FarmIT 3000 - Guide to EID Panel Readers.
EID Static Panel readers differ from hand held readers in that they are normally
static, bolted to a weigh crate etc. They also only read the EID and transmit the
EID via a communications port (RS232 or RS485) or bluetooth signal to another device. This device maybe a
weigh head such as a TruTest XR5000, EW7i, XR3000, SR3000 or JR3000 or a computer, andriod tablet , laptop or phone etc.
Static EID reader modules do not normally store the information.
The main advantage of using an EID reader fitted to the weigh crate is that it
identifies the animal automatically and enables the collection of the data
without reducing the number of free hands you have. With a handheld reader we would expect a through
put of 100 to 200 an hour, (lots of button pressing). With an automated weigh
crate we would expect to acheive a through-put of 400 an hour (when weighing
sheep).
Although you may choose to use a hand held reader, they have practical problems
specifically when used in a weigh crate when trying to read an ear tag on a ewe
with her head down. Something they tend to do as you prod something at their
head.
Agrident Statics Reader Panels
The plastic panel encapsulates the wire antenna.
Panels and Loops of Wire
The term 'panel' refers to the EID antenna (or antenna's) which being a series
of wire loops are often moulded into a plastic panel. There is nothing
particularly complicated about the antenna, but it has to be designed to meet
the specific electrical characteristics of the EID reader.
Agrident Statics Reader Panels, APA203
The plastic panel encapsulates the wire antenna.
The main problem is that it is often difficult to fit a premanufactured panel to
a weigh crate, due to size or design of the weigh crate. A Prattley three-way
drafting weigh crate for example has doors on both sides, which of course we
still want to work after we have fitted a EID reader to. This sometimes requires
the design and manufacture of antenna to do the specific job.
Manufactured panels are also quite expensive as the plastic panel is expensive to
manufacturer. The actual wire cost is minimal. The plastic panal provides only
physical support, keeping the loop in shape and providing fixing points.
An EID antenna is not however a complicated affair, but a simple loop of wire, the trouble is that in order to work the size of the loop, the thickness of the wire and the number of turns in the loop
have to be calculated to match the reader module. As different manufactures use
different calculations antennas are not interchangable.
Get the calculations wrong and your antenna simply won't work and may even damage
your reader module.
The FarmIT 3000 weigh crate takes things a step further by being designed
with EID from the start and features an EID antenna which is 'BUILT IN' to the
aluminium frame of the crate. The frame is specially constructed to not
electrically interfer with the operation of the antenna and maximise read range.
Read more about the crate here!.
FarmIT Sheep Weigh Crate with built in antenna
Designed for the AgridentASR550 the antenna is built into the aluminium frame.
The basic panel system would therefore look as follows...
A basic system
The eid reader sending the EID to the weigh head.
The better readers are of course configurable, particularly in terms of how
they send the EID. For example in ASCII format, number of characters 15, 16 etc,
some will only transmitt the EID once others will continue to read and send the
EID.
They also provide a means of auto tuning. Being based on radio technology just like
your transistor radio needs to tune into a specific radio station, the EID reader
and its antenna are tuned to the specific environment and inductance. Unfortunately
large pieces of metal effect the tune of the antenna. Most panel readers therefore provide a means of adjusting the tune, for
example the Agrident ASR550 has a auto tuning button, so all you have to do is press
the button for the unit to automatically adjust its tuning for optimum reading within
its surroundings.
So what is best?
So what would we recommend? The Agrident ASR550 with a custom built antenna designed
specifically for the crate, is in my mind hard to beat. When used in conjunction
with a TruTest XR3000 and a set of weigh bars, you have a exceptionally robust and
versatile system, allowing you not only to weigh but even auto draft (with the appropriate
crate).
It is even possible to fit this equipment to an existing weigh crate,
for example if you already have a electronic weigh crate, then don't think you can't retro fit EID to it.
Performance
In terms of performance panel readers provide an automatic read of the eid, unlike a hand held reader they are suited to automated
weighing systems. Although you can easily use a hand held reader for collecting weigh data, you
may feel you need something quicker or even fully automated. This is where panel
readers and Tru-Test weigh heads like the XR5000's come into their own. For example using an
XR5000 and a Prattley 3 way drafter it is possible to weigh and draft with ease,
even with an operater remotely controlling the entry gate.
Read range of tags depends on the power of the reader, the size of the
electronic antenna and the antenna in the tag and the tuning of the antenna to
the reader module. Lots of ferrous metal close to the antenna can effect read
range ( i.e steel).
Typical read range however would be 500 - 600 mm. Most panel readers will
acheive this when not mounted to a weigh crate, however this is often reduced by
the effects of the steel in the weigh crate. This is the fundamental reason why
aluminium weighcrates perform slightly better.
The other consideration is the physical mounting of the antenna. The antenna,
when correctly tuned will read tags within 500 - 600 mm. This is on both sides
of the antenna and both end. Care needs to be taken to ensure you are reading
the tag of the sheep in the weigh crate and not the tag of a sheep who is the
next inline, or one that has simply wandered back, not to forget the tag that is
in your pocket!. Ideally we would recommend mounting as close to the head end of
the crate as possible. So to maximise the chance of reading the tag when the
animal is stood still.
Limitations
Most static EID reader modules do not store or collect data themselves in the way
of a hand held reader. The electronic tag is simply read and 'squirted' out down
its serial cable for processing by the weigh head or computer, so you need the
other device to be able to collect the data, for example get the Tag number and
weight.
Like all EID reader they only read the electronic number of a EID tag, it may
be obvious but needs saying just in case. They do not 'know' a sheep is in the
race or weigh crate. Although they need very little time to read a electronic
tag, they are unlikely to read all the tags if 100 sheep are simply ran past
the panel.
Cost
This is of course not a cheap solution. The are many EID readers on the market
and many suppliers. Most suppliers are happy to supply a reader but tend to lack
experience of making them work on farm.
The EID panel reader and its antenna are
going to cost you in the region of £700 to £1000. The weigh-head up to maybe £1200, although a laptop may
be found for under £150. Weigh bars may add as much as another £650. Adding this
all up and your definitely the other side of £2000 - £3000. However if you are
weighing and drafting animals regularly this is the solution!