Setup guide for OSDP readers, Sensor Access QR Code OSDP Reader and HID Signo 40

This guide explains how to connect and configure compatible OSDP readers with GuardPoint10 and supported Sensor Access controllers.

The following readers are covered:

• Special Sensor Access QR Code Reader – OSDP Version

• HID Signo 40 – OSDP

This setup has been tested using OSDP Plain mode.

At present, this guide should be followed for Plain / Open OSDP communication only. 

Secure OSDP modes may require additional configuration and are not covered in this article.

OSDP, or Open Supervised Device Protocol, is a modern access control reader communication protocol designed for RS485 reader communication. It supports bidirectional communication, reader supervision, and encrypted modes where supported.

I. Prerequisites

Before installing the QR reader, make sure the following requirements are met.

1. Compatible Sensor Access Controller

The controller must support OSDP reader communication via the second RS485 communication port.

On IC2001 / IC4001 style controllers, this is the J10 / COM2 / H2-L2 connection area, not the standard reader ports.

2. KitCom2 Chips Installed

The controller must have the KitCom2 [U24 & U25 chips] installed.

These are the two communication ICs fitted near the second serial port, typically marked around U24 and U25 on the controller PCB.

If these chips are not fitted, the controller will not be able to communicate with OSDP readers on the second RS485 port. Please contact Sensor Access Support for further information or availability.

3. OSDP Firmware Installed on the Controller

The controller must be flashed with the correct OSDP firmware.

Tested firmware: TPLE32 OSDP 230222-AE CS=484F.HEX

This firmware should be attached at the bottom of this article for download.

For instructions on how to flash FW please refer to this link:

https://sensoraccess.freshdesk.com/en/support/solutions/articles/101000478701-updating-controller-firmware-2026

4. Reader Baud Rate

The OSDP reader must be configured to:

38400 baud

The OSDP integration notes also state that OSDP readers must be configured at 38400 baud, with each reader using a unique address. 

5. Unique Reader Address

Each OSDP reader on the same RS485 bus must have a unique address.

Supported OSDP reader addresses:

00 to 03

GuardPoint10 identifies readers as Reader 1 to Reader 4, whereas OSDP addressing starts at 00.

Up to 4 OSDP readers can be connected to the controller’s second RS485 port in a daisy-chain arrangement. 

II. Sensor Access QR Code Reader – OSDP

1. Wiring the QR Reader

The QR reader is wired to the controller’s OSDP / RS485 COM2 connection, not to the normal reader inputs.

Use the controller terminals:

H2 / L2

These are normally found on the controller’s second RS485 port.

Reader Wire Colours

Green = 485-A = RX = H2
White = 485-B = TX = L2
Red   = +12V
Black = GND / 0V

Important Wiring Notes

Do not wire the OSDP QR reader into the standard reader ports.

It must be wired into the special OSDP / COM2 RS485 block:

H2 / L2

The reader connection works as a polling RS485 bus. This means multiple readers can share the same RS485 line, provided each reader has a different address.

Example layout:

Controller COM2 / OSDP Port
        H2  ------------------- Green / 485-A  Reader 1
        L2  ------------------- White / 485-B  Reader 1
        12V ------------------- Red            Reader 1
        0V  ------------------- Black          Reader 1

                         |
                         | Daisy-chain RS485
                         |

        H2  ------------------- Green / 485-A  Reader 2
        L2  ------------------- White / 485-B  Reader 2
        12V ------------------- Red            Reader 2
        0V  ------------------- Black          Reader 2

Up to 4 readers can be connected in this way, as long as each reader has its own OSDP address.

Recommended RS485 cable is twisted pair, typically 24 AWG. The OSDP notes specify AWG 24 with a maximum length of 1000 m, and advise a 120 Ω termination resistor at the RS485 termination ends for cable lengths greater than 61 m or where there is EMF interference. 

