RoboticsConnection User Forum / RedBee RFID Reader Forum / RoboticsConnection Hardware Support

Bigger tag reading range

jiri.skrivanek — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 07:44:08 GMT

I would like to use RFID to manage my home book library but with RedBee it is impractical. I need tag reading range at least 1 meter to comfortably read tags from books at bookshelf. Does some reader like that exist on hobby market? I found some very expensive readers dedicated for business applications but nothing like RedBee or even something like "Home Book Library Development Kit". Could you recommend something?
Thank you.

RFiD Apps

tperfid — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 09:14:51 GMT

Hello, we are a group of students in a high-school in France.

We have a problem with the RedBee reader, we do not have any apps to ask a database.

We need some help to find this because we need this app to realise our project.

We would like to ask a database with rfid tag to receipt some informations only swiping the tag near the reader. We would like to show any pictures or text only swiping the tag.

Thanks for your help, good bye. :cool:

Disconnecting USB cable crashes the application

eamonw — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:21:43 GMT

Hello again,

When I disconnect the USB cable of the reader, the application crashes because the COM port has become unavailable.
I have been digging around the internet a little bit, and the problem seems to be a well-known one.
There should be a solution or workaround for this acording to these webpages;

http://connect.microsoft.com/VisualStudio/feedback/details/140018/serialport-crashes-after-disconnect-of-usb-com-port
and
http://zachsaw.blogspot.com/2010/07/serialport-ioexception-workaround-in-c.html

Since I can't get to the code which handles the port communication, could you guys take a look if this is posible at your side ? And if this is going to work, could you implement a eventhandler for this disconnect event ?

If we are going to use the RFID reader, we want to make sure that the application we're building doesn't crash when a user (accidently/intentionally) disconnects the USB cable.

With kind regards,

Eamon Woortman

Connecting Problem Windows 7 x64 and USB

R3xtext — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 15:59:51 GMT

Am not able to connect My RFID Reader under Windows 7x64 via USB

RFID reader 1.1 with Firmwareversion 1.0.1

after plugging the cable, the LED over R2 give a short Short Blue blink switch to ugly read.

In the Windows Device Manager is no new device ...

I allreadyalreadyo install CDM20814_WHQL_Certified, no device ...

any ideas ?

best regards, thanks

RedBee RFID Reader 1.0.2 issues

eamonw — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 06:37:37 GMT

Hello,

Recently I've got my hands on your RFID Experimenters Kit with the RFID Reader 1.0.2.
I have installed the tools using the CD and after the driver has been installed, I have started the RFID Swiper App.

In the Swiper App I get two ports, COM0 (which is just a communication port) and COM3(our FTDI USB device).
So I connected with the COM3 port, and it said it successfully connected. At the bottom it showed the .NET Library version(1.0.0.0) but the Firmware version is missing (ergo there must be something wrong with either the driver or the device).
When I swipe the test ID's there is no result.

I am running Windows 7, 64 bit, I've got the .NET 3.5 Compact and 4.0 Framework.

Any ideas of what might be wrong ?

With kind regards,

Eamon Woortman

RedBee tag lost event??

saint — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:37:04 GMT

Hi,

I want to develop an application where I tag objects and place rfid reader next to it. if i remove object redbee should provide me tag lost time and when i put object back next to reader, redbee should provide tag found time. Tag found time can be calculated using event Swipe. but is tag lost event missing in redbee or i am missing something. Is there any way to get tag lost event

Since phidget provide both tag loss or tag event.

reply is appreciated.

thanks in advance

NACK NACK NACK problem/error.

S4Lt — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 09:29:32 GMT

I just recieved my RedBee, when I connect to it via the USB cable + Putty it just gives me scrambeled data like the baud rate is wrong. I tested to connect with all baud rates and finaly 4800 "worked" (about 1/5 times 4800 works otherwise it just floods me with jibberish). When 4800 "works" I get flooded with:

....
NACK
NACK
NACK
NACK
NACK
NACK
NACK
....

