Zebra Technologies Photo Scanner radio frequency identification rfid User Manual
Zebra®  
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)  
Programming Guide  
58978L-008  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Contents  
About This Document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7  
Who Should Use This Document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8  
How This Document Is Organized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8  
Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10  
Document Conventions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11  
1 • Introduction to RFID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13  
RFID Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14  
RFID Label Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14  
Considering RFID Transponder (Tag) Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14  
Accounting for Transponder Inlay Placement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15  
Selecting and Purchasing RFID Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15  
Performing Label Placement Tests. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15  
Storing RFID Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15  
Radio Frequency Interference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16  
ZPL Commands for RFID Applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16  
SGD Commands for RFID Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16  
2 • RFID Printer Setup and Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17  
Set Tag Type. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18  
Set RF Power Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18  
Perform RFID Transponder Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18  
Download Latest Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19  
3 • RFID Control Panel Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21  
11/14/2008  
RFID Programming Guide  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
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Contents  
4
4 • Creating Basic RFID Label Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29  
Create and Send an RFID Label Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30  
Sample RFID Label Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31  
RFID Label Format 1—Encode a Gen 2 Tag in Hexadecimal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31  
RFID Label Format 2—Encode a Gen 2 Tag in ASCII . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32  
RFID Label Format 3—Read Data from Tag and Print Data on Label . . . . . . . . . . . . 33  
RFID Label Format 4—Encode Tag, Read Tag, and Print Data on Label . . . . . . . . . 34  
RFID Label Format 5—Encode a Class 1 64-bit Tag in Hexadecimal . . . . . . . . . . . . 36  
RFID Label Format 6—Encode Tag, Read Tag, and Return Results to Host . . . . . . . 37  
5 • RFID Antenna Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39  
RXi and RXi HF. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40  
RZ400 and RZ600 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40  
R110PAX4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41  
RP4T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41  
R4Mplus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42  
6 • Transponder Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43  
Basic Transponder Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44  
Electronic Product Code (EPC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45  
EPC Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45  
EPC Structure in RFID Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45  
EPC Class 1, Generation 2 (Gen 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46  
Data Content. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46  
Data and Tag Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46  
Gen 2 Memory Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46  
7 • Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49  
RFID Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50  
RFID Error Codes and Messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53  
Error and Status Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53  
Error Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66  
8 • ZPL II Commands for RFID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79  
ZPL Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81  
Printer and Firmware Compatibility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82  
^HL or ~HL Return RFID Data Log to Host . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84  
^HR Calibrate RFID Transponder Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85  
^HV Host Verification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88  
^MM Print Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89  
^RA Read AFI or DSFID Byte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91  
^RB Define EPC Data Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93  
^RE Enable/Disable E.A.S. Bit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95  
^RF Read or Write RFID Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
RFID Programming Guide  
11/14/2008  
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Contents  
5
^RI Get RFID Tag ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100  
^RM Enable RFID Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101  
^RN Detect Multiple RFID Tags in Encoding Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102  
~RO Reset Advanced Counters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103  
^RQ Quick Write EPC Data and Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105  
^RR Specify RFID Retries for a Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107  
^RS Set Up RFID Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108  
^RT Read RFID Tag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115  
~RV Report RFID Encoding Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117  
^RW Set RF Power Levels for Read and Write . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118  
^RZ Set RFID Tag Password and Lock Tag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120  
^WF Encode AFI or DSFID Byte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123  
^WT Write (Encode) RFID Tag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125  
^WV Verify RFID Encoding Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127  
9 • SGD Commands for RFID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129  
Printer and Firmware Compatibility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130  
odometer.rfid.valid_resettable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132  
odometer.rfid.void_resettable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133  
rfid.error.response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134  
rfid.position.program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135  
rfid.reader_1.antenna_port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136  
rfid.reader_1.power.read. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137  
rfid.reader_1.power.single_power. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138  
rfid.reader_1.power.write . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139  
rfid.tag.calibrate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141  
rfid.tag.data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142  
rfid.tag.test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143  
rfid.tag.type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144  
10 • RFID Applicator Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149  
Timing Diagrams for RFID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150  
Single Signal Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150  
Double Signal Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152  
Applicator Interface Connector Pin Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153  
Jumper Configurations and Pinouts for +5 V I/O Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156  
Pinouts for +24-28 V I/O Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157  
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159  
11/14/2008  
RFID Programming Guide  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
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Contents  
6
Notes • ___________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
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__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
RFID Programming Guide  
11/14/2008  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
About This Document  
This section provides you with contact information, document structure and organization, and  
additional reference documents.  
Contents  
Who Should Use This Document. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8  
How This Document Is Organized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8  
Contacts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10  
Document Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11  
11/14/2008  
RFID Programming Guide  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
   
About This Document  
Who Should Use This Document  
8
Who Should Use This Document  
This Programming Guide is intended for use by the label format developer or printer integrator  
to create label formats that will encode RFID tags. The following printers/print engines are  
supported by this Programming Guide:  
•
•
•
•
•
•
R110Xi, R170Xi, and R110Xi HF  
RZ400 and RZ600  
R110PAX4  
R4Mplus  
R2844-Z  
RP4T  
How This Document Is Organized  
The RFID Programming Guide is set up as follows:  
Section  
Description  
About This Document on page 7  
This section provides you with contact information, document  
structure and organization, and additional reference documents.  
Introduction to RFID on page 13  
This section describes the basic concepts of Radio Frequency  
Identification (RFID) and how RFID works with your printer.  
RFID Printer Setup and Operation  
on page 17  
How you set up your printer for RFID applications is determined in  
part by the transponder that you select. This section guides you  
through some tasks that you may need to perform on your printer to  
make RFID reading and encoding possible. When you have  
completed this section, you will be ready to program your RFID  
label formats.  
RFID Control Panel Parameters  
on page 21  
This section shows the control panel parameters that appear on most  
Zebra RFID printers that have a graphic display.  
Creating Basic RFID Label Formats  
on page 29  
After you have selected a transponder type and set your printer  
appropriately, use the ZPL samples in this section as a base for  
programming your own RFID label formats.  
Troubleshooting on page 49  
This section provides information about RFID operational errors  
that you might need to troubleshoot. For other types of problems,  
consult the user guide for your printer.  
ZPL II Commands for RFID  
on page 79  
This section contains the ZPL II commands for RFID-specific  
applications.  
SGD Commands for RFID  
on page 129  
This section contains the Set/Get/Do (SGD) commands for RFID-  
specific applications.  
RFID Antenna Location on page 39  
Operations to test the RFID functions and display RFID tag data  
require you to place an RFID label over the RFID antenna area.  
This section shows the location of the RFID antenna in the various  
Zebra RFID printers.  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
RFID Programming Guide  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
11/14/2008  
   
About This Document  
How This Document Is Organized  
9
Section  
Description  
Transponder Characteristics  
on page 43  
This section describes the different characteristics of some common  
transponder types.  
RFID Applicator Signals on page 149 This section applies to printers that have applicator ports and that  
are being used in a print and apply system. Included are timing  
diagrams for good and bad RFID tags and the pin configuration for  
the applicator port. For basic timing diagrams, see the User Guide  
for your printer.  
11/14/2008  
RFID Programming Guide  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
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About This Document  
Contacts  
10  
Contacts  
Technical Support via the Internet is available 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.  
Web Site: www.zebra.com  
E-mail Back Technical Library:  
E-mail address: [email protected]  
Subject line: Emaillist  
Self Service Knowledge Base: www.zebra.com/knowledgebase  
Online Case Registration: www.zebra.com/techrequest  
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Do You Need?  
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The Americas  
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For questions on the  
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equipment and software,  
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Please have your model and  
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To request a repair in the U.S.,  
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For Zebra product training  
courses.  
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All other areas:  
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[email protected]  
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All other areas:  
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T: +1 877 ASK ZEBRA (275 9327)  
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T: +65 6858 0722  
F: +65 6885 0836  
Customer Service  
Department (US)  
Internal Sales  
Department (UK)  
E: [email protected]  
E: China: [email protected]  
All other areas:  
For printers, parts, media,  
and ribbon, please call your  
distributor or contact us.  
[email protected]  
Key:  
T: Telephone  
F: Facsimile  
E: E-mail  
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RFID Programming Guide  
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About This Document  
Document Conventions  
11  
Document Conventions  
The following conventions are used throughout this document to convey certain information.  
Alternate Color (online only) Cross-references contain hot links to other sections in this  
guide. If you are viewing this guide online in .pdf format, you can click the cross-reference  
(blue text) to jump directly to its location.  
LCD Display Examples Text from a printer’s Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) appears in  
Bubbledot ICGfont.  
Command Line Examples Command line examples appear in CourierNew font. For  
example, type ZToolsto get to the Post-Install scripts in the bindirectory.  
Files and Directories File names and directories appear in Courier Newfont. For  
example, the Zebra<version number>.tarfile and the /root directory.  
Icons Used  
Important • Advises you of information that is essential to complete a task.  
Note • Indicates neutral or positive information that emphasizes or supplements important  
points of the main text.  
Example • Provides an example, often a scenario, to better clarify a section of text.  
Illustration Callouts Callouts are used when an illustration contains information that needs  
to be labeled and described. A table that contains the labels and descriptions follows the  
graphic. Figure 1 provides an example.  
Figure 1 • Sample Figure with Callouts  
1
2
PAUSE  
FEED button  
CANCEL button  
1
2
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About This Document  
Document Conventions  
12  
Notes • ___________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
RFID Programming Guide  
11/14/2008  
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1
Introduction to RFID  
This section describes the basic concepts of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and how  
RFID works with your printer.  
Contents  
RFID Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14  
RFID Label Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14  
Considering RFID Transponder (Tag) Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14  
Accounting for Transponder Inlay Placement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15  
Selecting and Purchasing RFID Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15  
Performing Label Placement Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15  
Storing RFID Labels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15  
Radio Frequency Interference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16  
ZPL Commands for RFID Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16  
SGD Commands for RFID Applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16  
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Introduction to RFID  
RFID Overview  
14  
RFID Overview  
An RFID printer encodes (writes) information on ultra-thin HF or UHF RFID transponders  
that are embedded in “smart” labels, tickets, and tags. The printer encodes the information;  
verifies proper encoding; and prints bar codes, graphics, and/or text on the label’s surface.  
The RFID transponder is sometimes called the RFID tag or an inlay. The transponder is  
usually made of an antenna that is bonded to an integrated circuit (IC) chip. The IC chip  
contains the RF circuit, coders, decoders, and memory. If you hold an RFID label up to the  
light, you can see the transponder’s antenna, and you can feel a bump in the label where the IC  
chip is located.  
Encoding and printing of an RFID label usually are completed on the first try, but some  
failures may occur. If you experience consistent failures, it may signal a problem with the  
RFID tags, with your label formats, or with the transponder placement.  
RFID Label Selection  
To select RFID labels for your printer, consider the type of RFID transponder and where the  
transponder is placed on the label.  
Considering RFID Transponder (Tag) Types  
When selecting RFID labels, consider both your RFID printer and your application. Use tag  
types that have been specifically approved for use in your printer. Failure to do so may result  
in the inability to read or write to (encode) the embedded RFID tags. To ensure that an  
approved tag type will perform up to your expectations, evaluate the transponder’s data  
transmission rates, memory, antenna design, and write capabilities.  
As new transponders become commercially available, Zebra will evaluate them for  
compatibility with your printer. For more information about which tag types can be used with  
your printer, see Table 9, Supported Tag Types and Default Values, on page 111, or contact  
your authorized Zebra reseller.  
Note • RFID transponders operate on different frequencies. You must use a frequency that  
complies with local regulations in your country.  
For different transponder types, the following characteristics vary:  
•
The amount of programmable memory, which can include a tag ID (TID), Electronic  
Product Code (EPC) data, and user memory.  
•
•
The way that data is segmented.  
Whether the tag can be locked.  
Before you purchase RFID labels, determine what type of RFID transponder to use. Different  
transponder types can have different attributes. Some transponders can only be read while  
others can be read and written to repeatedly. Transponders also have different amounts of  
available memory, which corresponds to the amount of data that can be encoded in it. Select  
the combination that best suits your needs. For more information on different transponder  
types, see Transponder Characteristics on page 43.  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
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Introduction to RFID  
RFID Label Selection  
15  
Accounting for Transponder Inlay Placement  
Communication between the RFID label and the printer is established when the label’s  
transponder inlay lines up with the printer’s antenna. The optimal transponder programming  
position varies with the transponder size, its configuration, and the type of RFID IC chip used.  
For transponder inlay placement information, go to http://www.zebra.com/rfid_transponders.  
Print quality may be affected by printing directly over the transponder. In particular, there is an  
area on each label immediately around the location of the IC chip where the printer may print  
with low quality. Design your printed label around the location of the chip in the type of  
approved RFID label that you select.  
Selecting and Purchasing RFID Labels  
Before you purchase a large quantity of the RFID labels you selected, test a small batch of the  
labels to make sure they function as you need them to. You may need to adjust the transponder  
location or switch to a different tag type if the RFID labels do not work in your application.  
To order labels with transponders that are approved for your specific RFID printer, contact  
your authorized Zebra reseller, or go to http://www.zebra.com/smart_labels for more  
information.  
Performing Label Placement Tests  
After an RFID label is encoded, how well it functions depends on several things:  
•
•
•
where the label is placed on an item  
the contents of the item (such as metals or liquids)  
the location of the RFID readers.  
Perform label placement tests with your readers to identify where labels should be placed on  
an item to ensure high read rates. Contact the supplier of your RFID transponders for  
assistance with these types of issues.  
Storing RFID Labels  
Store RFID labels at temperatures ranging from 60 to 203 °F (15.5 to 95 °C) in  
environmentally stable conditions. Limit RFID label exposure to electrostatic discharge  
(ESD). Low-humidity environments may require the use of antistatic mats, straps, or clothing  
to help counter ESD.  
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Introduction to RFID  
Radio Frequency Interference  
16  
Radio Frequency Interference  
Radio Frequency (RF) interference can be caused by many sources. This interference can  
affect RFID performance by limiting the range of the RFID tags or preventing reading/writing  
to the tags.  
•
•
•
Foil and metal-based media should not be used for RFID applications. Metal reflects radio  
frequency signals and is a leading source of RF interference.  
Water and other liquids can absorb RF signals. Some media adhesives and label materials  
can be unexpected sources of liquids that cause performance problems.  
Other RF equipment can cause interference if the equipment is positioned too close  
together. Allow sufficient physical space between the RFID printer and other RF products  
that share the same bandwidth (such as antennas, readers, wireless LANs, or other RFID  
printer/encoders).  
ZPL Commands for RFID Applications  
Each RFID label has memory that can be read and most have memory that can be written to  
through Zebra Programming Language (ZPL) commands. Use ZPL to read and write to  
(encode) RFID labels just as you would use ZPL to print data on the labels. You can use  
serialized fields, field variables, and any other ZPL features (such as the command ^HV  
on page 88 to return the results to a host computer).  
RFID-specific ZPL commands are described in ZPL II Commands for RFID on page 79. For  
examples of how to use the ZPL commands, see Create and Send an RFID Label Format  
on page 30.  
For more information about non-RFID ZPL commands and how to use them, refer to the  
ZPL II Programming Guide. A copy is available online at http://www.zebra.com/manuals.  
SGD Commands for RFID Applications  
Your RFID printer is able to use Set/Get/Do (SGD) commands just as it does ZPL commands.  
Many ZPL commands have equivalent SGD commands. Usually, you will need to run one  
SGD command for each parameter in the corresponding ZPL command. RFID-specific SGD  
commands are described in SGD Commands for RFID on page 129.  
For more information about non-RFID SGD commands and how to use them, refer to the  
ZPL II Programming Guide. A copy is available online at http://www.zebra.com/manuals.  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
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2
RFID Printer Setup  
and Operation  
How you set up your printer for RFID applications is determined in part by the transponder  
that you select. This section guides you through some tasks that you may need to perform on  
your printer to make RFID reading and encoding possible. When you have completed this  
section, you will be ready to program your RFID label formats.  
Contents  
Set Tag Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18  
Set RF Power Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18  
Perform RFID Transponder Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18  
Download Latest Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19  
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RFID Printer Setup and Operation  
Set Tag Type  
18  
Set Tag Type  
After you select a transponder type and purchase labels, set the transponder (tag) type on the  
printer. Do this through the control panel menu (see Specify RFID Tag Type on page 27) or  
through the ^RSZPL command (see ^RS on page 108).  
Set RF Power Levels  
Each transponder has specific radio frequency (RF) power setting requirements for read and  
write operations, which define how much power is necessary to “energize” the transponder in  
its targeted encoding field. The tag type that you are using must match the RFID power  
settings of the printer. If necessary, you can change the power settings:  
•
through the control panel (see View or Change RFID Read Power on page 24 or View or  
Change RFID Write Power on page 25)  
•
•
through the ^RWZPL command (see ^RW on page 118)  
through SGD commands (see  
•
•
•
rfid.reader_1.power.read on page 137  
rfid.reader_1.power.single_power on page 138  
rfid.reader_1.power.write on page 139)  
Perform RFID Transponder Calibration  
If you are using RFID labels that were designed to meet the specifications of your printer, you  
do not need to perform RFID transponder calibration. The printer will automatically place the  
labels in the optimal programming position. For transponder placement specifications, go to  
http://www.zebra.com/rfid_transponders.  
If you are using RFID labels that were not designed for your printer, you may need to perform  
an RFID transponder calibration to determine the optimal programming position for your  
media. You can perform this calibration through the RFID TAG CALIBcontrol panel  
parameter (see Calibrate RFID Tag on page 23) or through the ^HRZPL command (see ^HL  
or ~HL on page 84). To return to the default programming position at any time, use the  
RESTORE option in the RFID TAG CALIBcontrol panel parameter (see Calibrate RFID  
Tag on page 23).  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
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RFID Printer Setup and Operation  
19  
Download Latest Firmware  
Download Latest Firmware  
Zebra may update printer and reader firmware periodically to add new functionality or to fix  
any known issues with older firmware. At any time, you may download the most recent  
firmware for your RFID printer. For the firmware files and the downloading instructions, go to  
http://www.zebra.com/firmware.  
Important • Download only the firmware designed for your printer and for your region or  
country. Downloading inappropriate firmware may disable your printer or some or all of the  
RFID functionality.  
Before downloading new firmware, print a printer configuration label and verify that the new  
printer firmware version is appropriate for your printer. The underlined part of the firmware  
version shown in Table 1 must match exactly with what was originally installed on your  
printer.  
Table 1 • RFID Printer Firmware Versions  
Printer  
Firmware Version  
R60.X.X  
R110Xi/R170Xi (UHF)  
R110Xi HF  
R65.X.X  
R110PAX4  
R62.X.X  
R63.X.X  
R4Mplus  
SP994X  
SP999X  
SP1027X  
SP1056X  
SP1082X  
R53.X.X  
RZ400/RZ600  
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58978L-008 Rev. A  
         
RFID Printer Setup and Operation  
Download Latest Firmware  
20  
Notes • ___________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
RFID Programming Guide  
11/14/2008  
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3
RFID Control Panel  
Parameters  
This section shows the control panel parameters that appear on most Zebra RFID printers that  
have a graphic display.  
Note • The RP4T does not display these parameters.  
The parameters shown in Table 2 on page 22 display only if you have an RFID reader and  
antenna installed. Depending on which type of printer you have and which version of firmware  
that you are using, not all parameters or options for the parameters may display.  
Note • When you enter Setup mode, press PREVIOUS or MINUS (-) (depending on the  
printer) to access the RFID parameters without scrolling through all of the other printer  
parameters. Refer to the user guide for your printer for specific instructions on how to use the  
control panel.  
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RFID Control Panel Parameters  
22  
Table 2 • RFID Parameters (Page 1 of 7)  
Parameter  
Action/Explanation  
Select Print Mode  
PRINT MODE  
- RFID  
Print mode settings tell the printer the method of media delivery to use.  
Make sure that your printer can support the selected option. Use RFID  
mode when printing batches of RFID labels to increase throughput time.  
+
Default: (R110PAX4) APPLICATOR  
Default: (all other RFID printers) RFID  
Selections: vary by printer  
To change the value shown:  
1. Press the left oval/MINUS (-) or the right oval/PLUS (+) to scroll  
through the options.  
Perform RFID Test  
RFID TEST  
In the RFID test, the printer attempts to read and write to a transponder. In  
the slow version, the printer first displays the hardware version, the reader  
firmware version, and the program position. If the printer fails the test, the  
control panel displays READ ERROR. No printer movement occurs with  
this test.  
QUICK SLOW  
To perform the RFID test:  
1. Position an RFID label with its transponder over an RFID antenna  
location. For the location of the RFID antenna on your printer, see  
RFID Antenna Location on page 39.  
2. Press the left oval/MINUS (-) to select QUICK.  
OR  
Press the right oval/PLUS (+) to select SLOW.  
3. If necessary, press the right oval/PLUS (+) to select CONTINUE.  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
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RFID Control Panel Parameters  
23  
Table 2 • RFID Parameters (Page 2 of 7)  
Parameter  
Action/Explanation  
Calibrate RFID Tag  
RFID TAG CALIB  
RESTORE RUN  
This parameter sets the RFID programming position through a tag  
calibration, or it restores the programming position back to the printer  
default.  
RESTORE Selecting this option resets the RFID programming position  
to the printer default.  
Note • With some printers and firmware versions, no label  
movement or changes to the control panel occur. With others, the  
printer displays PROGRAM POSITION RESTORED.  
•
For the R110PAX4, the RFID programming position is zero (the  
printer programs the tag without moving the label). By default, the  
print engine has backfeed set to After, which places the transponder in  
the optimal place for encoding for Zebra-specified media. If you are  
using a backfeed setting other than After, do not use the RESTORE  
function unless the position of the transponder in your media accounts  
for this change.  
•
For other RFID printers, the RFID programming position is the label  
length minus 1 mm (0.04 in.).  
RUN If the media being used does not conform to transponder placement  
requirements for your printer, use the RUNoption to have the printer  
determine the optimum programming position for the non-standard labels.  
Important • Do not perform transponder calibration for RFID  
media that meets the transponder placement specifications for your  
printer. RFID tag calibration is necessary only if the transponder is  
not in the ideal location for programming at the printer’s default  
position.  
The printer feeds an RFID label one millimeter at a time while taking  
readings (via the READ TAG command and the WRITE TAG commands)  
to profile the RFID transponder. Based on the results, the printer  
determines the optimum programming position for the media and saves the  
position to nonvolatile memory (the value is saved even if the power is  
turned off). The calibrated value is used as the programming position for  
the ^RScommand unless the command specifies a different value.  
Tag calibration takes into account the print mode, backfeed mode, and tear  
off position. The ^HRZPL command performs the same calibration and  
returns a results table to the host (see ^HL or ~HL on page 84). An auto-  
calibration occurs after the tag calibration. This realigns the media to its  
proper rest position and updates the media tracking values in the printer.  
To restore the programming position to the default:  
1. Press the left oval/MINUS (-) to select RESTORE.  
To calibrate an RFID tag:  
1. Load the printer with RFID media.  
2. Close the printhead.  
3. Press the right oval/PLUS (+) to select RUN.  
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RFID Control Panel Parameters  
24  
Table 2 • RFID Parameters (Page 3 of 7)  
Parameter  
Action/Explanation  
View Valid RFID Label Counter  
RFID VALID CTR  
This parameter displays the total number of valid RFID labels that have  
been printed/encoded. You can use this parameter or  
odometer.rfid.valid_resettable on page 132 to reset the counter to zero.  
956 RESET  
To reset the counter to zero:  
1. Press the right oval/PLUS (+) to select RESET.  
View Void RFID Label Counter  
RFID VOID CTR  
23  
This parameter displays the total number of RFID labels that have been  
voided. You can use this parameter or odometer.rfid.void_resettable  
on page 133 to reset the counter to zero.  
RESET  
To reset the counter to zero:  
1. Press the right oval/PLUS (+) to select RESET.  
View or Change RFID Read Power  
This parameter displays the current value for RFID read power.  
RFID READ PWR  
16  
Note •  
· This parameter does not appear on the R110Xi HF printer.  
· On some printers, the options vary based on the reader. Check  
the printer configuration label for the RFID_HW_VERline or  
perform the RFID SLOWtest (see Perform RFID Test  
on page 22) to determine the reader type.  
