DataSheet mux4x1

MUX4X1 2011. All rights reserved

Company name Generation RFID Document version V4-20110214 Date January 2011

Product Data Sheet Version V4-20110214 February 2011

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1 General description The MUX4X1 is a 1 antenna input to 4 antenna output switch for UHF ISO18000-6C compatible RFID readers. By means of this device a unique RF signal can be selectivity switched to any of the 4 RF output lines. Only 1 antenna line will be active at a time. It is supplied from an external commercial AC to DC power rectifier. The device has an embedded web server to help the user to configure the most appropriated operating mode per each application. Communication with the MUX4X1 is possible over the RS-232 or the Ethernet bus. The active output antenna can be switched in 3 different ways:

− Direct control through a TTL opto-coupled input in the assigned GPIO pin. − Fixed output through an Ethernet command or selecting it in internal webpage. − Self polling through an Ethernet command or selecting in internal webpage.

It also has a power relay to control external visual feedback loads, i.e. indication lights or sound alarms. Versions mounted with RS232 connector can be also used as gateway with low cost RFID readers using serial communication RS232 compatible communications.

Figure 1: Picture of the internal MUX4X1 electronics




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2 Index

1 General description ............................................................................................ 1

2 Index .................................................................................................................... 2

3 Ordering information .......................................................................................... 3

4 Features ............................................................................................................... 3

5 Applications ........................................................................................................ 4

6 Block diagram ..................................................................................................... 4

7 Operating modes ................................................................................................. 5

8 Module Pin-out .................................................................................................... 5

8.1 RF connectors ............................................................................................. 5

8.2 GPIO connector ........................................................................................... 5

8.3 Ethernet Connector ..................................................................................... 6

8.4 RS232 Connector ........................................................................................ 6

8.5 Power Supply connector............................................................................. 6

9 Configuration ...................................................................................................... 6

9.1 Direct control ............................................................................................... 6

9.2 Ethernet operating mode ............................................................................ 8

9.3 Self polling operating mode ....................................................................... 8

9.4 Ethernet general parameters ...................................................................... 9

10 Electrical Characteristics .............................................................................. 10

10.1 Absolute maximum Ratings ..................................................................... 10

10.2 Electrical Characteristics .......................................................................... 10

11 Hardware cost optimization .......................................................................... 11

12 Applications ................................................................................................... 13

12.1 Stock Rupture Alarm Blackboard ............................................................. 13

12.2 Operator activity control ........................................................................... 14

12.3 Patient location .......................................................................................... 14

12.4 Multiple dock-door RFID control .............................................................. 15




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3 Ordering information This part can be ordered in two different versions, hardware and software dependant. The table below shows the components enabled per version.

Reference RF connectors RF input RF output Ethernet RS232 MUX4X1-E SMA 1 4 Yes No MUX4X1-ES SMA 1 4 Yes Yes

Table 1: Ordering information Customers can also request special embedded features, as for instance embedded applications. For these cases, a special ordering code will be generated.

4 Features − Operating frequencies

� 866 to 956MHz − RF antenna signals

� 1 antenna signal input � 4 antenna output signals � Low insertion losses � High isolation between ports

− Operating temperature: � -25 to 65ºC

− Power supply: � DC 4.5 - 13V

− Communication bus: � Ethernet � RS-232 (Version dependant)

− Digital input – outputs � 4 digital TTL inputs for direct antenna activation � 1 relay based output for external power load control




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5 Applications − Supply chain management − Pallet, case and item tracking − Multiple dock-door RFID controls − Stock rupture alarms for Hospitals or industrial companies − Operator activity control − Patient real time location in Hospitals

6 Block diagram The building blocks of the MUX4X1 are highlighted in the block diagram below.

Figure 2: Block diagram




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7 Operating modes The device has 3 different ways to bypass the input antenna signal to any of the 4 outputs. These are: − Direct control: Direct control through a TTL signal

� RF outputs directly controlled through an external TTL signal − Ethernet: Fixed or polling output through Ethernet command

� RF outputs switched through an Ethernet message − Self-pooling: Fixed or self polling selected through internal webpage

� RF outputs switch automatically with a predefined time sequence.

8 Module Pin-out

8.1 RF connectors Pin Name Description 1 RFIN Input RF antenna signal. Connect in this pin the output of the

RFID reader antenna that wants to be switched. 2 RFOUT1 Output RF antenna signal 1. Connect this pin to an application

antenna. 3 RFOUT2 Output RF antenna signal 2. Connect this pin to an application



antenna.