I have tried to input commands such as:

rst
rtr
..

Nothing works, it is like it wont listen to commands.

What do I do?

XBee configuration for Redbee

zach — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:19:21 GMT

Hi,

I just purchased a couple RedBees and am trying to get one to talk to an XBee Explorer. The boards are totally plug and play via USB, but with the jumper set to XBee communication, the transmit LED does not light up. After talking to the techs at Trossen Robotics, it appears I need to configure the XBees before they will work with the RedBee. However, the RedBee manual seems to say that no configuration is necessary.

Any ideas here? I have both XBees set to 9600 bauds on the same channel and pan ID. I'm on Mac, so I've been modifying a processing sketch to configure them (http://arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoBoardFioProgramming) and listening for data using the UNIX screen program. The processing sketch is reading from the XBee in the explorer fine, but it doesn't appear that the one in the RedBee is sending any data.

Thanks!
Zach

RFID Reader configuration issues?

mitch_vaneps — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:12:33 GMT

Hey All,

I just bought the RedBee RFID scanner and I am having some issues with it. I am trying to play around with the badges at my work which are the credit card style RFID's. I was trying to scan them yesterday and it took about 30 minutes to get it to actually scan and I had to practically rub the card against the reader. Unfortunately I couldn't get it to scan again.

I am thinking that its probably a configuration thing? Could anyone give me any advice on how to get this working?

Thanks

Mitch

Issues on Instalation of RedBee RFID Reader on Windows 7 and Windows XP

caiocall — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 20:07:26 GMT

I´ve installed the drive that came with the CD In both Sistems, Two different computers.
One with Windows 7 and Other with Windows XP

I´ve Followed the Instructions of Getting Started with the RFID Experimenters Kit.pdf

1 -Downloaded and installed the RedBee library
2 -Downloaded and Instaled the .NET Framework 3.5

I´ve Checked the Jumpers for USB and All was OK.

Conected the USB to the computer and it turned on allright with the red light.

Now the issues:

[b]Windows XP:[/b]

The RedBee RFID Reader Tag Swiper Runned OK, It appeared COM1 as the only option and I´ve clicked on Connect and it appeared green. When I tried to scan a tag nothing happens.

[b]Windows 7:[/b]

The RedBee RFID Reader Tag Swiper doesn´t even open, when i try to load any of the exe that came with the CD they just tell that the program has stoped working and nothing happens.

[b]On Windows XP the other exe run ok also but they don´t scan any value.[/b]

Note: When I Scan a tag the reader blinks the led as if it were reading.

Please, someone could help me to get the reader working and get the values to use the experimental kit with at least the windows or other that came with the cd?

Thanks!

Redbee Xbee Serie2 Compatibility

christhopher — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 17:47:32 GMT

Good afternoon.

I want to buy two Redbee modules from you, but i have a question: Are those modules compatible with XBEE PRO Serie 2 ZB???? or XBEE Series 1 Only????

Thanks

IOException

billidani7 — Sat, 14 May 2011 05:54:17 GMT

When i unplug the usb cable from RedBee RFID reader, the SDK throws an IOException. I cant handle this exception. I have try to add "try - catch" to many places inside my code, with no luck

How can i handle this exception???

Redbee RFID with xbee serial communication in VB.net

arehmaan — Fri, 13 May 2011 13:51:45 GMT

Hi.
I have configured the Redbee RFID with xbee modules. Everything is working good. i have recieved the tag ID in console.Now I want to receive the tag ID in VB .net in Windows Forms. The Redbee RFID reader is connected with xbee module. The Reader reads the Tag and the xbee module recieve it at PC end.But i m not too good in vb.net programming. SO if any one can help me out how to recieve the tag in text box. need the code for it or hints.
Thanking You in Anticipation.

Draft RFID Access Control with Venezuela Redbee

Gilberto Gomez — Sun, 01 May 2011 12:16:57 GMT

Greetings, friends! a couple of weeks ago, an RFID Experiment Kit competition for a thesis, perop I have problems installing the program that brought the kit and VisualStudio but stable connection.

