1. MUX4X1 2011. All rights reserved
Company name Generation RFID
Document version V4-20110214
Date January 2011
1 General description
The MUX4X1 is a 1 antenna input to 4 antenna output switch for UHF ISO18000-6C
compatible RFID readers. By means of this device a unique RF signal can be
selectivity switched to any of the 4 RF output lines. Only 1 antenna line will be active at
a time.
It is supplied from an external commercial AC to DC power rectifier.
The device has an embedded web server to help the user to configure the most
appropriated operating mode per each application.
Communication with the MUX4X1 is possible over the RS-232 or the Ethernet bus.
The active output antenna can be switched in 3 different ways:
− Direct control through a TTL opto-coupled input in the assigned GPIO pin.
− Fixed output through an Ethernet command or selecting it in internal webpage.
− Self polling through an Ethernet command or selecting in internal webpage.
It also has a power relay to control external visual feedback loads, i.e. indication lights
or sound alarms.
Versions mounted with RS232 connector can be also used as gateway with low cost
RFID readers using serial communication RS232 compatible communications.
Figure 1: Picture of the internal MUX4X1 electronics
Product Data Sheet Version V4-20110214 February 2011
page 1 of 15

2. MUX4X1 2011. All rights reserved
Company name Generation RFID
Document version V4-20110214
Date January 2011
2 Index
1 General description ............................................................................................ 1
2 Index .................................................................................................................... 2
3 Ordering information .......................................................................................... 3
4 Features ............................................................................................................... 3
5 Applications ........................................................................................................ 4
6 Block diagram ..................................................................................................... 4
7 Operating modes................................................................................................. 5
8 Module Pin-out .................................................................................................... 5
8.1 RF connectors ............................................................................................. 5
8.2 GPIO connector ........................................................................................... 5
8.3 Ethernet Connector ..................................................................................... 6
8.4 RS232 Connector ........................................................................................ 6
8.5 Power Supply connector............................................................................. 6
9 Configuration ...................................................................................................... 6
9.1 Direct control ............................................................................................... 6
9.2 Ethernet operating mode ............................................................................ 8
9.3 Self polling operating mode ....................................................................... 8
9.4 Ethernet general parameters ...................................................................... 9
10 Electrical Characteristics.............................................................................. 10
10.1 Absolute maximum Ratings ..................................................................... 10
10.2 Electrical Characteristics .......................................................................... 10
11 Hardware cost optimization .......................................................................... 11
12 Applications................................................................................................... 13
12.1 Stock Rupture Alarm Blackboard............................................................. 13
12.2 Operator activity control ........................................................................... 14
12.3 Patient location.......................................................................................... 14
12.4 Multiple dock-door RFID control .............................................................. 15
Product Data Sheet Version V4-20110214 February 2011
page 2 of 15

3. MUX4X12011. All rights reserved
Company name Generation RFID
Document version V4-20110214
Date January 2011
3 Ordering information
This part can be ordered in two different versions, hardware and software dependant.
The table below shows the components enabled per version.
Reference RF connectors RF input RF output Ethernet RS232
MUX4X1-E SMA 1 4 Yes No
MUX4X1-ES SMA 1 4 Yes Yes
Table 1: Ordering information
Customers can also request special embedded features, as for instance embedded
applications. For these cases, a special ordering code will be generated.
4 Features
− Operating frequencies
866 to 956MHz
− RF antenna signals
1 antenna signal input
4 antenna output signals
Low insertion losses
High isolation between ports
− Operating temperature:
-25 to 65ºC
− Power supply:
DC 4.5 - 13V
− Communication bus:
Ethernet
RS-232 (Version dependant)
− Digital input – outputs
4 digital TTL inputs for direct antenna activation
1 relay based output for external power load control
Product Data Sheet Version V4-20110214 February 2011
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4. MUX4X1
2011. All rights reserved
Company name Generation RFID
Document version V4-20110214
Date January 2011
5 Applications
− Supply chain management
− Pallet, case and item tracking
− Multiple dock-door RFID controls
− Stock rupture alarms for Hospitals or industrial companies
− Operator activity control
− Patient real time location in Hospitals
6 Block diagram
The building blocks of the MUX4X1 are highlighted in the block diagram below.
