New and improved features:
- Read range up to 10m (33ft)
- Self-jammer cancellation (SJC)
- High power radio with polarization control
- Advanced Linux based UHF reader with PoE+
- Additional external antenna as option
- Dual Wiegand ports
Functionality highlights
Self-jammer cancellation / Carrier cancellation
A key bottleneck in designing high performance UHF RFID reader is “self-jamming”, which may saturate the receiver. In addition, its phase noise and amplitude noise will desensitize the receiver.
The TagMaster XT-5 and XT-5 ETC readers have a build in antenna tuning. This enables the readers to identify own signal reflection which normally distort the signal. With the build carrier cancellation technology, the reader is able to identify and ignore own reflection and also reflection from the environment. As a result, the reader performance will be enhanced.
Antenna tuning is a simple, automated process that can be accessed via the reader web interface. When a reader or antenna is repositioned or relocated to a different location the tuning process will need to be done again for the new position or environment.
Antenna polarization
The antenna in the XT-5 be controlled and set to vertical, horizontal or circular. This feature makes it possible to customize the antenna polarization to the maximize the performance according to the needs at the application site.
Ethernet
The reader has a 10 Mbps/100 Mbps Ethernet interface with one or two ports. The interface supports auto crossover (Auto-MDIX) so that installation can be done using either patch cables or crossover cables.
All Ethernet settings can be changed in the web interface. XT‑5 models have a built-in two-port Ethernet switch which enables chaining/connecting several readers together.
The readers support ICMP echo request/reply (ping) to simplify network troubleshooting. The reader can work as a TCP server and/or TCP client. As a client, the reader automatically connects to a specified TCP server when it has data to send. Supported protocols are Push and TAGP.
Power over Ethernet
The XT-5 reader supports both PoE+ (Power over Ethernet, PoE+, IEEE 802.3at) and conventional power supply.
Power over Ethernet, or (PoE+) is a standard that pass electric power along with data on twisted pair Ethernet cabling. This allows a single cable to provide both data connection and electric power to a device.
External antennas
XT‑5 has one integrated antenna and one external antenna connector. XT-5 ETC has four external antenna connectors
XT‑5 models are connected using RP‑TNC connectors. All reader models work with many types of antennas. XT‑5 models should preferably be used with TagMaster’s range of intelligent antennas with built-in LED indicator and variable polarization. With these antennas, all communication between the reader and the antenna is sent over the RF cable to eliminate the need for extra cables.
External antenna connected to XT-5
Dual Wiegand ports
XT-5 has a wide number of built-in interfaces including Ethernet (two separate ports), RS232, RS485 and Wiegand/Magstripe.
Most access controllers use one Wiegand port for Entry and one Wiegand port for Exit. This allows system administrators to identify the flow of IN and OUT movement of vehicles.
If a system uses a reader with an external antenna and only one Wiegand port, the system is able to extend the total reading range.
With dual Wiegand ports and an external antenna connected to the XT-5, the reader can manage and detect both entries and exists of vehicles.
This are two major benefit here:
- The user/installer saves time and money because only one reader, with external antenna is needed, instead of two separate readers.
- Easier to install. Less cable and reduced cost as power and Wiegand-cables are routed to only one reader, not two.
Adjustable reading range
With the XT‑5 model it is possible to adjust the read range (read level) for each antenna, to be able to adopt to the situation and nearby environment. The barrier or gate is opened exactly at the right time and only authorised vehicles can pass. As the reader reads only in the area it is meant to detect, cross lane reading or to long range reading (tailgating) is hereby prevented.
Real time information
Using a unique firmware implementation, the TagMaster readers in a single installation communicates real-time information (per separate antenna) to accurately distinguish and discriminate tags from adjacent lanes using the Distributed Cross Read Elimination (DCRE) feature.
Stand-alone system functionality
The TagMaster XT-5 reader has an integrated, stand-alone access control system.
By registering the tags in the reader whitelist database via the web interface (up to 1.000 users) the reader will work as a stand-alone access control often in conjunction with the built-in relay in the reader. Simply register the tags, connect the reader relay to the gate/barrier. The gate/barrier opening will be activated when a tag registered in the reader is detected.
For larger systems it is possible to enter the ID of the tags via excel. After registering the ID number of the tags, fill in the corresponding username in the ID field next to each relevant tag ID. Tags come in packs of 100, organised in serial order. This makes it easy to manage In Excel by entering the first tag number and then extend the number series up to the desired number of tags.
For a cost effective and basic access control system, use the stand-alone access controller with the built-in relay to operate the gate/barrier.
Data Output Formatting
In the XT-T reader, as in all TagMaster XT readers, it is possible to customize the data format output in the reader. This data format will be applicable for the RS 232, RS 485, TCP Client and the stand-alone access control in the reader. It is possible to customize the format in prefix, postfix and number of digits.
This enables the clients to customize the data format of the TagMaster RFID long range tags to the local software demands.
The TagMaster Tags SecureMarkID are by default decimal with 8 digits. In cases where the client software utilizes more digits or different output format then decimals the client can customize the data format output from the TagMaster tags to fit client needs.
Web Tools
Web tools provides a suite of tools for testing the reader and its functionality:
- Read Tag
This panel shows the tags being read by the reader including battery status and RSSI level.
- Write Tag
Functionality that enables programming of different parts of the tag memory. For example, to activate battery powered UHF tags.
Connecting to External systems
The XT-5 reader can be connected to and supports all major access control systems. Supported protocols: Wigeland/Magstripe, OSDP v2, Push, TAGP, SKIDATA Bll4, Kaba BPA9 Subset, LBus and phg_crypt.
Tamper Switch
XT‑5 models have a tamper switch that can be connected to an external alarm loop that sets of an alarm if someone unauthorised is opening the reader lid.
Status Indication
The readers have status indicators that are visible on the controller board and on the XT-5 ETC lid. The indicators show, Power, Ethernet connectivity, speed and status and activity from external antennas.
Status indicators on XT-5/XT-5 ETC controller board and XT-5 ETC lid
RAIN compliant
The TagMaster XT-5 is fully compliant with RAIN and is compliant with EPC Gen 2 and ISO 18000-63.
RAIN RFID readers operate in the 860-960 MHz UHF frequency range. To support varying global regulations, the readers come in two versions: EU that operates in the 865‑868 MHz range and US that operates in the 902‑928 MHz range. Both versions can be configured to work in multiple regions within the respective frequency band.
SecureMarkID®
SecureMarkID® is a security extension using TagMaster EPC Gen2 tags. It has been developed and registered by TagMaster and offers outstanding ease-of-use while still offering a medium security level based on cryptographic functions.
With SecureMarkID®, each TagMaster EPC GEN 2 tag is easy to deploy and administrate. Each tag has a readable identity printed on the tag to make administration and deployment easy. This identity comes in a sequence with consecutive running numbers. This identity is short enough to be sent to an access control system using most available Wiegand formats without truncation. It prevents illicit duplication of tags by using cryptographic functions. This security level is suitable for instance in long range vehicle access control applications. TagMaster also offers more advanced security options at higher security levels, but this will require more handling during installation and administration, see Data Sheet for EPC Gen2 v2 Security.
By using TagMaster’s SecureMarkID® the installation and start-up of the system will be extremely efficient and will only require a minimum of effort. SecureMarkID® is preconfigured in all Readers, and by selecting both tags and Readers from TagMaster, an EPC Gen 2 long range system with security extensions can be up and running directly out-of-the-box.