Addison Hi Tech orporated 2001B02 Remote device identification transmitter User Manual Installation instructions

Addison Hi-Tech Incorporated Remote device identification transmitter Installation instructions

Contents

Installation instructions

Spider IIIAR Installation
1250 South Clearview, Mesa, Arizona 85208 (480) 969-2828
Page 1 of 14
Spider IIIAR Reader
Installation Instructions
FCC Certification
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.
If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the
user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the
following measures:
! Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
! Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
! Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which
the receiver is connected.
! Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Spider IIIAR Installation
1250 South Clearview, Mesa, Arizona 85208 (480) 969-2828
Page 2 of 14
Introduction
When placing the reader in a permanent position, several factors need to be
considered that contribute to choosing the reader’s position.
! RF visibility
! Tag density
! Range configuration
! Access to Power
! Access to LAN communication
! Communication bandwidth
! Environmental conditions.
! Serviceability.
RF Visibility
RF Visibility refers to the reader’s ability to “see” the tags in its reporting area.
The best condition is to have an RF line-of-sight between the reader and all
tags. In most cases the Spider IIIAR’s RF line-of-sight is equivalent to a visual
line-of-sight. However, there are some materials that are transparent to RF
but not to light. The spider reader can read tags through a typical wall such
as found in an office environment. Some walls are more transparent than
others. Metal wall studs, typically grounded to the electrical system ground,
absorb the tags signal. However, because there is space between studs,
some signal does get through. Different walls have different RF
transparencies. Because some walls are more RF transparent than others,
they need to be tested to determine their RF transparency.
Example: a wall composed of wood studs and gypsum wallboard is more
transparent than a wall with steel studs and gypsum wallboard.
Metal objects reflect or absorb RF signals; they are not transparent to RF.
Example: If a tag is placed next to a metal filing cabinet, the RF signal from
the tag is reflected off the filing cabinet’s metal and is seen best from the
same side of the cabinet on which the tag is located. The tag can be seen
from the other side of the cabinet due to the RF signal multi-pathing
(reflecting off of several metal surfaces). A multipath signal is usually weaker
than a direct path signal.
Spider IIIAR Installation
1250 South Clearview, Mesa, Arizona 85208 (480) 969-2828
Page 3 of 14
Example: if a tag is placed inside a metal filing cabinet, the signal from the tag
is reflected off the metal of the interior of the filing cabinet several times and
most of the signal is eventually absorbed inside the cabinet. The tag can be
seen from outside the cabinet due to multi-pathing of the RF signal that leaks
out of the drawer openings of the cabinet. That tag’s signal that leaks out will
be considerably weaker than if the signal were seen directly.
Earth ground or a grounded metal structure actually absorbs the tag’s signal.
If you place the tag or the reader on the ground, there is a very good chance
you will not see the tag’s ID because the earth ground absorbs the tag’s
signal.
Multi-story buildings generally have grounded rebar in the floor structure of
each level. The grounded rebar in the floor can be as RF absorbing as earth
ground. Since the roof of one room is the floor of the room above, mounting
a spider reader on or near the roof may be the same as setting it on the
ground; you may not see the tag’s ID because the grounded rebar absorbs
the tag’s signal. Different floors have different transparencies to RF. When
planning reader placements, because some floors are more RF transparent
than others, they need to be tested to determine their RF transparency.
To minimize RF interference, maintain a four to six foot separation between
the Spider Reader antennas and potential RF radiators such as computers,
monitors, printers, wireless network access points and electronic office
equipment. The local “radio noise environment” can limit the reader’s
effective range. Grounded and reflective metallic structures around the
reader’s antennas and/or tags affects the system’s performance.
The best location for placing a reader is line of sight to the most number of
tags to be being covered by this reader.
Spider IIIAR Installation
1250 South Clearview, Mesa, Arizona 85208 (480) 969-2828
Page 4 of 14
Tag Density
The Spider IIIAR reader can handle a limited number of tags at the same
time. The optimum number of tags varies with the chirp rate of the tag, the
distance between the reader and the tags, the antennas on the reader, and
the range setting on the reader. For example, the reader can efficiently
handle about 500 seven-second tags at a normal distribution at the same
time. If the tag chirp rate goes to one second, the same reader can handle
about 70 tags at the same time. If the chirp rate goes to 14 seconds, the
same reader can handle about 1000 tags at the same time.