Try several operating systems, windows vista and windows xp.

Overlooking RFIDTagSwiperApp and recognizes the tag works, but when I run the RFID logger fails.
I have problems with xp FT232R USB port.

someone has an access control program that can facilitate the Work Related.

Greetings from Venezuela :w00t:

Can you reed an unlimited amount of tags?

techman — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 04:06:29 GMT

In the RedBee RFID documentation it says that you can save up to 48 tags.
Does that mean that I can only use 48 different tags to swipe (will the 49th tag not raise any event?)
or are the saved tags only used for security applications like a door lock?

For my application it should be possible that I can use about 100 different tags that raise an event with the tag id when the tag is swiped.

Is that possible?
Thanks :)

Autopulse bug

LukeL99 — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:50:59 GMT

Has anyone else had the experience that autopulse will reset the direction when power is removed? If I remove supply power, then reapply it, the autopulse behavior changes from ap 1:0:4000 to ap 1:1:4000. Tags are still stored in memory though. Hardware version 1.0, firmware 1.0.0. Any firmware updates to fix this? Any ideas?

Continuous polling of RFID proximity

NoahBeasley — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 17:00:54 GMT

Hi,

I'm considering using a number of Redbee RFID readers for a project, but I would need to be able to tell on a continuous basis if the tag is within reading proximity or not. I've read through all the documentation I can find, but the tag reading event is always described as a swipe and appears to be a single discrete action.

Will the reader send tag events on a specific interval if a tag is nearby, or is there any way to force a poll to determine if a tag is in range?

-Noah

RedBee - several in close proximity

sswcharlie — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 00:07:56 GMT

What is the closest that two or more RedBee can work without interference ? I will want a read distance of only 20mm.

Say using a disk tag flat on a table what is the orientation of the RedBee board to read. Flat, horizontal, flat verticle etc.

RedBee in Model Railroad Applications

sswcharlie — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 23:54:59 GMT

Has anyone done work with the RedBee to track rollingstock on a model railroad ?

Thanks

Charlie

RedBee RFID Reader + XBee Module = Which rechargeable batteries needed for this combination?

BERG — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 08:13:06 GMT

Hi All.

Maybe somebody can help me - i want to use RedBee RFID Reader + XBee Module as stand alone hardware - and i need to know, which rechargeable batteries needed for this combination?

Thnx,
Valentin.

RedBee serial connection problem

hanc — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 18:57:30 GMT

Hi,
I just purchased two RedBee RFID Reader. I immediately began to send command and configuration parameters trough serial connection with putty. Today I switched on again the RFID Reader and I can not communicate with them (trough serial connection).

There is a hardware reset? How is it possible?

Thx!

RedBee RFID and ZigBee Serie 2.5

hanc — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:21:58 GMT

Hi all,
I want buy one RedBee RFID with ZigBee module. There are problems if I use the new ZigBee serie 2.5?

Thank you for suggestions!

Regards hanc

Confused about packet structure

h4t — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 13:09:06 GMT

I am planning to connect my RedBee module to an Arduino that is controlling an RGB lamp (they are communicating over XBee). My idea is to have the lamp change color based on the tag that is passed over the RFID reader.

Reading the docs I find that a tag swipe action will cause an asynchronous packet to be sent via XBee to my Arduino in one of the following formats:

[quote]
Valid => T:ACK XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX\r>
Invalid => T:NACK XXX XXX XXX XXX XXX\r>
[/quote]

My confusion comes in determining how to interpret this data on my Arduino (or any receiver, really) - will I receive a stream of BYTES terminated by the \r> sequence? How do I interpret the numbers into usable INTs? Is this the correct way to read the packet over serial?

