KOAMTAC KDC180 Mini Guide
A concise guide to the KOAMTAC KDC180 wearable barcode scanner, covering setup, Bluetooth pairing (HID/SPP/NFC), UHF functionality, accessories, and technical specifications.
What's in the Box?
The KDC180 package typically includes:
- KDC180 Barcode Scanner
- Micro USB Cable
- KDC Lanyard
- Quick Manual
- KOAMTAC Guide
- Optional: Ring Trigger or Finger Trigger Glove
- Optional: Protective Rubber Boot
Powering On/Off
Power On: Press and hold the SCAN and DOWN buttons for 3 seconds.
Power Off: Press and hold the SCAN and DOWN buttons for 3 seconds again.
Note: The SCAN buttons on the KDC180 or Ring Trigger may also be used for powering on/off.
KDC180 Diagram
The KDC180 features several key components:
- OLED Display: Shows device status and scanned information.
- UP Button: Used for navigation and mode toggling.
- DOWN Button: Used for navigation and mode toggling.
- SCAN Button: Initiates barcode or UHF tag scanning.
- Barcode Scan Window: The optical sensor for reading barcodes.
- Ring/FTG Trigger: An optional trigger accessory for scanning.
- Micro USB Port: For charging and wired data transfer.
- Pogo Pin (Optional): For charging via cradles.
- NFC Tag Area: For NFC-based pairing.
- LED Indicator: Provides visual feedback on status (charging, connection, read success/failure).
- Buzzer Hole: Emits audible feedback for scans and status.
- Hand Strap Hole: For attaching a hand strap.
- Inductive Charging Antenna (Optional): For wireless charging.
- Serial Number (S/N) Label: Displays the device's serial number.
- Battery Cap: Covers the battery compartment.
- Release Hook: For accessing the battery compartment.
- Non-Inductive Charging Antenna: For charging via Micro USB or Pogo Pins.
- UHF Type: Indicates models with UHF reader capability.
- Keypad Type: Indicates models with an integrated keypad.
KDC180 Models and Additional Accessories
KOAMTAC offers various KDC180 models and accessories:
KDC180 Models:
- KDC180H 2D Imager
- KDC180H 2D Imager with Keypad
- KDC180H 2D Imager with Inductive Charging
- KDC180H 2D Imager with 0.5W UHF Reader
- KDC180U Wearable 0.5W UHF Reader
Additional Accessories:
- Finger Trigger Glove (Left/Right/Double)
- Ring Trigger (Left/Right/Double)
- Protective Rubber Boot
- 2-Slot and 10-Slot Charging Cradles
- Micro USB Cable
- KBLED41 BLE Dongle
Bluetooth Profiles Explained
The KDC180 supports different Bluetooth profiles for host device communication:
- HID (Human Interface Device): Allows one-way Bluetooth communication with Android, iOS, or Windows host devices. The KDC transmits data directly into applications as if it were a keyboard input.
- SPP (Serial Port Profile): Allows two-way Bluetooth communication. The KDC transmits data to the host, and the host can transmit data back to the KDC. SPP requires the KOAMTAC KTSync® app or SDK integration for data input into applications.
- HID Windows: Specifically for one-way Bluetooth communication with Windows host devices.
Pairing & Connecting
Follow these steps to pair your KDC180 with a host device:
- Navigate to the Bluetooth settings on your host PC, Mac, Smartphone, or Tablet.
- Ensure Bluetooth is enabled and the host device is searching for new devices.
- On the KDC180, scan the pairing barcode that corresponds to your desired Bluetooth profile (HID, HID Windows, or SPP). Refer to the "Bluetooth Profiles Explained" section if unsure.
- Check the list of available Bluetooth devices on your host device. (On iOS, the application may need to initiate the search).
- Select the KDC180 from the list, identified by its serial number, which matches the serial number on the back of the KDC180.
- For HID Mode, the KDC180 is now ready to use.
- For SPP Mode, launch the KTSync app or your integrated application and select the KDC180 to establish the connection.
Pairing via NFC (Android Only)
This feature is for Android host devices and supports HID or SPP pairing profiles.
- On the host device, navigate to NFC settings and ensure Bluetooth is enabled and searching.
- On the KDC180, enable NFC pairing via: KDC MENU > BLE Config > NFC Pairing > Enabled > Save & Exit.
- Select the desired pairing profile on the KDC180: KDC MENU > BT Config > Connect Device > Select HID or SPP > Save & Exit. Alternatively, use the pairing barcodes.
- Bring the KDC180 near the NFC area on the back of the host device to complete pairing.
NFC Pairing Barcodes (Android Only) are visual codes provided for HID and SPP profiles.
