BLUEBOX CX UHF LONG RANGE DUAL CHANNEL version 1.81 Release Notes
Copyright (C) 2019-2023 Kronotech Srl

This release contains the following components:

* BLUEBOXUHF 1.81R.bin
* BLUEBOXVCP.inf 2.0.0.0
* ReleaseNotes.txt (this file)

Release Date
------------

    BLUEBOX CX UHF LONG RANGE DUAL CHANNEL version 1.81 - 12/12/23.
    
Warning
-------

    Do not downgrade from version x.19 or higher to version x.18 or lower.
    
    Upgrade to x.28 sets the EPC C1G2 #2 configuration (page 0x82) to default
    settings.
    
    Upgrade to x.49 sets the Remote Server configuration (page 0x81) to default
    settings.

Revision History
----------------

    Version 1.81 - 12/12/23
    
        Corrections
        -----------
        Bug: UHF RFID chip HW CRC check bug in EPC Gen2 read operations
        Fix: added FW CRC check in EPC Gen2 read operations

    Version 1.72 - 08/01/21
    
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed the continuous mode trigger by inputs management in case of 
        inverted logic.

    Version 1.71 - 04/12/20
    
        New features / Enhancements
        ---------------------------
        Improvements in the RS485 serial interface management.
    
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in dynamic power configuration parameters write.
        
        Fixed network stall condition which sometimes happens during TCP 
        communication.

    Version 1.70 - 02/07/20
    
        New features / Enhancements
        ---------------------------
        Added the STX + dual char string format setup selection (STX + dual 
        char string, STX + dual char string + CR, STX + dual char string + CRLF) 
        in spontaneous message configuration parameters.
        
        Added the STX + ASCII format setup selection (STX + ASCII string, 
        STX + ASCII string + CR, STX + ASCII string + CRLF) in spontaneous 
        message configuration parameters.
        
        Added the message encoding selection (Standard, Decimal) in spontaneous
        message configuration parameters.
    
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in Wiegand interface startup bus levels and message timings.

    Version 1.69 - 17/09/19
    
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in spontaneous message on Ethernet (client mode) interface 
        and BlueBox protocol when the packet checksum is NUL char.

    Version 1.68 - 09/09/19
    
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in initialization procedure in case of memory error or not
        initialized.

    Version 1.67 - 06/08/19
    
        New features / Enhancements
        ---------------------------
        Added commands to read and write configuration parameters in RAM or ROM.
        
        Added the custom RF region setting for test purposes.
        
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed the RF tuning network initialization and management.
        
        Decrease the RF input sensitivity during RF tuning.
        
        Fixed the tag read count info overflow condition.
        
        Fixed the RF region change in RF configuration parameters. Do not allow
        to set wrong RF regions except of the custom RF region for test purposes.

    Version 1.66 - 27/06/19
    
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in SAE J1939 TP.BAM packets timing management.
        
        Fixed bug in Magnus S3 read temperature code command execution.
        
        Fixed bug in communication protocol error detection.

    Version 1.64 - 20/05/19
    
        New features / Enhancements
        ---------------------------
        Added a different device startup beep (3 short beeps) in case of device 
        error.
    
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed SAE J1939 function number. Now it is 56 = Communication Unit, Radio.
        
        Fixed bug in SAE J1939 protocol management with high busload to prevent
        CAN bus packets loss.

    Version 1.63 - 29/03/19
    
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed message length check in BLUEBOX message in SAE J1939 protocol.

    Version 1.62 - 25/02/19
    
        New features / Enhancements
        ---------------------------
        Changed the input extended time management in gate mode. Now filters all
        the input changes until the end of the extension time.
    
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed 1st/last RSSI info management.
        
        Fixed max RSSI info management.
        
        Fixed antenna info management.
        
        Fixed timestamp info management.
        
        Fixed tag read count info management.