Figure 2: Block diagram
Product Data Sheet Version V4-20110214 February 2011
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5. MUX4X1 2011. All rights reserved
Company name Generation RFID
Document version V4-20110214
Date January 2011
7 Operating modes
The device has 3 different ways to bypass the input antenna signal to any of the 4
outputs. These are:
− Direct control: Direct control through a TTL signal
RF outputs directly controlled through an external TTL signal
− Ethernet: Fixed or polling output through Ethernet command
RF outputs switched through an Ethernet message
− Self-pooling: Fixed or self polling selected through internal webpage
RF outputs switch automatically with a predefined time sequence.
8 Module Pin-out
8.1 RF connectors
Pin Name Description
1 RFIN Input RF antenna signal. Connect in this pin the output of the
RFID reader antenna that wants to be switched.
2 RFOUT1 Output RF antenna signal 1. Connect this pin to an application
antenna.
3 RFOUT2 Output RF antenna signal 2. Connect this pin to an application
antenna.
4 RFOUT3 Output RF antenna signal 3. Connect this pin to an application
antenna.
5 RFOUT4 Output RF antenna signal 4. Connect this pin to an application
antenna.
8.2 GPIO connector
Pin Name Description
1 IN1 TTL compatible opto-coupled input. A low value will bypass the
antenna signal from the RFIN to the RFOUT4.
2 IN2 TTL compatible opto-coupled input. A low value will bypass the
antenna signal from the RFIN to the RFOUT3.
3 IN3 TTL compatible opto-coupled input. A low value will bypass the
antenna signal from the RFIN to the RFOUT2.
4 IN4 TTL compatible opto-coupled input. A low value will bypass the
Product Data Sheet Version V4-20110214 February 2011
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6. MUX4X1
2011. All rights reserved
Company name Generation RFID
Document version V4-20110214
Date January 2011
antenna signal from the RFIN to the RFOUT1.
5 VCOMM Input. Connect a high voltage level reference to enable the opto-
couplers inputs.
6 RELAY+ Connect this pin to the positive voltage when a load needs to be
activated.
7 RELAY- Connect this pin to the load positive terminal. Load negative
terminal must be connected to ground
8.3 Ethernet Connector
· Standard RJ45 connector
8.4 RS232 Connector
Pin Description
1 NC Not connected
2 Rx Receive signal
3 Tx Transmit signal
4 NC Not connected
5 GND Ground
6 NC Not connected
7 NC Not connected
8 NC Not connected
9 NC Not connected
8.5 Power Supply connector
Pin Description
1 VPOS Positive input voltage reference
2 GND Ground
9 Configuration
The device has three different operating modes that can be selected depending on the
application requirements. By means of the allowed operating modes, the antenna
parameters can be selected in different ways. This is the enabled antennas, the active
time per antenna and the switching characteristics (fixed or self-polling).
9.1 Direct control
Product Data Sheet Version V4-20110214 February 2011
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7. MUX4X1 2011. All rights reserved
Company name Generation RFID
Document version V4-20110214
Date January 2011
This is the default operating mode of the MUX4x1 device. In order to active any
antenna, the application must activate the associated GPIO pin. The antenna will follow
the pin status, as per the table below:
Pin Pin Pin Pin Antenna Antenna Antenna Antenna
IN1 IN2 IN3 IN4 1 2 3 4
1 0 0 0 RFIN - - -
0 1 0 0 - RFIN - -
0 0 1 0 - - RFIN -
0 0 0 1 - - - RFIN
Only 1 input PIN must be active. If more than 1 is active simultaneously, the active
antenna will not switch and only the last enables antenna will be active.
In order to change the default operating mode, the user must access the internal web
server. The MUX4x1 device can be easily configured via the internal web page. In
order to access this service, supply the device and connect it to the intranet through a
regular LAN cable. The go to the web address http://MUX4X1_n (where “n” is the
number of the PCB). The network requirement basically is to have DHCP enabled in a
server or a router.
The parameters that can be configured by the internal server are:
− Antenna enable: enables the antennas.
− Time (in seconds): Enter a value in seconds used to set the antenna
switching time. Once set, the antenna cycle is 1 – 2 – 3 – 4.
− Operating Mode: Used to select the required operating mode between
Fixed, Self polling and Ethernet.
The user can select two of the following operating modes:
- Self polling: This mode will configure the MUX4x1 according to the
application settings. Once running, the antennas will be sequentially
activated according to the user predefined settings.