If there are more tags in the area of a reader than can normally be handled,
the range setting of the reader can be reduced to limit the number of visible
tags to a manageable quantity. In a highly mobile tag population, transient
densities need to be calculated to assure that a reader is not forced past its
capacity limits when a large number of tags transit its area.
The antenna on the reader determines the maximum read range of the reader
and thereby its coverage area. The type of antenna selected for the reader
can be used to control the number of tags visible to the reader.
Range Selection
The Spider IIIAR reader has the online ability to set the range of the receiver.
Reader Range is adjustable in eight incremental steps. Range eight is the
maximum gain of the receiver while range 1, the lowest gain, covers the
minimum range.
Using the range control feature of the reader, the reader can be restricted to
see tags only in its immediate area instead of a larger area that contains more
tags than it can handle at one time. By setting the read range to something
less than maximum range, the reader can be restricted to a coverage area
that fits the requirements of the system.
Using the input from two or more readers, the end user application can
perform a location search by comparing the ranges the same tag is seen by
two or more readers. The tag is located where the ranges of the readers
overlap. Concentrator LI has a feature that automatically scans specified
ranges on a reader and sends the resultant tag information to the database.
Spider IIIAR Installation
1250 South Clearview, Mesa, Arizona 85208 (480) 969-2828
Page 5 of 14
Power Wiring to the Reader
The reader’s power adaptor requires a 120 VAC power source, about 1 Amp
service. The reader is supplied with a transformer with a standard North
American three prong 120 VAC plug. This transformer supplies 18 VAC to the
Spider IIIAR reader. Using the cable supplied with the power transformer, the
power outlet can be located as far as fifteen feet from the reader’s location.
The reader has the ability to accept a DC power input such as a battery. This
makes the reader a candidate for a totally wireless installation. The reader
can be powered from a battery with a solar cell recharger, while the reader
communicates to the network by wireless Ethernet.
Reader AC input voltage 10 to 18 VAC
Optional Reader DC input voltage 10 to 24 VDC
Wired Ethernet Connection
When the reader is used as a wired Ethernet interface, the Ethernet cable
needs to be run to the reader and terminated with an RJ-45 connector. The
wired Ethernet connection can operate up to a ten-megabit bandwidth. This
cable needs to be run separately from the power wiring to prevent electrical
noise from being induced into the Ethernet communication lines.
Wireless Ethernet Connection
When the reader is used as a wireless Ethernet interface, no Ethernet cable
needs to be run to the reader. The wireless LAN card is installed in the reader
and it becomes the communication link to the database. Using IEEE 802.11b
communication protocol, the reader talks to an Access Point as its link to the
system database. The wireless LAN supported by RF Code is a 3com Nomadic
wireless client bridge that uses Lucent’s 2.4 MHz Direct Sequence Spread
Spectrum (DSSS) network. The wireless Ethernet connection can operate up
to a two-megabit bandwidth. Using this method of connection reduces the
wiring required to operate the communications between the reader and the
database.
The wireless data link needs to be planned and / or tested to assure every
Spider IIIAR reader has a reliable connection to an access point on the
Spider IIIAR Installation
1250 South Clearview, Mesa, Arizona 85208 (480) 969-2828
Page 6 of 14
Ethernet network. The 802.11b protocol will automatically connect the
reader to the access point with the most reliable connection. If the access
point is on the fringe of the connection capability to the reader, it may be
necessary to relocate or add another reader to obtain the coverage or add an
access point to stabilize the connection.
Readers can be connected to the same network using either wired or wireless
Ethernet.
Caution: do not attempt to operate the wired and wireless connections on the
same reader at the same time.
Bandwidth
When planning the system, it is necessary to calculate the system’s data
throughput to determine the capacity requirements of the network. Data
throughput is both the information generated by the readers plus the
overhead traffic required to maintain the network.
Bandwidth calculations also provide visibility for processor capacity and / or
network infrastructure requirements.
Environmental Conditions
The Spider IIIAR Reader enclosure is designed to meet the requirements of
NEMA 12 indoor installation standards.
