# Introduction

## About This Document

This document describes how to communicate with iDynamo 5 Gen III secure card reader (SCR) equipped with the MP application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

### About SDKs <a href="#toc74061373" id="toc74061373"></a>

MagTek provides convenient software development kits (SDKs) and corresponding documentation for various programming languages and operating systems.  The API libraries included in the SDKs wrap the details of the connection in an interface that conceptually parallels the device’s internal operation, freeing software developers to focus on the business logic, without having to deal with the complexities of platform APIs for connecting to the various available connection types, communicating using the various available protocols, and parsing the various available data formats.  Information about using MagTek wrapper APIs is available in separate documentation, including D99875535 Secure Card Reader Authenticator API PROGRAMMING REFERENCE MANUAL.

The SDKs and corresponding documentation include:

* Functions for sending the direct commands described in this manual
* Wrappers for commonly used commands that further simplify development
* Sample source code to demonstrate how to communicate with the device using the direct commands described in this manual

To download the SDKs and documentation, search [www.magtek.com](http://www.magtek.com) for “SDK” and select the SDK and documentation for the programming languages and platforms you need, or contact MagTek Support Services for assistance.

Software developers also have the option to revert to direct communication with the device using libraries available in the chosen development framework.  For example, custom software written in Visual Basic or visual C++ may make API calls to the standard Windows USB HID driver.  This document provides information and support for developing host software using that method.

MagTek has also developed software that demonstrates direct communication with the device, which software developers can use to test the device, and which provides a starting point for developing other software.  For more information, see the MagTek web site, or contact your reseller or MagTek Support Services.

### About Terminology <a href="#toc74061374" id="toc74061374"></a>

The general terms “device” and “host” are used in different, often incompatible ways in a multitude of specifications and contexts.  For example, “host” may have different a meaning in the context of USB communication than in the context of networked financial transaction processing.  In this document, “device” and “host” are used strictly as follows:

* Device refers to the Secure Card Reader Authenticator (SCRA) that receives and responds to the command set specified in this document; device refers to iDynamo 5 Gen III.
* Host refers to the piece of general-purpose electronic equipment the device is connected or paired to, which can send data to and receive data from the device.  Host types include PC and Mac computers/laptops, tablets, smartphones, teletype terminals, and even test harnesses.  In many cases the host may have custom software installed on it that communicates with the device.  When “host” must be used differently, it is qualified as something specific, such as “acquirer host” or “USB host.”
* Similarly, the word “user” is used in different ways in different contexts.  This document separates users into more descriptive categories:
  * The cardholder
  * The operator (such as a cashier, bank teller, customer service representative, or server), and
  * The developer or the administrator (such as an integrator configuring the device for the first time).

Because some connection types, payment brands, and other vocabulary name spaces (notably Bluetooth® (LE), EMV, smart phones, and more recent versions of Windows) use very specific meanings for the term “Application,” this document favors the term software to refer to software on the host that provides a user interface for the operator.

The combination of device(s), host(s), software, firmware, configuration settings, physical mounting and environment, user experience, and documentation is referred to as the solution.


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