- Ethernet: To change the active antenna, the user must send the
appropriated Ethernet messages.
In case of bad configuration setting (i.e. when a fixed IP address is chosen in other ip
mask address), the device controller will be reset to the default DHCP mode again by
pushing the erase button for more than 5 seconds.
Product Data Sheet Version V4-20110214 February 2011
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8. MUX4X1 2011. All rights reserved
Company name Generation RFID
Document version V4-20110214
Date January 2011
9.2 Ethernet operating mode
The commands that control the antennas are:
- “SET FIX n”: Select the antenna ‘n’.
- “SET TIME m”: Select the antenna interval in seconds.
- “SET ANTENNAS x”: Choose the number of antennas used
with this multiplexor (1..4). This options is only valid to use
with the self-polling mode.
Example: “SET FIX 2”. It selects the Antenna number 2. Answer “OK”
Example: “SET TIME 10”. It configures a 10 seconds interval. Answer “OK”
Example: ”SET ANTENNAS 3”. It configures 3 antennas. Answer “OK”
There are two ways to communicate with the multiplexor:
1. UDP Connection
To send a command to the device open a udp socket from the remote
application to the address http://ip_address:1234 or http://name:1234 .
The ip address will be the fixed ip selected in the Ethernet configuration panel
and/or the “name” by default will be MUX4X1.
In this mode there is no information about the antenna selected, the only
feedback from the MUX is “ERROR” or “OK”.
2. TCP/Telnet Connection
Is preferable to use a TCP connection with the MUX in order to maintain a link
between the host and the MUX and to know the antenna selected in any
moment.
To establish the connection open a Telnet session or normal TCP socket to port
23. http://ip_address:23
It will be received every time the antenna changes the state:
“ANT n”: Where ‘n’ is the antenna selected.
9.3 Self polling operating mode
Accessing the internal web server page also activates this mode. Once running, the
antennas will be sequentially activated according to the user-predefined settings.
The application PC will know the active antenna even in the self-polling stat, as the
MUX4x1 will send the active antenna diagnostics through Ethernet.
Product Data Sheet Version V4-20110214 February 2011
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9. MUX4X1 2011. All rights reserved
Company name Generation RFID
Document version V4-20110214
Date January 2011
The commands that will inform in regards of the active antenna will be:
− “SET FIX n”: Select the antenna ‘n’. (comanda per enable
9.4 Ethernet general parameters
To change the Ethernet configuration, modify the desired formulary fields:
− Name: NetBIOS name, it is the intranet name to access to the device
without knowing the ip address, http://name_n
− IP Address: DHCP or Fixed, select DHCP mode to automatically assign
and ip address in the intranet range.
− Gateway address: Automatically assigned in the DHCP mode.
− MAC Address: Fixed device address.
9.5 Ethernet to Serial Gateway
In order to control any external device via RS232 port, is possible to open a TCP
connection to the MUX device and any information that is sent to the MUX will be
redirected to the RS232 port and vice versa.
To do this, open a TCP connection with the MUX device to the port 2000.
http://ip_address:2000
The RS232 port will communicate at 19200bps.
Product Data Sheet Version V4-20110214 February 2011
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10. MUX4X1 2011. All rights reserved
Company name Generation RFID
Document version V4-20110214
Date January 2011
10 Electrical Characteristics
10.1 Absolute maximum Ratings
(operating free-air temperature range, unless otherwise noted)*
Input Voltage Range (see NOTE 1) .................................................. -0.3V to 13V
Maximum current to any I / O pin ................................................ 1A
ESD Rating, HBM (all pins except RFIN or RFOUT1, 2, 3 or 4) ......... ± 2KV
ESD Rating, HBM (pins RFIN and RFOUT1, 2, 3 or 4) ...................... ± 1KV
Storage Temperature Range ...................................................... -65ºC to +150ºC
NOTE1: All voltage values are with respect to ground (VGND).
* Stresses beyond those limits listed under “Absolute Maximum Ratings” will cause permanent damage to the device.
Exposure to absolute-maximum-rated conditions will affect the device reliability.