    Version 1.61 - 05/02/19
    
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in data request with antenna info deactivated and multiple
        antennas activated (multiple tags with same code in reply).

    Version 1.60 - 01/02/19
    
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in write RF #1 configuration parameters command.

    Version 1.59 - 30/01/19
    
        New features / Enhancements
        ---------------------------
        Added Brazil RF region support.
        
        Corrections
        -----------
        Corrected manufacturer name in USB device descriptor.
        
        Fixed the RF region change (and RF channel change in case of RF region
        change) behavior (it becomes effective only after a reset of the device).

    Version 1.58 - 11/01/19
    
        New features / Enhancements
        ---------------------------
        Added the max RSSI info in buffer data request. It must be activated 
        through the get max RSSI info activation flag in RF configuration.
    
        Corrections
        -----------
        New company name and copyright info.

    Version 1.57 - 20/12/18
    
        New features / Enhancements
        ---------------------------
        Added the ASCII format setup selection (ASCII string, ASCII string
        + CR, ASCII string + CRLF) in spontaneous message configuration
        parameters.
        
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed reply to inventory ISO 18000-6C tags in case of no tag present.
        
        Fixed RF section standby management to reduce power consumption.
        
        Reduced the device reboot time.
        
        Reduced the device firmware upgrade start time.
        
        Fixed the output 1 continuous auto activation with tag presence behavior.

    Version 1.56 - 22/10/18
    
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in serial RS485 communication.

    Version 1.55 - 19/10/18
    
        New features / Enhancements
        ---------------------------
        Added the tag read count info in buffer data. It must be activated 
        through the get tag read count info activation flag in RF configuration.
        
        Added the spontaneous message format setup (BlueBox protocol rules, 
        dual char to byte, dual char to byte + CR, dual char to byte + CRLF) 
        through spontaneous message configuration parameters.
        
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in RSSI and timestamp management buffer data (first seen, 
        last seen), queue data (first seen), records (first seen), and 
        spontaneous message (first seen) with all antennas activated antenna
        info activated.
        
        Fixed bug in device address management in the BLUEBOX protocol command.

    Version 1.54 - 09/10/18
    
        New features / Enhancements
        ---------------------------
        Added the AFI (Application Family Identifier) management. It must be 
        activated through the EPC C1G2 (Class-1 Generation-2) configuration.

        Added the RSSI info in buffer data (first seen, last seen), queue data 
        (first seen), records (first seen), and spontaneous message (first seen).
        It must be activated through the get RSSI info activation flag in RF
        configuration.
    
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in device address management in the BLUEBOX protocol command 
        in USB CDC communication interface.
        
        Fixed bug in inventory ISO 18000-6C tags command with antenna info
        activated.
        
        Fixed bug in firmware upgrade (added FLASH erase during first firmware
        data block download) with SAE J1939 protocol interface.     
        
        Fixed bug in timestamp management.

    Version 1.53 - 04/07/18
    
        Corrections
        -----------
        Moved the reset parameters to default configuration emergency procedure
        after the memory initialization and before all other initializations.
        
        Moved the communication interfaces initialization after all other
        initializations.
        
        Fixed bug in initialization procedure to avoid TCP connection during
        boot up.

    Version 1.52 - 15/06/18
    
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in initialization procedure in case of memory error or not
        initialized.

    Version 1.51 - 01/06/18
    
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in initialization procedure in case of memory error or not
        initialized.

    Version 1.50 - 30/05/18
    
        New features / Enhancements
        ---------------------------
        Added a configurable HTTP responses timeout, same as opening connection
        timeout but limited to 60 seconds.
        
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in auto connection to a TCP server to read stored records
        through HTTP POST messages with long opening connection timeouts.
        
        Added the Host header in HTTP POST messages same as the IP address
        of the BlueBox. Required by HTTP 1.1 version.
        
        Fixed the yellow and red LEDs behavior in emergency set default
        parameters procedure.

