RFID Production performance Testing

RAIN Xplorer Inline is a Test Solution for High-Speed Quality Assurance and Encoding.

RFID Performance Testing During Production

The CISC RAIN Xplorer Inline is a unit for high-speed performance testing of RAIN RFID inlays and tags during the production process. It offers quality assurance during the production process from start to end. RAIN Xplorer Inline is available with a GUI but also allows full integration into assembly machines through serial interfaces, trigger lines, and API.

Encoding and Locking

The RFID Xplorer Inline system is designed to efficiently encode, test, and lock data on RFID labels in a single, streamlined process. This advanced capability ensures that each RFID label is accurately encoded with the correct data, rigorously tested for performance, and securely locked to prevent unauthorized alterations. By consolidating these steps, the system significantly boosts production efficiency, minimizes the risk of human error, and guarantees the reliability and security of every RFID label. This makes it an essential solution for managing high volumes of RFID labels with precision and confidence.

Key Benefits

More flexibility in creating an own performance matrix
Better analysis while saving time and cost
Testing for performance on multiple frequencies on a single RAIN RFID inlay tag at high speed
Improves overall quality of the product
Full quality assurance in production
Security, crypto support (SAM, TAM)

Key Features

800 MHz to 1 GHz
TX power range from -10 dBm to 28 dBm
Sensitivity up to -80 dBm
Read EPC, TID and memory
Encoding (Write memory)
Measure tag sensitivity over frequency
Test time starting at 6 ms per single read EPC test point
Linear test time scaling, e.g. 30 ms for 5 read EPC test points
100k UPH testing for 5 power/frequency pairs on EPC and reporting TID
GPIO for external trigger
Serial interface for communication

RAIN Xplorer Inline is a tag performance test tool that additionally allows encoding of RAIN RFID tags and labels. The device is setup that it supports up to 100k UPH for testing the essential points of the tags resonance behaviour, which means 5 power/frequency pairs on EPC and reporting EPC and TID of each tag additional to the pass/fail result. The device consists of 2 elements, the RAIN Xplorer Inline itself and a test antenna. A Secure Access Module, the MIFARE SAM AV3, is provided optionally.

Both inductive and capacitive test antennas with multiple flexible shielding options are provided to meet UHF RFID production testing requirements for any kind of RAIN tags and labels.

The performance test support mode supports reference tag measurements to easily extract performance criteria for the tags. These parameters are then used to define criteria for the high volume quality assurance testing.

SOFTWARE Maintenance Service

Maintenance means the provisioning of regular Updates for the software of the Product. CISC Semiconductor provides Updates on a schedule of approx. six (6) months (typically two times in a year). These updates don’t add completely new features but focus on maintaining top performance, ensuring compatibility, provide continuous improvements in functionality of the Product, continuous usability enhancements and necessary security updates. Updates are made available online under www.cisc.at/support for the Licensee’s Technical Contact(s). Note: Upgrades are not part of the Maintenance.

Cost: Maintenance is optional. It is provided in the form of Updates of the software for the Product purchased by the Licensee. Maintenance must be purchased by Licensee in advance for an annual extension of 20% of the current license price of the at the date of order. Extensions of Maintenance may also be purchased for more than one year.
For every purchase of the product Maintenance is included for the first twelve (12) months after purchase (shipment date) for free.

Customer benefits per release

Year 2025

Release: Build_251114

Encoding and testing are now much faster, reducing production time significantly.
The system adjusts automatically to the actual web speed, giving smoother operation and fewer read failures.
The tester now works reliably even on very fast production lines (up to 200 m/min).
High-speed encoder input ensures accurate testing at high web speeds.
Results can now be sent directly to printers, databases, or other devices through WebSocket communication.
Network setup is easier because the subnet mask can be changed directly in the software.
A new encoding screen with ready-made setups makes configuration quicker and simpler.
Automatic calibration tools help ensure accurate antenna and fail-marker settings.
The machine speed is shown in real time, giving operators better control.
Different lanes can use different frequencies, reducing interference and cross-talk.
The risk of duplicated encodings is lower, making production safer.
Previous settings load more reliably when the software starts.
The interface is easier to use thanks to several usability and design improvements.
The API now supports higher speeds and includes small enhancements for smoother integration.

Release: Build_250515

The device can now be connected with a normal internet (Ethernet) cable.
It can be updated directly, without using any extra cable.
It writes the needed data faster.
It can write all required data in one single step.
It can send information directly to the printer.
You can choose when exactly the device should send its “signal.”
There are new, simple options for this signal.
The device now avoids reading the same tag more than once in a row.
The program now installs to a new default location.

Release: Build_250331

The API can now communicate over Ethernet with the RAIN Xplorer Inline V5.0, making integration easier.
A new function converts power settings automatically, reducing manual work and avoiding mistakes.

Year 2024

Release: Build_240731

The device now has an encoding feature that you can turn on or off, depending on what you need.
You can also create data that increases step-by-step (incremental data) by choosing where it should start and where it should be written.

Release: Build_240201

The test process is now faster.

Year 2023

Release: Build_230430

New simple control functions were added to the CIU (Controllable Interface Unit).
There are now more easy-to-use options for sending and receiving signals.
The UART connection now uses a faster default speed (115.2 kbit/s).