8.2 GPIO connector Pin Name Description 1 IN1 TTL compatible opto-coupled input. A low value will bypass the

antenna signal from the RFIN to the RFOUT4. 2 IN2 TTL compatible opto-coupled input. A low value will bypass the






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antenna signal from the RFIN to the RFOUT1. 5 VCOMM Input. Connect a high voltage level reference to enable the opto-

couplers inputs. 6 RELAY+ Connect this pin to the positive voltage when a load needs to be

activated. 7 RELAY- Connect this pin to the load positive terminal. Load negative

terminal must be connected to ground

8.3 Ethernet Connector · Standard RJ45 connector

8.4 RS232 Connector Pin Description 1 NC Not connected 2 Rx Receive signal 3 Tx Transmit signal 4 NC Not connected 5 GND Ground 6 NC Not connected 7 NC Not connected 8 NC Not connected 9 NC Not connected

8.5 Power Supply connector Pin Description 1 VPOS Positive input voltage reference 2 GND Ground

9 Configuration The device has three different operating modes that can be selected depending on the application requirements. By means of the allowed operating modes, the antenna parameters can be selected in different ways. This is the enabled antennas, the active time per antenna and the switching characteristics (fixed or self-polling).

9.1 Direct control




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This is the default operating mode of the MUX4x1 device. In order to active any antenna, the application must activate the associated GPIO pin. The antenna will follow the pin status, as per the table below: Pin IN1

Pin IN2

Pin IN3

Pin IN4

Antenna 1

Antenna 2

Antenna 3

Antenna 4

1 0 0 0 RFIN - - - 0 1 0 0 - RFIN - - 0 0 1 0 - - RFIN - 0 0 0 1 - - - RFIN

Only 1 input PIN must be active. If more than 1 is active simultaneously, the active antenna will not switch and only the last enables antenna will be active. In order to change the default operating mode, the user must access the internal web server. The MUX4x1 device can be easily configured via the internal web page. In order to access this service, supply the device and connect it to the intranet through a regular LAN cable. The go to the web address http://MUX4X1_n (where “n” is the number of the PCB). The network requirement basically is to have DHCP enabled in a server or a router. The parameters that can be configured by the internal server are:

− Antenna enable: enables the antennas. − Time (in seconds): Enter a value in seconds used to set the antenna

switching time. Once set, the antenna cycle is 1 – 2 – 3 – 4.

− Operating Mode: Used to select the required operating mode between Fixed, Self polling and Ethernet.

The user can select two of the following operating modes:

- Self polling: This mode will configure the MUX4x1 according to the application settings. Once running, the antennas will be sequentially activated according to the user predefined settings.

- Ethernet: To change the active antenna, the user must send the

appropriated Ethernet messages. In case of bad configuration setting (i.e. when a fixed IP address is chosen in other ip mask address), the device controller will be reset to the default DHCP mode again by pushing the erase button for more than 5 seconds.




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9.2 Ethernet operating mode The commands that control the antennas are:

- “SET FIX n”: Select the antenna ‘n’. - “SET TIME m”: Select the antenna interval in seconds. - “SET ANTENNAS x”: Choose the number of antennas used

with this multiplexor (1..4). This options is only valid to use with the self-polling mode.

Example: “SET FIX 2”. It selects the Antenna number 2. Answer “OK” Example: “SET TIME 10”. It configures a 10 seconds interval. Answer “OK” Example: ”SET ANTENNAS 3”. It configures 3 antennas. Answer “OK” There are two ways to communicate with the multiplexor:

1. UDP Connection

To send a command to the device open a udp socket from the remote application to the address http://ip_address:1234 or http://name:1234 . The ip address will be the fixed ip selected in the Ethernet configuration panel and/or the “name” by default will be MUX4X1. In this mode there is no information about the antenna selected, the only feedback from the MUX is “ERROR” or “OK”.

2. TCP/Telnet Connection

Is preferable to use a TCP connection with the MUX in order to maintain a link between the host and the MUX and to know the antenna selected in any moment. To establish the connection open a Telnet session or normal TCP socket to port 23. http://ip_address:23 It will be received every time the antenna changes the state: “ANT n”: Where ‘n’ is the antenna selected.

9.3 Self polling operating mode Accessing the internal web server page also activates this mode. Once running, the antennas will be sequentially activated according to the user-predefined settings. The application PC will know the active antenna even in the self-polling stat, as the MUX4x1 will send the active antenna diagnostics through Ethernet.




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The commands that will inform in regards of the active antenna will be: − “SET FIX n”: Select the antenna ‘n’. (comanda per enable

9.4 Ethernet general parameters To change the Ethernet configuration, modify the desired formulary fields:

− Name: NetBIOS name, it is the intranet name to access to the device without knowing the ip address, http://name_n

− IP Address: DHCP or Fixed, select DHCP mode to automatically assign and ip address in the intranet range.

− Gateway address: Automatically assigned in the DHCP mode.

