]

Alfen NG9xx series

Release notes
Release notes version 6.6
Document version 2

27 March, 2024
Table of contents Page
1 Introduction 3
2 3
3 Feature Updates 3
3.1 Smart Charging Network 3
3.1.1 SCN firmware compatibility 3
3.1.2 SCN configuration using Service Installer Application (SIA) 3
3.1.3 SCN & ASI compatibility overview 4
3.2 Eichrecht & Plug&Charge 5
3.3 AFIR compliance & QR codes support 5
3.3.1 QR feature overview 5
3.3.2 License 6
3.3.3 Configuration of QR codes 6
3.3.4 QR-code examples 6
3.4 Network and Upgrade stability improvements 7
4 Service Installer Application Fout! Bladwijzer niet gedefinieerd.
5 Back-end communication changes 8
6 Minor changes 9
7 Revision control 11

Alfen NG9xx series Release notes 6.6.0

27 maart 2024 2
1 Introduction
Firmware release 6.6 includes a number of general improvements, stability improvements, bug fixes as
well as features updates such as:

• AFIR compatibility (QR codes and price transparency)

• SCN performance
• Eichrecht & Plug&Charge
• Network and Upgrade improvements

2 Feature Updates
2.1 Smart Charging Network
The code for Smart Charging Network was refactored which should significantly improve overall stability
and allow easier maintenance.

2.1.1 SCN firmware compatibility

Backward compatibility with older firmware versions is limited: SCN’s consisting of charging stations with
6.6 firmware will not work with charging stations on firmware 6.5 and older.

After updating all stations in an SCN to firmware 6.6 the SCN must be re-initialized.

2.1.2 SCN configuration using Service Installer Application (SIA)

For configuring an SCN, the Service Installer Application will work according to below rules:

ASI 3.6.12: Latest official release version, not able to setup an SCN for NG9xx RC FW 6.6.
• Compatible with setting up an SCN with NG9xx RC FW6.6 SCN (and older versions) .

Alfen NG9xx series Release notes 6.6.0

27 maart 2024 3
2.1.3 SCN & ASI compatibility overview

Alfen NG9xx series Release notes 6.6.0

27 maart 2024 4
2.2 Eichrecht & Plug&Charge
Due to updated interpretations of “identifiable transactions” Alfens’ Plug&Charge feature (no
authentication) is no longer available on Eichrecht products
RFID is now mandatory for all Eichrecht products. Following an update to firmware 6.6, existing products
will be upgraded to RFID authentication if this was not available before because of the missing license
key.

2.3 AFIR compliance & QR codes support

AFIR (European Law) requires transaction specific QR codes and specific price information, these are
introduced in this firmware release.

QR codes are shown on the display of Eve Single Pro-line, Eve Double Pro-line and PG-line. Users can
scan the QR-code with their phone for ad-hoc payments. The QR code receives the end-point over
OCPP.
Note: QR codes may not be used for charging transactions in Germany and Austria due to not being
certified according to the Mess- und Eichverordnung (not “Eichrecht compliant”).

Price information needs to show four components, in specific order. A specific implementation guide for
AFIR compliance is available at our knowledge base.

2.3.1 QR feature overview

• Display QR codes (URL), per socket. If the CS is configured is as standalone (not connected to a
backend) QR codes will not be displayed.
• QR codes are only regenerated when the CS is booting or if the QR code changes
• If only the QR code for socket 1 is set, the endpoint for socket 2 will be the same as socket 1
• QR codes (URL) have a maximum length of 223 characters, per socket
• QR code URLs can be configured via OCPP 1.6/2.0.1
• Screen is set to full brightness when QR codes are shown. The auto dim function can now be
configured, depending on the time (sundown/night/sundown) or after a period of inactivity or
when a QR code is being shown.
• After sun set and before sun rise, dim the display if QR codes are shown
• Tariff information is displayed as configured in pricing-showcomponents
• Add a custom tariff field (other tariffs) to enable customers to set their own tariff price and
description
• It is possible to display both positive and negative tariffs (-999.99 to 999.99) when the tariff is
outside this range, display a '-'
• Tariffs take a maximum of 4 rows of space (to make more space for QR codes). The font size of
the tariffs are reduced when too much tariffs takes too much space
• Tariffs can be configured via OCPP 1.6/2.0.1
• Display a carousel that includes the payment terminal if set.
• GiroE, tariffs and QR codes are combined under one license

