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

Addison Hi-Tech Incorporated Remote device identification transmitter Manual

Contents

Manual Statement

Spider IIIAR Installation1250 South Clearview, Mesa, Arizona 85208 (480) 969-2828 Page 1 of 15Spider IIIAR ReaderInstallation InstructionsFCC CertificationThis device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to thefollowing two conditions:(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference thatmay cause undesired operation.Warning: Changes or modifications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible for compliance couldvoid the user's authority to operate the equipment.
Spider IIIAR Installation1250 South Clearview, Mesa, Arizona 85208 (480) 969-2828 Page 2 of 15IntroductionWhen placing the reader in a permanent position, several factors need to beconsidered that contribute to choosing the reader’s position.ü RF visibilityü Tag densityü Range configurationü Access to Powerü Access to LAN communicationü Communication bandwidthü Environmental conditions.ü Serviceability.RF VisibilityRF 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 alltags. In most cases the Spider IIIAR’s RF line-of-sight is equivalent to a visualline-of-sight. However, there are some materials that are transparent to RFbut not to light. The spider reader can read tags through a typical wall suchas found in an office environment. Some walls are more transparent thanothers. 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 RFtransparencies. 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 moretransparent 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 fromthe tag is reflected off the filing cabinet’s metal and is seen best from thesame side of the cabinet on which the tag is located. The tag can be seenfrom the other side of the cabinet due to the RF signal multi-pathing(reflecting off of several metal surfaces). A multipath signal is usually weakerthan a direct path signal.
Spider IIIAR Installation1250 South Clearview, Mesa, Arizona 85208 (480) 969-2828 Page 3 of 15Example: if a tag is placed inside a metal filing cabinet, the signal from the tagis reflected off the metal of the interior of the filing cabinet several times andmost of the signal is eventually absorbed inside the cabinet. The tag can beseen from outside the cabinet due to multi-pathing of the RF signal that leaksout of the drawer openings of the cabinet. That tag’s signal that leaks out willbe 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 chanceyou will not see the tag’s ID because the earth ground absorbs the tag’ssignal.Multi-story buildings generally have grounded rebar in the floor structure ofeach level. The grounded rebar in the floor can be as RF absorbing as earthground. Since the roof of one room is the floor of the room above, mountinga spider reader on or near the roof may be the same as setting it on theground; you may not see the tag’s ID because the grounded rebar absorbsthe tag’s signal. Different floors have different transparencies to RF. Whenplanning reader placements, because some floors are more RF transparentthan others, they need to be tested to determine their RF transparency.To minimize RF interference, maintain a four to six foot separation betweenthe Spider Reader antennas and potential RF radiators such as computers,monitors, printers, wireless network access points and electronic officeequipment. The local “radio noise environment” can limit the reader’seffective range. Grounded and reflective metallic structures around thereader’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 oftags to be being covered by this reader.