Selections  
Printer  
Firmware Version  
Default  
H, M, L  
0–30  
—
X
RXi  
R60.15.8Z and earlier  
X
X
L
L
R60.16.4Z  
R60.16.5Z and later (M4xxx…x reader)  
R60.16.5Z and later (M5xxx…x reader)  
X
X
L
—
X
X
16  
L
R4Mplus  
SP994P, SP999F, SP1027F, SP1056E, SP1082F,  
and earlier  
—
SP994Q, SP999G, SP1027G, SP1056F, SP1082G,  
and later  
X
X
L
R110PAX4  
R62.15.8Z and earlier  
R62.16.4Z and later  
R63.15.8Z and earlier  
R63.16.4Z and later  
all versions  
X
X
—
X
L
L
X
—
X
L
X
L
RZx00  
RP4T  
—
—
X
16  
16  
all versions  
X
To change the value shown:  
1. Press the left oval/MINUS (-) or the right oval/PLUS (+) to scroll  
through the options.  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
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RFID Control Panel Parameters  
25  
Table 2 • RFID Parameters (Page 4 of 7)  
Parameter  
Action/Explanation  
View or Change RFID Write Power  
This parameter displays the current value for RFID write power.  
RFID WRITE PWR  
16  
Note •  
· This parameter does not appear on the R110Xi HF printer.  
· On some printers, the options vary based on the reader. Check  
the printer configuration label for the RFID_HW_VERline or  
perform the RFID SLOWtest (see Perform RFID Test  
on page 22) to determine the reader type.  
Selections  
Printer  
Firmware Version  
Default  
H, M, L  
0–30  
—
X
RXi  
R60.15.8Z and earlier  
X
X
L
L
R60.16.4Z  
R60.16.5Z and later (M4xxx…x reader)  
R60.16.5Z and later (M5xxx…x reader)  
X
X
L
—
X
X
16  
L
R4Mplus  
SP994P, SP999F, SP1027F, SP1056E, SP1082F,  
and earlier  
—
SP994Q, SP999G, SP1027G, SP1056F, SP1082G,  
and later  
X
X
L
R110PAX4  
R62.15.8Z and earlier  
R62.16.4Z and later  
R63.15.8Z and earlier  
R63.16.4Z and later  
all versions  
X
X
—
X
L
L
X
—
X
L
X
L
RZx00  
RP4T  
—
—
X
16  
16  
all versions  
X
To change the value shown:  
1. Press the left oval/MINUS (-) or the right oval/PLUS (+) to scroll  
through the options.  
View or Change RFID Read/Write Power  
Note • This parameter appears only for the R110Xi HF printer,  
which uses identical RF power settings for read and write  
operations.  
RFID POWER  
LOW  
This parameter displays the current value for RFID power.  
Default: LOW  
Selections: HIGH, MEDIUM, LOW  
To change the value shown:  
1. Press the left oval/MINUS (-) or the right oval/PLUS (+) to scroll  
through the options.  
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RFID Control Panel Parameters  
26  
Table 2 • RFID Parameters (Page 5 of 7)  
Parameter  
Action/Explanation  
Select the RFID Antenna Port  
RFID ANTENNA  
Note • This parameter appears only for the R110Xi HF printer.  
ANTENNA PORT 1  
This parameter displays the current antenna port.  
Default: ANTENNA PORT 1  
Selections: ANTENNA PORT 1, ANTENNA PORT 2  
To change the value shown:  
1. Press the left oval/MINUS (-) or the right oval/PLUS (+) to scroll  
through the options.  
RFID Error Status  
RFID ERR STATUS  
During an error condition, an error message shows on the second line of the  
display. See Table 6 on page 53 in the RFID Troubleshooting section for  
descriptions of the error messages. This field cannot be modified.  
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RFID Control Panel Parameters  
27  
Table 2 • RFID Parameters (Page 6 of 7)  
Parameter  
Action/Explanation  
Specify RFID Tag Type  
RFID TAG TYPE  
CLASS 1 96-BIT  
Select the RFID tag type that you are using. See Table 9, Supported Tag  
Types and Default Values on page 111 for tag types that your printer  
supports. If a tag type is supported but does not appear on your printer’s  
control panel, you may need to upgrade the printer’s firmware (see  
http://www.zebra.com/firmware).  
UHF Tag Type Selections  
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
NONE  
CLASS 0 (EPC Class 0)  
CLASS 0+ (EPC Class 0 Plus)  
CLASS 1 64-BIT (EPC Class 1 64-bit)  
CLASS 1 96-BIT (EPC Class 1 96-bit)  
UCODE EPC 1.19  
CLASS 0+ IMPINJ (Impinj Class 0 Plus)  
ISO18000A (ISO 18000-06A)  
GEN2 (EPC Class 1, Gen 2)  
ISO18000B (ISO 18000-06B)  
HF Tag Type Selections  
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
NONE  
AUTO DETECT (query tag to determine)  
TAG-IT (Texas Instruments Tagit tags)  
ICODE (Phillips Icode tags)  
PICO (Pico Tag Inside Technology’s)  
ISO15693  
EPC (13.56 MHz)  
UID  
MIFARE ULTRALT (Mifare UltraLight)  
To change the value shown:  
1. Press the left oval/MINUS (-) or the right oval/PLUS (+) to scroll  
through the options.  
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RFID Control Panel Parameters  
28  
Table 2 • RFID Parameters (Page 7 of 7)  
Parameter  
Action/Explanation  
Read and Display RFID Tag Data  
RFID TAG DATA  
When this option is selected, the reader attempts to read a tag over the  
RFID antenna, even if the printhead is open. Results are displayed in  
hexadecimal format. The printer rereads the tag every 2 seconds, so if the  
tag changes, data is displayed for the current tag over the antenna. No  
printer movement occurs while tag data is read.  
•
If no tag data can be read, the text NO DATAappears on the bottom  
line of the LCD display.  
•
If a tag is present, the data for that tag appears on the bottom line of the  
display in hexadecimal format. If there is more data than can fit on the  
bottom line (such as for 96-bit tags), the bottom line will cycle from  
the first 8 bytes (most significant) to the next 4 bytes (least significant)  
approximately every 2 seconds. The hexadecimal data that can fit on  
two screens is displayed and cycled through.  
For example, if the tag contains the data  
0x112233445566778899001122, when this option is selected,  
the bottom line of the display shows: 1122334455667788for 2  
seconds followed by 99001122for 2 seconds. The printer cycles  
through these indefinitely.  
To read RFID tag data:  
1. Position an RFID label with its transponder over an RFID antenna  
location. For the location of the RFID antenna on your printer, see  
RFID Antenna Location on page 39.  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
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4
Creating Basic RFID  
Label Formats  
After you have selected a transponder type and set your printer appropriately, use the ZPL  
samples in this section as a base for programming your own RFID label formats.  
For specific information about individual ZPL commands, see ZPL II Commands for RFID  
on page 79.  
Contents  
Create and Send an RFID Label Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30  
Sample RFID Label Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31  
RFID Label Format 1—Encode a Gen 2 Tag in Hexadecimal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31  
RFID Label Format 2—Encode a Gen 2 Tag in ASCII. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32  
RFID Label Format 3—Read Data from Tag and Print Data on Label. . . . . . . . . . . . . 33  
RFID Label Format 4—Encode Tag, Read Tag, and Print Data on Label . . . . . . . . . . 34  
RFID Label Format 5—Encode a Class 1 64-bit Tag in Hexadecimal . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36  
RFID Label Format 6—Encode Tag, Read Tag, and Return Results to Host . . . . . . . 37  
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Creating Basic RFID Label Formats  
Create and Send an RFID Label Format  
30  
Create and Send an RFID Label Format  
The following pages contain sample RFID label formats that you can modify to create your  
own RFID label formats.  
To create an RFID label based on a sample label, complete these steps:  
1. Using any word processor or text editor that is capable of creating ASCII-only files (for  
®
example, use Microsoft Word and save as a .txt file), type in the label format exactly as  
shown in the desired sample.  
2. Save the file to your computer.  
When naming the file, use .zplas the extension for the file (for example, you may  
choose to name a file format1.zpl).  
3. Set up the printer, and turn the power On (I).  
4. Copy the file to the printer.  
If you are connected to the printer via the parallel port, from the DOS command window,  
use the “COPY” command to send a file to the printer. For example, if your file name is  
format1.zpl, type:  
COPY FORMAT1.ZPL XXXX  
where XXXX is the port to which your printer is connected (such as LPT1).  
5. Compare your label results with those shown in the sample. If your printout does not look  
like the one shown, confirm that the file you created is identical to the format shown, then  
repeat the printing procedure.  
6. Check the RFID data on your label.  
a. Open the printhead, and place the label above the antenna in the printer.  
b. Use the control panel to view the transponder data (see Read and Display RFID Tag  
Data on page 28).  
c. Compare your RFID data with that shown in the sample. If your control panel display  
does not look like what is shown, confirm that the file you created is identical to the  
format shown, then repeat the printing procedure.  
7. When you are certain that the file you created is correct, substitute your data in the label  
format where necessary.  
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Creating Basic RFID Label Formats  
31  
Sample RFID Label Formats  
Sample RFID Label Formats  
Use the formats in this section to assist you in creating your own RFID label formats.  
RFID Label Format 1—Encode a Gen 2 Tag in Hexadecimal  
Line  
Number  
Type This ZPL Code  
Function of ZPL Code  
^XA  
1
2
3
Indicates start of label format.  
Sets tag type to Gen 2  
^RS8  
^FO50,50  
^A0N,65  
^FDSimple write example  
^FS  
Prints “Simple write example” on the label  
at location 50,50.  
^RFW,H  
4
5
W,H = write hex  
^FD112233445566778899001122  
^FS  
Encodes the 12 bytes of data (96 bits) to the  
tag. The data written is:  
112233445566778899001122  
^XZ  
Indicates end of label format.  
Resulting Label  
Simple write example  
Programmed to Transponder  
112233445566778899001122  
Control Panel Display (toggles between these two)  
RFID TAG DATA  
1122334455667788  
RFID TAG DATA  
99001122  
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Creating Basic RFID Label Formats  
Sample RFID Label Formats  
32  
RFID Label Format 2—Encode a Gen 2 Tag in ASCII  
This label format is different in what shows on the control panel. The control panel always  
displays RFID data in hexadecimal.  
Line  
Number  
Type This ZPL Code  
Function of ZPL Code  
^XA  
1
2
3
Indicates start of label format.  
Sets tag type to Gen 2  
^RS8  
^FO50,50  
^A0N,65  
^FDSimple write example  
^FS  
Prints “Simple write example” on the label at  
location 50,50.  
^RFW,A  
4
5
W,A = write ASCII  
^FD00 rfid data  
^FS  
Encodes the 12 bytes of data (96 bits) to the tag. The  
data written is: 00 rfid data  
^XZ  
Indicates end of label format.  
Resulting Label  
Simple write example  
Programmed to Transponder  
00 rfid data  
Control Panel Display (toggles between these two)  
RFID TAG DATA  
3030207266696420  
RFID TAG DATA  
64617461  
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Creating Basic RFID Label Formats  
33  
Sample RFID Label Formats  
RFID Label Format 3—Read Data from Tag and Print Data on Label  
This example assumes that the tag created using RFID Label Format 1—Encode a Gen 2 Tag  
in Hexadecimal on page 31 is being read.  
Line  
Number  
Type This ZPL Code  
Function of ZPL Code  
^XA  
1
2
3
Indicates start of label format.  
Sets tag type to Gen 2  
^RS8  
^FO50,50  
^A0N,40  
^FN0  
^FN0is a placeholder field variable for the tag data  
that will be read in the following line. When the label  
prints, the data read from the tag will be printed at  
location 50,50.  
^FS  
^FN0  
^RFR,H  
^FS  
4
5
R,H = read hexadecimal  
The read results are put into field variable 0 (^FN0).  
At this point, the printer substitutes previous  
instances of ^FN0in the label format with the data  
from this field. The data read from the tag will be  
padded with zeroes to the maximum bit size.  
^XZ  
Indicates end of label format.  
Read from Transponder  
112233445566778899001122  
Resulting Label  
112233445566778899001122  
Control Panel Display (toggles between these two)  
RFID TAG DATA  
1122334455667788  
RFID TAG DATA  
99001122  
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Creating Basic RFID Label Formats  
Sample RFID Label Formats  
34  
RFID Label Format 4—Encode Tag, Read Tag, and Print Data on  
Label  
Line  
Number  
Type This ZPL Code  
Function of ZPL Code  
^XA  
1
2
3
Indicates start of label format.  
Sets tag type to Gen 2  
^RS8  
^FO60,60  
^A0N,40  
^FN7  
When the label prints, the data read from the tag at  
field variable 7 (^FN7) will be printed at location  
60,60.  
^FS  
^RFW,A  
^FD0data  
^FS  
4
5
6
W,A = write ASCII  
Encodes “0data” into the block padded with 8 bytes  
of zeroes to make the data 12 bytes. The data written  
is: 306461746100000000000000 (“0data” in ASCII)  
^FN7  
^RFR,A  
^FS  
R,A = read ASCII  
Reads the tag data into field variable 7 (^FN7).  
After this occurs, any fields in this label format that  
have ^FN7will be replaced with this read data.  
^XZ  
Indicates end of label format.  
Programmed to Transponder  
306461746100000000000000  
Read from Transponder  
306461746100000000000000  
Resulting Label  
0data  
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Creating Basic RFID Label Formats  
35  
Sample RFID Label Formats  
Control Panel Display (toggles between these two)  
RFID TAG DATA  
3064617461000000  
RFID TAG DATA  
00000000  
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Creating Basic RFID Label Formats  
Sample RFID Label Formats  
36  
RFID Label Format 5—Encode a Class 1 64-bit Tag in Hexadecimal  
Line  
Number  
Type This ZPL Code  
Function of ZPL Code  
^XA  
1
2
3
Indicates start of label format.  
^RS3  
Sets tag type to EPC Class 1 64-bit.  
^FO50,50  
^A0N,65  
^FDSimple write example  
^FS  
Prints “Simple write example” on the label at  
location 50,50.  
^RFW,H  
4
5
W,H = write hex  
^FD1122334455667788  
^FS  
Encodes the 8 bytes of data (64 bits) to the tag. The  
data written is: 1122334455667788  
^XZ  
Indicates end of label format.  
Resulting Label  
Simple write example  
Programmed to Transponder  
1122334455667788  
Control Panel Display  
RFID TAG DATA  
1122334455667788  
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Creating Basic RFID Label Formats  
37  
Sample RFID Label Formats  
RFID Label Format 6—Encode Tag, Read Tag, and Return Results  
to Host  
Line  
Number  
Type This ZPL Code  
Function of ZPL Code  
^XA  
1
2
3
Indicates start of label format.  
Sets tag type to Gen 2  
^RS8  
^FO50,50  
^A0N,65  
^FN3  
When the label prints, the data read from the tag at  
field variable 3 (^FN3) will be printed at location  
50,50.  
^FS  
^RFW,H  
4
5
6
W,H = write hex  
^FD0102030405  
^FS  
Encodes 12 bytes of data (96 bits) to the tag with  
7 bytes of zeroes as padding. The data written is:  
010203040500000000000000  
^FN3  
^RFR,H  
^FS  
R,H = read hexadecimal  
Reads the tag data into field variable 3 (^FN3).  
After this occurs, any fields in this label format that  
have ^FN3will be replaced with this read data.  
^HV3  
Returns the value in ^FN3to the host computer.  
Data is sent over whichever communication channel  
is established with the host (such as parallel, serial,  
USB, Ethernet). In this example,  
010203040500000000000000 would be returned to  
the host.  
^XZ  
7
Indicates end of label format.  
Programmed to Transponder  
010203040500000000000000  
Read from Transponder  
010203040500000000000000  
Resulting Label  
010203040500000000000000  
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Creating Basic RFID Label Formats  
Sample RFID Label Formats  
38  
Control Panel Display (toggles between these two)  
RFID TAG DATA  
0102030405000000  
RFID TAG DATA  
00000000  
Sent to Host Computer  
010203040500000000000000  
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5
RFID Antenna Location  
Operations to test the RFID functions and display RFID tag data require you to place an RFID  
label over the RFID antenna area. This section shows the location of the RFID antenna in the  
various Zebra RFID printers.  
Contents  
RXi and RXi HF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40  
RZ400 and RZ600 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40  
R110PAX4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41  
RP4T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41  
R4Mplus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42  
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RFID Antenna Location  
RXi and RXi HF  
40  
RXi and RXi HF  
Figure 2 • RXi and RXi HF Antenna Location  
1
RZ400 and RZ600  
Figure 3 • RZ400 and RZ600 Antenna Location  
1
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RFID Antenna Location  
41  
R110PAX4  
R110PAX4  
Figure 4 • R110PAX4 Antenna Location  
1
RP4T  
Figure 5 • RP4T Antenna Location  
1
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RFID Antenna Location  
R4Mplus  
42  
R4Mplus  
Figure 6 • R4Mplus Antenna Location  
1
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6
Transponder  
Characteristics  
This section describes the different characteristics of some common transponder types.  
Contents  
Basic Transponder Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44  
Electronic Product Code (EPC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45  
EPC Fields. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45  
EPC Structure in RFID Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45  
EPC Class 1, Generation 2 (Gen 2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46  
Data Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46  
Data and Tag Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46  
Gen 2 Memory Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46  
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Transponder Characteristics  
Basic Transponder Characteristics  
44  
Basic Transponder Characteristics  
Table 3 shows some of the basic characteristics of common transponder types.  
Table 3 • Characteristics of Transponder Types  
Transponder Type  
Class 0  
Read  
Yes  
Write  
No  
Size (in bits)  
96 bits  
Class 0+  
Yes  
Yes  
96 bit (TID)  
104 bit (USER)  
Class 1 64 bits  
Class 1 96 bits  
ISO18000-6A  
ISO18000-6B  
Gen 2  
Yes  
Yes  
Yes  
Yes  
Yes  
Yes  
Yes  
Yes  
Yes  
Yes  
64 bits  
96 bits  
Varies  
Varies  
Varies by manufacturer and tag. See  
Gen 2 Memory Map on page 46 for  
additional memory information.  
Depending on which printer you have and which firmware you are using, you may or may not  
be able to use the tag types shown in this section. Go to Table 9, Supported Tag Types and  
Default Values, on page 111 for more information about which tag types work with which  
printers.  
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Transponder Characteristics  
Electronic Product Code (EPC)  
45  
Electronic Product Code (EPC)  
EPC is a product numbering standard that can be used to identify a variety of items by using  
RFID technology. The 96-bit EPC code links to an online database, providing a secure way of  
sharing product-specific information along the supply chain.  
Note • The information in this section is provided for your convenience only and is subject to  
change. Go to http://www.epcglobalinc.org for the latest EPC information.  
EPC Fields  
As with bar codes, EPC is divided into numbers that identify the manufacturer and product  
type. However, EPC contains the following additional information:  
•
•
•
•
Header—identifies the length, type, structure, version, and generation of EPC  
Manager Number—identifies the company or company entity  
Object Class—similar to a stock keeping unit (SKU)  
Serial Number—the specific instance of the Object Class being tagged  
Additional fields may be used as part of the EPC code to encode and decode information from  
different numbering systems into human-readable form. For more information about EPC  
specifications, refer to the EPC Global web site.  
EPC Structure in RFID Labels  
In the printer, you can subdivide transponder data into unique fields. You can customize these  
fields to create “smart” labels that meet your needs or that meet the standards necessary in  
EPC programming.  
The ^RBZPL command is used to define EPC structure. EPC field data can be delimited with  
any of the following characters:  
, ~ ! @ # $ % ^ & * | . < > / \ : ;  
See ^RB on page 93 for more information about and examples for defining EPC structure.  
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Transponder Characteristics  
EPC Class 1, Generation 2 (Gen 2)  
46  
EPC Class 1, Generation 2 (Gen 2)  
EPC Gen 2 tags offer advantages over other tag types. The tag identification (TID) memory in  
a Gen 2 tag includes the chip manufacturer and model number information, which can be used  
to identify which optional features are present on the tag. These optional features include those  
for data content and security.  
See Table 9, Supported Tag Types and Default Values, on page 111 for the UHF printers and  
firmware versions that can use Gen 2 tags.  
Data Content  
Gen 2 tags typically have a 96-bit EPC identifier, which is different from the 64-bit identifiers  
common in early EPC tags. Gen 2 tags also support much larger data structures. The size of  
user memory available (if any) varies by the model and manufacturer of the tag.  
Data and Tag Security  
Tag Passwords You can set optional 32-bit passwords that allow you to access tag data, to  
lock tag data, or to permanently disable (kill) a tag. Use the ZPL command ^RZ on page 120 to  
set the passwords (if desired) and ^RF on page 96 to read the passwords.  
Data Locking Options User-allocated memory can be safeguarded with flexible locking  
options using ^RZ on page 120. For example, you can lock a tag’s blank memory to prevent it  
from being encoded accidentally and later unlock it for writing. A permanent locking feature  
prevents rewriting of tag data.  
Gen 2 Memory Map  
Table 4 shows how information is stored on a Gen 2 tag.  
Table 4 • Gen 2 Tag Logical Memory Map  
Bank  
Memory Bank  
Memory Contents  
3
User  
TID  
2
TID (15:0)  
TID (31:16)  
EPC (15:0)  
1
EPC  
EPC (N:N-15)  
PC (15:0)  
CRC-16 (15:0)  
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Transponder Characteristics  
EPC Class 1, Generation 2 (Gen 2)  
47  
Table 4 • Gen 2 Tag Logical Memory Map (Continued)  
Bank  
Memory Bank  
Memory Contents  
0
Reserved  
access password (15:0)  
access password (31:16)  
kill password (15:0)  
kill password (31:16)  
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Transponder Characteristics  
EPC Class 1, Generation 2 (Gen 2)  
48  
Notes • ___________________________________________________________________  
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58978L-008 Rev. A  
RFID Programming Guide  
11/14/2008  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
7
Troubleshooting  
This section provides information about RFID operational errors that you might need to  
troubleshoot. For other types of problems, consult the user guide for your printer.  
Contents  
RFID Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50  
RFID Error Codes and Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53  
Error and Status Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53  
Error Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66  
11/14/2008  
RFID Programming Guide  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
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Troubleshooting  
RFID Problems  
50  
RFID Problems  
Table 5 identifies problems that may occur with RFID printers, the possible causes, and the  
recommended solutions.  
Table 5 • RFID Problems  
Problem  
Possible Cause  
The printer is not calibrated for Refer to the User Guide for your printer for  
the RFID label being used. instructions.  
The printer is set for the wrong Set the correct tag type using Specify RFID Tag  
Recommended Solution  
The RFID-enabled  
printer voids every  
label.  
tag type.  
Type on page 27. If the tag type is not listed, you  
may not be able to use the labels with your  
printer.  
The printer is unable to  
communicate with the RFID  
reader.  
1. Turn off (O) the printer.  
2. Wait 10 seconds.  
3. Turn on (I) the printer.  
4. If the problem persists, you may have a bad  
RFID reader or a loose connection between  
the RFID reader and the printer. Contact  
Technical Support or an authorized Zebra  
RFID service technician for assistance.  
The settings are incorrect in  
your label designer software.  
The software settings override the printer  
settings. Make sure that the software and printer  
settings match.  
You are using an incorrect  
programming position,  
particularly if the tags being  
used are within printer  
specifications.  
Do one or more of the following as necessary:  
• Check the programming position being used  
with the ^RScommand, or the program  
position setting in your label designer  
software. If the position is incorrect, change  
the setting.  
• Select RESTORE for the RFID TAG  
CALIBparameter (see Calibrate RFID Tag  
on page 23).  
You are sending RFID ZPL  
commands that are incorrect.  
See ZPL II Commands for RFID on page 79.  
Radio frequency (RF)  
interference from another RF  
source.  
Do one or more of the following as necessary:  
• Move the printer away from fixed RFID  
readers or other RF sources.  
• Make sure that the media door is closed at all  
times during RFID programming.  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
RFID Programming Guide  
11/14/2008  
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Troubleshooting  
RFID Problems  
51  
Table 5 • RFID Problems (Continued)  
Problem  
Possible Cause  
Recommended Solution  
Low yields. Too many The RFID labels are not within Make sure that the labels meet transponder  
RFID tags per roll  
are voided.  
specifications for the printer,  
which means that the  
transponder is not in an area  
that can be programmed  
consistently.  
placement specifications for your printer. See  
http://www.zebra.com/id/zebra/na/en/index/  
products/supplies/rfid_supplies/  
rfid_transponder_inlay.html for transponder  
placement information.  