Alfen NG9xx series Release notes 6.6.0

27 maart 2024 5
2.3.2 License
With the introduction of QR codes as payment options, all the direct payment functions are bundled in
one convenient license key. This license key is new in this firmware and replaces the existing Giro-E
license for our German customers.
From firmware 6.6 onwards the Direct Payment Solutions license key unlocks the following functions:
• Giro-e support1
• QR code support
• External payment options (kiosk, payment terminal, apps)2 with the following functions:
o Caroussel interface (alternating view of charge card, payment card and logo)
o Direct stop (always stop transaction if cable unplugs, override of OCPP Key
“StopTransactionOnEVSideDisconnect” settings)
o NB: Remote start functionality is not part of this direct payment license.

Please contact your sales representative to unlock this license for your charger.

2.3.3 Configuration of QR codes

Configuration of Direct Payment Solutions possibilities is possible by using the backoffice or using the
Service Installer Application revision 3.6.13 which will be available shortly.

2.3.4 QR-code examples

Example of interface of Eve Single Pro-line

1
Works with Giro-e supported Charge Point Management System
2
Payment terminal, kiosk, app, OCPP connection and other needed and not part of this license

Alfen NG9xx series Release notes 6.6.0

27 maart 2024 6
Example of interface of Eve Double Pro-line and Eve Double PG-line

2.4 Network and Upgrade stability improvements

• Increased maximum length of APN user name and SIM pin fields in network profile configuration.
user name max. 40 characters (was 20) , pin max.8 characters (was 4).
• Fixed an issue which prevented ASI login caused by connection requests from different subnet to
CS.
• Fixed issue where, after boot, CS did not connect via higher priority network (e.g. wired over
mobile connection)
• Fixed issue where the CS got stuck at “please wait” on invalid card and does not show red cross
screen
• Leading and trailing slashes in the backoffice URL configuration are now handled correctly.

Alfen NG9xx series Release notes 6.6.0

27 maart 2024 7
 3 Back-end communication changes

Property Description Values Access

Added

modemModel Model of the modem String[64] Read only

modemRevision Software revision of the modem firmware String[64] Read only
modemManufacturer Manufacturer of the modem String[64] Read only

QRCodeURL QR to be shown on the left socket String[223]. Default "" Read write
QRCodeURL2 QR to be shown on the right socket String[223]. Default "" Read write
Pricing- Determine if the disclaimer should be shown For example Read write
ShowComponent and which tariffs. “disclaimer,perKwh,p
erMinute,perSession,
perOther”
Pricing-Currency The ISO 4217 currency code for the pricing For instance ‘EUR’ Read write
information that can be shown on the display. (default)
Note that some ISO codes will be
automatically converted to a currency symbol.
Pricing-StartPrice The start price for a charging session (for Float, for instance Read write
display purposes only). 0.45.
Default: 0.0
Pricing-EnergyPrice The price per kWh for a charging session (for Float, for instance Read write
display purposes only). A pricing information 0.45.
block will only be shown on the 'Available' Default: 0.0
screen.
Pricing-MinutePrice The price per minute for a charging session Float, for instance Read write
(for display purposes only). A pricing 0.45.
information block will only be shown on the Default: 0.0
'Available' screen.
Pricing-Other The price per custom specifier (for display Float, for instance Read write
purposes only). A pricing information block 0.45.
will only be shown on the 'Available' screen. Default: 0.0
Pricing-OtherSpecifier The pricing specifier of the other tariff String, for instance Read write
"extra cost"
UniqueQRConfiguration Determines if a QR should be made unique. Default enabled alfen Read write
options: '' = not unique, 'Alfen' = add a postfix unique postfix
that includes the object id, connector index
and a hashed timestamp

Alfen NG9xx series Release notes 6.6.0

27 maart 2024 8
Modified

AutoDimLights If the screen needs to dim based on time comma separated list, Read write
(thus will dimm during the night, this requires options:
an accurate time synchronization such as an time,inactivity,QR,
heartbeat), inactivity (when a user interacts default: time,inactivity
with the charging station, the display will light
up again), if a QR is shown or a combination
of these options
DPSAvailableMethods A comma-separated list of the Direct Payment For example " Read write
Solutions that are available. If no Direct OTS,QR,Giro-e"
Payment Solutions are available, this
configuration key is hidden.
DPSConfiguredMethods A comma-separated list of the Direct Payment For example " Read write
Solutions that are configured. If no Direct OTS,QR,Giro-e"
Payment Solutions are available, this
configuration key is hidden.