Spider IIIAR Installation1250 South Clearview, Mesa, Arizona 85208 (480) 969-2828 Page 4 of 15Tag DensityThe Spider IIIAR reader can handle a limited number of tags at the sametime. The optimum number of tags varies with the chirp rate of the tag, thedistance between the reader and the tags, the antennas on the reader, andthe range setting on the reader. For example, the reader can efficientlyhandle about 500 seven-second tags at a normal distribution at the sametime. If the tag chirp rate goes to one second, the same reader can handleabout 70 tags at the same time. If the chirp rate goes to 14 seconds, thesame 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 visibletags to a manageable quantity.In a highly mobile tag population, transient densities need to be calculated toassure that a reader is not forced past its capacity limits when a large numberof tags transit its area. Example: if 500 document folders are loaded on acart and wheeled through the area of a reader that configured for and alreadyhas 500 tags in range, this transient load will exceed the system capacity ofthe reader. It may be necessary to configure the reader to accept thetransient tags as part of its normal load.The antenna on the reader determines the maximum read range of the readerand thereby its coverage area. The type of antenna selected for the readercan be used to control the number of tags visible to the reader.Range SelectionThe 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 themaximum gain of the receiver while range 1, the lowest gain, covers theminimum range.a very rough estimate of the read distance can be made by multiplying therange number by 12½% times the maximum range of the antennas used onthat reader. This calculation provides a ballpark estimate of the how far thatreader can see at that range under ideal conditions. Be aware that most
Spider IIIAR Installation1250 South Clearview, Mesa, Arizona 85208 (480) 969-2828 Page 5 of 15installations do not have ideal conditions and this number may need to bescaled based on existing conditions.Using the range control feature of the reader, the reader can be restricted tosee tags only in its immediate area instead of a larger area that contains moretags than it can handle at one time. By setting the read range to somethingless than maximum range, the reader can be restricted to a coverage areathat fits the requirements of the system.Using the input from two or more readers, the end user application canperform a location search by comparing the ranges the same tag is seen bytwo or more readers. The tag is located where the ranges of the readersoverlap. Concentrator LI has a feature that automatically scans specifiedranges on a reader and sends the resultant tag information to the database.Power Wiring to the ReaderThe reader’s power adaptor requires a 120 VAC power source, about 1 Ampservice. The reader is supplied with a transformer with a standard NorthAmerican three prong 120 VAC plug. This transformer supplies 18 VAC to theSpider IIIAR reader. Using the cable supplied with the power transformer, thepower 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. Thismakes the reader a candidate for a totally wireless installation. The readercan be powered from a battery with a solar cell recharger, while the readercommunicates to the network by wireless Ethernet.Reader AC input voltage 10 to 18 VACOptional Reader DC input voltage 10 to 24 VDCWired Ethernet ConnectionWhen the reader is used as a wired Ethernet interface, the Ethernet cableneeds to be run to the reader and terminated with an RJ-45 connector. Thewired Ethernet connection can operate up to a ten-megabit bandwidth. Thiscable needs to be run separately from the power wiring to prevent electricalnoise from being induced into the Ethernet communication lines.
Spider IIIAR Installation1250 South Clearview, Mesa, Arizona 85208 (480) 969-2828 Page 6 of 15Wireless Ethernet ConnectionWhen the reader is used as a wireless Ethernet interface, no Ethernet cableneeds to be run to the reader. The wireless LAN card is installed in the readerand it becomes the communication link to the database. Using IEEE 802.11bcommunication protocol, the reader talks to an Access Point as its link to thesystem database. The wireless LAN supported by RF Code is a 3com Nomadicwireless client bridge that uses Lucent’s 2.4 MHz Direct Sequence SpreadSpectrum (DSSS) network. The wireless Ethernet connection can operate upto a two-megabit bandwidth. Using this method of connection reduces thewiring required to operate the communications between the reader and thedatabase.The wireless data link needs to be planned and / or tested to assure everySpider IIIAR reader has a reliable connection to an access point on theEthernet network. The 802.11b protocol will automatically connect thereader to the access point with the most reliable connection. If the accesspoint is on the fringe of the connection capability to the reader, it may benecessary to relocate or add another reader to obtain the coverage or add anaccess point to stabilize the connection.Readers can be connected to the same network using either wired or wirelessEthernet.Caution: do not attempt to operate the wired and wireless connections on thesame reader at the same time.BandwidthWhen planning the system, it is necessary to calculate the system’s datathroughput to determine the capacity requirements of the network. Datathroughput is both the information generated by the readers plus theoverhead traffic required to maintain the network.Bandwidth calculations also provide visibility for processor capacity and / ornetwork infrastructure requirements.