10.2 Electrical Characteristics
Parameter Comments Min Typ Max Units
RF connector
RFIN Input signal at 50 ohms 1 4 W
RFOUT Insertion loss EU @ 866 MHz 1,10 1,42 dB
Insertion loss USA @ 915 MHz 1,35 1,77 dB
Insertion loss ASIA @ 956 MHz 1,55 2,10 dB
Isolation @ 866 MHz 23,8 26,2 dB
Isolation @ 915 MHz 24,2 27,5 dB
Isolation @ 956 MHz 21,2 26,2 dB
(1)
tSWITCH Antenna switch time us
Supply
VPOS Supply voltage 4.5 5 13 V
ISUPPLY Current consumption 90 90 140 mA
GPIO Inputs
VCOMM High to enable VIN1, 2, 3 and 4. 2 12 15 V
IN1,2 ,3 ,4 VON: Input voltage for On GND 1 V
VOFF: Input voltage for Off VCOMM- VCOM V
0,5 M
ION: Input current if On 0.1 4 6 mA
IOFF: Input current if Off 10 15 uA
Serial Port
RS-232 baudrate 1200 9600 115200 bps
Relay pins
Current through pins 1,25 A
Voltage at the pins V
Voltage drop V
(1): Antenna switching time between two consecutive Ethernet messages.
Product Data Sheet Version V4-20110214 February 2011
page 10 of 15

11. MUX4X1 2011. All rights reserved
Company name Generation RFID
Document version V4-20110214
Date January 2011
11 Hardware cost optimization
The MUX4X1 can be used in ISO18000-6C compatible readers to reduce global
implementation costs, as indicated in the graphic below.
With the use of 4 MUX4X1 devices, the overall system can be controlled with a unique
4 port RFID ISO 18000-6C reader. With this architecture, the hardware implementation
costs can be reduced up to a 40%.
Figure 3: Installation example to drive 16 antennas with 4 UHF readers
Product Data Sheet Version V4-20110214 February 2011
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12. MUX4X12011. All rights reserved
Company name Generation RFID
Document version V4-20110214
Date January 2011
Figure 4: Installation example to drive 16 antennas with 1 UHF reader and 4 MUX4X1
Product Data Sheet Version V4-20110214 February 2011
page 12 of 15

13. MUX4X1 2011. All rights reserved
Company name Generation RFID
Document version V4-20110214
Date January 2011
12 Applications
12.1 Stock Rupture Alarm Blackboard
All industrial companies, private or public held, need to have a high degree of control
regarding the stock levels. A good control method is to tag each single product or
groups of the with a unique traceability number stored in a RFID label.
During the production process, products are consumed and probably the operator will
never pay enough attention to the remaining stock level. For this reason, the production
process may be stopped due to a stock rupture.
The Stock Rupture Alarm Blackboard is a RFID equipped blackboard with Ethernet
connection to the production system software. Once any product reaches a predefined
low limit, the operator will have to attach the product associated label to the
blackboard, and it will monitor periodically and automatically the RFID label activity. If a
new label is detected, it will automatically report an ordering code to the system for
more units to avoid the rupture of this material.
Figure 5. Example of Stock Rupture RFID Blackboard with MUX4X1
Product Data Sheet Version V4-20110214 February 2011
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14. MUX4X1 2011. All rights reserved
Company name Generation RFID
Document version V4-20110214
Date January 2011
12.2 Operator activity control
This application is specially indicated for industrial operations over intermediate
products that require specific processes done by human professionals. When the items
to process are tagged with RFID labels, each operator will have a reader antenna
under the working table. The reading software will read both operator and item unique
numbers in order to know which operator processes the item.
12.3 Patient location
As MUX4X1 will dramatically reduce Hardware costs of the implementation, an
antenna network can be set along a building floor. This way, complete traceability and
location of the tagged patients can be achieved at a very low cost. The diagram below
shows how with only 1 RFID reader and 4 x MUX4X1 can cover a big surface.
Figure 6. Example of Patient Location implementation with MUX4X1
Product Data Sheet Version V4-20110214 February 2011
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15. MUX4X1 2011. All rights reserved
Company name Generation RFID
Document version V4-20110214
Date January 2011
12.4 Multiple dock-door RFID control
Dock doors require 4 antennas to read the pallets tagged with RFID labels that are
loaded to the transportation trucks and thus 1 reader per door. If the design includes
the MUX4X1, only 1 reader will be necessary, as each door will be controller by a
dedicated MUX4X1, reducing dramatically the hardware costs for it.
Figure 6. Example of Dock-Door RFID control with MUX4X1
Product Data Sheet Version V4-20110214 February 2011
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