Datamax-O'Neil Class Series Programmer’s Manual - Manual (Page 285)

Class Series Programmer’s Manual 271
Appendix T
RFID Overview

The printer has two different operational modes for the programming of RFID tags: Direct, and Label
Formatting.

The RFID programming data can be entered in one of two formats: ASCII, or Hexadecimal. Data in
the ASCII format is entered conventionally, while data in the hexadecimal format is entered as the
hexadecimal-pairs equivalent of the ASCII character(s). For example, to program the word “TEST” in
the ASCII format, the data is entered as TEST; alternately, in the hexadecimal format the word is
entered as 54455354. The other important consideration is the data format byte count. Compared to
the ASCII format, hexadecimal formats use twice the number of bytes. Returning to the example
above, in the ASCII format “TEST” has a byte count of four, while the hexadecimal format
equivalent has a byte count of eight.

To send information about the results of tag printing back to the host, refer to the <STX>KcOF
command for option feedback.
Direct Mode
Direct Mode allows the user (host) to directly control the reading and writing of RFID tags. This mode
contains both a generic Read / Write Interface and a high level HF / UHF Tag Interface. In Direct Mode,
each RFID tag is individually processed with status and data responses. Typically these commands are
used for diagnostics or custom applications.
Generic Read/Write Interface
The Generic Read/Write Interface allows the Host Application to send generic commands for RFID
operations by utilizing the printer’s database for specific parameters. Requiring no knowledge of the
tag types being used (except the data format), these commands consist of simple read and write
operations. See the
<STX>KaR
and
<STX>KaW
commands for details.
HF (13.56 MHz) ISO15693 Tag Interface
The ISO15693 Tag Interface allows the Host Application to perform specific operations pertaining to
HF-type (13.56 MHz) tags. Since these commands override the printer’s database by interfacing
directly to the tag module, knowledge of HF tags and their operation is required. See the
<STX>KtA
,
<STX>KtD
,
<STX>KtE
,
<STX>KtH
,
<STX>KtU
,
<STX>KtR
, and
<STX>KtW
commands for details.
UHF Interface
This interface allows the Host Application to perform specific operations pertaining to UHF-type
tags. Since these commands override the printer’s database by interfacing directly to the tag module,
knowledge of UHF protocols and their operation is required. See the
<STX>KuR
and
<STX>KuW
commands for details.