Contact an authorized Zebra RFID reseller for  
more information.  
Some RFID tags are more  
sensitive than others and may  
require special printer settings.  
1. Verify that the printer is set for the correct  
write power. See  
http://www.zebra.com/id/zebra/na/en/index/  
products/supplies/rfid_supplies/  
rfid_transponder_inlay.html for the  
recommended power setting for each tag  
type.  
2. If necessary, run the ^HRcommand to  
manually calibrate the transponder position.  
3. If the problem persists, consider using a  
different tag type.  
Contact an authorized Zebra RFID reseller for  
more information.  
Incorrect read and write power Change the RFID read and write power levels  
levels for the RFID tag type.  
(see View or Change RFID Read Power  
on page 24 or View or Change RFID Write  
Power on page 25).  
Radio frequency (RF)  
interference from another RF  
source.  
Do one or more of the following as necessary:  
• Move the printer away from fixed RFID  
readers.  
• Make sure that the media door is closed at all  
times during RFID programming.  
The printer is using outdated  
printer firmware and reader  
firmware versions.  
Go to http://www.zebra.com/firmware for  
updated firmware.  
With a Gen 2 tag, no The RFID reader/encoder is not Check Table 9, Supported Tag Types and Default  
data is written to the enabled for Gen 2.  
tag even though the  
printer says that the  
write operation  
Values, on page 111 to see if your printer  
supports Gen 2 tags.  
• If your printer supports Gen 2 tags, make sure  
that you are using the appropriate firmware  
version. Download printer and reader  
firmware, if necessary.  
succeeded.  
• If your printer does not support Gen 2 tags,  
you will not be able to use these tags with your  
printer.  
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58978L-008 Rev. A  
Troubleshooting  
RFID Problems  
52  
Table 5 • RFID Problems (Continued)  
Possible Cause Recommended Solution  
Problem  
The printer stops at  
the RFID inlay.  
The printer calibrated the label 1.  
length only to the RFID inlay  
instead of to the interlabel gap.  
2. Refer to the User Guide for your printer for  
instructions.  
The DATA light  
The download was not  
successful. For best results,  
cycle power on the printer  
before downloading any  
firmware.  
1. Turn off (O) the printer.  
2. Wait 10 seconds.  
flashes indefinitely  
after you attempt to  
download printer or  
reader firmware.  
3. Turn on (I) the printer.  
4. Attempt to download the firmware again.  
5. If the problem persists, contact Technical  
Support.  
RFID parameters do The printer was powered  
Wait at least 10 seconds after turning the printer  
not appear in Setup  
mode, and RFID  
information does not initialize properly.  
appear on the printer  
off (O) and then back on (I) too power off before turning it back on.  
quickly for the RFID reader to  
1. Turn off (O) the printer.  
2. Wait 10 seconds.  
3. Turn on (I) the printer.  
configuration label.  
4. Check for the RFID parameters in Setup  
mode or for RFID information on a new  
configuration label.  
An incorrect version of printer 1. Compare the firmware version on your  
or reader firmware was loaded  
on the printer.  
printer to those listed in Table 1, RFID  
Printer Firmware Versions, on page 19.  
2. Download the correct printer or reader  
firmware if necessary.  
3. If the problem persists, contact Technical  
Support.  
The printer is unable to  
communicate with the RFID  
reader.  
1. Turn off (O) the printer.  
2. Wait 10 seconds.  
3. Turn on (I) the printer.  
4. If the problem persists, you may have a bad  
RFID reader or a loose connection between  
the RFID reader and the printer. Contact  
Technical Support or an authorized service  
technician for assistance.  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
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11/14/2008  
Troubleshooting  
RFID Error Codes and Messages  
53  
RFID Error Codes and Messages  
In the event of an RFID error, the printer does the following:  
• displays an RFID error or status message on the second line of the RFID ERR STATUS  
control panel parameter  
• returns RFID error codes to the RFID data log (see ^HL or ~HL on page 84 for more  
information about the RFID data log)  
Table 6 provides the possible problems sorted by the error message, while Table 7 on page 66  
provides these problems sorted by the error code.  
Error and Status Messages  
Table 6 shows the possible error and status messages, the corresponding error codes, and the  
action required (if any).  
Table 6 • RFID Error and Status Message Definitions  
Error  
Code  
RFID Error or  
Description/Action Required  
Status Message  
ACTIVATE TAG ERR  
AFE NOT ON  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
8104  
0405  
Internal problem with the reader. The Analog Front End is turned  
off. Contact Technical Support.  
ANT FAILURE  
Antenna failure. Contact Technical Support.  
0033  
0025  
ANT. BAD/GONE  
The RFID reader cannot detect the RFID antenna (coupler), or the  
antenna (coupler) does not work. Contact Technical Support.  
ANT. BAD/GONE  
The RFID reader cannot detect the RFID antenna (coupler), or the  
antenna (coupler) does not work. Contact Technical Support.  
900F  
F003  
ANTENNA SEL ERR  
The printer firmware could not verify that the selected RFID  
antenna (coupler) is properly connected.  
If selecting the antenna through ZPL, ensure that your printer  
supports this feature and that your parameters are correct. If the  
problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
AUTHEN RDR ERR  
AUTHEN TAG ERR  
BAD ANT.MUX  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
Tag not authenticated.  
9401  
8201  
0026  
0201  
Internal problem with the reader. Contact Technical Support.  
BAD APP END ADD  
The RFID reader received a command to erase some part of the  
flash memory. This typically would happen during a reader  
firmware upgrade. Make sure that you download the appropriate  
version of reader firmware. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
BAD COMMAND  
The reader received a bad command from the printer. If the  
problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
000A  
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58978L-008 Rev. A  
               
Troubleshooting  
RFID Error Codes and Messages  
54  
Table 6 • RFID Error and Status Message Definitions (Continued)  
Error  
Code  
RFID Error or  
Status Message  
Description/Action Required  
BAD CRC  
The last valid message string had a bad Cyclic Redundancy Check  
(CRC). An integrity check of the reader firmware failed. If the  
problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
0004  
BAD DATA  
The reader received bad data from the printer. If the problem  
persists, contact Technical Support.  
0005  
0200  
BAD IMAGE CRC  
The RFID reader received a command to erase some part of the  
flash memory. This typically would happen during a reader  
firmware upgrade. Make sure that you download the appropriate  
version of reader firmware. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
BAD MESSAGE  
BAD MSG HEAD  
BAD MSG TAIL  
Internal communications problem with the reader. If the problem  
persists, contact Technical Support.  
0001  
0008  
0009  
Internal communications problem with the reader. If the problem  
persists, contact Technical Support.  
Internal communications problem with the reader. If the problem  
persists, contact Technical Support.  
BAD PASSCODE  
BAD SUBCMD  
Bad passcode for kill tag function.  
0052  
000B  
Internal communications problem with the reader. If the problem  
persists, contact Technical Support.  
BAUD ERR  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
0053  
8005  
9103  
BLOCK(S) LOCKED  
BOOTLOADER ERR  
A write operation could not be performed because a block was  
locked.  
The reader failed to enter bootloader mode, which is necessary to  
upgrade firmware. If the problem persists, contact Technical  
Support.  
CLEAR FILE ERR  
CMD FAIL  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
8409  
0054  
0010  
Internal communications problem with the reader. If the problem  
persists, contact Technical Support.  
CMD INHIBITED  
Internal communications problem with the reader. If the problem  
persists, contact Technical Support.  
COLLISION ERR  
Multiple tags in the field have the same tag ID.  
8003  
8303  
CREATE APPLI ERR  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
CREATE FILE ERR  
CREDIT VALUE ERR  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
8403  
8508  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
RFID Programming Guide  
11/14/2008  
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Troubleshooting  
RFID Error Codes and Messages  
55  
Table 6 • RFID Error and Status Message Definitions (Continued)  
Error  
Code  
RFID Error or  
Status Message  
Description/Action Required  
DATA AMOUNT ERR  
Two situations can result in this error:  
0100  
• The data length in a message to the RFID reader from the  
printer is less than the number of arguments in the message.  
• The data length is greater than the number of arguments. The  
reader will wait indefinitely until it receives all of the data  
specified in the data length field.  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
DATA CRC  
An integrity check of the reader firmware failed. If the problem  
persists, contact Technical Support.  
0037  
040B  
DATA TOO LARGE  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
DEACTIV. TAG ERR  
DEBIT VALUE ERR  
DEC VAL FILE ERR  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
8105  
8509  
840B  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
DECRYPT TAG ERR  
DELETE FILE ERR  
DISABLE EAS ERR  
The data read from the tag was not decrypted properly or was  
corrupted.  
800D  
8408  
8502  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
There was an error while clearing the EAS bit.  
Verify that the tag that you are using supports this feature.  
DISABLE_DEBG ERR  
ENABLE EAS ERR  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
9403  
8501  
There was an error while setting the EAS bit.  
Verify that the tag that you are using supports this feature.  
ENABLE_DEBUG ERR  
ENCRYPT TAG ERR  
ERASE TAG ERR  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
The data to be written to the tag was not encrypted properly.  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
9402  
800C  
810B  
8ACA  
EXIT TAGLOOP ERR  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
FILE NOT FOUND  
FLASH ERROR  
The specified file was not found on the application.  
8011  
An error occurred reading or writing from the reader’s Flash  
memory. If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
0300  
0301  
0302  
0303  
0304  
0305  
0306  
FORMAT TAG ERR  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
810C  
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58978L-008 Rev. A  
Troubleshooting  
RFID Error Codes and Messages  
56  
Table 6 • RFID Error and Status Message Definitions (Continued)  
Error  
Code  
RFID Error or  
Status Message  
Description/Action Required  
FPGA OLD  
The FPGA code is out of date. This would typically happen during  
a reader firmware upgrade. Make sure you download the  
appropriate version of reader firmware. If the problem persists,  
contact Technical Support.  
0048  
GEN2 BAD PC  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
0423  
042F  
042B  
0424  
0420  
0430  
8301  
9302  
GEN2 ERROR  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
GEN2 LOW PWR  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
GEN2 MEM LOCKED  
GEN2 PROT OTHER  
GEN2 UNKNWN ERR  
GET APPLI ID ERR  
GET DEFAULT ERR  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
There was a problem reading a parameter from the non-volatile  
memory of the reader. If the problem persists, contact Technical  
Support.  
GET FILE IDs ERR  
GET FILE SET ERR  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
8401  
8404  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
GET LOCK STA ERR  
GET TAG INFO ERR  
The reader was unable to acquire the lock status from the tag.  
8108  
8107  
The reader was unable to acquire the information from the tag.  
The reader may not contain information for the selected tag.  
HARDWARE ERR  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
0046  
0601  
ID BUFFER FULL  
The tag ID buffer is full. If the problem persists, contact Technical  
Support.  
INC VAL FILE ERR  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
840A  
INVALD SIGNATURE  
INVALID ADDR  
The HMAC written to the tag did not match the data and the key.  
800E  
0409  
The RFID reader received a command to write to an invalid  
address in the tag data address space. Make sure that the address  
specified is within the scope of the tag data address space.  
INVALID ADDRESS  
The address specified for the command was invalid. If the  
problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
9005  
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Troubleshooting  
RFID Error Codes and Messages  
57  
Table 6 • RFID Error and Status Message Definitions (Continued)  
Error  
Code  
RFID Error or  
Status Message  
Description/Action Required  
INVALID AUTH KEY  
INVALID BAUD  
INVALID CMD  
The key number does not exist or is invalid for authentication with  
a specific reader or tag.  
800F  
010A  
0109  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
The command does not exist or is invalid for the reader.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
INVALID CMD  
The command does not exist or is invalid for the reader.  
9002  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
INVALID CRC  
Invalid CRC sent in the request to the reader. If the problem  
persists, contact Technical Support.  
9003  
9009  
INVALID DATA LEN  
The length of the data specified in the request was invalid for the  
command specified. If the problem persists, contact Technical  
Support.  
INVALID FLAGS  
INVALID FREQ  
The flags specified were invalid for the command specified. If the  
problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
9006  
0104  
The RFID reader received a command to set the frequency outside  
of the supported range. If the problem persists, contact Technical  
Support.  
INVALID FREQ  
The RFID reader received a command to set the frequency outside  
of the supported range. If the problem persists, contact Technical  
Support.  
0500  
8014  
INVALID KEY LEN  
The key length is not valid for the tag type, the command, or the  
reader.  
INVALID KEY NO.  
INVALID MESS LEN  
The key number does not exist or is out of the range of valid keys.  
8013  
9004  
The number of bytes sent to the reader was invalid for the  
command or for the message length passed in. If the problem  
persists, contact Technical Support.  
INVALID OPCODE  
The opCode received by the RFID reader is invalid or not  
supported with the current version of reader firmware. Make sure  
you download the appropriate version of reader firmware. If the  
problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
0101  
INVALID PARAM  
INVALID PARAM  
The RFID reader received a valid command with an unsupported  
or invalid value for one of the parameters. If the problem persists,  
contact Technical Support.  
OOOC  
OOOD  
The RFID reader received a valid command with an unsupported  
or invalid value for one of the parameters. If the problem persists,  
contact Technical Support.  
0105  
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RFID Error Codes and Messages  
58  
Table 6 • RFID Error and Status Message Definitions (Continued)  
Error  
Code  
RFID Error or  
Status Message  
Description/Action Required  
INVALID PROTOC  
The RFID reader received a command for a protocol value that is  
not supported with the current version of reader firmware. Make  
sure you have the right tag type selected and that you are using a  
tag that is supported by your printer.  
0402  
INVALID TAG TYPE  
The tag type was not valid for the command specified.  
8001  
Make sure that you are using the right tag type for your operation.  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
INVALID VAR.  
Invalid configuration variable. Internal problem with the reader. If  
the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
0045  
0408  
INVALID WR DATA  
In EPC 0+, the first two bits determine the tag ID length. If the  
first two bits are 0b00, then the tag ID must be 96 bits. Otherwise,  
the tag ID is 64 bits.  
Make sure that the first two bits have the correct values,  
depending on the tag ID length.  
INVENTORY DONE  
INVLD ASCII BYTE  
INVLD NO. BLOCKS  
Status message indicating that the reader exited the Inventory  
mode. No action required.  
810F  
9007  
9008  
A non-ASCII byte value was sent in an ASCII mode command. If  
the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
The number of blocks field in the request was invalid for the  
command specified. If the problem persists, contact Technical  
Support.  
KILL TAG ERR  
LISTEN BUSY  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
8109  
0029  
Listen before transmit; all frequencies occupied. Internal problem  
with the reader. If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
LOAD DEFAULT ERR  
The reader was unable to successfully load its default parameters.  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
9101  
LOAD KEY ERR  
LOCK ERROR  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
8602  
0403  
The lock process failed during a write tag data for an ISO18000-  
6B tag. The write tag command passed, but the lock did not. This  
could indicate a bad tag.  
Repeat the process with another RFID tag. Make sure that the tag  
is placed within the RF field.  
LOCKED BLOCK  
Attempt to write to a read-only tag or to a locked block. Make sure  
you have the right tag type selected and that you are using a tag  
that is supported by your printer. Ensure that the block that you are  
trying to write to is not already locked.  
0039  
LOST LOCK  
UHF synthesizer error. Internal problem with the reader. If the  
problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
003A  
0042  
MEMORY ERR  
Non-volatile memory data element does not exist or was not found  
when requesting a read of a specific element in non-volatile  
memory. If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
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Troubleshooting  
RFID Error Codes and Messages  
59  
Table 6 • RFID Error and Status Message Definitions (Continued)  
Error  
Code  
RFID Error or  
Status Message  
Description/Action Required  
MESSAGE SYNCH  
Point-to-point only. Current message head or “}” character  
interrupted a previous message.  
0003  
Turn the printer power off (O). Wait ten seconds, and then turn the  
printer power on (I). If the problem persists, contact Technical  
Support.  
MOD FILE SET ERR  
MULTIPLE TAGS  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
8405  
1237  
More than one RFID tag was detected in the RF field.  
Make sure only one label is in the RF field and that another tag is  
not elsewhere in the field. Make sure that the labels meet  
transponder placement specifications.  
NO APPLI PRESENT  
NO DATA READ  
The application specified could not be found.  
8010  
0404  
The RFID tag used failed or does not have the correct CRC.  
Try to read a few other tags. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
NO FILE SELECTED  
NO NVM PRESENT  
The command requires a file, but none was selected.  
8012  
0044  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
NO PROTOCOL  
The RFID reader received a command to perform a protocol  
command, but no protocol was initially set. The reader powers up  
with no protocols set.  
0401  
Make sure you have the right tag type selected and that you are  
using a tag that is supported by your printer.  
NO RF FIELD  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
0035  
0036  
NO TAG  
NO TAG FOUND  
Note • This error message varies by reader type.  
No RFID tag was detected in the RF field. Several things can  
cause this error:  
• No acceptable RFID tag is in the RF field. This can happen if an  
RFID label is present but the transponder is not placed correctly  
within the label or if the wrong tag type is used.  
• The read/write power being used is too low.  
• The RFID tag is weak or dead.  
Retry with another RFID tag. Make sure you have the right tag  
type selected and that you are using a tag that is supported by your  
printer. If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
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Troubleshooting  
RFID Error Codes and Messages  
60  
Table 6 • RFID Error and Status Message Definitions (Continued)  
Error  
Code  
RFID Error or  
Status Message  
Description/Action Required  
NO TAG  
0400  
8002  
0407  
Note • This error message varies by reader type.  
NO TAG FOUND  
No RFID tag was detected in the RF field. Several things can  
cause this error:  
• No acceptable RFID tag is in the RF field. This can happen if an  
RFID label is present but the transponder is not placed correctly  
within the label or if the wrong tag type is used.  
• The read/write power being used is too low.  
• The RFID tag is weak or dead.  
Retry with another RFID tag. Make sure you have the right tag  
type selected and that you are using a tag that is supported by your  
printer. If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
NO TAG  
NO TAG FOUND  
Note • This error message varies by reader type.  
No RFID tag was detected in the RF field. Several things can  
cause this error:  
• No acceptable RFID tag is in the RF field. This can happen if an  
RFID label is present but the transponder is not placed correctly  
within the label or if the wrong tag type is used.  
• The read/write power being used is too low.  
• The RFID tag is weak or dead.  
Retry with another RFID tag. Make sure you have the right tag  
type selected and that you are using a tag that is supported by your  
printer. If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
NOT IMPLEMENTED  
The reader received a command that is not supported by the tag  
type.  
Make sure that you have the latest reader firmware, that you have  
the right tag type selected, and that you are using a tag that is  
supported by your printer. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
NUM IDS TOO LG  
NVM FULL  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
0603  
0043  
Internal problem with the reader. If you are upgrading reader  
firmware, try resending the file. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
RFID Programming Guide  
11/14/2008  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Troubleshooting  
RFID Error Codes and Messages  
61  
Table 6 • RFID Error and Status Message Definitions (Continued)  
Error  
Code  
RFID Error or  
Status Message  
Description/Action Required  
OPCODE UNAVAIL  
The opCode received by the RFID reader is invalid or not  
supported with the current version of reader firmware.  
0102  
1. Make sure you download the appropriate version of reader  
firmware.  
2. Turn the printer power off (O). Wait ten seconds, and then  
turn the printer power on (I).  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
OVERWRITE EPC  
Error trying to overwrite a valid EPC code.  
0055  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
POWER SELECT ERR  
POWER TOO HI  
The printer could not verify that the intended power setting has  
been set successfully. If the problem persists, contact Technical  
Support.  
F004  
0103  
The RFID reader received a command to set the read or write  
power to a level that is higher than the RFID reader supports.  
Check the versions of the reader firmware and printer firmware.  
You may need to download different versions.  
POWER TOO LOW  
The RFID reader received a command to set the read or write  
power to a level that is lower than the RFID reader supports.  
0106  
Check the versions of the reader firmware and printer firmware.  
You may need to download different versions.  
RAM ERROR  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
0022  
1234  
F002  
—
RDR COM TIMEOUT  
RDR COM TIMEOUT  
RDR ERR xxxx  
READ AFI ERR  
The printer was not able to communicate with the reader. If the  
problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
The printer was not able to communicate with the reader. If the  
problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
There was an error reading the AFI byte.  
8505  
Verify that the tag that you are using supports this feature. If the  
problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
READ DATA ERR  
READ DSFID ERR  
READ FILE ERR  
This can occur when one of a number of RFID operations fails.  
8102  
8507  
8406  
Check that the tag is good, and repeat the process with another  
RFID label. If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
There was an error reading the DSFID byte.  
Verify that the tag that you are using supports this feature. If the  
problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
11/14/2008  
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58978L-008 Rev. A  
Troubleshooting  
RFID Error Codes and Messages  
62  
Table 6 • RFID Error and Status Message Definitions (Continued)  
Error  
Code  
RFID Error or  
Status Message  
Description/Action Required  
READ SYS ERR  
There was a problem reading a parameter from the non-volatile  
memory of the reader. If the problem persists, contact Technical  
Support.  
9201  
REPEATED ID  
One of the protocols is trying to add an existing tag ID to the  
buffer.  
0602  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
RESET DEVICE ERR  
The reader was unable to successfully reset the reader. If the  
problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
9102  
REVIVE TAG ERR  
RF SECTION ERR  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
810A  
0031  
Radio controller does not respond or general RF section failure.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
RFID OK  
Normal operation.  
0000  
0023  
ROM ERROR  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
R-T DATARATE ERR  
RX R/T FAIL  
The reader to tag data bit rate is not supported by the reader, the  
tag, or both.  
800C  
0051  
Receiver tuning runtime failure.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
RX TUNE FAIL  
RXD POWER HI  
RXD POWER MAX  
RXD WARNING  
SCAN EAS ERR  
Receiver tuning training failure.  
0050  
0027  
002A  
0028  
8503  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
RXD reflective power too high.  
Check antenna or cable connection. If the problem persists,  
contact Technical Support.  
RXD reflective power max fault.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
RXD reflective power warning level. Occurs at –10 dBm.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
The reader did not detect an EAS code in the field.  
Verify that the tag that you are using supports this feature and that  
the EAS bit is enabled.  
SELECT APPLI ERR  
SELECT FILE ERR  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
8302  
8402  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
RFID Programming Guide  
11/14/2008  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Troubleshooting  
RFID Error Codes and Messages  
63  
Table 6 • RFID Error and Status Message Definitions (Continued)  
Error  
Code  
RFID Error or  
Status Message  
Description/Action Required  
SELECT TAG ERR  
SELF TST ERR  
The reader failed to select a specified tag in the RF field.  
8101  
Verify that a tag is within the field and that the current tag type is  
valid with the printer firmware (see Table 9, Supported Tag Types  
and Default Values, on page 111).  
Self-test error.  
002F  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
SEND PASSWRD ERR  
SERIAL # ERR  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
8202  
0024  
Serial number chip error.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
SERIAL ERROR 1  
SERIAL ERROR 2  
SERIAL OVERFLW  
High level serial error 1.  
000E  
000F  
0011  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
High level serial error 2.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
Serial overflow error.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
SET DEFAULT ERR  
SET RDR DAT RATE  
There was a problem writing a parameter to the non-volatile  
memory of the reader. If the problem persists, contact Technical  
Support.  
9301  
810D  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
SET TAG DAT RATE  
STORE KEY ERR  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
8106  
8601  
7F00  
SYS UNKNWN ERR  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
TAG DATA LOST  
TAG ERROR  
In serial polled or RF continuous mode, incoming new tag data  
overwrote old tag data between polls.  
0041  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
040A  
11/14/2008  
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58978L-008 Rev. A  
Troubleshooting  
RFID Error Codes and Messages  
64  
Table 6 • RFID Error and Status Message Definitions (Continued)  
Error  
Code  
RFID Error or  
Status Message  
Description/Action Required  
TAG ID FAULT  
The reader received a command to get a certain number of tag IDs  
from the tag ID buffer. The reader contains less tag IDs stored in  
its tag ID buffer than the number the host sent.  
0600  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
TAG INTEGRITY ERR  
TAG NOT AUTHENTC  
Response from the tag failed the CRC check.  
8004  
8006  
An operation could not be performed on the tag because the tag  
was not authenticated.  
TAG NOT FOUND  
Good tag data is available, but the tag specifically requested was  
not found (^RT, ^WTcommands).  
