constellation test tool (ctt) · 2018. 7. 11. · 3.1 reader discovery when the ctt is launched, it...

Constellation Test Tool (CTT) Quick Start Guide

Version 1.3

CTT Quick Start Guide - Version 1.3 1

Contents

1. Overview ...................................................................................................................... 2

2. Software Installation ..................................................................................................... 3

2.1 Requirements .................................................................................................................................. 3

2.2 Installing CTT Software .................................................................................................................... 3

3. Reader Operation with CTT ........................................................................................... 4

3.1 Reader Discovery ............................................................................................................................. 6

3.2 Test Tools ........................................................................................................................................ 7

a. Text Stream Interface (TSI) .............................................................................................................. 8

b. Tag Management ............................................................................................................................. 9

c. Tag Performance ............................................................................................................................10

i. Test Parameters ..............................................................................................................................10

Timed Mode ..............................................................................................................................10

Continuous Mode ......................................................................................................................10

ii. Performance Information ...............................................................................................................11

iii. Tag Acquisition Analysis .................................................................................................................11

3.3 Event Handling ...............................................................................................................................12

a. Event Logging .................................................................................................................................12


1. Overview

The Constellation Test Tool (CTT) is a Windows based client application designed to help users configure and test readers from Star Systems International (SSI). The CTT will perform the following functions:

• Automatically discovery SSI readers on the local area network • Send commands to the reader • Register for events • Log events • Collect information about tags in the field of view of the reader


2. Software Installation

2.1 Requirements The CTT is a Microsoft Windows application and requires Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 or higher.

2.2 Installing CTT Software To install CTT, load your product CD or download the installer through the STAR Systems website.

• http://star-int.net/downloads/readers_downloads/

1. Press “Next >”. 2. Verify the path and folder where CTT will be

installed. Press “Next >”.

3. Press “Next >”. 4. Verify the Windows UAC. Press “Yes”.

After the installation completes, press “Close”.

http://star-int.net/downloads/readers_downloads/


3. Reader Operation with CTT

The CTT is a collection of tools that allow users to interact with SSI reader products in different ways. The tools currently available in the 1.3.X version of CTT are:

• Reader Discovery • Test Tool • Power Ramp

To open CTT from your Windows desktop, select:

Start → Programs → STAR Systems → CTT


If this is the first time starting the CTT application, you may receive a Windows Security Alert. This warning indicates that the firewall is blocking the CTT application.

Select both networks and press “Allow access”.

NOTE: Earlier versions of Microsoft Windows™ may not provide the Security Alert popup. If CTT does not discover your reader, check Windows Firewall settings on Windows Control Panel.


3.1 Reader Discovery When the CTT is launched, it will automatically open the Reader Discovery window and attempt to find all SSI readers on the LAN. This process uses a UDP multi-cast that is generated by the reader on a periodic basis. The IP address of the reader will be displayed in the main window, along with some extra information, such as hostname and MAC address.

Tip: Customize your CTT display by clicking and dragging the columns. You can also sort by column.

Right clicking on any of the listed readers will display a popup with all the CTT tools available for that reader. Also, two extra options are also displayed, one to remove an entry from the list and another to refresh the list sending the multicast package one more time.

If the IP address is not automatically discovered and the IP address of the reader is known, the user can manually add the IP address using the “Add Reader Manually” section.


3.2 Test Tools The “Test Tools” feature is available via the “View” menu as well as the right-click context menu. When launched, this tool will expose a variety of different interface options, including:

• Text Stream Interface (TSI) • Reading individual tags • Writing individual tags • Applying filters to tag populations • Capturing data regarding the tag population • Registering for reader generated events • Configuring the reader transmitter • Configuring the antennas • Configuring the protocol

Please note that all features are not supported by all readers. The CTT will only expose features that are available on a given reader product.

In some cases, with specific readers the CTT need administrative privileges to work with the reader and to do so it requires the user to provide the username and password for the unit.

NOTE: The login is admin and the initial password is admin.


a. Text Stream Interface (TSI)

The TSI is the native communications protocol for most of SSI’s fixed reader products. The TSI is an ASCII text-based command line interface that is described in each product’s User Guide.

The Text Stream Interface tab contains a drop-down list with all the available commands supported by the reader. These commands can also be entered manually, and responses will be displayed below.