    Version 1.49 - 29/05/18
    
        New features / Enhancements
        ---------------------------
        Added the possibility to send the spontaneous message to a TCP server
        through HTTP POST messages configurable via software. See the user
        manual for details.
        
        Added the start/end continuous read records commands. See the protocol
        manual for details.
        
        Added the possibility to start an auto connection to a TCP server to 
        read stored records with BlueBox communication protocol or through HTTP 
        POST messages configurable via software. See the user manual for details.
        
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in firmware upgrade procedure.

    Version 1.47 - 18/03/18
    
        New features / Enhancements
        ---------------------------
        Improved the memory initialization and check during startup.
        
        Increased the RF input sensitivity to the maximum value during the RF
        antenna auto-tune.
        
        Added the RF antenna tuning configuration management.
        
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed the startup RF antenna auto-tuning procedure and the RF antenna
        auto-tuning command.
        
        Fixed the RF ON command behavior with continuous mode off.
        
        Fixed bug in RS485 TX/RX timings management.
        
        Fixed bug in auto TID read procedure in continuous mode when enabled.
        
        Minor bug fixes.

    Version 1.44 - 15/01/18
    
        New features / Enhancements
        ---------------------------
        Added the configurable timestamp management in buffer, queue and 
        records.
        
        Added the record database management in non volatile memory.
        
        Added the Impinj Monza 4QT QT command management (read and write).
        
        Added the RFMicron Magnus S2 and S3 read sensor code command.
        
        Added the RFMicron Magnus S2 and S3 read on-chip RSSI command.
        
        Added the RFMicron Magnus S3 read temperature code command.
        
        Added the RF input sensitivity test command.
        
        Added the read RSSI command for RF field monitoring.
        
        Added the runtime error status check and signaling.
        
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in the TCP connections open/close management in case of
        connection errors.
        
        Fixed bug in the TCP connections management in case of ethernet
        packet flooding (milions of packets per second).

    Version 1.43 - 20/11/17
    
        New features / Enhancements
        ---------------------------
        Improved the system initialization procedure.
    
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in RS485 TX/RX timings management.
        
        Fixed bug in continuous mode triggered by inputs when both input 1 and
        2 are used.
        
        Fixed bug in internal error status management and access in multiple
        tasks.

    Version 1.42 - 28/09/17
    
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in dual target search mode management.
        
        Fixed bug in runtime auto-tuning per RF channel per RF antenna.
        
        Fixed bug in RF minimum pause time management per RF channel per RF
        antenna.

    Version 1.41 - 12/07/17
    
        New features / Enhancements
        ---------------------------
        Improved the read check after write feature in write ISO 18000-6C.
        
        Added the spontaneous message on CAN bus with SAE J1939 protocol 
        management as broadcast message with Proprietary B PGN.
        
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed the SAE J1939 message DLC in case of Proprietary A and B PGNs 
        with message length < 9 bytes.

    Version 1.40 - 12/05/17
    
        New features / Enhancements
        --------------------------- 
        Added the CAN bus management with configurable address and baudrate
        through parameters stored in EEPROM and SAE J1939 protocol support.
        
        Improved the RF auto-tunning network initialization procedure.
        
        Imrpoved the RF power amplifier management.
        
        Improved the read check after write feature in write ISO 18000-6C.
        
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in serial data transmission.
        
        Fixed bug in communication management in spontaneous mode.
        
        Fixed tag timing management as defined in EPC Class-1 Generation-2 
        standard specification.
        
        Fixed internal settings as defined in EPC Class-1 Generation-2 
        standard specification.

    Version 1.39 - 22/02/17
    
        New features / Enhancements
        --------------------------- 
        Added the XPC_W1 support.
        
        Increased the max ID (PC+EPC+CRC+ReadAfterDetect) to 82 bytes.
        
        Added the 640kHz link frequency with Miller-4 and Miller-8 modulation
        support T->R communication as defined in EPC Class-1 Generation-2
        standard specification.
        