0038  
Repeat the process with another RFID label. If the problem  
persists, contact Technical Support.  
TAG NOT IN FIELD  
TEMP ERROR  
The tag specified was not in the RFID field.  
Temperature sensor error.  
8007  
0021  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
TIMEOUT TO LONG  
TM ASSERT FAIL  
T-R DATARATE ERR  
UNKNOWN ERR  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
0107  
7F01  
800B  
9001  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
The tag to reader data bit rate is not supported by the reader, the  
tag, or both.  
An unidentified error occurred.  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
VERIFY FAIL  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
1236  
003B  
VERIFY FAILED  
The write operation could not be verified because the tag data  
could not be read.  
Check that the tag is good, and repeat the process with another  
RFID label. If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
WRITE AFI ERR  
WRITE DATA ERR  
There was an error writing to the AFI byte.  
8504  
8103  
Verify that the tag that you are using supports this feature and that  
they byte is unlocked. If the problem persists, contact Technical  
Support.  
This can occur when one of a number of RFID operations fails.  
Check that the tag is good, and repeat the process with another  
RFID label. If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
RFID Programming Guide  
11/14/2008  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Troubleshooting  
RFID Error Codes and Messages  
65  
Table 6 • RFID Error and Status Message Definitions (Continued)  
Error  
Code  
RFID Error or  
Status Message  
Description/Action Required  
WRITE DSFID ERR  
WRITE FAILED  
There was an error writing to the DSFID byte.  
8506  
Verify that the tag that you are using supports this feature and that  
they byte is unlocked. If the problem persists, contact Technical  
Support.  
This can occur when one of a number of RFID operations fails.  
0406  
Check that the tag is good, and repeat the process with another  
RFID label. If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
WRITE FILE ERR  
WRITE SYS ERR  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
8407  
9202  
There was a problem writing a parameter to the non-volatile  
memory of the reader. If the problem persists, contact Technical  
Support.  
11/14/2008  
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RFID Error Codes and Messages  
66  
Error Codes  
Table 7 shows the possible error codes, the corresponding error or status message, and the  
action required (if any).  
Table 7 • RFID Error Code Definitions  
Error  
Code  
RFID Error or  
Status Message  
Description/Action Required  
—
RDR ERR xxxx  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
RFID OK  
Normal operation.  
0000  
0001  
BAD MESSAGE  
Internal communications problem with the reader. If the problem  
persists, contact Technical Support.  
MESSAGE SYNCH  
Point-to-point only. Current message head or “}” character  
interrupted a previous message.  
0003  
Turn the printer power off (O). Wait ten seconds, and then turn the  
printer power on (I). If the problem persists, contact Technical  
Support.  
BAD CRC  
The last valid message string had a bad Cyclic Redundancy Check  
(CRC). An integrity check of the reader firmware failed. If the  
problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
0004  
BAD DATA  
The reader received bad data from the printer. If the problem  
persists, contact Technical Support.  
0005  
0008  
0009  
0010  
0011  
BAD MSG HEAD  
BAD MSG TAIL  
CMD INHIBITED  
SERIAL OVERFLW  
Internal communications problem with the reader. If the problem  
persists, contact Technical Support.  
Internal communications problem with the reader. If the problem  
persists, contact Technical Support.  
Internal communications problem with the reader. If the problem  
persists, contact Technical Support.  
Serial overflow error.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
BAD COMMAND  
BAD SUBCMD  
The reader received a bad command from the printer. If the  
problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
000A  
000B  
Internal communications problem with the reader. If the problem  
persists, contact Technical Support.  
INVALID PARAM  
The RFID reader received a valid command with an unsupported  
or invalid value for one of the parameters. If the problem persists,  
contact Technical Support.  
OOOC  
OOOD  
SERIAL ERROR 1  
High level serial error 1.  
000E  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
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Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
       
Troubleshooting  
RFID Error Codes and Messages  
67  
Table 7 • RFID Error Code Definitions (Continued)  
Error  
Code  
RFID Error or  
Status Message  
Description/Action Required  
SERIAL ERROR 2  
High level serial error 2.  
000F  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
TEMP ERROR  
Temperature sensor error.  
0021  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
RAM ERROR  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
0022  
0023  
0024  
ROM ERROR  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
SERIAL # ERR  
Serial number chip error.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
ANT. BAD/GONE  
The RFID reader cannot detect the RFID antenna (coupler), or the  
antenna (coupler) does not work. Contact Technical Support.  
0025  
BAD ANT.MUX  
RXD POWER HI  
Internal problem with the reader. Contact Technical Support.  
RXD reflective power too high.  
0026  
0027  
Check antenna or cable connection. If the problem persists,  
contact Technical Support.  
RXD WARNING  
RXD reflective power warning level. Occurs at –10 dBm.  
0028  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
LISTEN BUSY  
Listen before transmit; all frequencies occupied. Internal problem  
with the reader. If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
0029  
002A  
RXD POWER MAX  
RXD reflective power max fault.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
SELF TST ERR  
Self-test error.  
002F  
0031  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
RF SECTION ERR  
Radio controller does not respond or general RF section failure.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
ANT FAILURE  
NO RF FIELD  
Antenna failure. Contact Technical Support.  
0033  
0035  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
11/14/2008  
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58978L-008 Rev. A  
Troubleshooting  
RFID Error Codes and Messages  
68  
Table 7 • RFID Error Code Definitions (Continued)  
Error  
Code  
RFID Error or  
Status Message  
Description/Action Required  
NO TAG  
NO TAG FOUND  
0036  
Note • This error message varies by reader type.  
No RFID tag was detected in the RF field. Several things can  
cause this error:  
• No acceptable RFID tag is in the RF field. This can happen if an  
RFID label is present but the transponder is not placed correctly  
within the label or if the wrong tag type is used.  
• The read/write power being used is too low.  
• The RFID tag is weak or dead.  
Retry with another RFID tag. Make sure you have the right tag  
type selected and that you are using a tag that is supported by your  
printer. If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
DATA CRC  
An integrity check of the reader firmware failed. If the problem  
persists, contact Technical Support.  
0037  
0038  
TAG NOT FOUND  
Good tag data is available, but the tag specifically requested was  
not found (^RT, ^WTcommands).  
Repeat the process with another RFID label. If the problem  
persists, contact Technical Support.  
LOCKED BLOCK  
Attempt to write to a read-only tag or to a locked block. Make sure  
you have the right tag type selected and that you are using a tag  
that is supported by your printer. Ensure that the block that you are  
trying to write to is not already locked.  
0039  
LOST LOCK  
UHF synthesizer error. Internal problem with the reader. If the  
problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
003A  
003B  
VERIFY FAILED  
The write operation could not be verified because the tag data  
could not be read.  
Check that the tag is good, and repeat the process with another  
RFID label. If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
TAG DATA LOST  
In serial polled or RF continuous mode, incoming new tag data  
overwrote old tag data between polls.  
0041  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
MEMORY ERR  
NVM FULL  
Non-volatile memory data element does not exist or was not found  
when requesting a read of a specific element in non-volatile  
memory. If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
0042  
0043  
0044  
Internal problem with the reader. If you are upgrading reader  
firmware, try resending the file. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
NO NVM PRESENT  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
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Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
Troubleshooting  
RFID Error Codes and Messages  
69  
Table 7 • RFID Error Code Definitions (Continued)  
Error  
Code  
RFID Error or  
Status Message  
Description/Action Required  
INVALID VAR.  
Invalid configuration variable. Internal problem with the reader. If  
the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
0045  
HARDWARE ERR  
FPGA OLD  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
0046  
0048  
The FPGA code is out of date. This would typically happen during  
a reader firmware upgrade. Make sure you download the  
appropriate version of reader firmware. If the problem persists,  
contact Technical Support.  
RX TUNE FAIL  
RX R/T FAIL  
Receiver tuning training failure.  
0050  
0051  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
Receiver tuning runtime failure.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
BAD PASSCODE  
BAUD ERR  
Bad passcode for kill tag function.  
0052  
0053  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
CMD FAIL  
Internal communications problem with the reader. If the problem  
persists, contact Technical Support.  
0054  
0055  
OVERWRITE EPC  
Error trying to overwrite a valid EPC code.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
DATA AMOUNT ERR  
Two situations can result in this error:  
0100  
• The data length in a message to the RFID reader from the  
printer is less than the number of arguments in the message.  
• The data length is greater than the number of arguments. The  
reader will wait indefinitely until it receives all of the data  
specified in the data length field.  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
INVALID OPCODE  
OPCODE UNAVAIL  
The opCode received by the RFID reader is invalid or not  
supported with the current version of reader firmware. Make sure  
you download the appropriate version of reader firmware. If the  
problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
0101  
0102  
The opCode received by the RFID reader is invalid or not  
supported with the current version of reader firmware.  
1. Make sure you download the appropriate version of reader  
firmware.  
2. Turn the printer power off (O). Wait ten seconds, and then  
turn the printer power on (I).  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
11/14/2008  
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58978L-008 Rev. A  
Troubleshooting  
RFID Error Codes and Messages  
70  
Table 7 • RFID Error Code Definitions (Continued)  
Error  
Code  
RFID Error or  
Status Message  
Description/Action Required  
POWER TOO HI  
The RFID reader received a command to set the read or write  
power to a level that is higher than the RFID reader supports.  
0103  
Check the versions of the reader firmware and printer firmware.  
You may need to download different versions.  
INVALID FREQ  
INVALID PARAM  
POWER TOO LOW  
The RFID reader received a command to set the frequency outside  
of the supported range. If the problem persists, contact Technical  
Support.  
0104  
0105  
0106  
The RFID reader received a valid command with an unsupported  
or invalid value for one of the parameters. If the problem persists,  
contact Technical Support.  
The RFID reader received a command to set the read or write  
power to a level that is lower than the RFID reader supports.  
Check the versions of the reader firmware and printer firmware.  
You may need to download different versions.  
TIMEOUT TO LONG  
INVALID CMD  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
0107  
0109  
The command does not exist or is invalid for the reader.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
INVALID BAUD  
BAD IMAGE CRC  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
010A  
0200  
The RFID reader received a command to erase some part of the  
flash memory. This typically would happen during a reader  
firmware upgrade. Make sure that you download the appropriate  
version of reader firmware. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
BAD APP END ADD  
FLASH ERROR  
The RFID reader received a command to erase some part of the  
flash memory. This typically would happen during a reader  
firmware upgrade. Make sure that you download the appropriate  
version of reader firmware. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
0201  
An error occurred reading or writing from the reader’s Flash  
memory. If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
0300  
0301  
0302  
0303  
0304  
0305  
0306  
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RFID Error Codes and Messages  
71  
Table 7 • RFID Error Code Definitions (Continued)  
Error  
Code  
RFID Error or  
Status Message  
Description/Action Required  
NO TAG  
NO TAG FOUND  
0400  
Note • This error message varies by reader type.  
No RFID tag was detected in the RF field. Several things can  
cause this error:  
• No acceptable RFID tag is in the RF field. This can happen if an  
RFID label is present but the transponder is not placed correctly  
within the label or if the wrong tag type is used.  
• The read/write power being used is too low.  
• The RFID tag is weak or dead.  
Retry with another RFID tag. Make sure you have the right tag  
type selected and that you are using a tag that is supported by your  
printer. If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
NO PROTOCOL  
The RFID reader received a command to perform a protocol  
command, but no protocol was initially set. The reader powers up  
with no protocols set.  
0401  
Make sure you have the right tag type selected and that you are  
using a tag that is supported by your printer.  
INVALID PROTOC  
LOCK ERROR  
The RFID reader received a command for a protocol value that is  
not supported with the current version of reader firmware. Make  
sure you have the right tag type selected and that you are using a  
tag that is supported by your printer.  
0402  
0403  
The lock process failed during a write tag data for an ISO18000-  
6B tag. The write tag command passed, but the lock did not. This  
could indicate a bad tag.  
Repeat the process with another RFID tag. Make sure that the tag  
is placed within the RF field.  
NO DATA READ  
The RFID tag used failed or does not have the correct CRC.  
0404  
Try to read a few other tags. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
AFE NOT ON  
Internal problem with the reader. The Analog Front End is turned  
off. Contact Technical Support.  
0405  
0406  
WRITE FAILED  
This can occur when one of a number of RFID operations fails.  
Check that the tag is good, and repeat the process with another  
RFID label. If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
NOT IMPLEMENTED  
The reader received a command that is not supported by the tag  
type.  
0407  
Make sure that you have the latest reader firmware, that you have  
the right tag type selected, and that you are using a tag that is  
supported by your printer. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
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Troubleshooting  
RFID Error Codes and Messages  
72  
Table 7 • RFID Error Code Definitions (Continued)  
Error  
Code  
RFID Error or  
Status Message  
Description/Action Required  
INVALID WR DATA  
In EPC 0+, the first two bits determine the tag ID length. If the  
first two bits are 0b00, then the tag ID must be 96 bits. Otherwise,  
the tag ID is 64 bits.  
0408  
Make sure that the first two bits have the correct values,  
depending on the tag ID length.  
INVALID ADDR  
The RFID reader received a command to write to an invalid  
address in the tag data address space. Make sure that the address  
specified is within the scope of the tag data address space.  
0409  
TAG ERROR  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
040A  
040B  
0420  
0423  
0424  
042B  
042F  
0430  
0500  
DATA TOO LARGE  
GEN2 PROT OTHER  
GEN2 BAD PC  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
GEN2 MEM LOCKED  
GEN2 LOW PWR  
GEN2 ERROR  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
GEN2 UNKNWN ERR  
INVALID FREQ  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
The RFID reader received a command to set the frequency outside  
of the supported range. If the problem persists, contact Technical  
Support.  
TAG ID FAULT  
The reader received a command to get a certain number of tag IDs  
from the tag ID buffer. The reader contains less tag IDs stored in  
its tag ID buffer than the number the host sent.  
0600  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
ID BUFFER FULL  
REPEATED ID  
The tag ID buffer is full. If the problem persists, contact Technical  
Support.  
0601  
0602  
One of the protocols is trying to add an existing tag ID to the  
buffer.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
NUM IDS TOO LG  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
0603  
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RFID Error Codes and Messages  
73  
Table 7 • RFID Error Code Definitions (Continued)  
Error  
Code  
RFID Error or  
Status Message  
Description/Action Required  
RDR COM TIMEOUT  
The printer was not able to communicate with the reader. If the  
problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
1234  
1236  
1237  
VERIFY FAIL  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
MULTIPLE TAGS  
More than one RFID tag was detected in the RF field.  
Make sure only one label is in the RF field and that another tag is  
not elsewhere in the field. Make sure that the labels meet  
transponder placement specifications.  
SYS UNKNWN ERR  
TM ASSERT FAIL  
INVALID TAG TYPE  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
7F00  
7F01  
8001  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
The tag type was not valid for the command specified.  
Make sure that you are using the right tag type for your operation.  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
NO TAG  
NO TAG FOUND  
8002  
Note • This error message varies by reader type.  
No RFID tag was detected in the RF field. Several things can  
cause this error:  
• No acceptable RFID tag is in the RF field. This can happen if an  
RFID label is present but the transponder is not placed correctly  
within the label or if the wrong tag type is used.  
• The read/write power being used is too low.  
• The RFID tag is weak or dead.  
Retry with another RFID tag. Make sure you have the right tag  
type selected and that you are using a tag that is supported by your  
printer. If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
COLLISION ERR  
Multiple tags in the field have the same tag ID.  
Response from the tag failed the CRC check.  
8003  
8004  
8005  
TAG INTEGRITY ERR  
BLOCK(S) LOCKED  
A write operation could not be performed because a block was  
locked.  
TAG NOT AUTHENTC  
An operation could not be performed on the tag because the tag  
was not authenticated.  
8006  
TAG NOT IN FIELD  
T-R DATARATE ERR  
The tag specified was not in the RFID field.  
8007  
800B  
The tag to reader data bit rate is not supported by the reader, the  
tag, or both.  
ENCRYPT TAG ERR  
R-T DATARATE ERR  
The data to be written to the tag was not encrypted properly.  
800C  
800C  
The reader to tag data bit rate is not supported by the reader, the  
tag, or both.  
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Troubleshooting  
RFID Error Codes and Messages  
74  
Table 7 • RFID Error Code Definitions (Continued)  
Error  
Code  
RFID Error or  
Status Message  
Description/Action Required  
DECRYPT TAG ERR  
The data read from the tag was not decrypted properly or was  
corrupted.  
800D  
INVALD SIGNATURE  
INVALID AUTH KEY  
The HMAC written to the tag did not match the data and the key.  
800E  
800F  
The key number does not exist or is invalid for authentication with  
a specific reader or tag.  
NO APPLI PRESENT  
The application specified could not be found.  
8010  
FILE NOT FOUND  
NO FILE SELECTED  
INVALID KEY NO.  
INVALID KEY LEN  
The specified file was not found on the application.  
8011  
8012  
8013  
8014  
The command requires a file, but none was selected.  
The key number does not exist or is out of the range of valid keys.  
The key length is not valid for the tag type, the command, or the  
reader.  
SELECT TAG ERR  
The reader failed to select a specified tag in the RF field.  
8101  
Verify that a tag is within the field and that the current tag type is  
valid with the printer firmware (see Table 9, Supported Tag Types  
and Default Values, on page 111).  
READ DATA ERR  
WRITE DATA ERR  
This can occur when one of a number of RFID operations fails.  
8102  
8103  
Check that the tag is good, and repeat the process with another  
RFID label. If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
This can occur when one of a number of RFID operations fails.  
Check that the tag is good, and repeat the process with another  
RFID label. If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
ACTIVATE TAG ERR  
DEACTIV. TAG ERR  
SET TAG DAT RATE  
GET TAG INFO ERR  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
8104  
8105  
8106  
8107  
The reader was unable to acquire the information from the tag.  
The reader may not contain information for the selected tag.  
GET LOCK STA ERR  
KILL TAG ERR  
The reader was unable to acquire the lock status from the tag.  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
8108  
8109  
810A  
810B  
810C  
810D  
REVIVE TAG ERR  
ERASE TAG ERR  
FORMAT TAG ERR  
SET RDR DAT RATE  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
INVENTORY DONE  
AUTHEN TAG ERR  
Status message indicating that the reader exited the Inventory  
mode. No action required.  
810F  
8201  
Tag not authenticated.  
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Troubleshooting  
RFID Error Codes and Messages  
75  
Table 7 • RFID Error Code Definitions (Continued)  
Error  
Code  
RFID Error or  
Status Message  
Description/Action Required  
SEND PASSWRD ERR  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
8202  
8301  
8302  
8303  
8401  
8402  
8403  
8404  
8405  
8406  
8407  
8408  
8409  
840A  
840B  
8501  
GET APPLI ID ERR  
SELECT APPLI ERR  
CREATE APPLI ERR  
GET FILE IDs ERR  
SELECT FILE ERR  
CREATE FILE ERR  
GET FILE SET ERR  
MOD FILE SET ERR  
READ FILE ERR  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
WRITE FILE ERR  
DELETE FILE ERR  
CLEAR FILE ERR  
INC VAL FILE ERR  
DEC VAL FILE ERR  
ENABLE EAS ERR  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
There was an error while setting the EAS bit.  
Verify that the tag that you are using supports this feature.  
DISABLE EAS ERR  
SCAN EAS ERR  
There was an error while clearing the EAS bit.  
8502  
8503  
Verify that the tag that you are using supports this feature.  
The reader did not detect an EAS code in the field.  
Verify that the tag that you are using supports this feature and that  
the EAS bit is enabled.  
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RFID Error Codes and Messages  
76  
Table 7 • RFID Error Code Definitions (Continued)  
Error  
Code  
RFID Error or  
Status Message  
Description/Action Required  
WRITE AFI ERR  
There was an error writing to the AFI byte.  
8504  
Verify that the tag that you are using supports this feature and that  
they byte is unlocked. If the problem persists, contact Technical  
Support.  
READ AFI ERR  
There was an error reading the AFI byte.  
8505  
8506  
Verify that the tag that you are using supports this feature. If the  
problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
WRITE DSFID ERR  
There was an error writing to the DSFID byte.  
Verify that the tag that you are using supports this feature and that  
they byte is unlocked. If the problem persists, contact Technical  
Support.  
READ DSFID ERR  
There was an error reading the DSFID byte.  
8507  
Verify that the tag that you are using supports this feature. If the  
problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
CREDIT VALUE ERR  
DEBIT VALUE ERR  
STORE KEY ERR  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
8508  
8509  
8601  
8602  
8ACA  
LOAD KEY ERR  
EXIT TAGLOOP ERR  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
UNKNOWN ERR  
INVALID CMD  
An unidentified error occurred.  
9001  
9002  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
The command does not exist or is invalid for the reader.  
Internal problem with the reader. If the problem persists, contact  
Technical Support.  
INVALID CRC  
Invalid CRC sent in the request to the reader. If the problem  
persists, contact Technical Support.  
9003  
9004  
INVALID MESS LEN  
The number of bytes sent to the reader was invalid for the  
command or for the message length passed in. If the problem  
persists, contact Technical Support.  
INVALID ADDRESS  
INVALID FLAGS  
The address specified for the command was invalid. If the  
problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
9005  
9006  
9007  
9008  
The flags specified were invalid for the command specified. If the  
problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
INVLD ASCII BYTE  
INVLD NO. BLOCKS  
A non-ASCII byte value was sent in an ASCII mode command. If  
the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
The number of blocks field in the request was invalid for the  
command specified. If the problem persists, contact Technical  
Support.  
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Troubleshooting  
RFID Error Codes and Messages  
77  
Table 7 • RFID Error Code Definitions (Continued)  
Error  
Code  
RFID Error or  
Status Message  
Description/Action Required  
INVALID DATA LEN  
The length of the data specified in the request was invalid for the  
command specified. If the problem persists, contact Technical  
Support.  
9009  
LOAD DEFAULT ERR  
RESET DEVICE ERR  
BOOTLOADER ERR  
The reader was unable to successfully load its default parameters.  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
9101  
9102  
9103  
The reader was unable to successfully reset the reader. If the  
problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
The reader failed to enter bootloader mode, which is necessary to  
upgrade firmware. If the problem persists, contact Technical  
Support.  
READ SYS ERR  
There was a problem reading a parameter from the non-volatile  
memory of the reader. If the problem persists, contact Technical  
Support.  
9201  
9202  
9301  
9302  
WRITE SYS ERR  
SET DEFAULT ERR  
GET DEFAULT ERR  
There was a problem writing a parameter to the non-volatile  
memory of the reader. If the problem persists, contact Technical  
Support.  
There was a problem writing a parameter to the non-volatile  
memory of the reader. If the problem persists, contact Technical  
Support.  
There was a problem reading a parameter from the non-volatile  
memory of the reader. If the problem persists, contact Technical  
Support.  
AUTHEN RDR ERR  
ENABLE_DEBUG ERR  
DISABLE_DEBG ERR  
ANT. BAD/GONE  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
If the problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
9401  
9402  
9403  
900F  
The RFID reader cannot detect the RFID antenna (coupler), or the  
antenna (coupler) does not work. Contact Technical Support.  
RDR COM TIMEOUT  
ANTENNA SEL ERR  
The printer was not able to communicate with the reader. If the  
problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
F002  
F003  
The printer firmware could not verify that the selected RFID  
antenna (coupler) is properly connected.  
If selecting the antenna through ZPL, ensure that your printer  
supports this feature and that your parameters are correct. If the  
problem persists, contact Technical Support.  
POWER SELECT ERR  
The printer could not verify that the intended power setting has  
been set successfully. If the problem persists, contact Technical  
Support.  
F004  
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Troubleshooting  
RFID Error Codes and Messages  
78  
Notes • ___________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
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8
ZPL II Commands for RFID  
This section contains the ZPL II commands for RFID-specific applications.  
For non-RFID ZPL commands, refer to the ZPL II Programming Guide. A copy is available  
on the User CD provided with your printer and online at http://www.zebra.com/manuals.  
