User Guide for Elatec TWN4 AppBlaster

Quick guide from the manual

The TWN4 AppBlaster is a developer tool designed to configure and program Elatec TWN4 RFID readers. It supports three primary workflows: direct firmware programming, interactive configuration of projects, and custom source code development. Before starting, ensure your system meets the minimum requirements: Windows 7 or later, .NET Framework 4.7.2, 2 GHz processor, 4 GB RAM, and 100 MB of free disk space.

Installation

The software is distributed as a zip file within the TWN4 developer pack. To install, simply create an empty directory on your hard disk and unzip the entire content of the package into it. The executable AppBlaster.exe is located in the top directory.

Starting AppBlaster

Upon launching the program, you are presented with a start dialog offering three main options:

• Program Firmware Image: For flashing compiled firmware files (.bix or .gbl).
• Configurable Project: For interactive setup of reader behavior and transponder handling.
• Source Code Project: For advanced users writing custom C applications.

Configurable Project Workflow

To create a configurable project, follow these steps in the project dialog:

1. Select Application Template: Choose the appropriate template (e.g., USB CDC or Keyboard) based on your hardware.
2. Add Transponder Types: Select the required transponder technologies from the category list and add them to the active list.
3. Specify Data Source: Define where data is stored on the transponder (e.g., UID, sector, block).
4. Output Format: Configure how the data is formatted (e.g., Hexadecimal, ASCII).
5. Prefix, Delimiter, Suffix: Optionally define special characters for the output data.
6. Signalling/Behaviour: Adjust LED and beeper responses for events like startup, card found, or timeout.
7. Security: Configure device security settings if required.
8. Version Information: Set the app characters and version number for identification.
9. Create and Program: Click Create Image to build the firmware, then Program Image to flash it to the device.
10. Save Project: It is recommended to save your project file to allow for future modifications.

OSDP Projects

Creating an OSDP (Open Supervised Device Protocol) app differs from standard projects. Signalling and output formatting are largely controlled by the host. You must select the appropriate OSDP reader model and configure standard or custom properties (such as address, baud rate, and RS-485 settings) in the OSDP tab. Note that OSDP applications are only supported by devices in the TWN4 Palon family.

Source Code Projects

For advanced requirements, such as custom host communication or specific I/O handling, use the Source Code Project option. You will need to specify the USB type, select the source code module file, and define any necessary compiler options (e.g., DEBUG). The AppBlaster acts as a GUI for the underlying tool chain.

Settings

Access the Settings menu to configure command execution (e.g., showing command lines or deleting temporary files) and to select the communication port (USB or COM port for RS-232 connections).