1. ZPL II, ZBI 2, Set-Get-Do, Mirror, WML Programming Guide
  2. ZPL II, ZBI 2, Set-Get-Do, Mirror, WML Programming Guide
  3. ZPL RFID Commands
  4. ^HR
  • ZPL II, ZBI 2, Set-Get-Do, Mirror, WML Programming Guide
^HR

^HR

Use this command to initiate tag calibration for RFID media. During the tag calibration process (which can take up to 5 minutes on some printers, depending on the type of RFID inlay and the label size), the printer moves the media, reads the tag’s TID to determine chip type, calibrates the RFID tag position, and determines the optimal settings for the RFID media being used. Depending on the printer, these settings include the programming position, the antenna element to use, and the read/write power level to use.

Calibrate RFID Tag Position

Results of the
^HR
 tag calibration are returned to the host computer. The
"run"
 option in the
rfid.tag.calibrate
 SGD command performs the same calibration but does not create a results table. To restore the printer’s default programming position at any time, use the
"restore"
 option in the
rfid.tag.calibrate
 SGD command (see rfid.tag.calibrate).
Before running this command, load the printer with RFID media, calibrate your printer, close the printhead, and feed at least one label to make sure that tag calibration will begin from the correct position. For more information on media calibration, refer to the User Guide for your printer.
Consider the following before using this command:
  • This command is not supported by all printers or firmware.
  • For the R110Xi4 and all Link-OS RFID printers, leave all transponders before and after the tag that is being calibrated. This allows the printer to determine RFID settings that do not encode the adjacent tag. Allow a portion of media to extend out the front of the printer to allow for backfeed during the tag calibration procedure.
  • With some printers, you should not perform transponder calibration for RFID media that meets the transponder placement specifications for your environment. With some printers, you should not perform transponder calibration for RFID media that meets the transponder placement specifications for your environment; because doing so will slow the printer’s throughput unnecessarily. For more information about tag calibration, refer to the RFID Programming Guide for your printer. You can download a copy from www.zebra.com/manuals.
Format:
^HRa,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i
Parameters
Details
a
= start string
This parameter specifies the user text to appear before the results table.
Values:
 any string less than 65 characters
Default:
start
b
 = end string
This parameter specifies the user text to appear after the results table.
Values:
 any string less than 65 characters
Default:
 end
c
= start position
This parameter specifies the start position of the calibration range. All numeric values are in millimeters. Forward or backward designations assume that the label's initial position is with the leading edge at the print line.
Values:
  • Forward:
    F0
     to
    Fxxx
     (where
    xxx
     is the label length in millimeters or
    999
    , whichever is less). The printer feeds the label forward for the specified distance and then begins tag calibration.
  • Backward:
    B0
     to
    B30
    The printer backfeeds the label for the specified distance and then begins tag calibration. To account for the backfeed, allow empty media liner to extend out of the front of the printer when using a backward programming position. For printers that do not use backfeed during RFID calibration, the media is moved forward until it is in the same relative position for the following label.
Default:
  • For ZT400 Series and ZT600 Series printers with RFID option:
    B30
  • For R110Xi4, ZD500R, ZQ511/ZQ521, and ZQ630 printers with RFID option:
    B20
  • For all other supported printers:
    F0
    —The printer moves the media to the start position relative to the leading edge of the label and then performs the RFID tag calibration.
d
= end position
This parameter specifies the end position of the calibration range (last program position to check). All numeric values are in millimeters. Forward or backward designations assume that the label's initial position is with the leading edge at the print line.
Values:
  • Forward:
    F0
     to
    Fxxx
     (where
    xxx
     is the label length in millimeters or 999, whichever is less). The printer performs tag calibration until it reaches the specified end position and then ends the process.
  • Backward:
    B0
     to
    B30
    The printer performs tag calibration until it reaches the specified end position and then ends the process. Valid only with a backward start position that is greater than the end position.