Contents  
ZPL Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81  
Printer and Firmware Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82  
^HL or ~HL Return RFID Data Log to Host . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84  
^HR Calibrate RFID Transponder Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85  
^HV Host Verification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88  
^MM Print Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89  
^RA Read AFI or DSFID Byte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91  
^RB Define EPC Data Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93  
^RE Enable/Disable E.A.S. Bit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95  
^RF Read or Write RFID Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96  
^RI Get RFID Tag ID. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100  
^RM Enable RFID Motion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101  
^RN Detect Multiple RFID Tags in Encoding Field. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102  
~RO Reset Advanced Counters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103  
^RQ Quick Write EPC Data and Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105  
^RR Specify RFID Retries for a Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107  
^RS Set Up RFID Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108  
^RT Read RFID Tag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115  
~RV Report RFID Encoding Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117  
^RW Set RF Power Levels for Read and Write . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118  
^RZ Set RFID Tag Password and Lock Tag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120  
^WF Encode AFI or DSFID Byte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
80  
Contents (Continued)  
^WT Write (Encode) RFID Tag. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125  
^WV Verify RFID Encoding Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
81  
ZPL Overview  
ZPL Overview  
In addition to reading or encoding RFID tags, the RFID ZPL commands also provide for RFID  
exception handling, such as setting the number of read/write retries before declaring a  
transponder defective (set with ^RR, ^RT, and ^WT) or setting the number of labels that will  
be attempted if an error occurs (set with ^RS).  
For example, if an RFID label fails to program correctly or if the transponder cannot be  
detected, the printer ejects the label and prints VOID across it. The printer will try to print  
another label with the same data and format for the number of RFID labels specified by the  
^RScommand. If the problem persists, the printer follows the error handling instructions  
specified by the ^RScommand: the printer may remove the problematic format from the print  
queue and proceed with the next format (if one exists in the buffer), or it may place the printer  
in Pause or Error mode.  
Important • Consider the following before using any command in this section:  
•
Before using a particular command, verify that it is compatible with your printer and  
firmware version. See Table 8 on page 82.  
•
If a parameter in the following tables is designated as not applicable for a particular  
printer, any value entered for the parameter will be ignored, but the place holder for the  
field is required.  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
Printer and Firmware Compatibility  
82  
4 - Z R 2 8 4  
a l l  
H X F i 1 0 R 1  
a l l  
T
R P 4  
a l l  
X
X
1 0 8 S 2
1 0 5 S 6
1 0 2 S 7
s
R 4 M p l u  
X
9 9 P 9 S  
9 9 P 4 S  
X
X
3 . X R . 6  
4 X P A 1 0 R 1  
X
2 . X R . 6  
3 . 1 R 6
a l l  
R Z 6 0 0  
R Z 4 0 0 X  
X 0 i  
X i 1 0 R 1  
a n d R 1 7  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
Printer and Firmware Compatibility  
83  
4 - Z R 2 8 4  
a l l  
H X F i 1 0 R 1  
a l l  
T
R P 4  
a l l  
X
X
1 0 8 S 2 P  
1 0 5 S 6 P X  
1 0 2 S 7 P  
u s  
R 4 M p l  
X
9 9 P 9 S  
9 9 P 4 S  
X
X
6 3 R . X .  
4 X P A 1 0 R 1  
X
6 2 R . X .  
3 . 1 R 6 5  
a l l  
R Z 6 0 0  
R Z 4 0 0 X  
X 0 i  
X i 1 0 R 1  
a n d R 1 7  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
^HL or ~HL  
84  
^HL or ~HL  
Return RFID Data Log to Host  
Description The printer continually logs RFID data and stores it in the printer’s RAM. Use  
this command to request that the RFID data log be returned to the host computer, to clear the  
current data log, and to restart data recording. The data returned show the status of the RFID  
read, write, and lock commands and show any resulting error codes.  
Format ^HLor ~HL  
Comments  
• Data is shown in the format sent by the ^RFWcommand (ASCII, Hex, or EPC).  
• In the log, the data displays in this manner:  
C,EEEE,DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD  
where  
C= the RFID operation  
UHF:  
R = Read  
W = Write  
L = Lock  
Q = Quick Write EPC Data and Passwords  
Z = Set RFID Tag Password and Lock Tag  
A = Read Password  
I = Read RFID Tag ID  
HF:  
R = read (^RF)  
W = write (^RF)  
r = read (^RT)  
w = write (^WT)  
l = Lock  
TIDR = Read RFID Tag ID  
EASS = Enable/Disable E.A.S. Bit  
AFIR = Read AFI Byte  
DSFIDR = Read DSFID Byte  
AFIW = Encode AFI Byte  
DSFIDW = Encode DSFID Byte  
EEEE= the RFID error code (see RFID Error Codes and Messages on page 53)  
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD= data read or written  
• If the log exceeds 64K (approximately 2000 operations), the data log is cleared  
automatically, and data recording restarts. When this happens, the following appears in the  
log:  
Logfile automatically reset  
• If the printer loses power, the log is lost. If the log results are important to you, retrieve the  
log frequently.  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
85  
^HR  
^HR  
Calibrate RFID Transponder Position  
Important • Consider the following before using this command:  
•
This command is not supported by all printers or firmware. See Printer and Firmware  
Compatibility on page 82 for the list of printers and firmware with which you can use this  
command.  
•
Do not perform transponder calibration for RFID media that meets the transponder  
placement specifications for your printer. Doing so will slow the printer’s throughput  
unnecessarily. To order media that is designed for use with your RFID printer, contact  
your authorized Zebra reseller.  
Description Use this command to initiate an RFID transponder calibration for a specific  
RFID label. Results are returned to the host computer. This calibration is used to determine the  
optimal programming position for RFID media that may not meet the transponder placement  
specifications for the printer.  
During transponder calibration, the printer feeds the RFID label one millimeter at a time while  
taking readings (via the READ TAG command and the WRITE TAG commands) to profile the  
RFID transponder. Based on the results, the printer determines the optimal programming  
position for the label and returns a results table to the host. The calibrated value is used as the  
programming position for the ^RScommand, can be overwritten by the ^RScommand, and is  
saved to nonvolatile memory (the value is saved even if the power is turned off).  
This calibration takes into account the print mode, backfeed mode, and tear off position. The  
RUNoption in the RFID TAG CALIBcontrol panel parameter performs the same  
calibration but does not create a results table.  
Important • If a label format specifies a value for parameter p(read/write position of the  
transponder) in the ^RScommand, that value will be used for the programming position for  
all RFID labels until a new position is specified or until the printer is turned Off (O) and then  
back On (I).  
Format ^HRa,b  
This table identifies the parameters for this format.  
Parameters  
Details  
User text to appear before the results table.  
Accepted values: any string less than 65 characters  
Default value: start  
a = start string  
User text to appear after the results table.  
Accepted values: any string less than 65 characters  
Default value: end  
b = end string  
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^HR  
86  
Comments  
• Based on the recommended transponder placement position for most RFID labels, the  
printer’s default RFID programming position is zero for the R110PAX4. For other RFID  
printers, the default programming position is the label length minus 1 mm (0.04 in.).  
To return to the default programming position at any time, use the RESTORE option in the  
RFID TAG CALIBcontrol panel parameter (see Calibrate RFID Tag on page 23).  
• To see the current programming position (shown in dot rows), refer to the printer  
configuration label:  
or use the SGD command rfid.position.program on page 135.  
• At the end of calibration, a results table is returned to the host. Each line in the results  
table appears as:  
Row, Read Result, Write Result  
where  
Row = the millimeter where calibration occurred  
Read Result = results of calibration (R = read, " " = unable to read)  
Write Result = results of calibration (W = write, " " = unable to write)  
The programming position is indicated in dot rows.  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
87  
^HR  
Example • If the following command is sent to the printer:  
^XA^HR^XZ  
The printer starts the transponder calibration and returns a results table such as the following:  
start  
position=480  
82, ,  
80, ,  
79, ,  
.
.
.
56,R,  
55,R,W  
54,R,W  
53,R,W  
52,R,W  
51,R,W  
50,R,W  
49,R,W  
48,R,W  
47,R,W  
46,R,W  
45,R,W  
44,R,W  
43,R,W  
42,R,W  
41,R,W  
40,R,W <---**** 480 dots  
39,R,W  
38,R,W  
37,R,W  
36,R,W  
35,R,W  
34,R,W  
33,R,W  
32,R,W  
31,R,W  
30,R,W  
29,R,W  
28,R,W  
27,R,W  
26,R,W  
25,R,W  
24,R,W  
23,R,  
22, ,  
21, ,  
.
.
.
end  
In this example, performed on a 300 dpi printer, the optimal programming position is at  
40 mm or 480 dot rows. This is identified at the top of the table (position=480) and with  
an the arrow (<---****) in the table.  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
^HV  
88  
^HV  
Host Verification  
Description Use this command to return data from specified fields, along with an optional  
ASCII header, to the host computer. You can use this command with any field that has been  
assigned a number with the ^RTcommand or the ^FNand ^RFcommands.  
Format ^HV#,n,h,t,a  
This table identifies the parameters for this format:  
Parameters  
Details  
The value assigned to this parameter should be the same as  
the one used in another command.  
# = field number  
specified with  
another command  
Accepted Values: 0to 9999  
Default Value: 0  
n = number of bytes to be Accepted Values: 1to 256  
returned  
Default Value: 64  
Delimiter characters terminate the string. This field is Field  
h = header to be returned  
Hex (^FH) capable.  
with the data  
Accepted Values: 0to 3072bytes  
Default Value: no header  
This field is Field Hex (^FH) capable.  
Accepted Values: 0 to 3072 characters  
t
= termination  
When ^PQ is greater than 1, send one response for a label  
format or one for every label printed.  
a
= command applies to  
Accepted Values:  
F = Format  
L = Label  
Default Value: F  
Example • The following code:  
^XA  
.
.
.
^FH_^HV0,8,EPC[,]_0D_0A,L^FS  
^PQ2  
^XZ  
Would return data such as this:  
EPC[12345678]  
EPC[55554444]  
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89  
^MM  
^MM  
Print Mode  
Description The ^MMcommand determines the action the printer takes after a label or  
group of labels has printed.  
Format ^MMa,b  
This table identifies the parameters for this format:  
Parameters  
Details  
Accepted Values:  
a = desired mode  
T = Tear-off  
P = Peel-off (not available on S-300)  
R = Rewind (depends on printer model)  
A = Applicator (depends on printer model)  
C = Cutter (depends on printer model)  
D = Delayed cutter (depends on printer model)  
F = RFID (not valid on the RP4T)  
Default Value:  
The values available for parameter adepend on the  
printer being used and whether it supports the option.  
For supported RFID printers, the defaults are as follows:  
A = R110PAX4 print engines  
F = other RFID printers  
b = prepeel select  
Accepted Values:  
N = no  
Y = yes  
Default Value: N  
The command is ignored if parameters are missing or  
invalid. The current value of the command remains  
unchanged.  
This list identifies the different modes of operation:  
• Tear-off — after printing, the label advances so the web is over the tear bar. The label,  
with liner attached, can be torn off manually.  
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^MM  
90  
• Peel-off — after printing, the label moves forward and activates a Label Available Sensor.  
Printing stops until the label is manually removed from the printer.  
Power Peel – liner automatically rewinds using an optional internal rewind spindle.  
Value Peel – liner feeds down the front of the printer and is manually removed.  
Prepeel – after each label is manually removed, the printer feeds the next label forward to  
prepeel a small portion of the label away from the liner material. The printer then  
backfeeds and prints the label. The prepeel feature assists in the proper peel operation of  
some media types.  
• Rewind — the label and backing are rewound on an (optional) external rewind device.  
The next label is positioned under the printhead (no backfeed motion).  
• Applicator — when used with an application device, the label move far enough forward to  
be removed by the applicator and applied to an item.  
• Cutter — after printing, the media feeds forward and is automatically cut into  
predetermined lengths.  
• Delayed cutter — When the printer is in the Delayed Cut PRINT MODE, it will cut the  
label when it receives the ~JK(Delayed Cut) command. To activate the ~JKcommand,  
the printer's PRINT MODE must be set to Delayed Cut and there must be a label waiting  
to be cut. When the printer is not in the Delayed Cut PRINT MODE, the printer will not  
cut the label when it receives the ~JKcommand.  
The Delayed Cut feature can be activated:  
•
•
through PRINT MODE on the printer’s control panel  
with a ^MMDcommand  
• RFID — increases throughput time when printing batches of RFID labels by eliminating  
backfeed between labels.  
Comments Be sure to select the appropriate value for the print mode being used to avoid  
unexpected results.  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
91  
^RA  
^RA  
Read AFI or DSFID Byte  
Important • This command is not supported by all printers or firmware. See Printer and  
Firmware Compatibility on page 82 for the list of printers and firmware with which you can  
use this command.  
Description Use this command to read the AFI or DSFID byte. The data can be returned to  
the host via the ^HVcommand.  
Format ^RA#,f,r,m,b  
This table identifies the parameters for this format.  
Parameters  
Details  
The value assigned to this parameter should be the same as  
the one used in the ^RTcommand.  
# = field number  
specified with  
another command  
Accepted values: 0 to 9999  
Default value: 0  
Accepted values:  
0 = ASCII  
f = format  
1 = Hexadecimal  
Default value: 0  
Accepted values: 0 to 10  
Default value: 0  
r = number of retries  
m = motion  
Accepted values:  
0 = Feed label after writing.  
1 = No Feed after writing. Other ZPL may cause a feed.  
Default value: 0  
Accepted values:  
A = AFI byte  
b = type of byte to read  
D = DSFID byte  
Default value: A  
Example 1 •This example reads the AFI byte in ASCII format and returns AFI Byte:x  
to the host. The printer will retry the command five times if necessary. A voided label is  
generated if the read is unsuccessful after these retries. The data read will go into the ^FN1  
location of the recalled format.  
^XA  
^FO20,120^A0N,60^FN1^FS  
^RA1,0,5,0^FS  
^HV1,,AFI Byte:^FS  
^XZ  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
^RA  
92  
Example 2 •This example reads the DSFID byte in ASCII format and returns  
DSFID Byte:xto the host. The printer will retry the command three times if necessary. A  
voided label is generated if the read is unsuccessful after these retries. The data read will go  
into the ^FN1location of the recalled format.  
^XA  
^FO20,120^A0N,60^FN1^FS  
^RA1,0,3,0,D^FS  
^HV1,,DSFID Byte:^FS  
^XZ  
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93  
^RB  
^RB  
Define EPC Data Structure  
Important • This command is not supported by all printers or firmware. See Printer and  
Firmware Compatibility on page 82 for the list of printers and firmware with which you can  
use this command.  
Description Use this command to define the structure of EPC data, which can be read from  
or written to an RFID transponder. For more information about EPC specifications, refer to the  
EPC Global web site. All parameters in this command are persistent and will be used in  
subsequent formats if not provided. The values are initially set to the default values.  
RFID transponders can have different partitions defined. This command specifies the number  
of partitions and how many bits are in each partition.  
Format ^RBn,p0,p1,p2, ..., p15  
This table identifies the parameters for this format.  
Parameters  
Details  
Specify the number of bits to include in the partitions.  
Accepted values: 1 to n, where n is the bit size of the tag.  
Default value: 96  
n = total bit size of the  
partitions  
Specify the number of bits to include in the individual  
partitions. The partition sizes must add up to the bit size  
specified for the previous parameter. The largest individual  
partition size is 64 bits.  
p0 ... p15=  
partition sizes  
Accepted values: 1 to 64  
Default value: 1  
Example 1 •The following command specifies that there are 96 bits used with three fields.  
Fields 0, 1, and 2 contain 10, 26, and 60 bits, respectively.  
^RB96,10,26,60  
The ZPL code to encode a tag with this format would look like this:  
^RFW,E^FD1000.67108000.1122921504606846976^FS  
When the tag is being encoded, the tag stores the data in the following way:  
• Field 0 contains 1000. This value is stored in the first 10 bits  
• Field 1 contains 67108000. This value is stored in the next 26 bits.  
• Field 2 contains 1122921504606846976. This value is stored in the remaining  
60 bits.  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
^RB  
94  
Example 2 •The following command specifies that there are 64 bits used with eight 8-bit  
fields.  
^RB64,8,8,8,8,8,8,8,8^FS  
The ZPL code to encode a tag with this format would look like this:  
^RFW,E^FD1.123.160.200.249.6.1.0^FS  
When writing to the tag, each set of data is written in its respective 8-bit field.  
Example 3 •This example uses the SGTIN-64 standard, which defines 64-bit structure in the  
following way:  
Company  
Prefix Index  
Header  
Filter Value  
Item Reference  
Serial Number  
SGTIN-64  
2 bits  
3 bits  
14 bits  
20 bits  
25 bits  
10  
8
16,383  
(decimal  
capacity)  
9 to 1,048,575  
(decimal  
capacity*)  
33,554,431  
(decimal  
capacity)  
(binary value)  
(decimal  
capacity)  
* Capacity of Item Reference field varies with the length of the company prefix.  
The ZPL code to encode a tag with this format would look like this:  
^XA  
^RB64,2,3,14,20,25  
^RFW,E^FD0,3,12345,544332,22335221^FS  
^XZ  
These commands would put  
• 0in the header  
• 3as the filter value  
• 12345as the company prefix  
• 544332as the item reference  
• 22335221as the serial number  
To read this EPC data and print the results on the label, you would use the following code:  
^XA  
^RB64,2,3,14,20,25  
^FO50,50^A0N,40^FN0^FS  
^FN0^RFR,E^FS  
^XZ  
The resulting label would look like this:  
0.3.12345.544332.22335221  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
95  
^RE  
^RE  
Enable/Disable E.A.S. Bit  
Important • This command is not supported by all printers or firmware. See Printer and  
Firmware Compatibility on page 82 for the list of printers and firmware with which you can  
use this command.  
Description Use this command to enable or disable the Electronic Article Surveillance  
(E.A.S.) bit that is available in some ISO15693 tags (such as Philips). This command works  
only on those ISO15693 transponders and will be ignored if the tag does not support E.A.S.  
Format ^REt,r  
The following table identifies the parameters for this format.  
Parameters  
= Enable/disable the  
Details  
Accepted values:  
t
E.A.S. bit in the  
ISO15693  
transponder  
N = Disable E.A.S.  
Y = Enable E.A.S.  
Default value: N  
Accepted values: 0 to 10  
Default value: 0  
r = number of retries  
Example • This example enables the E.A.S. bit in the transponder. It will retry the command  
five times if necessary.  
^XA  
^REy,5  
^XZ  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
^RF  
96  
^RF  
Read or Write RFID Format  
Important • This command is not supported by all printers or firmware. See Printer and  
Firmware Compatibility on page 82 for the list of printers and firmware with which you can  
use this command.  
Description Use this command to read or write to (encode) an RFID tag. When using this  
command to read a tag, you may use a field variable to print the tag data on the label or to  
return the data to the host. See Create and Send an RFID Label Format on page 30 for  
examples that use a field variable.  
Format ^RFo,f,b,n,m  
This table identifies the parameters for this format.  
Parameters  
Details  
Specifies the action to be performed.  
o = operation  
Accepted Values:  
W = write to (encode) the tag  
L = write with LOCK (if supported by tag type; Gen 2  
tag type does not use this locking function)  
R = read the tag  
P = read password (Gen 2 tag type only)  
Default Value: W  
Accepted Values:  
f = format  
A = ASCII  
H = Hexadecimal  
E = EPC (ensure proper setup with the ^RBcommand)  
Default Value: H  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
97  
^RF  
Parameters  
Details  
For tag types other Gen 2:  
b = starting block  
number  
Specifies the starting block number.  
Accepted Values: 0 to n, where n is the maximum number of  
blocks for the tag.  
Default Value: 0  
For Gen 2 tag type only:  
What you specify for this parameter depends on what you  
entered for the operation parameter.  
•
•
When W, L, or Rare specified for the operation parameter,  
this parameter specifies a 16-bit word block number.  
Accepted Values: 0 to n, where n is the maximum number  
of blocks for the bank specified in the memory bank  
parameter  
Default Value: 0  
When Pis specified for the operation parameter, this  
parameter specifies which password to read.  
Accepted Values:  
K = kill password  
A = access password  
Default Value: K  
Specifies the number of bytes to read or write.  
n = number of bytes to  
read or write  
For high-frequency (HF) printers:  
Accepted Values: 1 to n, where n is the maximum number of  
bytes for the tag.  
Default Value: 1  
For Gen 2 tag type only:  
When Eis specified for the memory bank parameter, this  
value is not required.  
Accepted Values: 1 to n, where n is the maximum number of  
bytes for the tag.  
Default Value: 1  
For all other printers and tag types:  
This parameter applies only when the starting block number  
is 1.  
Accepted Values: 1 to n, where n is the maximum number of  
bytes for the tag. For UCODE EPC 1.19, n is 32.  
Default Value: 1  
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^RF  
98  
Parameters  
Details  
m = memory bank  
Note • This parameter applies to Gen 2 tags only.  
Specifies the Gen 2 memory bank. See Gen 2 Memory Map  
on page 46 for more information about Gen 2 memory.  
Accepted Values:  
E = EPC 96-bit (command automatically performs  
operation on Gen 2 bit address 20 and accesses  
h
12 bytes of the EPC memory bank)  
0 = Reserved  
1 = EPC  
2 = TID (Tag ID)  
3 = User  
Default Value: E  
Example 1 •This example encodes 96-bit data in ASCII format.  
^XA  
^RS4  
^RFw,a^FD00 my data^FS  
^XZ  
Example 2 •This example encodes 64-bit data in hexadecimal format.  
^XA  
^RS3  
^RFW,H^FD1122334455667788^FS  
^XZ  
Example 3 •This example encodes 96-bit EPC data, as specified by the ^RBcommand.  
^XA  
^RB96,8,3,3,20,24,38  
^RFw,e^FD16.3.5.78742.146165.1234567891^FS  
^XZ  
Example 4 •This example encodes 4 bytes of hexadecimal formatted data, starting in  
block 3 of Gen 2 EPC bank 1.  
^XA  
^RS8  
^RFW,H,3,4,1^FD11112222^FS  
^XZ  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
99  
^RF  
Example 5 •This example reads the extended Gen 2 tag ID (TID), which is not read by the  
^RIcommand, and returns the results to the host computer. The results are labeled with the  
header “8-byte Tag ID Data.”  
^XA  
^RS8  
^RFR,H,0,8,2^FN1^FS^HV1,,8-byte Tag ID Data:^FS  
^XZ  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
^RI  
100  
^RI  
Get RFID Tag ID  
Important • This command is not supported by all printers or firmware. See Printer and  
Firmware Compatibility on page 82 for the list of printers and firmware with which you can  
use this command.  
Description Use this command to get the unique serial number of the tag and return it in  
hexadecimal format. The data can be sent back to the host via the ^HVcommand.  
For Gen 2 tag types, this command will return the 32-bit tag ID (TID) for the tag. If your  
Gen 2 tag supports TID data beyond 32 bits, see ^RF on page 96 to access the TID memory  
bank.  
Format ^RI#,s,r,m  
This table identifies the parameters for this format.  
Parameters  
Details  
Accepted values: 0 to 9999  
Default value: 0  
# = number to be  
assigned to the field  
s = specify data order  
Note • This parameter applies only to the R110Xi HF  
and R2844-Z printers.  
Accepted values: Accepted Values:  
0 = Most significant byte first for Tag*It and PicoTag.  
Least significant byte first for I*code and  
ISO15693.  
1 = Reverse the data order  
Default value: 0  
Accepted values: 0 to 10  
Default value: 0  
r = number of retries  
m = motion  
Accepted values:  
0 = Feed label after writing  
1 = No Feed after writing (other ZPL commands may  
cause a feed)  
Default value: 0  
Example • This example reads a tag ID, prints it on a label, and sends string  
Tag ID:xxxxxxxxto the host. The data read will go into the ^FN0location of the  
format. The printer will retry the command five times, if necessary.  
^XA  
^FO20,120^A0N,60^FN0^FS  
^RI0,,5^FS  
^HV0,,Tag ID:^FS  
^XZ  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
101  
^RM  
^RM  
Enable RFID Motion  
Important • This command is not supported by all printers or firmware. See Printer and  
Firmware Compatibility on page 82 for the list of printers and firmware with which you can  
use this command.  
Description Use this command to enable or disable RFID motion. By default, labels  
automatically print at the end of the format. This command allows you to inhibit the label from  
actually moving when it reaches the program position, which is useful for debugging, setup,  
and custom applications. This parameter is not persistent (carried over from label to label).  
Format ^RMe  
This table identifies the parameters for this format.  
Parameters  
Details  
Accepted values:  
e = enable  
Y = Yes, move the label  
N = No, do not move the label  
Default value: Y  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
^RN  
102  
^RN  
Detect Multiple RFID Tags in Encoding Field  
Important • This command is not supported by all printers or firmware. See Printer and  
Firmware Compatibility on page 82 for the list of printers and firmware with which you can  
use this command.  