How to Read Barcodes
- Aim the KDC180 directly at the barcode. Use the aimer as a guide.
- Press the SCAN button on the KDC180 or the Ring Trigger. Ensure the scan beam covers the barcode horizontally.
Scan Results:
- Successful Scan (A): Indicated by 1 beep, 5 green LEDs illuminating, and the scanned information displayed on the screen.
- Unsuccessful Scan (B): Indicated by 2 beeps, 5 red LEDs illuminating, and "Read Failed" displayed on the screen.
LED Indicator Status
The KDC180's LEDs provide operational feedback:
- Charging: Orange: Charging; Solid Green: Charging Complete. Lights 1-5 indicate battery level.
- Bluetooth: Solid Green: Connected; Red: Disconnected. Blinking Orange: HID Pairing; Blinking Red: SPP Pairing.
- Read Indicators: Solid Green: Successful Read; Red: Failed Read. Lights 1-5 indicate battery level when not charging.
UHF Tag Reading (KDC180U/KDC180H with UHF)
For models equipped with a UHF reader:
- How to Read UHF Tags: Hold the KDC180 UHF reader facing forward towards the RFID tag.
- UHF Single Read Mode: Reads only one tag each time the SCAN button is pressed. (1 short beep when changing mode via DOWN key).
- UHF Multiple Read Mode: Reads multiple tags simultaneously for a set duration (default 10 seconds) when the SCAN button is pressed. (2 short beeps when changing mode via DOWN key).
- UHF Active Read Mode: Continuous reading of multiple tags while the scan button is pressed (max. 10 minutes). (3 short beeps when changing mode via DOWN key).
Note: Tag read modes can be toggled by scanning specific barcodes or by pressing the DOWN key for 3 seconds in RFID mode. The order is Active -> Single -> Multiple.
Toggling Read Modes
The SCAN button can operate in two modes: Barcode Mode and UHF Mode. These modes are toggled by pressing the UP button for 3 seconds.
- Barcode Mode: Indicated by 1 long and 1 short beep. Barcodes can be read.
- UHF Mode: Indicated by 1 long and 2 short beeps. UHF tags can be read.
Read Mode Indicator: Green LED signifies Barcode Read Mode; Red LED signifies UHF Read Mode.
Using Keyboard Wedge
The KDC180 can function as a keyboard for your host device.
- Ensure the KDC180 is connected via HID profile, or via SPP/MFi with KTSync keyboard enabled.
- Open an application on the host device with a text field.
- Tap the text field.
- Scan any barcode with the KDC180. The barcode data will populate the text field.
KTSync & SDK
KTSync®: A program that communicates with the KDC via Bluetooth, enabling data reading and storage. It is compatible with iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac, and supports wedging and data downloading. For more information, visit: www.koamtac.com/support/downloads/applications
Software Development Kit (SDK): Allows creation of custom data collection applications. The KOAMTAC SDK supports Android, iOS, Mac OS X, Tizen, Windows, Xamarin, and Cordova. For SDK information and requests, visit: www.koamtac.com/support/downloads/sdk or email sdk@koamtac.com.
KDC180 Accessories
- Ring Trigger for KDC180: Attaches to fingers for comfortable scanning with thumb-operated scan button.
- Finger Trigger Glove for KDC180: An over-the-hand glove providing similar scanning benefits to the Ring Trigger.
- KDC180 Charging Cradles: Available in 2-Slot and 10-Slot configurations for charging the KDC180 and spare batteries.
Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Memory Flash ROM | 256KB Program, 256KB User Data |
| Memory RAM | 64KB (Can store up to 13,000 barcodes, EAN-13) |
| Interfaces | Bluetooth® Low Energy 5.0 (HID, SPP); Micro USB (USB HID, USB Serial) |
| Wedging & Synchronization | Store to file or transfer to app, Keyboard wedge function, Add-on prefixes and suffixes, Barcode option selection |
| Scan Range (20mil Code39) | KDC180H: 1.73" to 31.5" (44 mm to 800 mm) |
| User Environment | IP Rating: IP65; Drop Spec: 6' (1.8 m); Operating: -4°F to 122°F (-20°C to 50°C); Storage: -4°F to 140°F (-20°C to 60°C); Humidity: 5% to 95% (non-condensing) |
| Supporting OS | Android, iOS, Mac OS X, Tizen, Windows, Xamarin, Cordova |
| Supported RFID Standards (UHF Companion) | EPC Class1 Gen2, EPC Gen2 V2 |
| Nominal Read Range (UHF) | 1.5'+ (0.5m+) |