[quote]
T = byte 0
: = byte 1
A = byte 2
C = byte 3
K = byte 4
= byte 5 (space)
XXX = byte 6
XXX = byte 7
XXX = byte 8
XXX = byte 9
XXX = byte 10
\r = byte 11
= byte 12
> = byte 13
[/quote]

By the way, I hooked up a different RFID reader to my machien (via an Arduino -> USB) and asked my Arduino to print out each RFID tag that is passed in DECIMAL format, and here is what a typical tag looks like for me:

[quote]51544848556548545250[/quote]

But this longer than the number of X's in the packet structure outlined above. Any help?

Determining COM Port

tedyoung — Fri, 28 May 2010 00:53:09 GMT

Hi.

I just got my RedBee RFID reader and after a little confusion over which COM port to use, it works great! I wanted to share what I learned so that it might help others.

In the PDF document (http://www.roboticsconnection.com/multimedia/docs/RFID/RFID_User_Guide.pdf), on page 23, the text mentions COM11, but the screen capture shows COM3. Alas, on my computer, the correct port was neither one of those -- it is COM4.

The best way to figure this out is to look at the Properties for the Device. Under Windows 7, this is on the "Devices and Printers" window (Start -> Devices and Printers). On my machine, I see an "Unspecified" section, with the "FT232R USB UART" device listed. Double-clicking on that device (or right-click and then selecting Properties), and then clicking on the "Hardware" tab at the top will show the COM port that you can use to talk to the device (it's listed under "Device Functions", e.g., USB Serial Com Port (COM4)").

You can find similar information under Windows XP by going to the Device Manager.

Hope this helps someone save a little frustration.

Thanks,
;ted

Issue with Windows 7 login app

SXRguyinMA — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 20:12:36 GMT

I got the RFID kit from Matt as a sponsorship on [url=http://thebestcasescenario.com]TBCS[/url]. I got it hooked up and working (works great!) I'm finding just a few issues. First off, don't click the "save tag" button. I did this at first, and every time you swipe the card the light goes from red to blue, and 9/10 times it wouldn't login. However I went back in and hit "delete tag" and it works just fine now, and the light stays red and just blinks.

Second, when you do what is needed to setup the login, it gives you the RedBee user at the login screen. I found out that you can just click that and it logs in without a swipe or password, basically making the reader pointless lol. And when you reboot or turn the computer on, it displays all users. So someone could turn the computer on and just click the RedBee user, and bypass the whole system. How can you hide that user so that can't happen?

Responsne time

jimg — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 09:47:18 GMT

The User Guide mentions that a "clear list" command might take several seconds. Any idea what the worst case response might be to a "delete tag" command might be (or is there a slower command)? I'm not using the "clear list" command but want a safe timeout on the response for other commands.

True serial connection

jimg — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:05:13 GMT

Due to existing wiring, I'd like to connect the Redbee via wired serial (Rx,Tx,Gnd) rather than USB or wireless. Can I just connect a Maxim transceiver to the Zigbee serial lines?

Trossen Robotics Launches new RedBee RFID Reader Experimenters Kit

jsummerour — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:25:45 GMT

Trossen Robotics has just launched a new RedBee RFID Reader Experimenters Kit, which uses our RedBee RFID Reader! It includes a RedBee RFID Reader, Tag Variety Pack, CD (including 5 Application Projects), and a USB cable.

http://www.trossenrobotics.com/p/RFID-experimenters-kit.aspx

The RedBee RFID Reader Experimenters Kit has some really cool Application Projects including

RFID Login
RFID Deadbolt
RFID Safe
RFID Racers
RFID Logger

This kit retails for only $109.95!

Best Regards,

Filemaker Plugin?

oddamerican — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 11:28:12 GMT

I am currently using the Phidgets.com rfid reader with a filemaker database. In order to do so it was necesary to purchase a plugin from 24Usoftware.com

Does anyone know of a similar plugin that is available that will all the use of Xbee/RedBee with a Filemaker solution?

