CS108 Quick Start Guide

This guide provides simple steps to help you quickly start using your new CS108 RFID sled handheld reader. 

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We are here to help you get started using the CS108 whether you're an end user or a developer writing software to work with the CS108. Click the buttons below to fill out a form to work with our team. 

General questions and non-developer questions can be answered by clicking the button below 

Click the button below if you need help with developing software for the CS108.

CS108 Sled RFID Reader

Summary of View

  • 2D Barcode Scanner Module (Optional)
  • RFID Reader Antenna
  • RFID Power On Status Light
  • Status Light
  • Barcode Power On Status Light
  • Charging Status Light
  • External Power Status Light

Box Contents and Charging

1. Open Box and Check Contents:

  • CS108 Sled Handheld Reader
  • CS108 Battery
  • CS108 USB type C to USB Type A heavy duty cable for connecting CS108 to PC or charger

2. Install the battery (see Battery Insertion Instructions)

3. Initial Charging of the CS108

It is important to fully charge the unit before using it the first time. It takes approximately 4 hours to be fully charged. Please refer to the diagrams for battery installation. After Inserting the battery into CS108, connect the supplied USB Type C plug to CS108 and connect the Type A plug into any USB charger. The RED charging LED will light. Charge the unit until the red light goes out.

Battery Insertion

To access the battery compartment, remove the battery cover by:

1. First fully rotate to release the metal latches at both sides of the battery cover

2. Then slide horizontally out to release the battery cover.

3. Insert the battery pack into the battery compartment:

The below image shows the battery in its position. The battery should be fully secured by the battery spring-loaded clip as shown.

The metal contacts at the bottom side of the battery must face down to meet the metal contacts as shown on the below diagram.

Make sure that the locking tabs at the front of the battery are inserted into the slots as shown in the detailed diagram.

4. Replace the battery cover. Make sure that the locking tabs at the front of the battery cover are fully inserted into the slots as shown in the below diagram.

5. Fully rotate to close the metal latches to secure the battery cover in position.

Powering On The CS108

To power on CS108, press and hold the power button for 3 seconds and then release, after that the GREEN LED will light up continuously.

The Bluetooth pairing button will automatically start flashing on power up, indicating the CS108 is ready to be discovered. At this point, use an application to connect the reader to the host device.

The CS108 uses Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) to save battery life when communicating to the host device. The host device also must support Bluetooth LE, check the specification of the host device to verify support of Bluetooth LE.

The CS108 Bluetooth Sled RFID Reader does not pair as a consumer Bluetooth device, your application will handle the pairing. Demo programs are available for download from the Convergence Systems Limited website and from GitHub

Compatible Host Platforms

The following are various combinations of host platform, connectivity and operating systems supported by CS108:

Operating System

Version

Device

Connection Info

Android OS

5.0 or later

Phone, Tablet

Bluetooth 4.0/4.1/4.2

iOS (Apple)

10.0 or later

Phone, Tablet

Bluetooth 4.0/4.1/4.2

Linux OS

4.0 or later

Tablet

Bluetooth 4.0/4.1/4.2

Windows

10.0 or later

Laptop, PC

USB, Bluetooth 4.0/4.1/4.2

Demo Applications

CSL has created multiple versions of demo applications to interact with the CS108. Links to the currently available demo apps can be found below. 

Windows Bluetooth Wedge

Bluetooth Wedge Installer

Need Help With RFID?

We can help you select the right product and guide your software integration with CSL products. 

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