TWN4 Slim User Manual

1 Introduction

1.1 About This Manual

This user manual is intended for the user and enables a safe and appropriate handling of the product. It gives a general overview, as well as important technical data and safety information about the product. Before using the product, the user should read and understand the content of this user manual.

For the sake of better understanding and readability, this user manual might contain exemplary pictures, drawings and other illustrations. Depending on your product configuration, these pictures might differ from the actual design of your product.

1.2 ELATEC Support

For technical questions, refer to the ELATEC website (https://www.elatec.com) or contact ELATEC technical support at: support-rfid@elatec.com

For questions regarding product orders or additional copies of this user manual, contact your Sales representative or ELATEC customer service at: info-rfid@elatec.com

1.3 Revision History

2 Intended Use

TWN4 Slim is ELATEC's smallest compact and flat RFID reader, smaller than an ID-1 card. It supports a huge range of LF and HF technologies (125 kHz and 13.56 MHz). With support for NFC and Bluetooth Low Energy, the reader enables mobile use cases for data communication and authentication. It can be operated as a standalone unit connected via a standard cable with a micro USB plug to PCs and other devices with USB interface.

The product is for indoor use only and must not be used outdoors.

Any use other than the intended use described in this section, as well as any failure to observe the safety information listed in this document, will be considered misuse and will void the warranty. ELATEC is not responsible for any damage or injuries resulting from any misuse of the product.

3 Safety Information

Installation

• The installation of the product should be done by trained and qualified personnel only. Do not install the product by yourself.
• Metallic materials on or in direct vicinity to the product might reduce the reading performance. In some circumstances, plastic screws should be preferred to metallic screws when installing the product. Refer to the installation instructions or integration manual of the product for more information.

Handling

• Depending on your product configuration, the product might be equipped with one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Avoid direct eye contact with the blinking or steady light of the LEDs.
• The product has been designed for use under the following conditions:
  • Temperature range: -20 °C – 60 °C (operating conditions)
  • Relative humidity: 5% – 95% (non-condensing)
  • Indoor use – no outdoor use!
• Any use of the product under different conditions might damage the product or alter its reading performance.
• The use of other RFID readers or reader modules in direct vicinity to the product, or in combination with the product, might damage the product or alter its reading performance. In case of doubts, contact ELATEC for more information.
• The user is liable for the use of spare parts or accessories other than those sold or recommended by ELATEC. ELATEC is not responsible for any damage or injuries resulting from the use of spare parts or accessories other than those sold or recommended by ELATEC.
• Like most electronic devices, RFID systems generate electromagnetic waves that can vary in amplitude and frequency. It is generally known and accepted that some RFID devices might potentially interfere with personal medical devices, like pacemakers or hearing aids. Users with a pacemaker or any other medical device should use TWN4 Slim carefully and refer to the information given by the manufacturer of their medical devices before using TWN4 Slim.

Maintenance and Cleaning

• Any repair or maintenance work should be done by trained and qualified personnel only. Do not try to repair or carry out any maintenance work on the product by yourself. Do not allow any repair or maintenance work on the product by an unqualified or unauthorized third party.
• The product does not need special cleaning. However, the housing may be carefully cleaned with a soft, dry cloth on the outer surface only. Make sure that the used cloth and cleaning agent do not damage the product or its components (e.g., label(s)).

Disposal

• The product must be disposed of in accordance with the EU directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) or other applicable local regulations.

4 Technical Data

The reader is equipped with the following antennas:

HF antenna (13.56 MHz)

• Dimensions: 55 x 41 mm / 2.17 x 1.61 inch
• Number of turns: 3

LF antenna (125 kHz)

• Diameter: 20.5 mm / 0.81 inch
• Number of turns: 229

BLE (2.4 GHz)

The antenna for the BLE module is integrated in the BLE chip.

For more information, refer to the related product data sheet or other technical documents.

[Description of PCB diagram: The diagram shows the internal components of the TWN4 Slim reader. It highlights the LF antenna as a coil wrapped around the perimeter and the HF antenna as a component integrated within the PCB layers.]

5 Mode of Operation

5.1 Operating Mode

To start operating TWN4 Slim, it simply needs to be connected directly to a host device.

5.2 Power Up

If an external power supply unit is used, the following requirements must be satisfied:

• 4.3 V – 5.5 V via micro USB
• Limited power source according to the safety norms listed in the respective declaration(s) of conformity
• Short-circuit current < 8 A

5.3 Enumeration

Once the device has been powered up, it waits for completion of the enumeration by the USB host. As long as the device is not enumerated, it enters a minimum power consumption mode.