Spider IIIAR Installation1250 South Clearview, Mesa, Arizona 85208 (480) 969-2828 Page 7 of 15Environmental ConditionsThe Spider IIIAR Reader enclosure is designed to meet the requirements ofNEMA 12 indoor installation standards.Operating Temperature 4 + 140° FStorage Temperature -40 + 167° FOperating humidity <95% Non-condensing at 122° FStorage humidity <98% Non-condensing at 122° FIf the reader needs to be installed outdoors in diverse weather conditions, theSpider IIIAR reader can be placed inside a NEMA 4 enclosure, available fromRF Code, that will protect it from the weather. Although the NEMA 4enclosure protects the reader from the weather, it does not improve theoperating temperature and humidity ratings listed above.ServiceThe Spider IIIAR has no user serviceable components inside the reader. Ifthe reader should develop an operational problem, it automatically powercycles itself off and back on which restarts the reader in its basic power upstandby mode. The system software application must recognize that thereader can restart itself and needs to be able to automatically configure andbring the reader back online. Information, if any, in the reader at the time ofthe power cycle will be lost. If a reader should fail completely and cannot berestarted, replacing the reader is the recommended remedy.Physical MountingAs a general rule, the higher the reader antenna is positioned above theground or floor, the better the reader’s detection range. The reader’santennas should be mounted as high as reasonably possible to get the bestRF visibility over the coverage area. However, mounting the antennas on theceiling that is also the floor of the story above may be harmful because theantennas are located near a “grounded floor”. In this case, the floor (RFabsorbing ground) is now above the reader instead of below the reader. Itmay be necessary to experiment to find the optimum mounting position forplacing the reader / reader’s antennas.
Spider IIIAR Installation1250 South Clearview, Mesa, Arizona 85208 (480) 969-2828 Page 8 of 15The reader can be mounted in one place with the reader antennas mountednearby. Low loss SMA coaxial extension cables may be used to extend theantennas from the reader chassis.If the reader antennas are mounted separately from the reader chassis, thereader mounting may still be determined by the communication requirementsof the network. If the network is using wireless communication, the readersneed to be mounted so they are visible to the wireless access point(s)required to make the connection. If the readers are connected by wiredEthernet, there are no RF restrictions on where the reader chassis is mounted.
Spider IIIAR Installation1250 South Clearview, Mesa, Arizona 85208 (480) 969-2828 Page 9 of 15The Spider IIIAR Reader chassis has mounting tabs as shown below. Themounting slots accommodate up to a size 8 screw.Dimensions are in inches.12.2513.2514.002.001.1258.7514.15Wireless LANAntennaPower SwitchReader AntennaConnections2.0Chassis MountingTab
Spider IIIAR Installation1250 South Clearview, Mesa, Arizona 85208 (480) 969-2828 Page 10 of 15Power SourceThe reader is normally powered from a wall transformer that plugs into a 120VAC power outlet. The transformer delivers 18 VAC to the reader through a15 feet cable and a circular three-conductor plug. Two of the conductors arethe power source (18VAC) and the other conductor is earth ground from theground pin of the wall socketIf available and/or needed, the reader may be powered by low voltage AC orDC power. This may be advantageous if there is other power sourcesavailable such a UPS or battery. The reader can operate with 10 to 18 VACinput or 10 to 24 VDC input. The power input pins are non-polarized and canbe connected using either polarity DC. DC power may be useful if the readeris mounted in a remote location using a battery for power with a solar cellrecharger to the battery.Open ~ ~ GndReader PowerConnectorAC or DCvoltage inputnon-polarized x2ChassisGround
Spider IIIAR Installation1250 South Clearview, Mesa, Arizona 85208 (480) 969-2828 Page 11 of 15AntennasThe type and placement of the antenna determines the maximum range ofthe reader. The antenna coverage patterns shown for relative illustrationpurposes and not intended as definitive design parameters. The antennaranges specified are considered best case under optimum conditions.¼ Wave HelicalAntennaThe maximum range of the helical ¼wave antenna is about 150 feet.Top view, ¼ wave antenna coverage pattern.The view is looking down on the tip of theantenna with a circular coverage pattern.Side view, ¼ wave antenna coveragepattern. The view is looking at the sideof the antenna. Coverage is a donutshape with less coverage above andbelow the antenna than on the sides ofthe antenna.
