wireless communications (for

example, 802.11g) or cell phones. However, to ensure no interference between ePassport readers,

you should maintain a minimum of 25cm (10 in) between readers.

RF Reading Procedure

1. Start the RF test application rfissuer.exe located in the 3M Document Authenticator

folder created during software installation.

Note: Rfissuer does not report its status to the LED display on the reader.

Verify that the Enable Auto Read check box is checked (this is the default).

Place the document on the document window, aligned with the left edge of the document

window.

Note: The reader is shown with the light shield up to better illustrate the procedure.

Push the document to the back of the document window until it stops.

Note: The spring-loaded document guide will normally hold the document in place,

allowing hands-free operation

The ePassport Reader reads the data from the chip and displays it on screen.

Note: It may take several seconds to read RF information in the document.