Description Use this command to enable or disable detection of multiple RFID tags in the  
encoding field. By default, the printer checks for more than one tag in the field before  
attempting to read or write. If more than one tag is found, the label over the antenna support is  
voided, and the RFID ERR STATUSparameter on the control panel displays  
MULTIPLE TAGS. To speed up printing and encoding by up to 200 ms, the check may be  
disabled. This parameter is persistent (carried over from label to label).  
Format ^RNe  
The following table identifies the parameters for this format.  
Parameters  
Details  
e = enable  
Accepted Values:  
Y = Yes, check for multiple tags  
N = No, do not check for multiple tags  
Default Value: Y  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
103  
~RO  
~RO  
Reset Advanced Counters  
Important • This command is not supported by all printers or firmware. See Printer and  
Firmware Compatibility on page 82 for the list of printers and firmware with which you can  
use this command.  
Description The ~ROcommand resets the advanced counters used by the printer to monitor  
label generation in inches, centimeters, and number of labels.  
Note • For the R4Mplus, the counter values are not saved, so power cycling the printer resets  
all counters to zero.  
Format ~ROc  
This table identifies the parameters for this format:  
Parameters  
Details  
c = counter number  
Accepted Values:  
1 = reset counter 1  
2 = reset counter 2  
3 = reset valid RFID label counter  
4 = reset voided RFID label counter  
R = reset head replaced counter  
(R resets the head cleaned counter and the head  
replaced counter.)  
C = reset head cleaned counter  
Default Value: a value must be specified or the command is  
ignored  
Example 1 • This example shows how the counter portion of the printer configuration labels  
looks when counter 1 is reset by sending ~RO1.  
Before  
After  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
~RO  
104  
Example 2 • This example shows how the counter portion of the printer configuration labels  
looks when the RFID counters are reset by sending ~RO3and ~RO4.  
Before  
After  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
105  
^RQ  
^RQ  
Quick Write EPC Data and Passwords  
Important • This command is not supported by all RFID tags, printers, or firmware. See  
Printer and Firmware Compatibility on page 82 for the list of printers and firmware with  
which you can use this command.  
Description Use this command with an Alien Higgs RFID tag and appropriate firmware to  
write the EPC data, access password, and kill password with one command. Doing so reduces  
the encoding time.  
Note • The access password on the tag to be written to must be 00000000 prior to sending  
this command.  
Format ^RQf,c,o[data]  
The following table identifies the parameters for this format.  
Parameters  
Details  
f = format  
Accepted Values:  
A = ASCII  
H = Hexadecimal  
E = EPC  
Default Value: H  
c = chip type  
o = option  
Accepted Values: 0(Higgs IC tag)  
Default Value: 0  
Accepted Values: 0(write 96-bit EPC)  
Default Value: 0  
Use the ^FDcommand to specify the passwords in the  
following format:  
data= the EPC data,  
access password, and  
kill password  
^FD[EPC],[access],[kill]  
where:  
EPC= the EPC data in the format specified by the f  
parameter. The data should match what would be  
programmed with the ^RF command.  
access= an optional access password in hexadecimal  
format. If this field is left blank, 0x00000000 is  
written as the access password.  
kill= an optional kill password in hexadecimal format.  
If this field is left blank, 0x00000000 is written as  
the kill password.  
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^RQ  
106  
Example 1 • This example writes the EPC data to the tag in hexadecimal format. The  
unspecified access and kill passwords are written as zeroes (0x00000000).  
^XA^RQ^FD112233445566778899001122^XZ  
Example 2 • This example writes the EPC data to the tag in hexadecimal format. The access  
password is written as 0xAAAAAAAA, and the kill password is written as 0xBBBBBBBB.  
^XA^RQ^FD112233445566778899001122,AAAAAAAA,BBBBBBBB^XZ  
Example 3 • This example writes the EPC data to the tag in EPC format. The unspecified  
access and kill passwords are written as zeroes (0x00000000).  
^XA^RB96,30,30,30,6^RQE^FD1234.5678.9012.12^XZ  
Example 4 • This example writes the EPC data to the tag in hexadecimal format. The access  
password is written as 0xAAAAAAAA, and the unspecified kill password is written as  
zeroes (0x00000000).  
^XA^RB96,30,30,30,6^RQE^FD1234.5678.9012.12,AAAAAAAA^XZ  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
107  
^RR  
^RR  
Specify RFID Retries for a Block  
Important • This command is not supported by all printers or firmware. See Printer and  
Firmware Compatibility on page 82 for the list of printers and firmware with which you can  
use this command.  
Description Use this command to change the number of times that the printer attempts to  
read or write to a particular block of a single RFID tag. By default, the printer will attempt six  
retries. This command is persistent and will be used in subsequent formats if not provided.  
Note • This command’s function is different than the “number of labels” parameter in the  
^RScommand.  
Format ^RRn  
This table identifies the parameters for this format.  
Parameters  
Details  
n = number of retries  
Accepted Values: 0to 10  
Default Value: 0  
Example 1 • This example sets read block retries to 5.  
^XA  
^FN1^RR5^RFR,H^FS  
^HV1^FS  
^XZ  
Example 2 • This example sets write block retries to 2.  
^XA  
^RR2^RFW,H^FD1234^FS  
^XZ  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
^RS  
108  
^RS  
Set Up RFID Parameters  
Description Use this command to set up RFID parameters including tag type, read/write  
position of the transponder, and error handling.  
Important • Use care when using this command in combination with ^RTor ^RFfor  
reading tag data. Problems can occur if the data read from the tag is going to be printed on the  
label. Any data read from the transponder must be positioned to be printed above the  
read/write position. Failure to do this will prevent read data from being printed on the label.  
Format ^RSt,p,v,n,e,a,c,s  
This table identifies the parameters for this format.  
Parameters  
Details  
Tells the printer/print engine which tag type you are using. If  
you specify a tag type that is not supported by your printer or  
firmware, the printer uses its default value. For the supported  
tag types and defaults, see Table 9 on page 111.  
t = tag type  
UHF Printers  
0 = None  
1 = EPC Class 0  
2 = EPC Class 0 Plus  
3 = EPC Class 1 64-bit  
4 = EPC Class 1 96-bit  
5 = UCODE EPC 1.19  
6 = Impinj Class 0 Plus  
7 = ISO 18000-06A  
8 = EPC Class 1, Generation 2 (Gen 2)  
9 = ISO 18000-06B  
HF Printers  
Note • Only the R110Xi HF printer (firmware version  
R65.X.X) supports the use of letters for this  
parameter. All other printers use the numbers.  
Aor 0 =None  
Bor 1 = Auto detect (query tag to determine)  
Cor 2 = Tag*It (Texas Instruments Tagit tags)  
Dor 3 = I*code (Phillips Icode tags)  
Eor 4 = Pico Tag (Inside Technology’s)  
For 5 = ISO 15693  
Gor 6 = EPC tag (13.56 MHz)  
Hor 7 = UID Tag  
Ior 8 = Mifare UltraLight  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
109  
^RS  
Parameters  
Details  
Sets the read/write position of the transponder in vertical  
(Yaxis) dot rows from the top of the label. Set to 0 (no  
movement) if the transponder is already in the effective area  
without moving the media.  
p = read/write position of  
the transponder  
Important • If a label format specifies a value for this  
parameter, this value will be used for the programming  
position for all labels until a new position is specified  
or until the printer is turned off (O) and then back  
on (I).  
Accepted values: 0 to label length  
Default value:  
For the R110PAX4 and R2844-Z: 0  
For all other supported printers: label length minus  
1 mm (1/16 in.)  
Sets the length of the void printout in vertical (Y axis) dot  
rows.  
v = length of void  
printout  
Accepted values: 0 to label length  
Default value: label length  
The number of labels that will be attempted in case of  
read/encode failure.  
n = number of labels  
e = error handling  
Accepted values: 1 to 10  
Default value: 3  
If an error persists after the specified number of labels are  
tried, perform this error handling action.  
Accepted values:  
N = No action (printer drops the label format causing  
the error and moves to the next queued label)  
P = Place printer in Pause mode (label format stays in  
the queue until the user cancels)  
E = Place printer in Error mode (label format stays in  
the queue until the user cancels)  
Default value: N  
Note • You can set the printer to send an error  
message to the host for each failure. To enable or  
disable this unsolicited error message, refer to the  
^SXand ^SQZPL commands. Use Vfor the  
condition type for an RFID error.  
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^RS  
110  
Parameters  
Details  
a = signals on applicator  
Note • This parameter does not apply to the R2844-Z.  
For the R4Mplus, this parameter applies only to  
printers with firmware version SP994X (R4Mplus  
European version).  
When the value for parameter p(read/write position of the  
transponder) is nonzero, this parameter changes the number of  
start and stop print signals required for printing.  
In Single mode, one start print command is required. In  
Double mode, two are required, so the printer will resume  
printing only after the second start print command is received.  
For more information, see Timing Diagrams for RFID  
on page 150.  
Accepted values:  
S = single signal  
D = double signal (For the R110PAX4, Double mode will  
work only if the read/write position is changed  
from the default of zero.)  
Default value: S  
Not applicable.  
c = certify tag with a  
pre-read  
s = void print speed  
Note • This parameter does not apply to the R2844-Z.  
For the R4Mplus, this parameter applies only to  
printers with firmware version SP994X (R4Mplus  
European version).  
If a label is voided, the speed at which “VOID” will be  
printed across the label.  
Accepted values: any valid print speed  
Default value: the printer’s maximum print speed  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
111  
^RS  
Supported Tag Types Table 9 shows the tag types supported by different RFID  
printers/print engines and firmware versions. Depending on your country or on the firmware  
version that you are using, your printer may not support all of the tag types listed. If you  
specify an unsupported tag type, the printer uses the default value. If a tag type is shown as  
supported but does not work with your printer, you may need to upgrade the printer’s firmware  
(see http://www.zebra.com/firmware).  
Table 9 • Supported Tag Types and Default Values  
UHF Printers  
HF Printers  
Printer  
Firmware Version  
Tag Type  
UHF Tag Types and Options  
None (no tag type specified)  
EPC Class 0  
*
*
*
*
* a  
* a  
* a  
* a  
* a  
* a  
* a  
—
*
*
*
*
—
—
—
—
—
#
—
—
—
—
*
—
—
—
—
*
—
—
—
—
*
—
—
—
—
—
#
—
—
—
—
—
*
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
#
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
#
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
EPC Class 0 Plus  
*
*
*
*
EPC Class 1 64-bit  
EPC Class 1 96-bit  
UCODE EPC 1.19  
*
*
*
*
#
*
#
*
* b  
*
*
—
*
*
*
#
*
Impinj Class 0 Plus  
ISO 18000-06A  
*
*
—
—
—
—
—
*
—
*
—
*
—
—
*
—
—
#
—
*
—
#
*
—
#
EPC Class 1, Generation 2 (Gen 2)  
ISO 18000-06B  
#
*
#
*
#
*
*
* a  
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
—
—
HF Tag Types and Options  
Auto-detect the tag type by querying the  
tag  
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
#
Tag*It (Texas Instruments Tagit tags)  
I*code (Phillips Icode tags)  
Pico Tag (Inside Technology’s)  
ISO 15693  
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
#
—
—
—
#
*
*
*
*
# = Default value * = Accepted value  
—
= Not supported  
a. Requires printers with RFID hardware version M4xxx...x. This will not work with RFID hardware version M5xxx...x. For the RFID  
hardware version, refer to the RFID HW VERline on your printer configuration label, or perform the RFID SLOW test (see Perform RFID  
Test on page 22).  
b. Requires R60.13.0.13ZD or later.  
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^RS  
112  
Table 9 • Supported Tag Types and Default Values (Continued)  
UHF Printers  
HF Printers  
Printer  
Firmware Version  
Tag Type  
EPC tag  
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
*
—
—
*
*
UID Tag  
—
—
Mifare UltraLight  
# = Default value * = Accepted value  
—
= Not supported  
a. Requires printers with RFID hardware version M4xxx...x. This will not work with RFID hardware version M5xxx...x. For the RFID  
hardware version, refer to the RFID HW VERline on your printer configuration label, or perform the RFID SLOW test (see Perform RFID  
Test on page 22).  
b. Requires R60.13.0.13ZD or later.  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
113  
^RS  
Example 1 • This example sets the printer to move the media to 800 dots from the top of the  
media [or label length minus 800 from the bottom (leading edge) of the media] and voids the  
rest of the media in case of an error. The printer will try to print two labels and then will  
pause if printing and encoding fail.  
^XA  
^RS,800,,2,P^FS  
^XZ  
Figure 7 shows the resulting voided label. Note where the void starts. The media has been  
moved 800 dot rows from the top of the label (label length minus 800 dot rows from the  
bottom (leading edge) of a label) to bring the transponder into the effective area to read/write  
a tag. If the printer fails the operation, the rest of the media is voided.  
Figure 7 • Sample Void Label, Remainder of Label Voided  
Top of label  
800 dot rows  
Start of RFID  
operation  
Label length minus  
800 dot rows  
Bottom of label  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
^RS  
114  
Example 2 • This example sets the printer to move the media to 800 dots from the top of the  
media [or label length - 500 from the bottom (leading edge) of the media] and prints “VOID”  
500 dots in vertical length (Y axis) in case of an error.  
^XA  
^RS,800,500,2,P^FS  
^XZ  
Figure 8 shows the resulting voided label. Note where the void starts. The media has been  
moved 800 dot rows from the top of the label [label length minus 800 dot rows from the  
bottom (leading edge) of a label] to bring the transponder into the effective area to read/write  
a tag. If the printer fails the operation, an area that is 500 dot rows of the media is voided  
instead of the entire rest of the media.  
Figure 8 • Sample Void Label, 500 Dot Row Area Voided  
Top of label  
800 dot rows  
500 dot rows  
Start of RFID  
operation  
Label length minus  
800 dot rows  
Bottom of label  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
115  
^RT  
^RT  
Read RFID Tag  
Note • The ^RTcommand is provided only for backward-compatibility with label formats  
that were developed for older Zebra RFID printers. Use ^RF on page 96 instead whenever  
possible. See Printer and Firmware Compatibility on page 82 for the list of printers and  
firmware with which you can use this command.  
Description Use this command to tell the printer to read the current RFID tag data. The data  
can be returned to the host via the ^HVcommand.  
Format ^RT#,b,n,f,r,m,s  
This table identifies the parameters for this format.  
Parameters  
Details  
Accepted values: 0 to 9999  
Default value: 0  
# = number to be  
assigned to the field  
Accepted values: 0 to n, where n is the maximum number of  
b = starting block  
blocks for the tag.  
number  
Default value: 0  
For R4Mplus printers with firmware version SP994X  
(European version):  
n = number of  
blocks/bytes to read  
This parameter applies only when the starting block number  
(parameter b) is 1.  
Accepted values: 1 to n, where n is the maximum number of  
bytes for the tag. For UCODE EPC 1.19, n is 32.  
Default value: 1  
For all other supported printers:  
Accepted values: 1 to n, where n is the maximum number of  
blocks for the tag type minus the starting block number. For  
example, if the tag has 8 blocks (starting with block 0) and  
you start with block 6, n can be 2. This would return block 6  
and block 7 information.  
Default value: 1  
Accepted values:  
0 = ASCII  
f = format  
1 = Hexadecimal  
Default value: 0  
Changes the number of times that the printer attempts to read  
a particular block of a single RFID tag. (Same retry rules as  
the ^RRcommand.)  
r = number of retries  
Accepted values: 0 to 10  
Default value: 0  
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^RT  
116  
Parameters  
Details  
Enables or disables RFID motion for the current field.  
Accepted values:  
m = motion  
0 = Feed label after writing.  
1 = No feed after writing. Other ZPL may cause a feed.  
Default value: 0  
s = special mode  
Note • This parameter is used only for the printers  
referenced here.  
For R110Xi HF and R2844-Z printers:  
Specify data order.  
Default value: 0  
Accepted values:  
0 = least significant byte first  
1 = most significant byte first  
Example 1 •This example reads a tag, prints the data on a label, and sends the string  
Tag Data:xxxxxxxx back to the host. The data read will go into the ^FN1location of  
the format. The printer will retry the command five times, if necessary.  
^XA  
^FO20,120^A0N,60^FN1^FS  
^RT1,,,,5^FS  
^HV1,,Tag Data:^FS  
^XZ  
Example 2 •This example reads from a tag twice and prints the results on a label.  
^XA  
^FO20,120^A0N,60^FN1^FS  
^FO20,100^A0N,20^FN2^FS  
^RT1,7,3,,5^FS  
^RT2,3,2,,5^FS  
^XZ  
The first ^RTcommand starts at block 7 and reads three blocks of data in ASCII format. The  
data read will go into the ^FN1location of the format. The printer will retry the command  
five times, if necessary.  
The second ^RTcommand starts at block 2 and reads two blocks of data in ASCII format.  
The data read will go into the ^FN2location of the format. The printer will retry the  
command five times, if necessary.  
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117  
~RV  
~RV  
Report RFID Encoding Results  
Important • This command is not supported by all printers or firmware. See Printer and  
Firmware Compatibility on page 82 for the list of printers and firmware with which you can  
use this command.  
Description Use this command to tell the printer to send RFID encoding success or failure  
results to the host computer after each label completes.  
Format ~RVa  
This table identifies the parameters for this format:  
Parameters  
Details  
Enables or disables the results reporting feature.  
Accepted Values:  
a = enable/disable  
E = Enable  
D = Disable  
Default Value: D  
Example 1 •Assume that the following code is sent and that there is no RFID tag in the field.  
~RVE  
^XA  
^RS8,0,,3  
^RMY  
^RFR,H  
^XZ  
The printer attempts to program a tag three times and then returns the following to the host:  
_-,3_  
The minus sign indicates that the programming attempt failed entirely and voided three  
labels.  
Example 2 •Assume that the same code is sent and that the first two attempts at  
programming a tag are unsuccessful. The third attempt succeeds.  
~RVE  
^XA  
^RS8,0,,3  
^RMY  
^RFR,H  
^XZ  
The printer attempts to program a tag three times and then returns the following to the host:  
_+,2_  
The plus sign indicates that the programming attempt was successful and voided two labels.  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
^RW  
118  
^RW  
Set RF Power Levels for Read and Write  
Important • This command is not supported by all printers or firmware. See Printer and  
Firmware Compatibility on page 82 for the list of printers and firmware with which you can  
use this command.  
Description Use this command to set the RFID read and write power levels. This function  
is useful when using different tag types or transponders that require different power levels to  
obtain the best read and write abilities. If not enough power is applied, the transponder may  
not have sufficient power for programming, and tag data will fail to encode. If too much power  
is applied, the extra power may disable the tag may or cause data communication errors.  
Format ^RWr,w  
This table identifies the parameters for this format:  
Parameters  
Details  
Sets the power level to match the desired output as calibrated  
in the factory.  
r = read power  
Note • On some printers, the options vary based on the  
reader. Check the printer configuration label for the  
RFID_HW_VERline or perform the RFID SLOWtest  
(see Perform RFID Test on page 22) to determine the  
reader type.  
Selections  
Printer  
Firmware Version  
Default  
H, M, L  
0–30  
—
RXi  
R60.15.8Z and earlier  
R60.16.4Z  
X
X
X
L
L
L
X
R60.16.5Z and later  
(M4xxx…x reader)  
X
R60.16.5Z and later  
(M5xxx…x reader)  
—
X
X
16  
L
R4Mplus  
SP994P, SP999F, SP1027F,  
SP1056E, SP1082F, and  
earlier  
—
SP994Q, SP999G, SP1027G,  
SP1056F, SP1082G, and later  
X
X
L
R110PAX4  
R62.15.8Z and earlier  
R62.16.4Z and later  
R63.15.8Z and earlier  
R63.16.4Z and later  
all versions  
X
X
—
X
L
L
X
—
X
L
X
L
RZx00  
RP4T  
—
—
X
16  
16  
all versions  
X
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
119  
^RW  
Parameters  
Details  
Sets the power level to match the desired output as calibrated  
in the factory.  
w = write power  
Note •  
· This parameter is ignored on the R110Xi HF printer  
because read and write powers cannot be specified  
separately. The printer uses the value that you  
specified for read power for both the read and write  
power settings.  
· On some printers, the options vary based on the  
reader. Check the printer configuration label for the  
RFID_HW_VERline or perform the RFID SLOW  
test (see Perform RFID Test on page 22) to  
determine the reader type.  
Selections  
Printer  
Firmware Version  
Default  
H, M, L  
0–30  
—
RXi  
R60.15.8Z and earlier  
R60.16.4Z  
X
X
X
L
L
L
X
R60.16.5Z and later  
(M4xxx…x reader)  
X
R60.16.5Z and later  
(M5xxx…x reader)  
—
X
X
16  
L
R4Mplus  
SP994P, SP999F, SP1027F,  
SP1056E, SP1082F, and  
earlier  
—
SP994Q, SP999G, SP1027G,  
SP1056F, SP1082G, and later  
X
X
L
R110PAX4  
R62.15.8Z and earlier  
R62.16.4Z and later  
R63.15.8Z and earlier  
R63.16.4Z and later  
all versions  
X
X
—
X
L
L
X
—
X
L
X
L
RZx00  
RP4T  
—
—
X
16  
16  
all versions  
X
a = RFID antenna  
Note • This parameter applies only to the R110Xi HF  
printer.  
selection  
Selects the antenna port that provides the best results for  
reading and writing.  
Accepted Values:  
1 = antenna port 1  
2 = antenna port 2  
Default Value: 1  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
^RZ  
120  
^RZ  
Set RFID Tag Password and Lock Tag  
Important • This command is not supported by all printers or firmware. See Printer and  
Firmware Compatibility on page 82 for the list of printers and firmware with which you can  
use this command.  
Description Use this command to define a password for a tag during writing.  
With Gen 2 tags, you can lock a tag’s memory bank with an access password or define a kill  
password that can be used to permanently disable the tag. If you do not set access or kill  
passwords for a tag, the tag ignores any read or write commands that try to use these functions.  
Note • The printer can set a kill password, but the printer cannot kill a tag.  
Format ^RZp,m,l  
The following table identifies the parameters for this format.  
Parameters  
Details  
Sets a password.  
p = password  
For tag types other than Gen 2:  
The password is 8 bits. The memory bank and lock style  
parameters are ignored. The password must be 2 hexadecimal  
characters long.  
Accepted Values: 00 to FF (hexadecimal)  
Default Value: 00  
For Gen 2 tag type only:  
Gen 2 tags use a 32-bit password and specify the memory  
bank and lock style. The password must be 8 hexadecimal  
characters long. Use ^RF on page 96 to read the passwords.  
Accepted Values: 00000000 to FFFFFFFF (hexadecimal)  
Default Value: none  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
121  
^RZ  
Parameters  
Details  
Specifies the memory bank to perform the lock style. If Kis  
specified, the pparameter is written to the kill password.  
Otherwise, the pparameter is written to the access password.  
m = memory bank  
Note • This parameter applies to Gen 2 tags only.  
Accepted Values:  
K = kill password  
A = access password  
E = EPC  
T = tag identifier (TID)  
U = user  
Default Value: none  
Specifies the lock style to perform on the memory bank. A  
non-zero password must be specified to lock or permanently  
lock a memory bank.  
l = lock style  
Note • This parameter applies to Gen 2 tags only.  
Accepted Values:  
U = unlocked  
L = locked  
O = permanently unlocked (open)  
P = permanently locked (protected)  
W = write value (used only for the kill password  
memory bank)  
Default Value: none  
Example 1 • On a tag that is not Gen 2, this example encodes 5Aas the tag password.  
^XA  
^RZ5A^FS  
^XZ  
Example 2 • On a Gen 2 tag, this example encodes EPC data  
112233445566778899001122to the tag in Hex format, write protects the tag’s EPC  
data with password 1234ABCD, and leaves the tag’s access password unlocked.  
^XA  
^RFW,H^FD112233445566778899001122^FS  
^RZ1234ABCD,E,L^FS  
^XZ  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
^RZ  
122  
Example 3 • On a Gen 2 tag, this example encodes EPC data  
112233445566778899001122to the tag in Hex format, write protects the tag’s EPC  
data with password 1234ABCD, and makes the tag’s access password unreadable.  
