Summary of the content on the page No. 1
Advantage RFID
Thermal Printer HF
(13.56 Mhz)
User Guide
105-132-01 Rev A
*105-132-01*
Summary of the content on the page No. 2
Copyright © 2004, Cognitive. ® Cognitive™ and Advantage™ are trademarks of Cognitive. Microsoft and Windows™ are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other product and corporate names used in this document may be trademarks or registered trademarks of other companies, and are used only for explanation and to their owner’s benefit, without intent to infringe. All information in this document is subject to change without notice, and does not represent a commitment on the part of Cognitive.
Summary of the content on the page No. 3
Table of Contents RFID and the Advantage RFID Thermal Printer..................................... 1 What is RFID?..................................................................................... 1 Active Versus Passive RFID Tags....................................................... 2 RFID Frequencies ............................................................................... 3 Uses for HF RFID................................................................................ 3 RFID
Summary of the content on the page No. 4
Printing RFID Tags ................................................................................ 28 RFID Tag Overview........................................................................... 28 Using Label Software ........................................................................ 30 Using CPL Programming................................................................... 30 Creating a Text File..................................................................... 30 Stored Forma
Summary of the content on the page No. 5
!RFID RDAFTWT........................................................................ 58 !RFID RETRY ............................................................................. 59 !RFID SSONCMD ....................................................................... 60 !RFID TAGTYPE......................................................................... 61 !RFID TIMEOUT ......................................................................... 62 !RFID TXAFTER ...........................
Summary of the content on the page No. 6
Chapter 1 RFID and the Advantage RFID Thermal Printer Cognitive’s Advantage barcode label printers provide an integrated solution for traditional barcode labeling and writing a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. Using an RFID label, the printer can simultaneously write RFID data and print a barcode label. The printer will also perform either operation independently. The Advantage prints both thermal and thermal transfer labels and tags in a host and network system or in a stan
Summary of the content on the page No. 7
RFID AND THE ADVANTAGE RFID PR INTER Refer to Figure 1-1, RFID Overview. The RFID tag contains an antenna (A) that allows the tag to receive and respond to radio-frequency queries from an RFID reader. The reader transmits radio waves (B). The radio waves are reflected back from the RFID tag (C) and converted into digital information. This information is then passed on to computers (D) that can make use of the data. Figure 1-1. RFID Overview Active Versus Passive RFID Tags RFID tags c
Summary of the content on the page No. 8
RFID AND THE ADVANTAGE RFID PR INTER RFID Frequencies RFID tags operate at a specific frequency and both the reader and the tag must be tuned to the same frequency to transfer information. The Advantage RFID Thermal Printer is designed for RFID tags that operate at 13.56 Megahertz. This frequency is referred to as High Frequency, or HF. Uses for HF RFID HF RFID tags are used in a variety of industries and situations including library book or bookstore tracking, pallet tracking, buildi
Summary of the content on the page No. 9
Chapter 2 Drivers and Label Software Printer drivers are software tools that translate information from an external system into an acceptable format for the printer. Older DOS- based systems do not require special drivers. Other systems may use a generic text driver to communicate with the printer. The companion CD contains drivers for the Microsoft Windows operating system. You can also download current drivers from the Cognitive website at http://www.cognitive.com. Installing Print
Summary of the content on the page No. 10
DRIVERS AND LAB E L SOFTWARE 4. Click the hyperlink for your operating system. The Welcome window appears. 5. Click Next. The Selecting the Printer window appears. 6. Choose your printer from the Printers: list. 7. Click Next. The Options window appears. Copyright © 2004, Cognitive. 5
Summary of the content on the page No. 11