Spider IIIAR Installation1250 South Clearview, Mesa, Arizona 85208 (480) 969-2828 Page 12 of 15¼ Wave WhipThe maximum range of the ¼ waveWhip antenna is about 200 feet.The coverage pattern is the same asthe 1/4 wave antenna shown on theprevious page.Yagi antennas cover anelongated (up to 1000feet) pattern. Mount theantenna high abovesurrounding obstructionswith a clear line-of-sightview of the target area.Aim the antenna at thecenter of the targetSpiderReaderTo cover the various orientations of the tag,mount two antennas at right angles to eachother (one vertical and one horizontal).Aim both antennas at the same target area.Each antenna is connected to one antennaconnector on the Spider Reader.Yagi Antenna
Spider IIIAR Installation1250 South Clearview, Mesa, Arizona 85208 (480) 969-2828 Page 13 of 15Omni Angle AntennaTop view, Omni Angle antennacoverage pattern. The antenna ismounted horizontally. The coverageis circular, up to 400 feet line-of-sightall directions.Side view, Omni Angle antennacoverage pattern. The coverageis elliptical with less coverageabove and below the antennathan to the sides of the antenna.
Spider IIIAR Installation1250 South Clearview, Mesa, Arizona 85208 (480) 969-2828 Page 14 of 15Spider TagsThe spider tag is a miniature radio that periodicallytransmits an identity code. The transmissionfrequency is 303.825 MHz at an extremely lowpower. The identity coding plan permits about fourbillion identities in each family group code. Thereare several thousand group codes available.The tag derives its power from a battery included in the tag. Because of thelow power transmission, the tags battery life is three to five years dependingon the environmental extremes to which it is exposed. The basic tag can beopened and the battery replaced if needed. The Spider tag is FCC certifiedfor use as a low power transmitter.The tag’s transmission pattern iscircular when viewed from above. ASpider reader can see a tag from anydirection as long as the tag and thereader’s antennas are oriented in thesame plane. During installation, try tomaintain a common orientation for alltags used in the installation.The transmission distance in the otherplane of the tag is considerably shorterthan the transmission distance of theprimary plane.From a practical standpoint, having all the tags in the same orientation in aninstallation probably is not possible. For this reason, the Spider reader needsits antennas positioned to receive tag transmissions from any orientation.The two antennas on the reader need to have a receive orientation of 90degrees to each other.
Spider IIIAR Installation1250 South Clearview, Mesa, Arizona 85208 (480) 969-2828 Page 15 of 15The tag’s read distance is severely limited when the tag is close to the groundbecause the ground absorbs the tag’s transmission. Place the tag as farabove the ground as possible.When deploying Spider Tags, avoid placing tags on top of each other in sucha manner that there is a mutual inductance between the tags. Mutualinductance detunes the transmission frequency of the tag which makes itinvisible to the Spider Reader. After it’s installed, each tag must have aminimum of ½ inch distance between it and any adjacent tag.Radio frequency energy is absorbed by water; that’s what makes yourmicrowave oven work. The Spider Tag transmits a radio frequency identityand its transmission is also absorbed by water. Tagging people presents aparticular problem because people are made up of mostly water. When a tagis 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 toposition 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 footmay be a good place to hang a tag on a person, the foot’s close proximity tothe ground is bad because the ground absorbs as much or more energy thanthe body.When tagging people it’s necessary to test the effective range of the tag andplace the readers in appropriate places to compensate for the reducedtransmission range.The tag can be attached to a metallic or non-metallic assets. When attachingto 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 directionsincluding through the asset.When attaching the tag to a metallic asset, the tag must be held away fromthe metal a minimum of ¼ inch. A longer distance is better. When properlyheld away from the metal, the transmission pattern isExample; 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 thecarrier bag along with the documentation.

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