User's Guide Part 1

CHAPTER 3 NANOSCANNER SYSTEM OVERVIEW
NANOSCANNER READER USERGUIDE • DOC ??? 17
© 2003 Alien Technology™
CHAPTER 3
Nanoscanner System Overview
This chapter provides an overview of the major features found in a Nanoscanner
reader.
Specific instructions for setting up a reader are provided in Chapter 4: Reader-
Host Communications Installation.
Reader commands and their uses are covered in Chapter 5: Reader-Host
Protocol.
Introduction
The most basic function of the Nanoscanner reader is to read RFID tags and to
allow a user or application access to a list of these tags.
The Nanoscanner reader is designed to perform this function either connected to
a host via serial cable, or on a network as a standalone unit or in conjunction with
other readers on the network.
To assist in the networked operation, the reader has two important features
designed to simplify network management:
• Reader Heartbeats allow network applications to easily discover readers on a
network.
• Autonomous Mode reading allows unattended readers to look for tags and
send notification messages to listening services on the network when certain
conditions arise.
These important concepts, along with the basics of communicating with the
reader, are discussed in this chapter.
Communicating with the Nanoscanner
Overview
Commands can be issued to the Nanoscanner in one of three ways:
• Serial communication
• Network communication
• Web-based interaction