The Nordic ID EXA51e supports only Bluetooth Low Energy Class 2 connection for host devices. Supported Bluetooth Low Energy versions are 4.0 – 4.2 and supported profiles are GATT (generic data transfer) and HID (keyboard emulation).




Connecting with host device



There are three ways to connect Nordic ID EXA with host device, being the third one (Nordic ID Smart Pair) the most advanced and easiest way to connect.

  1. Connect without pairing (this is the most straightforward way)

Nordic ID EXA will advertise itself via Bluetooth until the host device connects to it. Bluetooth connection remains active until the host device closes the connection. Once the connection is closed Nordic ID EXA51e will start advertising itself again and any host device can connect to it.


  1. Connect with pairing

By default, pairing support is disabled (since firmware version 2.2.1). When Nordic ID EXA51e is paired with the host device, applications (like Nordic ID RFID demo) connects to it automatically. Connection remains active if the host device is in Bluetooth range.

 

  1. Connect with Nordic ID Smart Pair feature

The new awesome Nordic ID Smart Pair feature provides an exceptionally easy way to connect and disconnect host device to our EXA readers. Just select “Nordic ID Smart Pair” from “Connection” listing in Nordic ID RFID Demo and host device starts looking for the EXA readers.







Pairing and unpairing Nordic ID EXA51E WITH A HOST DEVICE




By default, pairing support is disabled (since firmware 2.2.1). Before Nordic ID EXA51e can be paired with the host device, pairing support needs to be enabled. This can be done with two different ways that are:




  1. Using Nordic ID RFID demo. Connect Nordic ID EXA51e to host device and go to Settings -> Reader -> Host device connection -> check Pairing enabled tick box
  2. Reading configuration barcodes to enable/disable pairing support.
    1. ALLOWPAIRON = Pairing enabled
    2. ALLOWPAIROFF = Pairing disabled

                            


    

NOTE! Barcode configuration codes can be read only when there is no active Bluetooth connection with the host device




Nordic ID EXA51e can be paired based on the instructions below once pairing has been enabled.

  1. Turn Bluetooth of the host device On. NOTE: Android 6.0 or newer needs location to be enabled also
    NOTE: Android 6.0 or newer needs location to be enabled also

  2. Power on the Nordic ID EXA51e by pressing the power button for 2...3 seconds
  3. Open Bluetooth connection settings of host device and you should see “EXA51e XXXXXX” in the list
  4.  Select “EXA51e XXXXXX” from the list in order pair your host device with the Nordic ID EXA51e


   

NOTE! XXXXX is a serial number of the Nordic ID EXA51e






Connecting with host device via hid mode




In this mode, the Nordic ID EXA51e functions and communicates in a similar manner as a keyboard. Therefore, the device will work with any application that supports an active cursor on input fields, for example web browser applications. When operating in HID mode, the Nordic ID EXA51e needs to be paired with the host device and configured for the HID mode.



NOTE! When the Nordic ID EXA51e is configured for HID mode: remember that you will need to reconnect the Nordic ID EXA51e after using non-HID applications (such as Nordic ID RFID Demo). This will enable the HID mode again. The easiest way to do this is turn off/on Bluetooth of host device



Connecting with NORDIC ID SMART PAIR FEATURE



When using a Nordic ID EXA51e reader with the smartphone fastened on top of it, both the Nordic ID EXA51e reader and your smartphone are always close to each other while being used. Nordic ID Smart Pair is aware of this and thus it keeps the connection only when they are close to each other.

  • Connecting: One can connect the host device to the EXA reader just by placing host device close to the EXA reader. 
  • Disconnecting: Just move the host device further away from the EXA51e to disconnect automatically.

In this mode, the Nordic ID EXA51e keeps connected to host device only when it is located nearby it, but if you want to use your mobile device separated from the EXA51e, then you can disable the “Auto disconnect from EXA51e” option from “Reader” tab in Nordic ID RFID Demo for Android. In this mode, the mobile device doesn’t disconnect automatically when moved further away. Disconnecting will be done by pressing Power and Unpair buttons simultaneously 2 seconds (Read/HID LED stops blinking).

Requirements: Nordic ID RFID demo app 1.2.7.3 (or newer) and EXA51e with firmware 2.2.5 (or newer).

The Nordic ID Smart Pair feature is always enabled in Nordic ID RFID Wear OS app



Configuring HID mode with barcode


Read barcode below to configure the Nordic ID EXA51e to desired HID mode. Please note barcode configuration codes can be read only when there is no active Bluetooth connection with the host device.

  • HIDMODE0 = All HID modes disabled
  • HIDMODE1 = HID barcode enabled
  • HIDMODE2 = HID RFID enabled

Both HIDMODE1 and HIDMODE2 can be simultaneously enabled.



Configuring HID mode via application


1. Install Nordic ID RFID Demo application (see section 2.1)

2. Connect your device

3.  Make sure that Pairing is enabled in reader settings.

4. Turn on HID mode, RFID and/or barcode mode in reader settings

5. Close application and make sure Bluetooth connection is closed

        6. Reboot your EXA51e device by pressing the power button for 2...3 seconds.