USER GUIDE: 2128L BLUETOOTH UHF RFID READER ® www.tsl.
www.tsl.com TERMS & CONDITIONS Copyright © 2020 Technology Solutions (UK) Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form, or by any electrical or mechanical means, without permission in writing from Technology Solutions (UK) Ltd. This includes electronic or mechanical means,such as photocopying, recording, or information storage and retrieval systems. The material in this manual is subject to change without notice.
www.tsl.com CONTENT Introduction Parts of the 2128L UHF Reader Technical Specifications Using the 2128L UHF RFID Reader Charging Button Operation Reading Transponders Status LEDs Connections USB Connection Bluetooth® Wireless Technology Connection Comparison of Bluetooth® Operating Modes Changing the Bluetooth® Operating Mode Setting up a Bluetooth ® Connection with a Supported Apple iOS Device Embedded SD Card Auto Run File (AUTO.TXT) Log File (LOG.
www.tsl.com INTRODUCTION The TSL® 2128L Bluetooth® UHF RFID Reader provides Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), with optional barcode scanning functionality. The unit can be used in batch mode using an optional Micro SD card, or can be connected via USB through the ePop-Loq® socket, or connected to a host device via Bluetooth®. The 2128L can read and write to EPC Global Class 1 Gen 2 UHF RFID transponders.
INTRODUCTION www.tsl.com 2128L Preliminary Specifications TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Physical and Environmental Characteristics Dimensions: 240 x 88 x 180 mm (LxWxH) Bluetooth® Range: Up to 100m.
www.tsl.com USING THE 2128L UHF RFID READER CHARGING To comply with international shipping regulations, all batteries included with TSL® products are discharged to less than 30% of their maximum capacity when shipped. It is therefore important that the unit is fully charged before using your 2128L UHF Reader for the first time. The 2128L UHF Reader can be charged using the dedicated 2128L Docking Station. The Docking Station has an input for power and a Mini USB connector for data communications.
USING THE 2128L UHF RFID READER www.tsl.com BUTTON OPERATION The 2128L UHF Reader has a Primary button action and a Secondary button action which can be initiated by different button clicks: By default, the Primary action scans for UHF transponders, whilst the Secondary action initiates the laser barcode scanner (Barcode scanning is only available with the 2D Imager Antenna variant). Which operation is performed depends on the way in which the button is pressed.
USING THE 2128L UHF RFID READER www.tsl.com READING TRANSPONDERS The 2128L UHF Reader can read and write to UHF RFID transponders when they are in range of the antenna. The antenna is located on the front of the 2128L UHF Reader and the read zone is in front and to the sides of the antenna. The range at which a transponder can be read depends on the transponder type and size, and the number of transponders in the field. The UHF reader reads transponders in front of and to the sides of the antenna.
USING THE 2128L UHF RFID READER www.tsl.com STATUS LEDS Location of Main Body Status Indicators Charge status Bluetooth ® status Read indicator Charge status Figure 4: Location of status LEDs on the 2128L main body Default Behaviour of the Main Body Status LEDs LED Behaviour Status The reader is awake but there is no connection. Blue slow flash (50% on, 50% off). The reader is awake and connected to a host. Blue constant.
USING THE 2128L UHF RFID READER www.tsl.com Location of Antenna Indicators The Antenna Indicators provide additional information to the user whilst the 2128L Reader is being operated. Antenna Indicators Figure 5: Location of Antenna Indicators Default Behaviour of the Antenna Indicators Reader has woken Indicators light up green one by one in a clockwise direction. Reader is powering off Indicators light up red one by one in an anti-clockwise direction.
USING THE 2128L UHF RFID READER www.tsl.com Battery Low A quick red flash when powering on the reader or just before a tag or barcode read indicates that the battery is low and should be charged. Bluetooth® Connected Indicators light up blue from bottom to top. Bluetooth® Disconnected Indicators light up blue from top to bottom, pausing at the bottom. RFID Information Received - No New Tags Found Indicators flash magenta.