5.4 Initialization

After powering up and enumeration, the device turns on the built-in transponder reader logic. The [green LED] is turned on permanently. Some RFID readers need some kind of initialization, which is performed in this step. After successful initialization, the device sounds a short sequence, consisting of a lower tone followed by a higher tone.

5.5 Normal Operation

As soon as the reader has completed the initialization, it enters normal operation. During normal operation, the reader searches for a transponder continuously.

5.6 Detection of a Transponder

If a transponder is detected by the reader, the following actions are performed:

• The ID is sent to the host. By default, the USB device sends by emulating keystrokes of a keyboard. An RS-232 device sends the ASCII code of an ID.
• A beep is sounded.
• The [green LED] turns off.
• The [red LED] blinks for two seconds.
• The [green LED] turns on.

Within the two-second timeout, where the [red LED] is blinking, the transponder that was just recognized will not be accepted again. This prevents the reader from sending identical IDs more than one time to the host.

If, during the two-second timeout of the [red LED], a different transponder is detected, the complete sequence restarts immediately.

5.7 Suspend Mode

Once the host resumes to normal operation mode, this is also signaled via the USB bus. Therefore, the RFID reader will resume to normal operation too.

6 Compliance Statements

6.1 EU

TWN4 Slim is in compliance with the EU directives and regulations as listed in the respective declaration of conformity.

6.2 FCC

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Caution: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) warns users that changes or modifications to the unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

FCC §15.105 (b): This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

The product is in conformity with FCC Rule Part 15B SDoC.

FCC ID: WP5TWN4F9

Contains FCC ID: QOQ11

6.3 IC

This device complies with Industry Canada's license-exempt RSSs. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause interference; and (2) This device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

French translation: Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d'Industrie Canada applicables aux appareils radio exempts de licence. L'exploitation est autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes: 1) l'appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage; 2) l'utilisateur de l'appareil doit accepter tout brouillage radioélectrique subi, même si le brouillage est susceptible d'en compromettre le fonctionnement.

IC: 7948A-TWN4F9

Contains IC: 5123A-11

6.4 RF Exposure Compliance

RF exposure statement (mobile and fixed devices): This device complies with the RF exposure requirements for mobile and fixed devices. However, the device shall be used in such a manner that the potential for human contact during normal operation is minimized.

6.5 Brazil

Portuguese: Este equipamento não tem direito à proteção contra interferência prejudicial e não pode causar interferência em sistemas devidamente autorizados.

6.6 Mexico

Spanish: La operación de este equipo está sujeta a las siguientes dos condiciones: (1) Es posible que este equipo o dispositivo no cause interferencia perjudicial y (2) Este equipo o dispositivo debe aceptar cualquier interferencia, incluyendo la que pueda causar su operación no deseada.

6.7 Taiwan

Chinese: 注意! 取得審驗證明之低功率射頻器材,非經核准,公司、商號或使用者均不得擅自變更頻率、加大功率或變更原設計之特性及功能。低功率射頻器材之使用不得影響飛航安全及干擾合法通信;經發現有干擾現象時,應立即停用,並改善至無干擾時方得繼續使用。前述合法通信,指依電信管理法規定作業之無線電通信。低功率射頻器材須忍受合法通信或工業、科學及醫療用電波輻射性電機設備之干擾。

6.8 Thailand

Thai: เครื่องวิทยุคมนาคมนี้ ได้รับยกเว้น ไม่ต้องได้รับใบอนุญาตให้มี ใช้ซึ่งเครื่องวิทยุคมนาคม หรือตั้งสถานีวิทยุคมนาคมตามประกาศ กสทช. เรื่อง เครื่องวิทยุคมนาคม และสถานีวิทยุ คมนาคมที่ได้รับยกเว้นไม่ต้องได้รับใบอนุญาตวิทยุคมนาคมตามพระราชบัญญัติวิทยุคมนาคม พ.ศ. 2498 กสทช. โทรคมนาคม กำกับดูแลเพื่อประชาชน Call Center 1200 (โทรฟรี)

[Description of Thai regulatory symbols: The Thai section includes text from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) indicating that the device is exempt from licensing requirements and must not interfere with licensed services or cause interference. It also provides a toll-free call center number.]

6.9 United Kingdom

TWN4 Slim complies with the requirements of the UK legislations and other regulations as listed in the respective UKCA declaration of conformity.

The importer is responsible for applying the following information to the packaging of the product:

• UKCA marking [UK CA logo description: A square mark with 'UK' and 'CA' inside, indicating conformity with UK regulations.]
• The importer company's details, including the company's name and a contact address in the United Kingdom.

Appendix

A - Terms and Abbreviations

B - Relevant Documentation

• ELATEC quick start guide
• TWN4 Slim data sheet
• TWN4 Slim technical handbook