  • Automatic:
    A
     The printer automatically ends the tag calibration process after successfully reading and encoding a consecutive range of 5 mm on the label. The printer also ensures that no other tags can be programmed at the programming position with the calibration-determined power levels.
Default:
For R110Xi4 and all Link-OS RFID printers:
A
For all other supported printers: Label length as shown on the printer configuration label
e
= antenna and read/write power level detection
This parameter specifies whether to select the antenna and read/write power levels automatically or manually.
This parameter is not valid on all RFID printers. The ZD500R, ZQ511/ZQ521, and ZQ630 printers have only one antenna, so this parameter applies only to the read/write power level settings.
Values:
  • A
     = Automatic. The printer automatically scans through the antennas and read/write power during calibration.
  • M
     = Manual. The printer uses the current antenna and read/write power level settings.
Default:
A
f
 = start of read/write power range
This parameter specifies the start of the read/write power range.
Values:
 0 to 30
Default:
0
g
 = end of read/write power range
This parameter specifies the end of the read/write power range, up to the maximum power value (based on regional compliance requirements).
Values:
 0 to 30
Default:
 maximum power
h
 = start of antenna range
This parameter specifies the start of the antenna range. The antenna arrays vary based on printer models. Models that have only one antenna always use
A1
.
Values:
  • ZT1xx/ZT2xx:
    A1
     to
    B4
  • ZE5xx:
    A1
     to
    B7
  • ZT4xx/ZT5xx/ZT6xx:
    A1
     to
    E4
  • All other Link-OS printers:
    A1
Default:
A1
i
 = end of antenna range
This parameter specifies the end of the antenna range for printers that have an antenna array. The antenna arrays vary based on printer models.
Values:
  • ZT1xx/ZT2xx:
    A1
     to
    B4
  • ZE5xx:
    A1
     to
    B7
  • ZT4xx/ZT5xx/ZT6xx:
    A1
     to
    E4
  • All other Link-OS printers:
    A1
Default:
 printer model dependent
Example:
 When the printer is using Absolute mode and the following command is sent to the printer:
    ^XA^HR^XZ
the printer starts the transponder calibration and returns a results table such as the following:
start
position=195
215, , 
214, , 
213, , 
212, , 
211, , 
210, ,W
209,R, 
208, , 
207, , 
206, ,W
205,R, 
204, , 
203, , 
202, ,W
201,R,W
200,R,W
199,R,W
198,R,W
197,R,W
196,R,W
195,R,W <---****
194,R,W
193,R,W
192,R,W
191,R,W
190,R,W
189,R, 
188, , 
187, , 
186, , 
185, , 
.
.
.
end
Each line in the results table appears as:
    Row, Read Result, Write Result
where 
    Row = the dot row where calibration occurred  
    Read Result = results of calibration (R = read, “ ” = unable to read) 
    Write Result = results of calibration (W = write, “ ” = unable to write)
The optimal programming position is 195. This is identified at the top of the table (
position=195
) and with an the arrow (
<---****
) in the table.
Example:
 When the printer is using Relative mode and the following command is sent to the printer:
^HRstart,end,B20,F42,M
the printer starts the tag calibration and returns a results table such as the following:
start
position=F0 MM
leading edge
B20, , 
B19, , 
B18, , 
B17, , 
…
B8, , 
B7, , 
B6, , 
B5, , 
B4,R,W
B3,R,W
B2,R,W
B1,R,W
F0,R,W<---**** F0 MM
F1,R,W
F2,R,W
F3,R,W
F4, , 
F5, , 
F6, , 
F7, , 
F8, , 
F9, , 
F10, , 
…
F38, , 
F39, , 
F40, , 
F41, , 
F42, , 
trailing edge
end
Each line in the results table appears as:
    Row, Read Result, Write Result
where 
    Row = the position from the leading edge of the label where calibration occurred  
    Read Result = results of calibration (R = read, “ ” = unable to read) 
    Write Result = results of calibration (W = write, “ ” = unable to write)
The optimal programming position is F0 (program with the leading edge of the label at the print line). This is identified at the top of the table (
position=F0 MM
) and with an the arrow (
<---****
) in the table.