USING THE 2128L UHF RFID READER www.tsl.com RFID Information Received - New Tags Found Indicators flash green. Barcode Information Received Indicators flash cyan. ‘Find Me’ Alert (requires compatible app) Indicators flash magenta and cyan. This alert is available in the latest SDK and can be implemented to help the user locate the (Bluetooth®-connected) 2128P Reader.
USING THE 2128L UHF RFID READER www.tsl.com Charge Status* (when charging in the Docking Cradle) Pulsing Orange: Charging (0-80%) Pulsing Green: Charging (80-100%) Solid Green: Fully Charged *Requires firmware v1.5.0 or later. Copyright © 2020 Technology Solutions (UK) Ltd 13 2128L UHF RFID Reader User Guide V0.
www.tsl.com CONNECTIONS The connection to the 2128L is either via Bluetooth® or USB. Bluetooth® connections use either a Virtual Com Port (VCP) or via the iAP protocol for supported Apple iOS Devices. Over USB only VCP is available. For VCP the connection is established at 115200 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit and RTS/CTS (hardware) flow control. USB CONNECTION USB OPERATING MODES The ePop-Loq® on the 2128L can be configured in one of two modes – Charge-Only or Charge-and-Data.
CONNECTIONS www.tsl.com BLUETOOTH® WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY CONNECTION SUPPORTED APPLE iOS DEVICES Made for ●●iPhone XS Max ●●iPhone XS ●●iPhone 8 ●●iPhone 8 Plus ●●iPhone 6s ●●iPhone 6s Plus ●●iPhone 6 ●●iPhone 6 Plus ●●iPad Pro (10.5-inch) ●●iPad Pro (12.
CONNECTIONS www.tsl.com COMPARISON OF BLUETOOTH® OPERATING MODES Our UHF RFID Bluetooth® readers support two modes of operation over Bluetooth®. When connected via USB the reader always supports the TSL® ASCII 2 protocol, but when connected over Bluetooth® the reader can either be set to use the TSL® ASCII 2 protocol (Bluetooth® SPP Mode) or it can appear as a Bluetooth® keyboard (Bluetooth® HID Mode).
CONNECTIONS www.tsl.com CHANGING THE BLUETOOTH® OPERATING MODE TSL® Bluetooth® UHF RFID Readers can be operated in SPP mode where the Reader is controlled by a customwritten application or in HID mode, where the Reader behaves like a Bluetooth® Keyboard. The HID mode has two variantsi : 1. HID mode Compatible with Android, Windows and supported Apple iOS Devices 2.
CONNECTIONS www.tsl.com FURTHER INFORMATION Further information can be found from the Reader Download pages (free, one-time, registration required - see links above) Application Note – Bluetooth® HID mode: Provides further examples for configuring HID mode Application Note – Using the Micro SD log and auto-run files: Describes using the AUTO.TXT TSL® ASCII Protocol 2.4 Rev B : Details all the commands including for HID .st,.hs,.hc, and .
BLUETOOTH ® WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY CONNECTION www.tsl.com SETTING UP A BLUETOOTH ® CONNECTION WITH A SUPPORTED APPLE iOS DEVICE Awaken the 2128L UHF Reader by squeezing the trigger, which is confirmed by the flashing of the blue LED. To pair with your iOS device, navigate to the Bluetooth® option within the Settings menu on your iOS device. VIEW LIST OF BLUETOOTH® DEVICES (iOS 7) iPad® : ●●Go to the Settings App. ●●Select the Bluetooth® settings in the left hand column.
BLUETOOTH ® WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY CONNECTION www.tsl.com PAIR WITH TSL® BLUETOOTH® DEVICE In the list of Bluetooth® devices, the 2128L UHF reader will be identified by its serial number (2128L-xxxxxx). Click on the corresponding row to pair with the reader. iPad® iPod® / iPhone® Figure 9: Identify device After successfully pairing with the 2128L UHF Reader the device will be shown as ‘connected’.