− MAC Address: Fixed device address.

9.5 Ethernet to Serial Gateway

In order to control any external device via RS232 port, is possible to open a TCP connection to the MUX device and any information that is sent to the MUX will be redirected to the RS232 port and vice versa. To do this, open a TCP connection with the MUX device to the port 2000. http://ip_address:2000 The RS232 port will communicate at 19200bps.




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10 Electrical Characteristics

10.1 Absolute maximum Ratings (operating free-air temperature range, unless otherwise noted)*

Input Voltage Range (see NOTE 1) .................................................. -0.3V to 13V Maximum current to any I / O pin ................................................ 1A ESD Rating, HBM (all pins except RFIN or RFOUT1, 2, 3 or 4) ......... ± 2KV ESD Rating, HBM (pins RFIN and RFOUT1, 2, 3 or 4) ...................... ± 1KV Storage Temperature Range ...................................................... -65ºC to +150ºC NOTE1: All voltage values are with respect to ground (VGND).

* Stresses beyond those limits listed under “Absolute Maximum Ratings” will cause permanent damage to the device. Exposure to absolute-maximum-rated conditions will affect the device reliability.

10.2 Electrical Characteristics Parameter Comments Min Typ Max Units RF connector

RFIN Input signal at 50 ohms 1 4 W RFOUT Insertion loss EU @ 866 MHz 1,10 1,42 dB

Insertion loss USA @ 915 MHz 1,35 1,77 dB Insertion loss ASIA @ 956 MHz 1,55 2,10 dB

Isolation @ 866 MHz 23,8 26,2 dB Isolation @ 915 MHz 24,2 27,5 dB Isolation @ 956 MHz 21,2 26,2 dB

tSWITCH Antenna switch time (1) us Supply

VPOS Supply voltage 4.5 5 13 V ISUPPLY Current consumption 90 90 140 mA

GPIO Inputs VCOMM High to enable VIN1, 2, 3 and 4. 2 12 15 V

IN1,2 ,3 ,4 VON: Input voltage for On GND 1 V VOFF: Input voltage for Off VCOMM-

0,5 VCOM

M V

ION: Input current if On 0.1 4 6 mA IOFF: Input current if Off 10 15 uA Serial Port

RS-232 baudrate 1200 9600 115200 bps Relay pins

Current through pins 1,25 A Voltage at the pins V Voltage drop V (1): Antenna switching time between two consecutive Ethernet messages.




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11 Hardware cost optimization The MUX4X1 can be used in ISO18000-6C compatible readers to reduce global implementation costs, as indicated in the graphic below. With the use of 4 MUX4X1 devices, the overall system can be controlled with a unique 4 port RFID ISO 18000-6C reader. With this architecture, the hardware implementation costs can be reduced up to a 40%.

Figure 3: Installation example to drive 16 antennas with 4 UHF readers




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Figure 4: Installation example to drive 16 antennas with 1 UHF reader and 4 MUX4X1




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12 Applications

12.1 Stock Rupture Alarm Blackboard All industrial companies, private or public held, need to have a high degree of control regarding the stock levels. A good control method is to tag each single product or groups of the with a unique traceability number stored in a RFID label. During the production process, products are consumed and probably the operator will never pay enough attention to the remaining stock level. For this reason, the production process may be stopped due to a stock rupture. The Stock Rupture Alarm Blackboard is a RFID equipped blackboard with Ethernet connection to the production system software. Once any product reaches a predefined low limit, the operator will have to attach the product associated label to the blackboard, and it will monitor periodically and automatically the RFID label activity. If a new label is detected, it will automatically report an ordering code to the system for more units to avoid the rupture of this material.

Figure 5. Example of Stock Rupture RFID Blackboard with MUX4X1




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12.2 Operator activity control This application is specially indicated for industrial operations over intermediate products that require specific processes done by human professionals. When the items to process are tagged with RFID labels, each operator will have a reader antenna under the working table. The reading software will read both operator and item unique numbers in order to know which operator processes the item.

12.3 Patient location As MUX4X1 will dramatically reduce Hardware costs of the implementation, an antenna network can be set along a building floor. This way, complete traceability and location of the tagged patients can be achieved at a very low cost. The diagram below shows how with only 1 RFID reader and 4 x MUX4X1 can cover a big surface.

Figure 6. Example of Patient Location implementation with MUX4X1




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12.4 Multiple dock-door RFID control Dock doors require 4 antennas to read the pallets tagged with RFID labels that are loaded to the transportation trucks and thus 1 reader per door. If the design includes the MUX4X1, only 1 reader will be necessary, as each door will be controller by a dedicated MUX4X1, reducing dramatically the hardware costs for it.

Figure 6. Example of Dock-Door RFID control with MUX4X1

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