^XA  
^RFW,H^FD112233445566778899001122^FS  
^RZ1234ABCD,E,L^FS  
^RZ1234ABCD,A,L^FS  
^XZ  
The following code unprotects EPC data 112233445566778899001122using the  
password 1234ABCD, encodes EPC data newdatato the tag in ASCII format, and then  
write protects the tag’s new EPC data. The access password and its lock state are not  
changed, so the access password remains unreadable.  
^XA  
^RZ1234ABCD,E,U^FS  
^RFW,A^FDnewdata^FS  
^RZ1234ABCD,E,L^FS  
^xz  
Example 4 • On a Gen 2 tag, this example unlocks the locked access password from the  
previous example.  
^XA  
^RZ1234ABCD,A,U^FS  
^XZ  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
123  
^WF  
^WF  
Encode AFI or DSFID Byte  
Important • This command is not supported by all printers or firmware. See Printer and  
Firmware Compatibility on page 82 for the list of printers and firmware with which you can  
use this command.  
Description Use this command to encode the AFI or DSFID byte to a tag. Error handling is  
set by the ^RS command.  
Format ^WFr,m,w,f,b  
The following table identifies the parameters for this format.  
Parameters  
Details  
Accepted values: 0 to 10  
Default value: 0  
r = number of retries  
Accepted values:  
m = motion  
0 = Feed label after writing.  
1 = No Feed after writing. Other ZPL may cause a feed.  
Default value: 0  
Accepted values:  
0 = Not write protected  
1 = Write protect  
Default value: 0  
w = write protect  
f = data format  
b = type of byte to read  
Accepted values:  
0 = ASCII  
1 = Hexadecimal  
Default value: 0  
Accepted values:  
A = AFI byte  
D = DSFID byte  
Default value: A  
Example 1 •This example encodes data “R” (hex 52) as the AFI byte. The printer will try the  
command up to five times, if necessary.  
^XA  
^WF5^FDR  
^XZ  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
^WF  
124  
Example 2 •This example encodes data hex 66 as the AFI byte. The printer will try the  
command up to three times, if necessary.  
^XA  
^WF3,,,1^FD66  
^XZ  
Example 3 •This example encodes data hex 77 as the DSFID byte. The printer will try the  
command up to four times, if necessary.  
^XA  
^WF4,,,1,D^FD77  
^XZ  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
125  
^WT  
^WT  
Write (Encode) RFID Tag  
Note • The ^WTcommand is provided only for backward-compatibility with label formats  
that were developed for older Zebra RFID printers. Use ^RF on page 96 instead whenever  
possible. See Printer and Firmware Compatibility on page 82 for the list of printers and  
firmware with which you can use this command.  
Description Use this command to encode the current RFID tag. Check the amount of data  
memory available for the tag that you will be using. If you send more data than the memory  
can hold, the printer truncates the data.  
Format ^WTb,r,m,w,f,v  
This table identifies the parameters for this format.  
Parameters  
Details  
Specifies the block number to encode. This parameter is tag-  
dependent.  
b = block number  
•
•
For most tags, use block 0.  
For EPC Class 0 Plus, block 0 is EPC data, and block 1 is  
user data.  
•
For the R4Mplus, you can encode 12 bytes (96 bits) to  
block 0, but you can encode only the first byte of block 1.  
Accepted values: 0 to n, where n is the maximum number of  
blocks for the tag.  
Default value: 0  
Changes the number of times that the printer attempts to  
encode a particular block of a single RFID tag. (Same  
function as the ^RRcommand.)  
r = number of retries  
Accepted values: 0 to 10  
Default value: 0  
Enables or disables RFID motion. (Same function as the ^RM  
m = motion  
command.)  
Accepted values:  
0 = Feed label after writing  
1 = No feed after writing (other ZPL may cause a feed)  
Default value: 0  
Accepted values:  
w = write protect  
0 = Not write protected  
1 = Write protected  
Default value: 0  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
^WT  
126  
Parameters  
Details  
Accepted values:  
0 = ASCII  
f = data format  
1 = Hexadecimal  
Default value: 0  
For the R110Xi HF and  
R2844-Z:  
For the R110Xi HF and R2844-Z:  
Reverses the data order.  
v = reverse the data order  
Accepted values:  
N = Do not reverse the data order (Most significant byte  
first for Tag*It and PicoTag. Last significant byte  
first for I*code and ISO 15693)  
Y = Reverse the data order  
Default value: N  
For other printers:  
For other printers:  
v = verify valid data  
For reliability, some manufacturers encode tags with known  
data (such as A5A5). This parameter flags whether the  
preprogrammed data is verified. (Same function as the ^WV  
command.)  
Accepted values:  
N = Do not verify  
Y = Verify valid data before writing  
Default value: N  
Example • This sample encodes data “RFIDRFID” and will try writing up to five times, if  
necessary.  
^XA  
^WT,5^FDRFIDRFID^FS  
^XZ  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
127  
^WV  
^WV  
Verify RFID Encoding Operation  
Important • This command is not supported by all printers or firmware. See Printer and  
Firmware Compatibility on page 82 for the list of printers and firmware with which you can  
use this command.  
Description Use this command to enable or disable the write verify function. When write  
verify is enabled, this command verifies the RFID encoding operation to ensure that the tag  
about to be programmed contains the hex data “A5A5” in the first two bytes. This parameter is  
not persistent (carried over from label to label).  
Format ^WVe  
This table identifies the parameters for this format.  
Parameters  
Details  
Accepted values: Y or N  
Default value: N  
e = enable  
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ZPL II Commands for RFID  
^WV  
128  
Notes • ___________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
RFID Programming Guide  
11/14/2008  
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9
SGD Commands for RFID  
This section contains the Set/Get/Do (SGD) commands for RFID-specific applications.  
For non-RFID SGD commands, refer to the ZPL II Programming Guide. A copy is available  
on the User CD provided with your printer and online at http://www.zebra.com/manuals.  
Contents  
Printer and Firmware Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130  
odometer.rfid.valid_resettable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132  
odometer.rfid.void_resettable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133  
rfid.error.response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134  
rfid.position.program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135  
rfid.reader_1.antenna_port. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136  
rfid.reader_1.power.read . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137  
rfid.reader_1.power.single_power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138  
rfid.reader_1.power.write . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139  
rfid.tag.calibrate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141  
rfid.tag.data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142  
rfid.tag.test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143  
rfid.tag.type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144  
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SGD Commands for RFID  
Printer and Firmware Compatibility  
130  
Printer and Firmware Compatibility  
Table 10 shows the minimum firmware versions required to use specific RFID SGD  
commands.  
Table 10 • SGD RFID Printer and Firmware Compatibility  
R110Xi  
(UHF) and  
R170Xi  
RZ400  
and  
RZ600  
SGD Commands  
R110PAX4  
R4Mplus  
RP4T  
R110Xi HF  
R60.16.4Z  
R60.16.4Z  
R60.15.8Z  
R60.15.8Z  
R60.15.8Z  
R60.15.8Z  
R60.15.8Z  
R60.15.8Z  
R60.16.4Z  
R53.16.4Z  
R62.16.4Z  
R63.16.4Z  
SP994Q  
SP999G  
SP1027G  
SP1056F  
SP1082G  
all  
R65.16.4Z  
odometer.rfid.valid_resettable  
R53.16.4Z  
R62.16.4Z  
R63.16.4Z  
SP994Q  
SP999G  
SP1027G  
SP1056F  
SP1082G  
all  
all  
all  
all  
all  
all  
all  
all  
R65.16.4Z  
R65.15.8Z  
R65.15.8Z  
R65.15.8Z  
R65.15.8Z  
R65.15.8Z  
R65.15.8Z  
R65.16.4Z  
odometer.rfid.void_resettable  
rfid.error.response  
all  
R62.15.8Z  
R63.15.8Z  
SP994P  
SP999F  
SP1027F  
SP1056E  
SP1082F  
all  
R62.15.8Z  
R63.15.8Z  
SP994P  
SP999F  
SP1027F  
SP1056E  
SP1082F  
rfid.position.program  
all  
R62.15.8Z  
R63.15.8Z  
SP994P  
SP999F  
SP1027F  
SP1056E  
SP1082F  
rfid.reader_1.antenna_port  
rfid.reader_1.power.read  
rfid.reader_1.power.single_power  
rfid.reader_1.power.write  
rfid.tag.calibrate  
all  
all  
R62.15.8Z  
R63.15.8Z  
SP994P  
SP999F  
SP1027F  
SP1056E  
SP1082F  
R62.15.8Z  
R63.15.8Z  
SP994P  
SP999F  
SP1027F  
SP1056E  
SP1082F  
all  
R62.15.8Z  
R63.15.8Z  
SP994P  
SP999F  
SP1027F  
SP1056E  
SP1082F  
R53.16.4Z  
R62.16.4Z  
R63.16.4Z  
SP994Q  
SP999G  
SP1027G  
SP1056F  
SP1082G  
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SGD Commands for RFID  
Printer and Firmware Compatibility  
131  
Table 10 • SGD RFID Printer and Firmware Compatibility (Continued)  
R110Xi  
(UHF) and  
R170Xi  
RZ400  
and  
RZ600  
SGD Commands  
R110PAX4  
R4Mplus  
RP4T  
R110Xi HF  
R60.16.4Z  
R53.16.4Z  
R62.16.4Z  
R63.16.4Z  
SP994Q  
SP999G  
SP1027G  
SP1056F  
SP1082G  
all  
R65.16.4Z  
rfid.tag.data  
—
—
—
—
all  
all  
—
rfid.tag.test  
rfid.tag.type  
R60.16.4Z  
R53.16.4Z  
R62.16.4Z  
R63.16.4Z  
SP994Q  
SP999G  
SP1027G  
SP1056F  
SP1082G  
R65.16.4Z  
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58978L-008 Rev. A  
SGD Commands for RFID  
odometer.rfid.valid_resettable  
132  
odometer.rfid.valid_resettable  
Description This command gets the RFID valid label counter value or resets the counter to  
zero.  
Type getvar; setvar  
This table identifies the command for this format:  
Commands  
Details  
This command instructs the printer to respond with the current RFID valid  
counter value.  
getvar  
Format: ! U1 getvar "odometer.rfid.valid_resettable"  
This command instructs the printer to set the RFID valid counter to zero.  
setvar  
Format: ! U1 setvar "odometer.rfid.valid_resettable"  
"value"  
Values: “reset”  
Example • This setvarexample shows how the counter portion of the printer  
configuration labels looks when the RFID valid counter is reset by sending:  
! U1 setvar "odometer.rfid.valid_resettable" "reset"  
Before  
After  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
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SGD Commands for RFID  
odometer.rfid.void_resettable  
133  
odometer.rfid.void_resettable  
Description This command gets the RFID void label counter value or resets the counter to  
zero.  
Type getvar; setvar  
This table identifies the command for this format:  
Commands  
Details  
This command instructs the printer to respond with the current RFID void  
counter value.  
getvar  
Format: ! U1 getvar "odometer.rfid.void_resettable"  
This command instructs the printer to set the RFID void counter to zero.  
setvar  
Format: ! U1 setvar "odometer.rfid.void_resettable"  
"value"  
Values: “reset”  
Example • This setvarexample shows how the counter portion of the printer  
configuration labels looks when the RFID void counter is reset by sending:  
! U1 setvar "odometer.rfid.void_resettable" "reset"  
Before  
After  
11/14/2008  
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SGD Commands for RFID  
rfid.error.response  
134  
rfid.error.response  
Description During an error condition, an error message shows on the second line of the  
display. This command can be used to retrieve that error message. See Table 6 on page 53 in  
the RFID Troubleshooting section for descriptions of the error messages.  
Type getvar  
\
This table identifies the command for this format:  
Commands  
Details  
This command instructs the printer to respond with any active RFID error  
messages.  
getvar  
Format: ! U1 getvar "rfid.error.response"  
Example • This getvar example shows responses that you may get in different situations:  
! U1 getvar "rfid.error.response"  
If no RFID tag is present, you get the following response:  
NO TAG FOUND  
If an RFID tag is present and there are no errors, you get the following response:  
RFID OK  
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SGD Commands for RFID  
135  
rfid.position.program  
rfid.position.program  
Description This command gets the read/write position of the transponder or sets the  
read/write position in vertical (Y axis) dot rows from the top of the label. Set to 0 (no  
movement) if the transponder is already in the effective area without moving the media.  
Important • If a label format specifies a value for this parameter, this value will be used for  
the programming position for all labels until a new position is specified or until the printer is  
turned off (O) and then back on (I).  
Type getvar; setvar  
This table identifies the command for this format:  
Commands  
Details  
This command instructs the printer to respond with the current  
programming position.  
getvar  
Format: ! U1 getvar "rfid.position.program"  
This command instructs the printer to set the programming position.  
setvar  
Format: ! U1 setvar "rfid.position.program" "value"  
Values:  
0 to label length  
Default value:  
For the R110PAX4 and R2844-Z: 0  
For all other supported printers: label length minus 1 mm (1/16 in.)  
Default: 1  
Example • This setvarexample shows the programming position being set at 15 dot rows  
from the top of the label.  
! U1 setvar "rfid.position.program" "15"  
When the setvarvalue is set to "15", the getvarresult is "15".  
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SGD Commands for RFID  
rfid.reader_1.antenna_port  
136  
rfid.reader_1.antenna_port  
Description This command sets or gets the RFID antenna port.  
Type getvar; setvar  
This table identifies the command for this format:  
Commands  
Details  
This command instructs the printer to respond with the current antenna  
port.  
getvar  
Format: ! U1 getvar "rfid.reader_1.antenna_port"  
This command instructs the printer to set the antenna port.  
setvar  
Format: ! U1 setvar "rfid.reader_1.antenna_port"  
"value"  
Values:  
1 = antenna port 1  
2 = antenna port 2  
Default: 1  
Example • This setvar example shows the selection of antenna port 2.  
! U1 setvar "rfid.reader_1.antenna_port" "2"  
When the setvarvalue is set to "2", the getvarresult is "2".  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
RFID Programming Guide  
11/14/2008  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
   
SGD Commands for RFID  
137  
rfid.reader_1.power.read  
rfid.reader_1.power.read  
Description This command sets or gets the RFID reader power level for reading RFID tags.  
Note • This parameter is ignored on the R110Xi HF printer because read and write powers  
cannot be specified separately. See rfid.reader_1.power.single_power on page 138 to set the  
power level for the R110Xi HF printer.  
Type getvar; setvar  
This table identifies the command for this format:  
Commands  
Details  
This command instructs the printer to respond with the reader’s current  
read power level.  
getvar  
Format: ! U1 getvar "rfid.reader_1.power.read"  
This command instructs the printer to set the read power level on the RFID  
reader.  
setvar  
Format: ! U1 setvar "rfid.reader_1.power.read"  
"value"  
Note • On some printers, the options vary based on the reader.  
Check the printer configuration label for the RFID_HW_VERline  
or perform the RFID SLOWtest (see Perform RFID Test  
on page 22) to determine the reader type.  
Selections  
high,  
medium, 0–30  
low  
Printer  
Firmware Version  
Default  
up,  
down  
RXi  
R60.15.8Z and earlier  
X
X
—
X
—
—
—
X
low  
low  
low  
16  
R60.16.4Z  
R60.16.5Z and later (M4xxx…x reader)  
R60.16.5Z and later (M5xxx…x reader)  
X
X
—
X
X
R4Mplus  
SP994P, SP999F, SP1027F, SP1056E,  
SP1082F, and earlier  
—
—
low  
SP994Q, SP999G, SP1027G, SP1056F,  
SP1082G, and later  
X
X
—
low  
R110PAX4  
R62.15.8Z and earlier  
R62.16.4Z and later  
R63.15.8Z and earlier  
R63.16.4Z and later  
all versions  
X
X
—
X
—
—
—
—
X
low  
low  
low  
low  
16  
X
—
X
X
RZx00  
RP4T  
—
—
X
all versions  
X
X
16  
Example • This setvarexample sets the reader to high power for reading RFID tags.  
! U1 setvar "rfid.reader_1.power.read" "high"  
When the setvarvalue is set to "high", the getvarresult is "high".  
11/14/2008  
RFID Programming Guide  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
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SGD Commands for RFID  
rfid.reader_1.power.single_power  
138  
rfid.reader_1.power.single_power  
Description This command sets or gets the RFID reader power level for reading and writing  
to RFID tags for readers with a single power level.  
Note • This command applies only to the R110Xi HF printer, firmware version R65.X.  
Type getvar; setvar  
This table identifies the command for this format:  
Commands  
Details  
This command instructs the printer to respond with the current power  
level.  
getvar  
Format: ! U1 getvar  
"rfid.reader_1.power.single_power"  
This command instructs the printer to set the power level for reading and  
writing.  
setvar  
Format: ! U1 setvar  
"rfid.reader_1.power.single_power" "value"  
Values:  
high  
medium  
low  
Default: low  
Example • This setvarexample sets the reader to high power for writing to RFID tags.  
! U1 setvar "rfid.reader_1.power.single_power" "high"  
When the setvarvalue is set to "high", the getvarresult is "high".  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
RFID Programming Guide  
11/14/2008  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
   
SGD Commands for RFID  
rfid.reader_1.power.write  
139  
rfid.reader_1.power.write  
Description This command sets or gets the RFID reader power level for writing to RFID  
tags.  
Note • This parameter is ignored on the R110Xi HF printer because read and write powers  
cannot be specified separately. See rfid.reader_1.power.single_power on page 138 to set the  
power level for the R110Xi HF printer.  
Type getvar; setvar  
This table identifies the command for this format:  
Commands  
Details  
This command instructs the printer to respond with the reader’s current  
write power level.  
getvar  
Format: ! U1 getvar "rfid.reader_1.power.write"  
This command instructs the printer to set the write power level on the  
RFID reader.  
setvar  
Format: ! U1 setvar "rfid.reader_1.power.write"  
"value"  
Note • On some printers, the options vary based on the reader.  
Check the printer configuration label for the RFID_HW_VERline  
or perform the RFID SLOWtest (see Perform RFID Test  
on page 22) to determine the reader type.  
Selections  
high,  
medium, 0–30  
low  
Printer  
Firmware Version  
Default  
up,  
down  
RXi  
R60.15.8Z and earlier  
X
X
—
X
—
—
—
X
low  
low  
low  
16  
R60.16.4Z  
R60.16.5Z and later (M4xxx…x reader)  
R60.16.5Z and later (M5xxx…x reader)  
X
X
—
X
X
R4Mplus  
SP994P, SP999F, SP1027F, SP1056E,  
SP1082F, and earlier  
—
—
low  
SP994Q, SP999G, SP1027G, SP1056F,  
SP1082G, and later  
X
X
—
low  
R110PAX4  
R62.15.8Z and earlier  
R62.16.4Z and later  
R63.15.8Z and earlier  
R63.16.4Z and later  
all versions  
X
X
—
X
—
—
—
—
X
low  
low  
low  
low  
16  
X
—
X
X
RZx00  
RP4T  
—
—
X
all versions  
X
X
16  
11/14/2008  
RFID Programming Guide  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
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SGD Commands for RFID  
rfid.reader_1.power.write  
140  
Example • This setvarexample sets the reader to high power for writing to RFID tags.  
! U1 setvar "rfid.reader_1.power.write" "high"  
When the setvarvalue is set to "high", the getvarresult is "high".  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
RFID Programming Guide  
11/14/2008  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
SGD Commands for RFID  
141  
rfid.tag.calibrate  
rfid.tag.calibrate  
Description This command sets the RFID programming position through a tag calibration,  
or it restores the programming position back to the printer default. Before running this  
command, load the printer with RFID media, and close the printhead. For more information  
about this option, see Calibrate RFID Tag on page 23.  
Type setvar  
This table identifies the command for this format:  
Commands  
Details  
This command instructs the printer to set the programming position.  
setvar  
Format: ! U1 setvar "rfid.tag.calibrate" "value"  
Values:  
restore  
run  
Example • This setvarexample performs a quick RFID test.  
! U1 setvar "rfid.tag.calibrate" "restore"  
Example • This setvarexample performs a slow RFID test.  
! U1 setvar "rfid.tag.calibrate" "run"  
11/14/2008  
RFID Programming Guide  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
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SGD Commands for RFID  
rfid.tag.data  
142  
rfid.tag.data  
Description This command tells the RFID reader to attempt to read a tag over the RFID  
antenna, even if the printhead is open. Results are returned to the host.  
Before running this command, position an RFID label over the printer’s RFID antenna. To  
locate the RFID antenna on your printer, see RFID Antenna Location on page 39.  
Type getvar  
This table identifies the command for this format:  
Commands  
Details  
This command instructs the printer to respond with the current tag’s data.  
getvar  
Format: ! U1 getvar "rfid.tag.data"  
Example • This getvarexample gets the current tag’s data, assuming that an RFID label  
with data “0123456789ABCDEF12345678” is in place over the antenna.  
! U1 setvar "rfid.tag.data"  
The printer responds with 0123456789ABCDEF12345678.  
Example • This getvarexample gets the current tag’s data, assuming that no tag data can  
be read or that no tag is present.  
! U1 setvar "rfid.tag.data"  
The printer responds with NO DATA.  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
RFID Programming Guide  
11/14/2008  
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SGD Commands for RFID  
143  
rfid.tag.test  
rfid.tag.test  
Description This command performs an RFID test. In the RFID test, the printer attempts to  
read and write to a transponder that you place over the RFID antenna. Results are displayed on  
the printer’s control panel display. To locate the RFID antenna on your printer, see RFID  
Antenna Location on page 39.  
In the slow version of the RFID test, the printer first displays the hardware version, the reader  
firmware version, and the program position.  
Note • This command is valid only on RP4T printers.  
Type setvar  
This table identifies the command for this format:  
Commands  
Details  
This command instructs the printer to set the programming position.  
setvar  
Format: ! U1 setvar "rfid.tag.test" "value"  
Values:  
quick  
slow  
Example • This setvarexample performs a quick RFID test, which shows a pass or fail  
message.  
! U1 setvar "rfid.tag.test" "quick"  
Example • This setvarexample performs a slow RFID test, which shows the success or  
failure of each read or write tag operation.  
! U1 setvar "rfid.tag.test" "slow"  
11/14/2008  
RFID Programming Guide  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
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SGD Commands for RFID  
rfid.tag.type  
144  
rfid.tag.type  
Description This command sets or gets the reader’s RFID tag type.  
Type getvar; setvar  
This table identifies the command for this format:  
Commands  
Details  
This command instructs the printer to respond with the reader’s current tag  
type.  
getvar  
Format: ! U1 getvar "rfid.tag.type"  
This command instructs the printer to set the reader’s tag type. For the  
supported tag types, see Table 11 on page 145.  
setvar  
Format: ! U1 setvar "rfid.tag.type" "value"  
Values:  
UHF Printers  
none = None  
class0 = EPC Class 0  
class0+ = EPC Class 0 Plus  
class1_64bit = EPC Class 1 64-bit  
class1_96bit = EPC Class 1 96-bit  
ucode_epc_1_19 = UCODE EPC 1.19  
class0+_impinj = Impinj Class 0 Plus  
ISO18000A = ISO 18000-06A  
gen2 = EPC Class 1, Generation 2 (Gen 2)  
ISO18000B = ISO 18000-06B  
HF Printers  
none =None  
detect = Auto detect (query tag to determine)  
tagit = Tag*It (Texas Instruments Tagit tags)  
icode = I*code (Phillips Icode tags)  
pico = Pico Tag (Inside Technology’s)  
ISO15693 = ISO 15693  
EPC = EPC tag (13.56 MHz)  
UIC = UID Tag  
mifare_ultralight = Mifare UltraLight  
Example • This setvarexample shows the reader’s tag type being set to Gen 2.  
! U1 setvar "rfid.tag.type" "gen2"  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
RFID Programming Guide  
11/14/2008  
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SGD Commands for RFID  
145  
rfid.tag.type  
Supported Tag Types Table 11 shows the tag types supported by different RFID  
printers/print engines and firmware versions. Depending on your country or on the firmware  
version that you are using, your printer may not support all of the tag types listed. If you  
specify an unsupported tag type, the printer uses the default value. If a tag type is shown as  
supported but does not work with your printer, you may need to upgrade the printer’s firmware  
(see http://www.zebra.com/firmware).  