2. Configuring the QR Reader

The QR reader is configured by scanning a special configuration QR code.

This QR code sets:

Baud rate
Reader address / RS485 ID

The configuration command format is

SKCFG{"mac":"6670CEBA","group":5001,"baudrate":38400,"rs485Id":1}

Only the following values should be changed:

baudrate
rs485Id

For this setup, the baud rate should be:

38400

The rs485Id should match the reader number required on the OSDP bus.

Any QR code generator can be used, as long as the QR code content type is set to plain text. Paste the full configuration command into the QR generator, create the QR code, then scan it using the QR reader. After the reader has scanned the setup QR code, restart the reader so the new settings are applied. 

Generate a QR code using the full configuration command as plain text. Present the generated QR code to the reader so it can scan the configuration. Once the reader has accepted the QR code, restart the reader for the new baud rate and RS485 ID settings to take effect.

Creating the Configuration QR Code

Any QR code generation website can be used, provided the QR code type is set to: 'Text'

Paste the full configuration command into the QR generator, create the QR code, then present it to the reader.

After scanning the configuration QR code, restart the reader.

III. HID Signo 40 – OSDP

1. Wiring the HID Signo 40

The HID Signo 40 must be connected to the controller's dedicated OSDP / RS485 COM2 port, using the H2 and L2 terminals.

The HID Signo 40 uses four connections for OSDP communication: power, ground, RS485-A and RS485-B.

Always refer to the manufacturer's datasheet for the correct wiring of the specific reader model.

For the HID Signo 40, the wiring diagram specifies:

Important: The RS485 wire colours on the HID Signo 40 are different from those on the Sensor Access QR reader. Always follow the wiring instructions for the specific reader being installed.

As with the QR reader, multiple OSDP readers can share the same RS485 bus, provided each has a unique OSDP address.

2. Configuring the HID Signo 40

The HID Signo 40 must be configured using the HID Reader Manager application.

Using HID Reader Manager, create or apply a reader configuration template with the following settings.

Reader Configuration Template

Ensure the OSDP address corresponds to the intended reader number in GuardPoint10, as explained in Section I.

Apply the configuration to the HID Signo 40 using the HID Reader Manager application.

Tested Credentials

The following credentials have been tested with this configuration:

The tested configuration reads the Card Serial Number (CSN) rather than data stored within a credential application.

The reader was configured with 32-BIT Output Format and Raw Data UID Output Format for these tests.

IV. Setting up the Reader in GuardPoint10

Once the reader is wired and configured, it must be set correctly in GuardPoint10.

Go to:

Setup > Infrastructure > Controller > Reader > Miscellaneous

Then change:

Interface = OSDP reader

For the tested setup, set:

Mode = Plain

Then configure the badge format as required for the site.

For example, in the tested screenshot:

Format: Hexadecimal
Badge code length: 8

The GuardPoint10 manual notes that when OSDP reader is selected, the available modes are Plain, Secure Default, and Secure Private, and that OSDP requires connection to COM2 with KitCom2 and the correct firmware. 

V. Summary

Both the Sensor Access QR OSDP reader and HID Signo 40 connect to the controller's dedicated H2 / L2 (COM2) RS485 port, not the standard reader inputs.

Before testing, confirm that:

• The controller has KitCom2 chips installed.

• The correct OSDP firmware is loaded.

• The reader is configured for 38400 baud.

• Each OSDP reader has a unique address between 00 and 03.

• The reader wiring follows the manufacturer's instructions.

• GuardPoint10 has the reader interface set to OSDP Reader, with Mode set to Plain.

Reader-specific configuration:

The Sensor Access QR Code OSDP reader is configured using a special configuration QR code.

The HID Signo 40 is configured using HID Reader Manager, with the HID Signo reader template, OSDP Enabled, 32-BIT Output Format and Raw Data UID Output Format.

For further assistance, please contact Sensor Access Technical Support at support@sensoraccess.co.uk.