What is NFC and why it’s useful
Augury’s R4000 endpoint sensor supports NFC communication. The endpoint can be scanned with a smartphone or other device that supports the Near Field Communication (NFC) protocol to obtain basic information such as the serial number. This can be useful for tasks such as troubleshooting endpoint issues, checking which endpoints are installed on a machine, and obtaining information when the exterior labels are illegible or inaccessible. This can be especially useful when attempting to obtain the serial number while a device remains mounted.
What’s required
R4000 series endpoint (E3, E4, E5, E6, or E7)
NFC compatible device such as an Android or iOS smartphone.
NFC reader app. Augury does not supply the app but many are freely available on the App Store.
NFC tools for iOS and Android have been tested and confirmed to work.
OS:
Android:
Direct physical access to the endpoint. Scanning is done by tapping the top of the endpoint to read it.
How to scan
Open the NFC reader app and select read.
When ready to scan, position the phone near the top of the endpoint.
Location is important. Proximity and sometimes angle are also important.
You must use the region of your device that supports the NFC capability. In most cases this area is near the top of the device. In flip phones it's usually in the middle.
The endpoint has a symbol next to the button where it should be scanned.
Read the results
A successful scan returns various types of information. The EP serial number is listed under “Record 2 - Text.” In the following example, the SN is 2252402036.
Troubleshooting
The endpoint won’t scan. Now what?
Here are some things to try if the scan is unsuccessful.
1: NFC is very sensitive to proximity. In most cases a failure to scan is caused by failing to place the NFC antenna close enough to the endpoint. Try moving the phone slowly as you search for the correct scan location. Check your device’s documentation for your manufacturer’s specified region. It’s intuitive to assume the center of the smartphone should work, but this is often incorrect (unless it’s a flip phone). The endpoint must be scanned on the top next to the button.
2: If the scan is successful but the list of parameters is incomplete like in the following image (missing “Record 2” which contains the serial number), try to scan again. Re-scanning should return the full set of details.
3: If your device does not support NFC, try using a compatible device. The vast majority of the latest smartphones and tablets support this capability, but many older devices and some newer ones do not.
4: If the endpoint has a dead battery or if it has failed for other reasons, it cannot be scanned. The endpoint’s functionality can be verified by pressing the button on top and checking for blinking lights. The scan can be completed without pressing any buttons on the endpoint, but it might be useful to press the button first to verify functionality.
5: How can I know which endpoints support this capability? All R4000 series endpoints have this capability. These endpoints have a round body. Other types including EP1, EP1-EX, EP1-HZ, EP2, and Ranger Pro do not support NFC and cannot be scanned. The serial number for these sensors can be obtained by reading the label.
6: Give it a few seconds. The scan may not occur instantaneously. Wait for 10 seconds before concluding that the scan was unsuccessful.
Download a PDF of this article by clicking on the following attachment.