        Forced the Dual Target A <-> B with session S0 and fast mode in
        inventory ISO 18000-6C command.
        
        Forced the Dual Target A <-> B with session S0 and standard mode in
        access ISO 18000-6C commands.
        
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in checksum calculation in data request and inventory ISO
        18000-6C command replies.
        
        Fixed bug in tag RSSI calculation in inventory ISO 18000-6C command.
        
        Fixed bug in dequeue procedure (queue request + ack) when using more 
        than one communication interface at the same time.
        
        Fixed the system slowdown in case of no ethernet link and connection.
        
        Fixed tag management and system configuration as defined in EPC Class-1
        Generation-2 standard specification.

    Version 1.33 - 25/11/16
    
        New features / Enhancements
        --------------------------- 
        Added the Search Mode selection (Dual Target A <-> B, Single Target A) 
        configurable through protocol commands in EPC C1G2 configuration
        to use in continuous mode.
        
    Version 1.32 - 22/11/16
    
        New features / Enhancements
        --------------------------- 
        Added the RF chip standby mode activation/deactivation configurable 
        through protocol commands in RF UHF #2 configuration.
        
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in write ISO 18000-6C command (EPC Class-1 Generation-2).
        The reader stalls due to a tag error condition with tag present.
        
        Fixed bug in RF OFF command with continuous mode and continuous mode
        triggerd by input disabled.
        
        Fixed bug in continuous mode suspend/resume procedure (occurs during
        RF commands execution).
        
        Fixed bug in EPC Class-1 Generation-2 session paraneter change with
        command.        

    Version 1.28 - 16/09/16
    
        New features / Enhancements
        --------------------------- 
        Added the spontaneous message through Wiegand interface configurable
        through protocol commands.
        
        Added the spontaneous message (serial, Ethernet, Wiegand) configuration
        management.
        
        Added the RF power test to test the minimum power needed to read a tag
        in single tag mode.
        
        Added Q selection algorithm, Q initial, Q final, Q adjust rounds and
        inventory cycles parameters in EPC C1G2 configuration.
    
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in tag's access operations with fast inventory mode selected.

    Version 1.27 - 27/05/16
    
        New features / Enhancements
        --------------------------- 
        Added the relay 1 activation time with automatic relay 1 activation on
        tag present enabled.
    
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in input debounce management.
        
        Fixed some minor bugs in continuous mode trigger by inputs management.

    Version 1.26 - 16/05/16
    
        New features / Enhancements
        --------------------------- 
        Added the input bounce management and the gate mode with gate crossing
        time.
    
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in TCP socket initialization and data management on new
        connections.

    Version 1.25 - 03/05/16
    
        New features / Enhancements
        --------------------------- 
        Added some custom features.
    
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in ReadAfterDetect management when reserved or user memory
        bank is selected and block length is set to zero.

    Version 1.24 - 10/02/16
    
        New features / Enhancements
        --------------------------- 
        Improved the watchdog usage.
    
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in firmware upgrade procedure.

    Version 1.23 - 05/02/16
    
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in inventory/program/read/write/lock/kill ISO 18000-6C (EPC 
        Class-1 Generation-2) commands when a single RF channel is selected
        and only one antenna is activated.
        
        Fixed bug in inventory command in high noise environments.

    Version 1.22 - 25/01/16
    
        New features / Enhancements
        ---------------------------
        Added the tag's ID CRC-16 check to validate the just read tag's ID.
        
        Added some custom features.

    Version 1.21 - 27/10/15
    
        New features / Enhancements
        ---------------------------
        Added the EPC C1G2 2 Configuration page in EEPROM with ReadAfterDetect
        configuration settings.
        
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in Ethernet communication.
        
        Fixed bug in input read status command.
        
    Version 1.20 - 15/09/15
    
        New features / Enhancements
        ---------------------------
        Some minor improvements.
        
