Getting Started with Impinj Speedway Connect on-reader software

This article describes what to do when configuring Impinj Speedway Connect on-reader software including hardware setup and software installation. Impinj Speedway Connect is compatible with Impinj Speedway RAIN RFID readers (R120, R220, R420) and also with the Impinj xArray RAIN RFID gateway, Impinj xSpan RAIN RFID gateway, and Impinj xPortal RAIN RFID gateway.

Step 1) Start by setting up your Speedway reader or Impinj gateway hardware

Speedway (R120/22/420) and xPortal

xArray and xSpan

Attach antennas to the Speedway reader as desired. Take care not to cross thread the antenna cable. Connect the Speedway reader to a PC either directly or via router or switch using a standard Ethernet cable (no crossover required). (Optional) Connect USB host-to-device cable and/or RS-232 cable between Speedway reader and PC The flat USB Host end will connect to the PC. The “more square” USB device end will connect to the USB Device port on the Speedway reader. RS-232 pins are located on the Speedway reader’s 15 pin GPIO port. See the SpeedwayR Installation and Operations Guide for details on the GPIO port. Pin 2 – Receive Pin 3 – Transmit  Pin 7 - Ground  Connect power to the Speedway reader and wait for the Speedway reader to boot. (~90 sec). Use AC Adapter or PoE. Speedway reader's Ports

Connect the Impinj xSpan or Impinj xArray to a PC either directly or via router or switch using a standard Ethernet cable (no crossover required). (Optional) Connect USB host-to-device cable and/or RS-232 cable between the gateway and PC The flat USB Host end will connect to the PC. The “more square” USB device end will connect to the USB Device port on the Impinj gateway. Connect AC Adapter or PoE to the Impinj gateway and wait for it to boot. (~90 sec). xArray's Ports xSpan's Ports

 

Step 2) Load Impinj Speedway Connect on your Speedway reader or Impinj gateway

If you received Impinj Speedway Connect in a .upg file format, simply load it on the Speedway reader or Impinj gateway in the exact same way firmware is loaded. Please upgrade to the latest firmware version before installing. Firmware upgrade files are available from your Impinj authorized partner and are very easy to load using the Speedway reader's or the Impinj gateway's WebUI (http://speedwayr-xx-xx-xx, http://xarray-xx-xx-xx, http://xspan-xx-xx-xx, etc.).

When Impinj Speedway Connect is successfully installed, the Speedway reader's or the Impinj gateway's WebUI will display 'Application SW Version' information.

Follow the links to get more information on connecting to the Speedway reader and using the WebUI to upgrade firmware.

For more advanced installation/upgrade option for Impinj Speedway Connect, click here.

Step 3) Connect to the Speedway Connect Web UI

If the Speedway reader or Impinj gateway is connected via a router, point your PC web browser to:

Impinj Product	URL
Impinj Speedway reader	https://speedwayr-xx-xx-xx or https://<IP address>
Impinj xPortal gateway	https://speedwayr-xx-xx-xx or https://<IP address>
Impinj xArray gateway	https://xarray-xx-xx-xx or https://<IP address>
Impinj xSpan gateway	https://xspan-xx-xx-xx or https://<IP address>

Note 1: In the above table, "xx-xx-xx" are the last 6 characters of the MAC address of your device.

If the Speedway reader or Impinj gateway is connected directly to the PC, point your PC web browser to:

Impinj Product	URL
Impinj Speedway reader	https://speedwayr-xx-xx-xx.local or https://<IP address>
Impinj xPortal gateway	https://speedwayr-xx-xx-xx.local or https://<IP address>
Impinj xArray gateway	https://xarray-xx-xx-xx.local or https://<IP address>
Impinj xSpan gateway	https://xspan-xx-xx-xx.local or https://<IP address>

Note 2: In the above table, "xx-xx-xx" are the last 6 characters of the MAC address of your device.

Note 3: Web browsers supported are: Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.

1. As an example, if connecting to the Speedway reader with a MAC address of 00:16:25:10:54:F9 on the network, the URL to enter in your web browser would be: https://speedwayr-10-54-f9
   
   • Be sure to use the HTTPS (secure HTTP), not HTTP.
   •  A warning message may appear as shown below:
     
     (Exact message and continue option will vary depending on the web browser. In the above case, click "Advanced, then click Proceed...option)
2. Enter the user name and password. The default is:
   
   • Username: root
   • Password: impinj

Step 3) Configure the Speedway reader and/or Impinj gateway and start reading tags

Configure the Impinj Speedway Connect as desired.  Clicking the "Collapse All" link will allow you to see all sections you can configure.

Demo Mode or Use of License Key

Impinj Speedway Connect, downloadable from impinj.support.com is a fully functional "demo" version. This software will only run for 500 tag reports without a license key and then the program is disabled. To continue to use Impinj Speedway Connect in this mode, you can go to the Speedway Connect configuration page on the reader or gateway and click "Apply". This will provide an additional 500 tag reports (If this does not work, some versions of Speedway Connect require you to reboot the reader).

Once you are ready to use Impinj Speedway Connect (SKU IPJ-S4001) in an uninterrupted (non-demo) mode, you will need to purchase a Speedway Connect license from your authorized Impinj reseller or distributor. They will provide you with a license key (one key is required per Speedway reader). Each Speedway reader must have its own unique license key (which is based on the Speedway reader's serial number) loaded in the Speedway Connect configuration page.

The license key does not persist if a new version of Speedway Connect is installed so it is very important to save the license key in a safe place.

Enter the license key if available and click [Apply].  The license keys are loaded in the "Speedway Connect Administration" section of the Speedway Connect configuration page. If you need a license key for Impinj Speedway Connect 2.X, please purchase SKU IPJ-S4001. 

Speedway Connect Reader Settings

There are several configuration changes you can set for the reader inventory, location, and direction operation.  They can be found in the "Reader Settings" sections. Here is an example of what settings are available:

Please click on the question mark (?) next to each section heading to get details for each option. 

Speedway Connect Filtering

Both Gen2 and Software Tag Filtering options are available:

Software filtering filters out tag reports that occur within the Read Window while Gen2 Filtering will prevent tags from responding over the air.

Speedway Connect Output Data

Speedway Connect provides the ability to specify what type of data should be output.   JSON and Key-Value Pair formats are supported.  The Antenna Port, Timestamp, Peak RSSI, TID, User Memory, Truncated EPC, and Heartbeat messages can be included in the output. 

Speedway Connect Outputs

You can configure tag reports for outputting to up to five (5) output locations:

1. TCP/IP Socket
   • Default is 14150
2. HTTP Post
   • Including HTTP Proxy
3. USB Keyboard HID
   • Tag data will be typed in to the computer as though it came from a keyboard.
4. USB Drive
5. Serial Port 

Speedway Connect Applying Changes

After any changes are made, the Apply button must be clicked for the changes to take effect on the reader.  The Impinj Speedway Connect will start running after the [Apply] button is clicked. 

Once configured, the Speedway reader does not need to remain connected to the Ethernet network unless it is sending tag data out via a mechanism requiring it.

For additional help on Speedway Connect features, please click on the question mark icons along the right side of the Speedway Connect configuration page.