Removed

No properties were
removed

4 Minor changes
• Role based access: Added the 'end user' to the allowed users on the Restfull API.
• Added modem hardware information in OCPP config keys.
• If a reservation request for the current time or earlier is made by the backoffice this request will
be rejected
• Added languages: Icelandic, Slovenian, Slovakian and Latvian
• When the backoffice authorization key is updated via OCPP, we now execute a scheduled
disconnect to make sure this password will be used.
• An end user can set the dateTime of a standalone charging station now.
• CS responds with rebootrequired after remotely changing field 'identity'.
• UpdateFirmware flows have been corrected.
• We now parse date time variables according to ISO8601 when received via a setVariables
request.
• Changed the behavior of the bootnotification: if this is rejected by the backoffice, then no other
message will be allowed than trigger message bootnotification. All other messages are replied
with a security error.
• If the SetVariablesRequest contains an attributeType then the corresponding SetVariableResult
element in the SetVariablesResponse now also contains the same attributeType
• Trigger Message for a Transaction Event is now supported for a specific EVSE.
• Trigger Message for a Status Notification is now supported for a specific EVSE.
• Added extra checks on welded relays in state A and state E.
• (SCN) Corrected alternating issue that would cause fast switching. Corrected issue where a
socket that was supplying extra current had to stop charging, because there was no current
leftover after a different socket used the available extra current. Corrected issue where the socket
could not charge, because it took the total available current of an unconnected socket as the
truth.

Alfen NG9xx series Release notes 6.6.0

27 maart 2024 9
• Corrected issue an OCPP 1.6 getConfiguration message was not fully transmitted but ended with
the error logline: "Buf too small".
• (OCPP feature) We now return variables characteristics in notify reports for the following
variables: SampledDataTxEndedMeasurands, sampledDataTxStartedMeasurands,
SampledDataTxUpdatedMeasurands, AlignedDataMeasurands and
AlignedDataTxEndedMeasurands
• In OCPP 2.0.1 it is up to Charging Station to decide whether it wants to return every variable as
Rejected or return ItemsPerMessageGetVariables values with attributeStatus = Accepted and the
rest as Rejected. We have implemented the latter. We support up to 10 variables per message.
• We now report SUSPENDED_EVSE and the boot wait time has been added as a current limit.
• Fixed a strange text on the display that would say cable connected while no cable was
connected. This only happened when the charging station was P&C and a remote start
transaction was executed.
• Improved the censoring of the FTP password in logging.
• Added more room in memory for display objects.
• Fixed issue where the connection to the backoffice is lost after a few days.These issues are
sometimes linked to DNS (Domain Name System).
• We send status notifications using information from the previously send notification, if we just
booted this message is not available, so assume default happy flow startup values.
• Changed the OCPP configkeys MBTCPCentral-SlaveMeterModel and MBTCPSmart-
SlaveMeterModel to contain the option "regmap" to be get or set. Fixed an issue where it was not
possible to set it to None via OCPP.
• Updated openapi with up to date information about the transaction endpoint.
• Able to retrieve the revision number of the aux board. This revision is shown in the console and
can be retrieved with the Web Api.
• Added support for signed meter values in OCPP 2.0.1 in both metervalue and transaction event
messages. The message is encoded with base64 before being send via OCPP. Since
PublicKeyWithSignedMeterValue is not fully implemented, the public key is always included in the
transaction event message.
• API's now have permission specifiers.
• Added initial permissions for configuration items.
• When a charging station is configured with Eichrecht enabled and it contains one or more
Eichrecht supported energy meters, then it is no long possible to change the authorization
method to plug & charge
• When CS is configured as "Abort Unlock when Offline", it only unlocks when the transaction has
been started remotely.
• Fix issue when a reset command is received during the database synchronization process.
• Renamed the Czech language from cz_CZ to cs_CZ.
• Fixed issue where Solar charging current calculation was causing spurious stops of charging.

Alfen NG9xx series Release notes 6.6.0

27 maart 2024 10
5 Revision control
Date Version Description / status Author

2024-February-5 2 External version

Alfen NG9xx series Release notes 6.6.0

27 maart 2024 11