Thanks

RedBee RFID featured on ABC, Australia!!

jsummerour — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 19:15:07 GMT

Our good friend Amal Graafstra has been down under at the IEEE ISTAS symposium talking about our RedBee RFID Reader. He's featured talking about the RedBee Reader in the video at this link:

http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/

It takes a bit to find the video...On the right hand side of the screen, scroll down through the 7.30 videos to the bottom, where you'll see a link with an X-Ray of a hand (as shown below):

Here's some screenshots of Amal and the RedBee RFID Reader:

Congratulations Amal, and thanks for the video! :) I also found the research regarding RFID viruses intriguing!

Best Regards,

Powering multiple RedBees

tedyoung — Fri, 28 May 2010 14:13:45 GMT

I'm planning on having several RedBees in close enough range that having to use wall-warts for each one is going to be annoying. Are there power supplies that have a single wall-wart, but multiple connectors?

Alternatively, is there a good way to power the RedBee from batteries? I'm not an electronics geek, so I'm not sure which types of batteries, in what combinations, would be best. I also would need help connecting the batteries to the RedBee.

Thanks!
;ted

can to help me?

alselsal — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:21:43 GMT

Hi i need for reader device to move serial number from tags to the host computer by using serial intreface and it is accept by programmbel by java program
What do you advise me whether it is ready Reader does not need to be programmed to transfer the serial number؟
What are the types of tags that can read

Networking Readers

m3erx — Sat, 01 May 2010 06:42:02 GMT

Hi there,

Could you please supply me with a little more information on the interface and networking of your RFID reader products.

What I require to do is have 10 or so readers placed remotely and wireless network them so that I can get reads sent to a central recording PC. The central PC will have to identify what physical reader the RFID read came from and of course the tag ID that it has read. This is a read only application.

Additional points of interest are:

Can the products be 'daisy chained' to support greater wireless networked range? 100m and over.

What is the hardware requirement for each individual wireless read station?

What wireless protocol standard is used at 2.4ghz, and can it be used with proprietary WiFi products in any way.

Could the reader and network wireless transmitter be battery powered and what consumptions of power would be approximate.

Is a signal repeater available to extend the network range of the wireless network.

Does the network support RFID read data simultaneously being sent from all networked readers?

What would be the cost of a development system of 5 readers, 5 network transmitters, one main network receiver (hub) and PC interface software.

I have the opportunity to develop a really interesting cost effective application with this equipment if all of the above is possible.

Any help appreciated

Many thanks

Steve

RedBee RFID Reader Range

jsummerour — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 22:20:57 GMT

Today I decided to test the communication range of the RedBee RFID Reader using XBee Pro modules. I was wondering how well the XBee Pro modules would work through metal stud walls, concrete, and cinder block. I know it works well through wooden walls, but my guess was that the metal studs and concrete would create a pretty formidable barrier to communication (of course I'm no RF guru either...not even close).

So, the building I tested in is concrete construction (floors and posts), with metal stud walls. The building from corner to corner (diagonal distance) is about 100 feet. We had the RedBee RFID reader in one corner, and our SSDP App running on a PC in the other corner. There must be no less that 7-9 metal stud walls (w/ drywall) between the PC and the reader.

To my suprise, we were able to communicate with the RedBee RFID Readers through 3 concrete floors, and a whole bunch of metal stud walls very reliably. Amazing...

We also took it in the stairwell, which is surrounded by cinder blocks, and again, it worked just fine.

The building floors are retrofitted with two 2.4Ghz WiFi Hot Spots, so, there was plenty of 2.4Ghz traffic flying around, which could cause issues for the 2.5Ghz XBee modules. But, we didn't see any perceived problems with XBee communications.

So WOW! I happily proved myself wrong! This means it's totally viable to use the RedBee RFID Reader in commercial applications such as small business building/room access control, especially with encryption enabled in the XBee modules.

Even though we only used a single reader, the PC app (actually our example SSDP app) was communicationg w/ the reader using SSDP (and device id '1'). It was neat 'pinging' the reader, and see it reply back, even 3 floors belows!

Best Regards!