Operating Temperature -20 + 60° C
Storage Temperature -40 + 75° C
Operating humidity <95% Non-condensing at 50° C
Storage humidity <98% Non-condensing at 50° C
If the reader needs to be installed outdoors in diverse weather conditions, the
Spider IIIAR reader can be placed inside a NEMA 4 enclosure, available from
RF Code, that will protect it from the weather. Although the NEMA 4
enclosure protects the reader from the weather, it does not improve the
temperature and humidity ratings shown above.
Spider IIIAR Installation
1250 South Clearview, Mesa, Arizona 85208 (480) 969-2828
Page 7 of 14
Service
The Spider IIIAR has no user serviceable components inside the reader. If
the reader should develop an operational problem, it automatically power
cycles itself off and back on which restarts the reader in its basic power up
standby mode. The system software application must recognize that the
reader can restart itself and needs to be able to automatically configure and
bring the reader back online. Information, if any, in the reader at the time of
the power cycle will be lost. If a reader should fail completely and cannot be
restarted, replacing the reader is the recommended remedy.
Physical Mounting
As a general rule, the higher the reader antenna is positioned above the
ground or floor, the better the reader’s detection range. The reader’s
antennas should be mounted as high as
reasonably
possible to get the best
RF visibility over the coverage area. However, mounting the antennas on the
ceiling that is also the floor of the story above may be harmful because the
antennas are located near a “grounded floor”. In this case, the floor (RF
absorbing ground) is now above the reader instead of below the reader. It
may be necessary to experiment to find the optimum mounting position for
placing the reader / reader’s antennas.
The reader can be mounted in one place with the reader antennas mounted
nearby. Low loss SMA coaxial extension cables may be used to extend the
antennas from the reader chassis.
If the reader antennas are mounted separately from the reader chassis, the
reader mounting may still be determined by the communication requirements
of the network. If the network is using wireless communication, the readers
need to be mounted so they are visible to the wireless access point(s)
required to make the connection. If the readers are connected by wired
Ethernet, there are no RF restrictions on where the reader chassis is mounted.
Spider IIIAR Installation
1250 South Clearview, Mesa, Arizona 85208 (480) 969-2828
Page 8 of 14
The Spider IIIAR Reader chassis has mounting tabs as shown below. The
mounting slots accommodate up to a size 8 screw.
Dimensions are in inches.
12.25
13.25
14.00
2.00
1.125
8.75
14.15
Wireless LAN
Antenna
Power Switch
Reader Antenna
Connections
2.0
Chassis Mounting
Tab
Spider IIIAR Installation
1250 South Clearview, Mesa, Arizona 85208 (480) 969-2828
Page 9 of 14
Power Source
The reader is normally powered from a wall transformer that plugs into a 120
VAC power outlet. The transformer delivers 18 VAC to the reader through a
15 feet cable and a circular three-conductor plug. Two of the conductors are
the power source (18VAC) and the other conductor is earth ground from the
ground pin of the wall socket
If available and/or needed, the reader may be powered by low voltage AC or
DC power. This may be advantageous if there is other power sources
available such a UPS or battery. The reader can operate with 10 to 18 VAC
input or 10 to 24 VDC input. The power input pins are non-polarized and can
be connected using either polarity DC. DC power may be useful if the reader
is mounted in a remote location using a battery for power with a solar cell
recharger to the battery.
Open ~ ~ Gnd
Reader Power
Connector
AC or DC
voltage input
non-polarized x2
Chassis
Ground
Spider IIIAR Installation
1250 South Clearview, Mesa, Arizona 85208 (480) 969-2828
Page 10 of 14
Antennas
The type and placement of the antenna determines the maximum range of
the reader. The antenna coverage patterns shown for relative illustration
purposes and not intended as definitive design parameters. The antenna
ranges specified are considered best case under optimum conditions.
¼ Wave Helical The maximum range of the helical ¼
wave antenna is about 150 feet.
Top view, ¼ wave antenna coverage pattern.
The view is looking down on the tip of the
antenna with a circular coverage pattern.
Side view, ¼ wave antenna coverage
pattern. The view is looking at the side
of the antenna. Coverage is a donut
shape with less coverage above and
below the antenna than on the sides of
the antenna.
Spider IIIAR Installation
1250 South Clearview, Mesa, Arizona 85208 (480) 969-2828
Page 11 of 14
¼ Wave Whip
The maximum range of the ¼ wave
Whip antenna is about 200 feet.
