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How To Use The Secura Key
e*Tag™ Quasar Development Kit 1
The kit you have purchased has been designed to help you to evaluate the e*Tag™ Quasar reader/writer
and to develop your specific RFID application.
The ET4-WX_ series of reader/writers have two principle operating modes. In the self-run “Wiegand”
mode cards presented to the reader are automatically read and data is sent to a host. In the commanddriven mode the reader must be commanded by a host to perform operations such as inventory tags,
read a block of data, write a block of data, etc.
Self-Run “Wiegand” Mode
Out of the box, e*Tag™ Quasar readers are in the “Wiegand Card Data” mode. Setup this way, the reader
can be connected to a conventional access control distributed intelligence panel. Only cards with specific
encrypted data will be detected and read. (NOTE: Your kit includes only one encrypted card
ETCI-W26.) This is the best mode of operation for security access control applications using conventional
head-end systems.
There are other self run modes that detect the UID (Unique Identification Number) that is programmed
and locked by the chip manufacturer. In Wiegand UID mode this number, or a portion of the number, is
sent on the “Wiegand” circuit (Green & White wires) as well as in hexadecimal ASCII format on the RS485 circuit (Violet & Gray wires). In this mode cards that have only the manufacturer’s UID can be used for
access control or other auto-identification applications. (NOTE: In the Wiegand UID modes, the reader
serial number is also sent on the RS-485 circuit. This allows multiple readers to be addressed on
a common twisted pair bus.)
Using e*Tag Host software you can place the reader in any of the self run modes. (See below.) Click on
the “Wiegand” button on the toolbar, then select the desired mode from the dropdown list. (NOTE: Sending
any command to a reader in the command-driven mode automatically takes the reader out of self
run mode.)
Command-Driven Mode
RS-485 provides complete two-way communication between the reader/writer and the host. Your
development kit includes an RS-232 to RS-485 converter that will allow you to connect one or more
reader/writers to the serial COM port of your computer. This converter has been pre-wired to the reader/
writer and to a 12 VDC power supply. If you must disconnect and reconnect these components, please
see Diagram 1.
Using the command-driven mode you can identify all of the tags in the field and determine the factory
data on each tag. You can read, write and lock data on any of the available blocks. There are also special
identification fields that can be utilized.
The e*Tag™ Quasar communications protocol is available on the enclosed disk. It is also available at
www.securakey.com/docs/rfid_tech.html. This document provides the programmer with all of the information
needed to design a custom application.
The enclosed disk also contains e*Tag Host. e*Tag Host is a graphical interface that has been created to
demonstrate the functionality of the e*Tag™ Quasar reader/writers. (NOTE: By placing e*Tag Host in
the “debug” mode (configuration/debug) you can see the actual messages between the host and
the reader/writers. This can be of great assistance to programmers using the communications
protocol.)
e*Tag™ Host Software
To install e*Tag™ Host, place the enclosed CD in your computer. When the menu appears, select “Install
e*Tag Host”. Follow the prompts to complete the installation. The software will place an e*Tag Host icon
on your desktop.
Double click on the e*Tag™ Host icon. Click on “Communications” and select the COM port to which the
reader/writer is connected. Set the baud rate to the default setting “38,400”. Click on the “Setup” button to
see the reader’s current state. Click on the “Version” button to read the serial number and firmware
version of the reader/writer. (If these operations are successful, you are communicating with the reader/
writer.)
The e*Tag™ Host toolbar includes icons for frequently used commands. The “Go” button is used to
execute the selected command. The “Continuous” button causes the selected command to be repeated
continuously. (Use the “Go/Pause” button to start and stop a continuous command.) The “Version” button
displays the reader and firmware version along with the serial number. The “Wiegand” button allows you
to select a self-run operating mode. The “Setup” button displays the current reader operating characteristics.
The “Clear” button erases all messages on the right side of the HOST screen.
Under the toolbar there are tabs that allow you to select between “Tagit”, “ISO/EIC 15693” and “ISO/EIC
14443A”. Choose the tab that corresponds to the tags you are using. (NOTE: The samples included in
the development kit are all ISO/EIC 15693 type.)
ISO/EIC 15693 compatible commands include “View” (look at data), “Program” (write data to a tag) and
“Lock” (make programmed data unchangeable). There is also a command to “Inventory” (identify all tags
in the field) . As you select a command type , parameters for your selection type will be requested. “AFI”
is a filter that separates tags used in various applications. “DSFID” is an additional tag identifier that can
be used within a specific application.
RS-485 Multi-Drop
Up to 100 reader/writers can be connected to a single 4000’ twisted-pair bus. Each reader can be individually
addressed by serial number. Click on the “Configuration” menu and select “Address Reader”. Check the
“Address Reader by Serial Number” box and enter the serial number of the desired unit. All commands
and responses will now involve only the selected reader/writer. (NOTE: If you have connected two or
more readers to the RS-485 bus, you must address a specific reader in this manner before sending
any commands.) RS-232 versions of the e*Tag™ Quasar reader/writers are also available. These can
be connected directly to the serial COM port of a PC, without a converter. RS-232 allows only one reader
per circuit.
Typical Wiring Instructions
Connecting a single reader using the
RS-232 to RS-485 converter:
Connecting to an access control panel:
ET4-WXM
TWISTED
PAIR
ACCESS CONTROL PANEL
ET4-WXM
GRAY
GREEN
WIEGAND 0
WIEGAND 1
GROUND -VDC +
RED LED
GREEN LED
VIOLET
RED
BLACK
WHITE
BLACK
RED
BROWN
ORANGE
YELLOW
BLUE
--
+
BUZZER
(IF USED)
HOLD LINE
(IF USED)
12 -14 VDC
DIAGRAM 3
DIAGRAM 1
Connecting two or more readers via RS-485:
Placing the reader/writer in Self-Test Mode:
ET4-WXM
GRAY
VIOLET
GREEN
ORANGE
WHITE
YELLOW
TWISTED
PAIR
BROWN
VIOLET
ET4-WXM
BLUE
GRAY
GRAY
VIOLET
RED
BLACK
+
Reader will blink
amber once, then green
+
--
DIAGRAM 4
12-14 VDC
DIAGRAM 2
5748
BLACK
RED
20447 NORDHOFF STREET • CHATSWORTH, CA 91311
PHONE (818) 882-0020 • FAX (818) 882-7052
TOLL-FREE (800) 891-0020
Website: www.securakey.com
E-mail: [email protected]
5-14 VDC
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