Table 11 • Supported Tag Types and Default Values  
UHF Printers  
HF Printers  
Printer  
Firmware Version  
Tag Type  
UHF Tag Types and Options  
None (no tag type specified)  
EPC Class 0  
*
*
*
*
* a  
* a  
* a  
* a  
* a  
* a  
* a  
—
*
*
*
*
—
—
—
—
—
#
—
—
—
—
*
—
—
—
—
*
—
—
—
—
*
—
—
—
—
—
#
—
—
—
—
—
*
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
#
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
#
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
EPC Class 0 Plus  
*
*
*
*
EPC Class 1 64-bit  
EPC Class 1 96-bit  
UCODE EPC 1.19  
*
*
*
*
#
*
#
*
* b  
*
*
—
*
*
*
#
*
Impinj Class 0 Plus  
ISO 18000-06A  
*
*
—
—
—
—
—
*
—
*
—
*
—
—
*
—
—
#
—
*
—
#
*
—
#
EPC Class 1, Generation 2 (Gen 2)  
ISO 18000-06B  
#
*
#
*
#
*
*
* a  
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
—
—
HF Tag Types and Options  
Auto-detect the tag type by querying the  
tag  
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
#
Tag*It (Texas Instruments Tagit tags)  
I*code (Phillips Icode tags)  
Pico Tag (Inside Technology’s)  
ISO 15693  
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
#
—
—
—
#
*
*
*
*
# = Default value * = Accepted value  
—
= Not supported  
a. Requires printers with RFID hardware version M4xxx...x. This will not work with RFID hardware version M5xxx...x. For the RFID  
hardware version, refer to the RFID HW VERline on your printer configuration label, or perform the RFID SLOW test (see Perform RFID  
Test on page 22).  
b. Requires R60.13.0.13ZD or later.  
11/14/2008  
RFID Programming Guide  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
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SGD Commands for RFID  
rfid.tag.type  
146  
Table 11 • Supported Tag Types and Default Values (Continued)  
UHF Printers  
HF Printers  
Printer  
Firmware Version  
Tag Type  
EPC tag  
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
*
—
—
*
*
UID Tag  
—
—
Mifare UltraLight  
# = Default value * = Accepted value  
—
= Not supported  
a. Requires printers with RFID hardware version M4xxx...x. This will not work with RFID hardware version M5xxx...x. For the RFID  
hardware version, refer to the RFID HW VERline on your printer configuration label, or perform the RFID SLOW test (see Perform RFID  
Test on page 22).  
b. Requires R60.13.0.13ZD or later.  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
RFID Programming Guide  
11/14/2008  
Download from Www.Somanuals.com. All Manuals Search And Download.  
10  
RFID Applicator Signals  
This section applies to printers that have applicator ports and that are being used in a print and  
apply system. Included are timing diagrams for good and bad RFID tags and the pin  
configuration for the applicator port. For basic timing diagrams, see the User Guide for your  
printer.  
Contents  
Timing Diagrams for RFID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150  
Single Signal Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150  
Double Signal Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152  
Applicator Interface Connector Pin Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153  
Jumper Configurations and Pinouts for +5 V I/O Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156  
Pinouts for +24-28 V I/O Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157  
11/14/2008  
RFID Programming Guide  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
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RFID Applicator Signals  
Timing Diagrams for RFID  
150  
Timing Diagrams for RFID  
The following timing diagrams show how applicator signals function while an RFID label is  
printing and being programmed in Mode 1. For more information about Single and Double  
signal modes, see ^RS on page 108.  
Single Signal Mode  
Figure 9 and Figure 10 show the applicator signals for label formats using programming  
positions other than zero.  
Figure 9 • Single Signal Mode, Good RFID Tag  
Void  
(pin 15)  
End Print  
(pin 11)  
Start Print  
(pin 3)  
1
3
Data Ready  
(pin 14)  
4
5
2
Label ready for printing.  
1
2
3
4
5
After receiving start print signal, begin printing label.  
When program position is reached, pause and encode RFID tag.  
Check void signal (high means good tag).  
Print label.  
Figure 10 • Single Signal Mode, Bad RFID Tag  
Void  
(pin 15)  
End Print  
(pin 11)  
Start Print  
(pin 3)  
1
3
Data Ready  
(pin 14)  
6
4
5
2
Label ready for printing.  
1
2
3
4
5
6
After receiving start print signal, begin printing label.  
When program position is reached, pause and encode RFID tag.  
Check void signal (low means bad tag).  
Print void label (if applicable).  
Discard bad label. Data Ready stays low if format to be retried on next label.  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
RFID Programming Guide  
11/14/2008  
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RFID Applicator Signals  
Timing Diagrams for RFID  
151  
Figure 11 and Figure 12 show the applicator signals for label formats using zero for their  
programming position.  
Figure 11 • Single Signal Mode, Good RFID Tag  
Void  
(pin 15)  
End Print  
(pin 11)  
Start Print  
(pin 3)  
1
2
Data Ready  
(pin 14)  
3
Encode RFID tag.  
1
2
3
Check void signal (high means good tag). Label ready for printing.  
After receiving start print signal, print label.  
Figure 12 • Single Signal Mode, Bad RFID Tag  
Void  
(pin 15)  
End Print  
(pin 11)  
Start Print  
(pin 3)  
1
2
Data Ready  
(pin 14)  
4
3
1
2
3
4
Encode RFID tag.  
Check void signal (low means bad tag).  
After receiving start print signal, print void label (if applicable).  
Discard bad label. Data Ready stays low if format to be retried on next label.  
11/14/2008  
RFID Programming Guide  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
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RFID Applicator Signals  
Timing Diagrams for RFID  
152  
Double Signal Mode  
Figure 13 and Figure 14 show the applicator signals for good and bad tags using double signal  
mode.  
Figure 13 • Double Signal Mode, Good RFID Tag  
Void  
(pin 15)  
End Print  
(pin 11)  
Start Print  
(pin 3)  
1
3
Data Ready  
(pin 14)  
2
4 5  
6
Label ready for printing.  
1
2
3
4
5
6
After receiving start print signal, print first part of label.  
When program position is reached, stop and encode RFID tag.  
Check void signal (high means good tag).  
Wait for second start signal.  
Print second part of label.  
Figure 14 • Double Signal Mode, Bad RFID Tag  
Void  
(pin 15)  
End Print  
(pin 11)  
Start Print  
(pin 3)  
6
1
3
Data Ready  
(pin 14)  
2
4
5
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Label ready for printing.  
After receiving start print signal, print first part of label.  
When program position is reached, stop and encode RFID tag.  
Check void signal (low means bad tag).  
Wait for second start signal.  
Void remainder of label (if applicable).  
Discard bad label. Data Ready stays low if format to be retried on next label.  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
RFID Programming Guide  
11/14/2008  
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RFID Applicator Signals  
Applicator Interface Connector Pin Configuration  
153  
Applicator Interface Connector Pin Configuration  
The Applicator Interface Assembly is available in two versions: a +5 V I/O and a  
+24–28 V I/O. Table 12 lists the pin configurations and functions of the applicator interface  
connector for both +5 V and +24–28 V operation.  
Table 12 • Applicator Interface Connector Pin Configuration  
Pin  
No.  
Signal Name  
Signal Type  
Description  
1
I/O SIGNAL  
GROUND  
I/O Signal  
Ground  
Using jumper J5 (PAX4 print engines) or JP2 (Xi-series  
printers), this pin can be configured as isolated or non-  
isolated from the printer signal ground. See Jumper  
Configurations and Pinouts for +5 V I/O Operation  
on page 156 for more information.  
(+5V Return)  
1
I/O SIGNAL  
GROUND  
I/O Signal  
Ground  
No jumpers to configure.  
Important • Customer must provide this external  
ground. (This ground can come from pin 8 when  
operating at 28V for all printers except the  
110XiIIIPlus.) See Pinouts for +24-28 V I/O  
Operation on page 157 for more information.  
(+24-28V Return)  
2
2
+5V I/O  
Power  
Power  
Using jumper J4 (PAX4 print engines) or JP1 (Xi-series  
printers), this pin can be configured as isolated or non-  
isolated from the Applicator Interface Circuit +5 V  
Supply. See Jumper Configurations and Pinouts for +5 V  
I/O Operation on page 156 for more information.  
(Fused at 1 A)  
Caution • Replace  
the fuse only with  
one of the same  
type and rating.  
+24-28V I/O  
No jumpers to configure. This +24-28V power source  
also supplies voltage for output signal pull-up resistors.  
Important • Customer must provide this external  
power. (This power can come from pin 7 when  
operating at 28V for all printers except the  
110XiIIIPlus.) See Pinouts for +24-28 V I/O  
Operation on page 157 for more information.  
3
START PRINT  
Input  
• Pulse Mode—The label printing process begins on the  
HIGH to LOW transition of this signal if a format is  
ready. Deassert this signal HIGH to inhibit printing of  
a new label.  
• Level Mode—Assert LOW to enable the printer to  
print if a label format is ready. When deasserted HIGH,  
the printer completes the label that is printing then  
stops and waits for this input to be reasserted LOW.  
4
FEED  
Input  
When the printer is idle or has been paused, assert this  
input LOW to trigger repeated feeding of blank labels.  
Deassert HIGH to stop feeding blank labels and register  
to the top of the next label.  
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RFID Applicator Signals  
Applicator Interface Connector Pin Configuration  
154  
Table 12 • Applicator Interface Connector Pin Configuration (Continued)  
Pin  
No.  
Signal Name  
Signal Type  
Description  
5
PAUSE  
Input  
To toggle the current Pause state, this input must be  
asserted LOW for 200 milliseconds, or until the  
SERVICE REQUIRED output (pin 10) changes state.  
6
REPRINT  
Input  
• If the Reprint feature is enabled, this input must be  
asserted LOW to cause the printer to reprint the last  
label.  
• If the Reprint feature is disabled, this input is ignored.  
7
+28 V  
Power  
The Interface Power Supply. Supplies power to external  
sensors as required.  
(On PAX4 printers,  
fused at 500 mA. On  
Xi-series printers,  
fused at 500 mA for  
the 24–28V board  
and fused at 2 A for  
the 5V board.)  
Note • If operating with 28V signals only, pin 7  
may be used to supply power to pin 2, which  
creates a non-isolated mode of operation. (This is  
applicable for all printers except the  
110XiIIIPlus.)  
Caution • Replace  
the fuse only with  
one of the same  
type and rating.  
8
9
POWER GROUND Ground  
(+28 V DC Return)  
The Interface Power Ground.  
Note • If pin 7 is used to supply power to pin 2,  
use this pin to ground pin 1. (This is applicable for  
all printers except the 110XiIIIPlus.)  
RIBBON LOW  
Output  
No function in RXi printers.  
In the R110PAX4 print engine, asserted if the Ribbon Low  
feature is enabled and the amount of ribbon remaining on  
the supply spool is below a specific threshold level.  
• For print engines with the Ribbon Low Output  
parameter, asserted HIGH or LOW depending on the  
ribbon low output mode selected.  
• For print engines without the Ribbon Low Output  
parameter, asserted HIGH.  
10  
SERVICE  
REQUIRED  
Output  
Asserted LOW in the following circumstances:  
• the printhead is open  
• the ribbon or media is out  
• the printer is paused  
• an operational fault occurs  
• a Resynch error occurs while the applicator Resynch  
mode is set to Error mode  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
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RFID Applicator Signals  
Applicator Interface Connector Pin Configuration  
155  
Table 12 • Applicator Interface Connector Pin Configuration (Continued)  
Pin  
No.  
Signal Name  
Signal Type  
Description  
11  
END PRINT  
Output  
• MODE 0—The applicator port is OFF.  
• MODE 1—Asserted LOW only while the printer is  
moving the label forward; otherwise deasserted HIGH.  
• MODE 2—Asserted HIGH only while the printer is  
moving the label forward; otherwise deasserted LOW.  
• MODE 3—(Default) Asserted LOW for 20  
milliseconds when a label is completed and positioned.  
Not asserted during continuous printing.  
• MODE 4—Asserted HIGH for 20 milliseconds when a  
label is completed and positioned. Not asserted during  
continuous printing.  
12  
13  
14  
MEDIA OUT  
RIBBON OUT  
DATA READY  
Output  
Output  
Output  
Asserted LOW while there is no media in the printer.  
Asserted LOW while there is no ribbon in the printer.  
• Asserted LOW when sufficient data has been received  
to begin printing the next label.  
• Deasserted HIGH whenever printing stops after the  
current label, due to either a pause condition or the  
absence of a label format.  
15  
VOID  
Output  
See Timing Diagrams for RFID on page 150 for more  
information about this signal.  
• Asserted LOW when the RFID transponder over the  
antenna is “voided.”  
• Deasserted HIGH when the end print signal is asserted.  
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58978L-008 Rev. A  
RFID Applicator Signals  
Applicator Interface Connector Pin Configuration  
156  
Jumper Configurations and Pinouts for +5 V I/O Operation  
Jumpers are used to produce isolated or non-isolated modes of operation for applicator input  
and output control signals. RPAX4 printers use J4 and J5 while RXi printers user JP1 and JP2.  
J4/JP1 configures the +5 V source for the optoisolator circuits, and J5/JP2 configures the  
ground. For proper operation, when J4/JP1 is installed, J5/JP2 must be installed, and when  
J4/JP1 is removed, J5/JP2 must be removed.  
Table 13 describes the pin and jumper configurations for +5 V I/O operation.  
Table 13 • Non-Isolated and Isolated Modes for +5V Operation  
Non-Isolated (Jumpers In)  
Isolated (Jumpers Out)  
Pin 1  
Pin 2  
Ground +5V, Jumper J5/JP2 In  
I/O ground is connected to the printer signal  
ground.  
External Ground +5V, Jumper J5/JP2 Out  
I/O ground is disconnected from the printer  
signal ground. Ground must be provided  
externally to this pin.  
+5V Output, Jumper J4/JP1 In  
+5 V I/O is connected to the applicator  
interface circuit +5 V Supply.  
External +5V Input, Jumper J4/JP1 Out  
+5 V I/O is disconnected from the applicator  
interface circuit +5 V Supply. The +5 V for the  
applicator interface optoisolator circuits must be  
provided externally. This input also supplies  
voltage for output signal pull-up resistors.  
Pinouts  
J5/  
J5/  
JP2  
+5V  
JP2  
+5V  
J4/  
J4/  
1A  
1A  
JP1  
1
JP1  
1
2
3
+5V  
+5V  
+5V  
+5V  
2
3
4
4
5
5
+28V  
+28V  
6
7
6
7
+28V  
+28V  
500 mA  
500 mA  
8
8
9
9
10  
11  
12  
13  
14  
15  
10  
11  
12  
13  
14  
15  
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RFID Applicator Signals  
Applicator Interface Connector Pin Configuration  
157  
Pinouts for +24-28 V I/O Operation  
Table 14 describes the pin configurations for +24–28 V I/O operation. There are no jumpers to  
configure for this mode.  
Table 14 • Non-Isolated and Isolated Modes for +24–28V Operation  
Isolated (External Power)  
External Ground +24-28V  
I/O ground must be connected to an external  
ground.  
Non-Isolated (Internal Printer Power)  
Pin 1  
Pin 2  
Ground +28V from Pin 8  
If pin 7 is used to supply power to pin 2, use  
pin 8 to ground pin 1.  
(Required for the 110XiIIIPlus.)  
(Does not apply to the 110XiIIIPlus.)  
+24-28V External Input  
+28V Input from Pin 7  
+24-28 V I/O must be connected to an external If operating with 28V signals only, pin 7 may  
power supply. This input also supplies voltage be shorted to pin 2, which creates a  
for output signal pull-up resistors.  
non-isolated mode of operation. This input  
also supplies voltage for output signal pull-up  
resistors.  
(Required for the 110XiIIIPlus.)  
(Does not apply to the 110XiIIIPlus.)  
Pinouts  
1
2
3
1
2
3
+24-28V  
+24-28V  
+28V  
+28V  
4
4
5
5
+28V  
+28V  
6
7
6
7
+28V  
+28V  
500 mA  
500 mA  
8
8
9
9
10  
11  
12  
13  
14  
15  
10  
11  
12  
13  
14  
15  
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58978L-008 Rev. A  
       
RFID Applicator Signals  
Applicator Interface Connector Pin Configuration  
158  
Notes • ___________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
__________________________________________________________________________  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
RFID Programming Guide  
11/14/2008  
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Index  
A
D
access password  
data log for RFID, 84  
set via ^RQ, 105  
set via ^RZ, 120  
advanced counter reset, 103  
AFI byte  
define EPC data structure (^RB), 93  
detect multiple RFID tags (^RN), 102  
display RFID tag data  
LCD, 28  
read command (^RA), 91  
write command (^WF), 123  
antenna location, 39  
SGD, 142  
double signal mode  
setting, 110  
antenna port  
select through control panel, 26  
select using ZPL, 119  
timing diagrams, 152  
download firmware, 19  
applicator  
E
+24-28V isolated and non-isolated modes, 157  
+5V isolated and non-isolated modes, 156  
interface pin configuration, 153  
timing diagrams for RFID, 150  
E.A.S. bit enable/disable command (^RE), 95  
Electronic Product Code (EPC)  
define EPC data structure (^RB), 93  
EPC structure in RFID labels, 45  
Gen 2 overview, 46  
C
overview, 45  
calibration  
write EPC data via ^RQ, 105  
write EPC data via ^RZ, 120  
electrostatic discharge (ESD), 15  
enable RFID motion (^RM), 101  
encoding results, 117  
environmental conditions for RFID labels, 15  
error codes, 66  
error handling, 109  
RFID tag from control panel, 23  
RFID tag using SGD, 141  
RFID tag using ZPL (^HR), 85  
characteristics of transponders, 44  
contacts, 10  
creating basic label formats, 30  
customer service, 10  
error messages, 53  
11/14/2008  
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58978L-008 Rev. A  
 
Index  
160  
F
M
media  
firmware  
supported tag types for each version, 111, , 145  
upgrades, 19  
ZPL command compatibility, 82  
ordering, 10  
media (purchasing RFID labels), 15  
memory map for Gen 2 tags, 46  
motion in RFID label, 101  
G
N
Gen 2  
memory map, 46  
non-isolated mode for applicator control signals  
+28V operation, 157  
overview, 46  
printers and firmware that support Gen 2, 111, 145  
setting password or locking tag, 120  
specify tag type using SGD, 144  
specify tag type using ZPL, 108  
write EPC data to tag via ^RQ, 105  
write EPC data to tag via ^RZ, 120  
+5V operation, 156  
non-standard label programming, 23  
number of retries for block (^RR), 107  
O
ordering ribbon and media, 10  
H
P
host verification command (^HV), 88  
password for RFID tag, 120  
permanently lock Gen 2 tag data, 120  
pin configuration for applicator interface, 153  
placement  
I
inlays, 15  
isolated mode for applicator control signals  
+24-28V operation, 157  
+5V operation, 156  
labels on items after encoding, 15  
specifications for transponders, 15  
print mode  
selection via control panel, 22  
selection via ZPL, 89  
programming position  
set through calibration or reset to default, 23  
set using ZPL, 109  
J
jumper configurations for +24-28V operation, 157  
jumper configurations for +5V operation, 156  
K
R
kill password, 120  
set via ^RQ, 105  
set via ^RZ, 120  
read power  
change through control panel, 24, , 25  
change using ZPL, 118  
read RFID tag  
L
read or write RFID format (^RF), 96  
read RFID tag (^RT), 115  
read/write position  
set through calibration or reset to default, 23  
set using ZPL, 109  
label formats for RFID, 30  
label placement, 15  
labels (purchasing RFID labels), 15  
liability, 2  
reader firmware upgrades, 19  
report RFID encoding results, 117  
reset advanced counter, 103  
reset programming position, 23  
return data to host computer (^HV), 88  
return RFID data log to host, 84  
lock RFID tag  
Gen 2, 120  
not Gen 2, 96  
log file for RFID, 84  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
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11/14/2008  
Index  
161  
RFID  
antenna location, 39  
S
sales, 10  
antenna port selection, 26  
calibrate RFID tag from control panel, 23  
calibrate RFID tag using SGD, 141  
calibrate RFID tag using ZPL (^HR), 85  
change read power through control panel, 24, 25  
change read power using ZPL, 118  
change write power through control panel, 25  
change write power using ZPL, 118  
create label formats, 30  
detect multiple tags (^RN), 102  
display tag data  
sample RFID label formats, 31  
set RFID tag or kill password (^RZ), 120  
set up RFID information (^RS), 108  
SGTIN-64 standard programming example, 94  
single signal mode  
setting, 110  
timing diagrams, 150  
specify number of retries for block (^RR), 107  
specify RFID tag type, 27  
status messages, 53  
LCD, 28  
SGD, 142  
T
tag type  
selecting, 14  
enable motion (^RM), 101  
error codes and messages, 53  
error status, 26  
number of retries for block (^RR), 107  
power settings, 18  
RFID setup command (^RS), 108  
RFID test  
control panel, 22  
specify using control panel, 27  
specify using SGD, 144  
specify using ZPL, 108  
technical support, 10  
temperature requirements for RFID labels, 15  
timing diagrams  
basic, 149  
SGD command, 143  
RFID, 150  
tag type, 27  
transponders  
timing diagrams, 150  
calibrate from control panel, 23  
calibration using ZPL (^HR), 85  
characteristics of different types, 44  
description, 14  
troubleshooting, 50  
verify write operation (^WV), 127  
when to perform calibration, 18  
RFID labels  
placement in labels, 15  
selecting type, 14  
setting tag type, 18  
label formats, 30  
placement after encoding, 15  
purchasing, 15  
when to calibrate, 18  
troubleshooting  
storage requirements, 15  
RFID mode  
RFID error codes and messages, 53  
RFID problems, 50  
RFID test  
control panel, 22  
SGD command, 143  
selection via control panel, 22  
selection via ZPL, 89  
RFID tag ID command (^RI), 100  
RFID valid label counter  
reset by SGD, 132  
reset by ZPL, 103  
RFID void counter  
reset by SGD, 133  
V
valid RFID label counter  
reset by SGD, 132  
reset by ZPL, 103  
verify RFID write operation (^WV), 127  
void handling, 109  
reset by ZPL, 103  
ribbon  
ordering, 10  
void RFID label counter  
reset by SGD, 133  
reset by ZPL, 103  
11/14/2008  
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58978L-008 Rev. A  
Index  
162  
W
Z
write AFI byte command (^WF), 123  
write data to tag  
Zebra Programming Language (ZPL II)  
command compatibility with printers and  
firmware, 82  
via ^RQ, 105  
via ^RZ, 120  
write power  
^HL or ~HL, Return RFID Data Log to Host (^HL  
or ~HL), 84  
change through control panel, 25  
change using ZPL, 118  
write RFID format (^RF), 96  
write RFID tag (^WT), 125  
^HR, Calibrate RFID Transponder, 85  
overview, 81  
^RA, Read AFI Byte, 91  
^RB, Define EPC Data Structure, 93  
^RE, Enable/Disable E.A.S. Bit, 95  
^RF, Read or Write RFID Format, 96  
RFID label formats, 30  
^RI, Get RFID Tag ID, 100  
^RM, Enable RFID Motion, 101  
^RN, Detect Multiple RFID Tags, 102  
^RQ, Quick Write EPC Data and Passwords, 105  
^RR, Specify RFID Retries for a Block, 107  
^RS, RFID Setup, 108  
^RT, Read RFID Tag, 115  
~RV, Report RFID Encoding Results, 117  
^RW, Set RFID Read and Write Power, 118  
^RZ, Set RFID Tag Password and Lock Tag, 120  
^WF, Write AFI Byte, 123  
^WT, Write Tag, 125  
^WV, Verify RFID Write Operation, 127  
58978L-008 Rev. A  
RFID Programming Guide  
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11/14/2008  
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Zebra Technologies International, LLC  
333 Corporate Woods Parkway  
Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061.3109 U.S.A  
T: +1 847 793 2600  
Toll-free +1 800 423 0422  
F: +1 847 913 8766  
Zebra Technologies Europe Limited  
Dukes Meadow  
Millboard Road  
Bourne End  
Buckinghamshire, SL8 5XF, UK  
T: +44 (0)1628 556000  
F: +44 (0)1628 556001  
Zebra Technologies Asia Pacific, LLC  
120 Robinson Road  
#06-01 Parakou Building  
Singapore 068913  
T: +65 6858 0722  
F: +65 6885 0838  
http://www.zebra.com  
© 2008 ZIH Corp.  
58978L-008  
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