Year 2022

Release: Build_220331

The device can now work without a license dongle, because the license is saved directly on it.
You can control up to four devices using one simple interface (GUI or API).
The device can also be controlled through UART using the GPIO pins.

Year 2021

Release: Build_211109

You can now set an optional lower limit to decide if a test passes or fails.
The device now shows the PC and XPC bits of the tested tags.
New simple test steps were added for quality checks.
Support added for Rev1 of TAM2 together with SAM AV3.
The device can now measure power over a wider range.
It can save its calibration values directly on the device.
The antenna tuning process is now better and more accurate.

Main Feature Overview

Year 2025

Release: Build_251114

General

Faster encoding and testing performance by enabling the FM0 640 kHz back link speed. Times
were significantly reduced. For example, 96-bit encode & lock EPC:
- M730: 24 ms (before 32 ms) 25% faster
- UCODE 9: 13 ms (before 19 ms) 32% faster

Refer to the datasheet [1] for test times and check the Speed calculator to estimate the
achievable production speed.

Increased web movement resolution and latency compensation.
- The CISC Controllable interface Unit (CIU) automatically adjusts the trigger for test
  and encoding based on the actual speed.
- Provide smoother operation and less read fails.
Ready for very fast production lines (up to 200 m/min)
- The software now supports high-speed encoder input, ensuring stable and accurate
  testing even at high web speeds.
WebSocket communication for data exchange with 3rd party devices, such as printers and databases.
- The WebSocket server integrated in the RAIN Xplorer Inline allows for sending results over the network in the form of Json files to any device running a WebSocket client.
Simplified network setup
- Users can now configure the subnet mask directly from the software, making Ethernet-based setup of the CISC RAIN Xplorer Inline easier.

GUI

New Encoding Interface with predefined setups for common schemes (i.e. SGTIN-96, SSCC-96, ISO Encoding Family 0xAE)
New Measurement Utility for automatic calibration of antenna and fail marker offset
Real-time machine speed display
Option to set different frequencies for multi-lane systems to avoid cross-talks
Reduced risk for duplicate encodings for safer production
Improved loading of previous settings at software start-up
Various usability improvements, bug fixes and design updates

API

Added support for faster speed settings
Minor improvements and bug fixes

Release: Build_250515

General

Support of Ethernet communication with RAIN Xplorer Inline V5.0
Update CIU FW with RAIN Xplorer Inline – Service Cable is no longer required
Faster Encoding through BlockWrite command
Encode EPC and Access Password in one step
Send out data over TCP queue to printer
Option to define CIU Result pulse offset as offset from trigger
Support of additional result pulse handling
Prevent multiple triggers for the same tag by filtering events closer than the specified pitch
delay
Change of the default installation directory

GUI

Minor updates and improvements

API

New function for power setting conversion

Release: Build_250331

API

Support of Ethernet communication with RAIN Xplorer Inline V5.0
Power setting conversion function included

Year 2024

Release: Build_240731

General

Encoding feature including optional
Encode incremental data by defining start data, memory bank and address

GUI

Minor improvements

API

Read TID
Access Tag by Password
Lock tag memory

Release: Build_240201

General

Test speed improvement

GUI

Major GUI Redesign
- New result display
- Expert and non-expert view
- Introduction of simple settings for lane and test configuration
Support of Windows 11
Fine-adjustment of CIU parameters

Year 2023

Release: Build_230430

General

Controllable Interface Unit functionalities added
Introduced various signaling interface controls
Update of UART Control to use 115.2 kbit/s as default baud rate

GUI

Update to 64-bit application
Writing different data to tags during quality assurance tests taken from a text file
Report includes information on the failing test points in case multiple test points are defined
Minor bug fixes and improvements

API

Introduced 64-bit DLL in addition to 32-bit version
Writing different data to tags using data buffer in RAIN Xplorer Inline unit
Report RSSI Log value for all test points
Report Pass/Fail result for all test points
Minor bug fixes and improvements

Year 2022

Release: Build_220331

General

License dongle free operation by saving license information on device.
Controlling of up to four devices with single GUI or API.
Controlling of device via UART over GPIO connector pins.

GUI

Control of up to four devices with single GUI.
Display of pass / fail distribution for all connected devices separately for quality assurance
tests.
Improved GUI update speed.
Measurement report including device name.
License dongle free operation, if licenses are stored on device.
Minor improvements and bug fixes.

API

Added Reel2Reel Tester movement example.
Added example for multiple Xplorer Inline control.
Added functions for handling multiple Xplorer Inline devices.
Additional *.dll for license dongle free operation, if licenses are stored on device.
Minor improvements.

Year 2021

Release: Build_211109

General

Added optional lower limit for pass/fail decision in quality assurance test.
Report PC and XPC bits of tested tags.
New command sequences for quality assurance test added:
- Query
- Query + Single EPC read
- Query + Single TID read
- Fast EPC + Single memory read
Support Rev1 for TAM2 in combination with SAM AV3.
Extend power measurement range.
Store calibration values on device.
Improved antenna tuning algorithm.

GUI

Display power measurement range in frequency sweep graph.
Display current limit settings from quality assurance in frequency sweep graph.
Calculation of standard deviation and average of frequency sweep results.
Get limits for quality assurance test from frequency sweep results out of standard deviation,
average or minimum and maximum values.
Antenna tuning performed at start of application for improved sensitivity of device.
Minor improvements and bug fixes.