Serial Command Format

Microscan readers are controlled by two types of serial commands: configuration commands and utility commands.

Rules that apply to both configuration and utility commands

• Less than `<` and greater than `>' angle bracket characters enclose the commands.

• Commands and data are case sensitive. Characters must be entered as upper or lower case, as specified.

Serial Utility Commands

Serial Utility Commands are sent during operations and are not followed by <A> or <Z>.

Serial Configuration Commands (K Commands)

Microscan's serial configuration commands begin with a single "K" character followed by a 3-digit numeric character, comma-separated command fields, and an initializing command, as follows:

<Knumeric character,data,data,...etc.><initializing command>

An initializing command <Z> or <A> may follow the command.

• <Z> initializes the imager's memory and saves for power-on.

• <A> initializes the imager's memory but does not save for power-on.

For example, to enable UPC and save the change for power-on, send <K473,1><Z>.

To change Baud Rate and reset without saving changes for power-on, send <K100,3><A>.

Serial Configuration Command Conventions

• All command fields (except the last) must be followed by a comma (without a space).

• NULL cannot be used. The characters <, >, and , can be used, but only if entered as hex pairs.

• All fields preceding a modified field must be included.

• If there is no change in preceding fields, then commas alone can be entered in these fields. For example, if only the last field in the following command is changing, <K100,4,1,0,0> can be entered as <K100,,,,0>.

• All fields following a modified field can be omitted. For example, to change Baud Rate only, send <K100,3>.

Concatenating Configuration Commands

Commands can be concatenated (added together) in a single string. For example, <K145,1><K220,1><K450,1><A> enables LRC, sets End of Read Cycle mode to New Trigger, enables Narrow Quiet Zone, and resets the data buffers without saving the changes for power-on.

Serial Command Status Request

To ensure that any command was received and accepted, send the Show Reader Status command: <?>.

The status of a specific serial command can be requested by entering the command followed by a question mark. For example, send <K142?> to request the status of Postamble.

Entering Control Characters in Serial Commands

To enter control characters within a serial command, hold down the Ctrl key while typing the desired character.

Example: To enter a carriage return and line feed (^M^J), enter <K141,1,CNTL-m CNTL-j>