Example:
 When the
^HR
 command is sent to the printer, the printer performs tag calibration and returns a results table such as the following:
start 
position=B14 MM,A1,18,25 
tid information=E200.3414:Alien 
leading edge 
    Tag 1   ,Tag 2   ,Tag 3   ,Tag 4   ,Tag 5   ,Tag 1   ,Tag 2   ,Tag 3   ,Tag 4   ,Tag 5   ,
EPC,7109    ,BA29    ,6FD0    ,58AE    ,9CDE    ,7109    ,BA29    ,6FD0    ,58AE    ,9CDE    , 
B30,A1,12,18,A1,29,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,17,24,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B29,A1,13,18,A1,25,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,14,19,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B28,A1,15,20,A1,23,29,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,09,15,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B27,A1,17,22,A1,23,29,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,08,14,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B26,A1,19,25,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,09,15,B1,28,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B25,A1,22,28,A1,22,27,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,11,18,B1,26,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B24,A1,26,  ,A1,13,19,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,15,21,B1,27,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B23,A1,  ,  ,A1,08,14,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,18,24,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B22,A1,  ,  ,A1,05,11,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,21,28,B1,19,24,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B21,A1,  ,  ,A1,05,11,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,25,  ,B1,11,17,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B20,A1,  ,  ,A1,06,12,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,30,  ,B1,07,13,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B19,A1,  ,  ,A1,08,15,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,05,11,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B18,A1,  ,  ,A1,15,22,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,05,10,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B17,A1,  ,  ,A1,22,28,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,05,11,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B16,A1,  ,  ,A1,16,23,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,07,13,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B15,A1,  ,  ,A1,13,19,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,13,20,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B14,A1,  ,  ,A1,12,19,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,18,23,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,<---****A1 
B13,A1,  ,  ,A1,14,20,A1,24,30,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,10,16,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B12,A1,  ,  ,A1,15,22,A1,22,29,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,08,14,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B11,A1,  ,  ,A1,18,25,A1,26,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,08,14,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B10,A1,  ,  ,A1,21,27,A1,26,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,11,17,B1,26,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B09,A1,  ,  ,A1,24,  ,A1,15,21,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,14,20,B1,25,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B08,A1,  ,  ,A1,28,  ,A1,09,15,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,17,23,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B07,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,06,11,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,20,26,B1,27,30,B1,  ,  , 
B06,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,05,11,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,24,30,B1,16,19,B1,  ,  , 
B05,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,05,11,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,28,  ,B1,10,14,B1,  ,  , 
B04,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,08,14,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,07,11,B1,  ,  , 
B03,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,12,18,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,06,11,B1,  ,  , 
B02,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,20,26,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,06,10,B1,  ,  , 
B01,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,18,24,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,09,13,B1,  ,  , 
F00,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,14,21,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,12,17,B1,  ,  , 
F01,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,13,19,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,20,25,B1,  ,  , 
F02,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,13,19,A1,27,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,16,20,B1,  ,  , 
F03,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,14,21,A1,26,29,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,11,16,B1,  ,  , 
F04,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,17,24,A1,27,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,11,15,B1,  ,  , 
F05,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,19,26,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,12,16,B1,25,  , 
F06,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,22,29,A1,23,26,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,15,18,B1,23,28, 
F07,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,26,  ,A1,15,19,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,17,22,B1,23,29, 
F08,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,10,14,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,20,25,B1,  ,  , 
F09,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,08,12,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,24,28,B1,21,26, 
F10,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,08,11,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,27,  ,B1,13,18, 
trailing edge 
end
In the results table, the tags visible to the antenna elements are numbered, and the EPC number that is unique to each tag is displayed.
Each line in the results table gives a row number followed by readings associated with RFID tags that are visible at that row. Multiple values on a line indicate that multiple tags were visible. The order of the RFID tags is arbitrary.