Tip: After using the drop-down list to select a command, the “?” can be pressed to request extra information from the reader.


b. Tag Management

The Tag Management tab is designed to assist the read and write operations on a single tag. After selecting a specific bank, the data can be acquired by pressing the “Read” button or written back to the tag by clicking on the “Write” button.

The antennas and protocols used during this process can be selected using the top menu “Antennas” and “Protocols” accordingly.

NOTE: Some readers require to be in Standby to be able to singulate individual tags. This can be changed using the top menu “Operating Mode”.


c. Tag Performance The Tag Performance tag is designed to test the reader performance. This tab is also useful for range (distance) testing and to verify the RF field size.

i. Test Parameters There are two available test modes that can be configured on the “Test Parameters” section of the Tag Management tab, Timed and Continuous.

Timed Mode On this mode the reader will activate the RF for a specific amount of time entered on the field “Total Query Time”. Note that the specified time is entered in milliseconds.

For example, to verify the number of tags found in 5 seconds, enter 5000 on the field “Total Query Time” and press the “Start” button. The test will complete after 5 seconds and the output statistics will be updated every second.

Continuous Mode On this mode the reader will activate the RF when the “Start” button is pressed and will keep it that way until the “Stop” button is pressed. The output statistics will be updated every second.


Tag and reader performance data is provided in the “Performance Information” and “Tag Acquisition” sections of the Tag Management tab.

ii. Performance Information • Total Unique Tags: Number of unique tags found during the test. • Tag Read Count: Total number of tag reads, including the repeated ones, found by the reader. • Cumulative Rate: Cumulative read rate in tags/second during the test.

iii. Tag Acquisition Analysis This section provides the minimum, maximum and average number of times each tag was read. For example, assume 3 tags (T1, T2 and T3) are read 150, 60 and 270 times respectively. The output displayed would be:

• Minimum: 60 • Average: 160 • Maximum: 270


3.3 Event Handling The Event Handling tab is designed to allow the user to register for events and have those events displayed. The “Events” drop-down list self populates with all the available options for the connected reader and the “Registered Events” contains all the already registered events.

Events are displayed with the newest ones on the bottom and scrolled automatically as new events are added to the window. If necessary, this behavior can be changed unselecting the “Auto Scroll” checkbox.

a. Event Logging The Event Logging feature allows users to stream event data from the CTT to an external file. First click on the “Browse” button to select where to save the external file, after that press “Start”. As new events are added to the window they will also be added to the external file.

The user can stop the stream at any point by pressing the “Stop” button.

NOTE: The file is open in auto flush mode, which means that it will save to the disk as soon as it receives the event.

About Us STAR Systems International is a market leader providing solutions including RFID transponders, readers and professional consulting services for Auto ID & Vehicle Identification Applications. STAR Systems leverages technical implementation expertise, training and support to ensure customer success. “Your Success Is Our Vision”.

Our focus is providing best-in-class technologies for Smart City Initiatives including; Electronic Tolling (ETC), Electronic Vehicle Registration (EVR), Fleet Management, Parking and Secure Access Control applications. Our mission is to enable our partners and users to experience high-performance and reliable integrated solutions which are key elements of any modern Smart City initiative.

For more information on STAR Systems visit www.star-int.net.

Technical Support Visit the SSI website at www.star-int.net Download page to download our documents.

Visit the Star Systems University at www.star-int.net and click Tech Support > Star Systems University to review technical information or to request technical support for your RFID product.

CTT Quick Start Guide Version 1.3 Copyright © 2018 SSI reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice

2.1 Requirements 32.2 Installing CTT Software 33.1 Reader Discovery 63.2 Test Tools 7a. Text Stream Interface (TSI) 8b. Tag Management 9c. Tag Performance 10i. Test Parameters 10Timed Mode 10Continuous Mode 10ii. Performance Information 11iii. Tag Acquisition Analysis 113.3 Event Handling 12a. Event Logging 121. Overview2. Software Installation2.1 Requirements2.2 Installing CTT Software

3. Reader Operation with CTT3.1 Reader Discovery3.2 Test Toolsa. Text Stream Interface (TSI)b. Tag Managementc. Tag Performancei. Test ParametersTimed ModeContinuous Modeii. Performance Informationiii. Tag Acquisition Analysis3.3 Event Handlinga. Event Logging

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constellation test tool (ctt) · 2018. 7. 11. · 3.1 reader discovery when the ctt is launched, it...

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