Our New RedBee RFID Reader is Available!

jsummerour — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 21:07:46 GMT

We are please to announce the availability of the new RedBee RFID Reader! We have worked over a year developing this puppy, and we think it will be one of the best RFID readers on the market, especially at the price point of $69.95. :w00t:

If you haven't already seen it yet, you can read all the details here:

http://www.roboticsconnection.com/p-99-redbee-rfid-reader.aspx

While it provides a USB connection for a typical communication path, it also supports XBee and XBee Pro modules. Additionally, we developed the Shared Serial Device Protocol (SSDP), which allows customers to communicate with multiple RedBee RFID Readers simultaneously, with a single connection from the PC. SSDP leverages the XBee broadcast Personal Area Network (PAN) functionality.

So, very easily, you can have a wireless interface to multiple RedBee RFID readers! How many readers? Well, the SSDP supports up to 255 Device Ids (or dids), but we've only tested up to 6 readers. :D So, theoretically, 255 devices can communicate using SSDP, but realisitcally, customers will probably use fewer than 15 readers on the network at a time. I will post another thread, speaking to specifics regarding communicating with multiple readers simultaneously in a few days.

So, the SSDP is cool and all, but did I just hear you say, 'Awww man...I don't want to have to write code to implement the RedBee RFID Reader AND SSD protocols....'). NO PROBLEMO!!! We wrote the RedBee RFID Reader .NET Library for you! It implements the Basic RedBee RFID Reader protocol AND the SSD protocol! So, all you have to do is create an RFIDReader object, and start using the interface.

The RedBee RFID Reader .NET features several asynchronous events including:

Tag swipes
Tag Saves
Tag Deletes
GPIO pin changes
Communication Start/Stop
New RFID Reader Device (upon power up of a new device, or ping response)
RFID Antenna Power enabled/disabled

You simply sign up to listen to whichever events you're interested in, and you'll be notified as they happen. You can then implement whatever actions you like. You can read more about the RedBee RFID Reader .NET API here (also note the C# and VB .NET example apps).

http://www.roboticsconnection.com/multimedia/libraries/RFID/documentation/

You will see that RedBee RFID Reader .NET Library API is VERY similar to our Serializer .NET Library. So, Serializer customers should be right at home in using the RedBee RFID Reader .NET Lib!

For you Linux users, you can use the RedBee RFID Reader .NET Lib too! Just run it using Mono, and develop your apps using MonoDevelop!

We've also put a lot of time into developing How-To documents to allow customers to get the readers configured quickly, and correctly. Here are some of those documents (you can also find them on the main product page, under the 'User / How-To Guides').

We have provided several applications that allow you to immediately connect to your new RFID reader (via USB or XBee), and play with it. We also included How-Tos for the applications as well! :cool:

Tag Swiper Application How-To (single readers)
SSDP Device App How-To (multiple readers)

The RedBee RFID Reader provides an Auto-Pulse feature for 4 GPIO pins, which allow you to automatically pulse those pins for a preconfigured duration, and pulse direction (0->1, or 1->0). This makes it easy to interface relays to open/close door locks, and or control LEDs/Buzzers. Auto-Pulse functionality can be disabled for any and all OUTX pins, and those pins can be used for direct input and/or output. See the RedBee RFID Reader User Guide for schematics on interfacing LEDs, Relays, etc.

So, there you have it! In addition to the website revamp in December/January, the RedBee RFID Reader is what's been taking up so much of our development time. We're SOOOO GLAD it's finally finished, and ready for sale! We hope you like it, and we look forward to hearing your feedback. We'll be updating the Serializer next to leverage the SSDP! Woo-hoo!

Many thanks goes out to Amal Graafstra, who was out BETA tester, and who helped us flesh out SSDP! ;) Amal has also been working together with Trossen Robotics in parallel to put together a really cool RFID Reader Kit using the RedBee RFID Reader. Amal has put together 5 RFID projects that will be included in the kit, and I can tell you are extremely cool! Trossen doesn't have an exact date on the availability of the RFID Reader Kits, but it will be very soon!

Best Regards!