RFID Overview

The AMTAB System can be installed together with one or more RFID Readers (“reader”) from our partner Kathrein Solutions Gmbh. Kathrein supplies readers of excellent quality which can be configured to fit many different scenarios. The most basic usage of a reader is to be able to provide locomotive and wagon identification. When the RFID data is cross-referenced with the weighing data it’s possible to analyze trends in the data over time.

Different models of readers can be provided depending on the requirements of the site. Separate documentation and datasheets can be requested from AMTAB Support.

During installation and maintenance of a reader, Kathrein CrossTalk AppCenter is required. It’s a web-based Java application which is used to monitor and configure Kathrein readers. See CrossTalk AppCenter for more information.

If a reader is installed, a MySQL Database must be provided. See Data Storage for more information.

Data can either be cross-referenced by an external application connected to the database, or by using AMTAB WIDIA.

RFID Reader Overview

The reader is connected via Ethernet to the AMTAB System’s Router, and can be powered via PoE+ either from the Router itself (if supported) or with a separate PoE+ Power Injector. The diagram above is simplified in terms of network topology, refer to Network Topology for details.

An external NTP Server is recommended. It can be connected to both the reader and the AMTAB System so that they synchronize with the same time server, making cross-referencing of data more reliable.

The reader and the AMTAB System work independently of each other, and data can be combined on the application level.

Measurement Parameters

When an RFID tag passes in front of the reader, the tag is read and the data is stored in the connected MySQL Database. Data will be cached on device if the database is unavailable. Each tag is stored in a separate row in the TTag table. Full database documentation is available separately and can be requested from AMTAB Support.

The default measurement parameters for an RFID tag is listed in the table below.

Name

Description

timestamp

UTC Timestamp of when the tag was read.

readerId

The reader ID set during configuration of the reader.

data

The read data from the tag as a hexadecimal string value. By default all data in the tag is read and supports the EPC Tag Data Standard (TDS) defined by GS1.