The coverage pattern is the same as
the 1/4 wave antenna shown on the
p
revious
p
a
g
e.
Yagi antennas cover an
elongated (up to 1000
feet) pattern. Mount the
antenna high above
surrounding obstructions
with a clear line-of-sight
view of the target area.
Aim the antenna at the
center of the tar
g
et
Spider
Reader To cover the various orientations of the tag,
mount two antennas at right angles to each
other (one vertical and one horizontal).
Aim both antennas at the same target area.
Each antenna is connected to one antenna
connector on the Spider Reader.
Yagi Antenna
Spider IIIAR Installation
1250 South Clearview, Mesa, Arizona 85208 (480) 969-2828
Page 12 of 14
Omni Angle Antenna
Top view, Omni Angle antenna
coverage pattern. The antenna is
mounted horizontally. The coverage
is circular, up to 400 feet line-of-sight
all directions.
Side view, Omni Angle antenna
coverage pattern. The coverage
is elliptical with less coverage
above and below the antenna
than to the sides of the antenna.
Spider IIIAR Installation
1250 South Clearview, Mesa, Arizona 85208 (480) 969-2828
Page 13 of 14
Spider Tags
The spider tag is a miniature radio that periodically
transmits an identity code. The transmission
frequency is 303.825 MHz at an extremely low
power. The identity coding plan permits about four
billion identities in each family group code. There
are several thousand group codes available.
The tag derives its power from a battery included in the tag. Because of the
low power transmission, the tags battery life is three to five years depending
on the environmental extremes to which it is exposed. The basic tag can be
opened and the battery replaced if needed. The Spider tag is FCC certified
for use as a low power transmitter.
The tag’s transmission pattern is
circular when viewed from above. A
Spider reader can see a tag from any
direction as long as the tag and the
reader’s antennas are oriented in the
same plane. During installation, try to
maintain a common orientation for all
tags used in the installation.
The transmission distance in the other
plane of the tag is considerably shorter
than the transmission distance of the
primary plane.
From a practical standpoint, having all the tags in the same orientation in an
installation probably is not possible. For this reason, the Spider reader needs
its antennas positioned to receive tag transmissions from any orientation.
The two antennas on the reader need to have a receive orientation of 90
degrees to each other.
Spider IIIAR Installation
1250 South Clearview, Mesa, Arizona 85208 (480) 969-2828
Page 14 of 14
The tag’s read distance is severely limited when the tag is close to the ground
because the ground absorbs the tag’s transmission. Place the tag as far
above the ground as possible.
When deploying Spider Tags,
avoid
placing tags on top of each other in such
a manner that there is a mutual inductance between the tags. Mutual
inductance detunes the transmission frequency of the tag which makes it
invisible to the Spider Reader. After it’s installed, each tag must have a
minimum of ½ inch distance between it and any adjacent tag.
Radio frequency energy is absorbed by water; that’s what makes your
microwave oven work. The Spider Tag transmits a radio frequency identity
and its transmission is also absorbed by water. Tagging people presents a
particular problem because people are made up of mostly water. When a tag
is attached to a person, the body to varying degrees absorbs radiated energy.
Absorbed energy is not available for detection by the reader.
A thinner portion of the body, such as the wrist, is a preferable place to
position a tag. The chest area is also preferable because there is a “thin wall”
of flesh in front and back with lungs full of air in between. Although the foot
may be a good place to hang a tag on a person, the foot’s close proximity to
the ground is bad because the ground absorbs as much or more energy than
the body.
When tagging people it’s necessary to test the effective range of the tag and
place the readers in appropriate places to compensate for the reduced
transmission range.
The tag can be attached to a metallic or non-metallic assets. When attaching
to a non-metallic asset, it is simply attached in the most efficient way. A non-
metallic surface permits the tag’s transmission to be radiated in all directions
including through the asset.
When attaching the tag to a metallic asset, the tag must be held away from
the metal a minimum of ¼ inch. A longer distance is better. When properly
held away from the metal, the transmission pattern is
Example; if there is documentation attached to the asset in a plastic carrier
(zip lock bag) the tag can be wrapped in bubble wrap and dropped in the
carrier bag along with the documentation.

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