User's Manual

INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1
ALR-9890 – RR Hardware Setup Guide
DOC. CONTROL #8102XXX-000 REV A
2
UHF RFID Tags
The Alien ALR-9890 RFID reader is designed to read any tag conforming to AAR
S-918 (commonly found on rail cars) or EPC Class 1 Generation 2 protocols.
Rail tags are both “passive” and “semi-passive”. EPC tags are passive only.
Passive tags derive their operating power from the incident RF field of the reader
through rectification of the incident wave. Semi passive tags derive their
operating power from a battery or other power source.
Both passive and semi-passive tags communicate with the reader through
backscatter modulation in which the tags do not actually transmit RF energy.
Instead, they change their reflective characteristics in a systematic way and
reflect RF energy back to the reader. An analogy to this is the way you can use
a mirror to transmit information by reflecting light from the Sun.
Requirements
To interface with the ALR – 9890 Reader you will need the following:
 A PC running Windows 98 or higher, with CD-ROM drive, an available
RS-232 serial port, and Ethernet connectivity
 Standard 120/220 VAC 50/60 Hz
 Power supply and cord (included with reader)
 Host software (Alien Gateway demo software or your own custom
software)