RDR is a compact LoRa NFC/RFID Reader that can be used as a RFID-to-LoRa Gateway. The device acts as a transparent gateway by sending the tag ID and the content of the raw data of the first NDEF file found on the tag.
RDR devices are shipped with following default settings:
After power up the device will check for a valid AppKey. If the AppKey has not been set, the left LED (LR LED) will start to blink red. (See CLI command lora set appkey and save for more information)
If AppKey is set the device will send a Join Request and waits for the Join ACK from the LoRaWAN®server. During this the left LED (LR LED) will slowly blink green. You will hear a double-beep on successful join and the LED will go off - the device is now ready to read NFCs!
A restart will be triggered if there is no answer from the network after 5 minutes.
RDR is able to read a wide range of ISO14443A/B NFC Tags. NFC tags can be formatted to contain an NDEF file system with one or more NDEF Records.
Contact us if you need a recommendation and get a list of devices we have successfully tested.
As soon as the device is initialized you can can start to read NFC tags. Hold the Tag to the centre of the device. You will hear a short beep and the RD LED will go on green.
Up to 50 readings are queued in a buffer including read timestamps. RD LED will go on red when buffer is full.
Note that maximum NDEF file length must not exceed 28 bytes. Otherwise it can not be transferred over LoRaWAN®on low data rates.
As soon as there are readings in the buffer, the device starts sending data. (LR LED is slowly blinking green)
The strategy is to pack as many NFC readings as possible into the payload. Therefore payload length depends on the following parameters:
It might take some time to transfer all the NFC readings as device respects LoRaWAN®duty cycle (ETSI) regulations.
All data has been transferred when LR LED goes off.
RDR can be operated as a connected LoRaWAN®device or alternatively as a NFC reader connected via USB.
To enable the offline mode use the CLI command set rdmode 1.
Readings will be transferred over USB VCP in the following format.
<NFC_Serial>:<NDEF_File0_Payload>
Following table shows the difference between both modes.
| Online Mode (Default) | Reader Mode | |
|---|---|---|
| LoRaWAN®Modem | enabled AppKey must be set |
disabled |
| NFC Reader | enabled | enabled |
| Data Buffer | yes (50 Readings) | No |
| Data Output | LoRaWAN®Uplinks | Console Output (USB VCP) |
| LR LED | on for 1s after power up | always off |
| RD LED | on for 1s after power up | on for 1s after power up |
RDR devices are equipped with two dual colour LEDs to signal status and error conditions.
Following table shows all LED codes when device is powered by 4xAAA internal batteries. This is a power optimized setting as LEDs are nasty power guzzlers.
| Left LED (Reader) |
Right LED (LoRaWAN) |
Meaning | What To Do |
|---|---|---|---|
| green | green | Device is initializing | Wait up to 10s |
| - | green blinking slow | LoRaWAN®Communication active | |
| - | red blinking slow | LoRaWAN®Communication error | Check LoRaWAN®registration |
| - | red blinking fast | LoRaWAN®keys not set | Please set LoRaWAN®keys |
| - | - | LoRaWAN®Network connected | Device ready to scan tags |
| green | - | RFID tag reading sucessful | Remove RFID Tag |
| red | - | RFID reader not ready | Try different RFID Tag |
| red blinking slow | - | RFID read buffer is full | Wait for data uplinks |
| red blinking slow | red blinking slow | Battery low | Replace or recharge batteries |
| red blinking fast | red blinking fast | Hardware error | Contact Support |
LED codes are slighly different when powered by a constant external power supply.
| Left LED (Reader) |
Right LED (LoRaWAN) |
Meaning | What To Do |
|---|---|---|---|
| green | green | Device is initializing | Wait up to 10s |
| - | green blinking slow | LoRaWAN®Communication active | |
| - | red blinking slow | LoRaWAN®Communication error | Check LoRaWAN®registration |
| - | red blinking fast | LoRaWAN®keys not set | Please set LoRaWAN®keys |
| - | green | LoRaWAN®Network connected | Device ready to scan tags |
| green | - | RFID tag reading sucessful | Remove RFID Tag |
| red | - | RFID reader not ready | Try different RFID Tag |
| red blinking slow | - | RFID read buffer is full | Wait for data uplinks |
| red blinking slow | red blinking slow | Battery low | Replace or recharge batteries |
| red blinking fast | red blinking fast | Hardware error | Contact Support |