DRIVERS AND LAB E L SOFTWARE 8. Choose the port that the printer is connected to from the Available ports: list. Keep the default (LPT1) if you are not sure how the printer is connected. 9. Click Finish. The proper files will be copied to your computer and the installation wizard will close. This may take several minutes. The Advantage RFID Thermal Printer driver is now installed and available for use. Copyright © 2004, Cognitive. 6
Summary of the content on the page No. 12
Chapter 3 Setup Setting up the Advantage RFID Thermal Printer is simple. This chapter describes printer requirements, printer controls, loading thermal transfer ribbon and loading print media. The printer self test is also described. Printer Requirements The Advantage RFID Thermal Printer has the following operational requirements. Communications • Serial – Standard RS-232 null modem • USB Option – USB to serial cable • Ethernet option – Standard 10Base-T Ethernet cable Power (US)
Summary of the content on the page No. 13
SETUP Controls, Indicators, and Connectors Controls and indicators for the Advantage RFID Thermal Printer are conveniently located on the front panel and right side of the unit. Figure 3-1. Advantage RFID Thermal Printer Front View Device Primary Function Use A - POWER indicator Shows power status ON – printer on and ready to print OFF – no power applied B - READY indicator Shows printer status GREEN – printer ready to accept data RED – printer error, empty media roll, or paused
Summary of the content on the page No. 14
SETUP Figure 3-2. Advantage RFID Thermal Printer (Rear View) Connections and Power Connector Use A - Parallel port (optional) Parallel data communications port B - Serial port (RS232) Serial data communications port C - Ethernet connector (optional) Ethernet communications port for network connectivity D - POWER connector Connection for power adapter E – Universal Serial Bus (USB) port USB communications port NOTE: Printer port options are dependent upon printer model. Conne
Summary of the content on the page No. 15
SETUP Releasing the Print Mechanism Refer to the figure below to release the print mechanism. Figure 3-3. Releasing the Print Mechanism 1. Open the dust cover. 2. Refer to Figure 3-3. Slide the black latches towards the rear of the unit to release the print mechanism. 3. Raise the printhead mechanism in preparation for loading the print media and/or ribbon. This also provides access to the printhead for cleaning purposes. Copyright © 2004, Cognitive. 10
Summary of the content on the page No. 16
SETUP Loading a Ribbon (Thermal Transfer Only) Refer to the figure below to load thermal transfer ribbon. Figure 3-4. Loading Thermal Transfer Ribbon 1. Release the print mechanism. 2. Unwind a few inches of the new ribbon from the supply core. 3. Pull gently on the supply core mount flexible arm and insert the ribbon supply roll. Copyright © 2004, Cognitive. 11
Summary of the content on the page No. 17
SETUP Figure 3-5. Loading Thermal Transfer Ribbon (continued) 4. Refer to Figure 3-5. Turn the ribbon take-up core to align the slotted end with the take-up mount. 5. Gently push the flexible arm out and snap the take-up core into place. NOTE: The printer automatically takes up the slack in the ribbon. 6. Lower the print mechanism and press down firmly to secure the latches. NOTE: The latches click into place when properly closed. The READY light turns green indicating that the
Summary of the content on the page No. 18
SETUP Loading Print Media Refer to the figures and instructions below to load print media. Figure 3-6. Loading Print Media onto the Spindle 1. Release the print mechanism. 2. Lift out the media spindle. 3. Load the media onto the spindle, keeping the black media guide to the right of the media roll. IMPORTANT! The label surface must face UP as it passes under the print mechanism. The label roll must be left justified on the label spindle. Copyright © 2004, Cognitive. 13
Summary of the content on the page No. 19
SETUP Figure 3-7. Feeding Media Under the Print Mechanism 4. Place the loaded media spindle into the printer with the black guide to the right. 5. Feed the media under the open print mechanism. NOTE: The media spindle should fit securely with the black guide pressed against the media roll. The label roll must be left justified on the label spindle. 6. Lower the print mechanism and press down firmly to secure the latches. NOTE: The latches click into place when properly closed. T
Summary of the content on the page No. 20
SETUP Performing the Self Test The self test checks the printer’s overall operability. Refer to the figures and instructions below to perform the printer self test. Figure 3-8. Performing the Printer Self Test IMPORTANT! The printer should be loaded with media, connected to AC power, and turned off. 1. Press and hold the FEED button. 2. Turn the printer ON while holding the FEED button. 3. Release the FEED button when the self test starts to print. 4. Turn the printer off and th