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in serial communication.

    Version 1.19 - 24/06/15
    
        New features / Enhancements
        ---------------------------
        Improved the read/write/lock/kill ISO 18000-6C tags operations.
        
        Added a read-after-write ISO 18000-6C tags in write ISO 18000-6C
        command.
        
        Added the RF 2 Configuration page in EEPROM with sensitivity parameter
        settable in the range -49 ... -85dBm.
        
        Added parameters redundancy in EEPROM (3 copies).
        
        Improved the watchdog usage.
        
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in inventory + TID info inventory mode.
        
        Fixed bug in inventory ISO 18000-6C command with antenna info on.
        
        Fixed bug in tag's buffer management when the antenna info is on.
        
        Fixed bug in ethernet communication.

    Version 1.17 - 10/02/15
    
        New features / Enhancements
        ---------------------------
        Added a command to program the EPC code of ISO 18000-6C tags instead of
        using the write or block write ISO 18000-6C command.
        
        Improved the communication on ethernet interface.
        
        Added a spontaneous message on a client TCP socket management and a
        configuration page to manage these connection.
        
        Added the reading test mode flag in the reader status.
    
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in read/write ISO 18000-6C tags with odd number of blocks.
        
        Fixed bug in continuous mode inventory procedure.
        
        Fixed bug in continuous mode antenna enable management.

    Version 1.16 - 11/07/14
    
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in the maximum RF channel allocation time and minimum RF 
        channel pause time settings.

    Version 1.15 - 08/07/14
    
        New features / Enhancements
        ---------------------------
        Added the maximum RF channel allocation time and minimum RF channel 
        pause time parameters in RF configuration.
        
        Added the North America (FCC compliant) region and RF channels
        management.
        
        Added the EPC size parameter in EPC C1G2 configuration.
        
        Added the spontaneous mode flag as parameter in genereal configuration
        of the reader. It is OR'ed with the dip switch SW1-2 configuration.
        
        Stored the reading test mode in EEPROM as parameter.
        
        Added the ISO 18000-6C multi block write command (0x1D) to be compliant
        with the BlockWrite command of the ECP C1G2 standard. The command 0x1A
        is implemented as a single write loop.
        
        Improved the continuous search times.
        
        Improved the initial tuning procedure.

    Version 1.14 - 16/05/14
    
        New features / Enhancements
        ---------------------------
        Added the dynamic power management feature.
        
        Reduced the minimum Q value to 0.
        
        Added the fast multi tag, fast single tag and standard single tag
        inventory mode.
        
        Replaced the trigger time in general configuration with the extention
        time in I/O configuration.
        
        Added the reader serial number management.
        
        Adding the reading test activation / deactivation through command.
        
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in RF power set command which prevents the possibility to set
        0dBm.

    Version 1.12 - 24/03/14
        
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in tag's management when the EPC length is zero words.

        Fixed bug in tag's read multi block / write multi block operations.

    Version 1.11 - 28/02/14
    
        New features / Enhancements
        ---------------------------
        Increased the one's length in the EPC C1G2 R=>T link to improve the tag
        reading.
        
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in internal EEPROM write.

    Version 1.10 - 25/02/14
    
        New features / Enhancements
        ---------------------------
        Added the I/O configuration page.
        
        Added the inputs mode configuration in the I/O configuration page.
        
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in the tag's inventory internal procedure which can cause a
        system crash.

    Version 1.09 - 07/01/14
        
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in TCP management to prevent a system crash in case of a TCP
        connection during the system initialization.

    Version 1.08 - 16/12/13
    
        New features / Enhancements
        ---------------------------
        Reduced the maximum Q-value to 10.
        
        Corrections
        -----------
        Fixed bug in firmware reset.

        Fixed LEDs behavior during emergency parameters reset procedure.

    Version 1.06 - 22/11/13
    
        Initial Release.