BLUETOOTH ® WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY CONNECTION www.tsl.com If the app is starting up for the first time, no reader will be selected. To select a reader, tap on ‘Change Reader’ in the menu to the left (iPad®) or ‘Paired Readers’ (iPod®/iPhone®). iPad® iPod® / iPhone® Figure 12: TSL® RFID Explorer App on first load - no reader selected If you have a reader selected from your device’s Bluetooth® settings as previously shown, continue from Figure 15.
BLUETOOTH ® WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY CONNECTION www.tsl.com This will open a ‘Select An Accessory’ dialog box. There may be a small delay in loading available readers. Once the available readers have loaded select the 2128L UHF reader. iPad® iPod® / iPhone® Figure 14: Select the Reader to use A list of compatible and currently paired Bluetooth® devices will appear. Select the device to be used with the RFID Explorer App.
BLUETOOTH ® WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY CONNECTION www.tsl.com The selected device’s image will appear, accompanied by relevant device information. The ‘Inventory’, ‘Read/ Write’, ‘Commands’ and ‘Find a Tag’ features can now be explored. To maximise battery life it is recommended to release the 2128L UHF Reader from its Bluetooth® connection if the reader is not to be used for a significant period of time.
www.tsl.com EMBEDDED SD CARD AUTO RUN FILE (AUTO.TXT) Once an SD card is installed an Auto Run file can be created on the SD card. The Auto Run file contains a list of ASCII 2 commands that are executed as the 2128L powers up. The file should be located at the root of the card and called “AUTO.TXT”.
www.tsl.com SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT To make full use of the functionality of the 2128L UHF Reader, a customised software application will be required. The new 2128L Bluetooth® UHF RFID reader incorporates TSL’s unique ASCII protocol for faster and easier application development. This sophisticated parameterised ASCII protocol provides the developer a powerful set of commands that carry out multiple actions locally within the Bluetooth® reader.
www.tsl.com TROUBLESHOOTING AND MAINTENANCE MAINTENANCE For trouble-free service please observe the following tips when using the 2128L UHF Reader: ●●Protect the 2128L UHF Reader from temperature extremes. Do not leave it on the dashboard of a car on a hot day, and keep it away from heat sources. TROUBLESHOOTING Symptoms Possible cause Action Nothing happens when the yellow button is pressed. If the LEDs are not on then the battery may be flat. Charge the 2128L UHF Reader.
www.tsl.com REGULATORY INFORMATION MARKING AND EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA (EEA) Technology Solutions UK Ltd hereby declares that this radio equipment is in compliance with Directives 2014/53/ EU and 2011/65/EU. The reader operates using the specified frequencies up to the maximum output powers as in the table below: Radio Frequency of operation Maximum Output Power Bluetooth® 2.
REGULATORY INFORMATION www.tsl.com BATTERY INFORMATION CAUTION RISK OF EXPLOSION IF BATTERY IS REPLACED BY AN INCORRECT TYPE. DISPOSE OF USED BATTERIES ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTIONS. ●●If the battery is replaced by an incorrect type, this could result in an explosion. ●●Dispose of batteries according to instructions. ●●Use only TSL®-approved batteries. ●●Use only TSL®-approved chargers. ●●There are limits on how long a battery can operate or be in storage before replacement is required.
www.tsl.com HEALTH AND SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS Ergonomic Recommendations Caution: In order to avoid or minimize the potential risk of ergonomic injury, follow the recommendations below. Consult with your local Health & Safety Manager to ensure that you are adhering to your company’s safety programs to prevent employee injury.
www.tsl.com Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) For EU Customers: All products at the end of their life must be returned to TSL® for recycling. For information on how to return product please contact TSL.
WARRANTY www.tsl.com (E) Original Warranty Period Except for the warranty applying solely to the repaired component arising from a repair service as provided in Section C above, the aforementioned provisions do not extend the original warranty period of any Product that had either been repaired or replaced by TSL.
www.tsl.com ABOUT TSL® ABOUT TSL® Technology Solutions UK Ltd (TSL®) is a leading manufacturer of high performance mobile RFID readers used to identify and track products, assets, data or personnel. For over two decades, TSL® has delivered innovative data capture solutions to Fortune 500 companies around the world using a global network of distributors and system integrators.