    [Row],[Antenna Element],[Min Read Power],[Min Write Power], [Antenna Element],[Min Read Power],[Min Write Power] ...
where
  • Row = the position from the leading edge of the label where calibration occurred
  • Antenna Element = the antenna used
  • Minimum Read Power = calibration results (
    0
     –
    30
    ) for a tag visible from that row
  • Minimum Write Power = calibration results (
    0
     –
    30
    ) for the same tag
The read and write power values are left empty (such as
A1, , ,
) when no tag is found.
In the sample results table for this example, at position
B25
 (25 mm behind the print line), two RFID tags are visible to the printer at antenna A1. Tag 1 (EPC 7109) can be read at power level 22 and written to at power level 28. Tag 2 (EPC BA29) can be read at power level 22 and written to at power level 27. At that position, Tags 2 and 3 are visible to antenna B1 while Tag 1 is not.
    Tag 1   ,Tag 2   ,Tag 3   ,Tag 4   ,Tag 5   ,Tag 1   ,Tag 2   ,Tag 3   ,Tag 4   ,Tag 5   , 
EPC,7109    ,BA29    ,6FD0    ,58AE    ,9CDE    ,7109    ,BA29    ,6FD0    ,58AE    ,9CDE    , 
... 
B25,A1,22,28,A1,22,27,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,11,18,B1,26,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B24,A1,26,  ,A1,13,19,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,15,21,B1,27,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B23,A1,  ,  ,A1,08,14,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,18,24,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B22,A1,  ,  ,A1,05,11,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,21,28,B1,19,24,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B21,A1,  ,  ,A1,05,11,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,25,  ,B1,11,17,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
...
At position
B23
, only Tag 2 is visible to antenna A1. Tag 1 is no longer visible.
    Tag 1   ,Tag 2   ,Tag 3   ,Tag 4   ,Tag 5   ,Tag 1   ,Tag 2   ,Tag 3   ,Tag 4   ,Tag 5   , 
EPC,7109    ,BA29    ,6FD0    ,58AE    ,9CDE    ,7109    ,BA29    ,6FD0    ,58AE    ,9CDE    , 
... 
B25,A1,22,28,A1,22,27,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,11,18,B1,26,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B24,A1,26,  ,A1,13,19,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,15,21,B1,27,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B23,A1,  ,  ,A1,08,14,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,18,24,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B22,A1,  ,  ,A1,05,11,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,21,28,B1,19,24,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B21,A1,  ,  ,A1,05,11,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,25,  ,B1,11,17,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
...
At position
B13
, Tag 3 (EPC 6FD0) becomes visible to antenna A1 and can be read with at power level 24 and written to at power level 30. 
    Tag 1   ,Tag 2   ,Tag 3   ,Tag 4   ,Tag 5   ,Tag 1   ,Tag 2   ,Tag 3   ,Tag 4   ,Tag 5   , 
EPC,7109    ,BA29    ,6FD0    ,58AE    ,9CDE    ,7109    ,BA29    ,6FD0    ,58AE    ,9CDE    , 
... 
B16,A1,  ,  ,A1,16,23,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,07,13,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B15,A1,  ,  ,A1,13,19,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,13,20,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
B14,A1,  ,  ,A1,12,19,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,18,23,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,<---****A1 
B13,A1,  ,  ,A1,14,20,A1,24,30,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,10,16,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  , 
...
The arrow (
<---****
) in the table indicates that a valid program position and power levels were found during calibration. The program position is identified at the top of the table as
position=B14 MM
 (backfeed 14 millimeters). The optimal antenna element at that position is A1. The optimal read power is 18, and the optimal write power is 25.
start 
position=B14 MM,A1,18,25 
tid information=E200.3414:Alien 
leading edge 
... 
B14,A1,  ,  ,A1,12,19,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,A1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,B1,18,23,B1,  ,  ,B1,  ,  ,<---****A1 
...