GE Masoneilan VECTOR V1100, Instruction Manual

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13
StepVolt Benefits
Using a high StepVolt setting enables the VECTOR V1100 to support a much higher rate of
wireless HART packets transmission. Even if the particular device attached to the VECTOR
V1100 is configured for a very low update rate, being able to support a high rate of wireless
HART packets helps the overall wireless HART network operation.
Wireless HART is a mesh network - Each node in the network routes messages on behalf of
other nodes in the network. This is done to expand the overall range of the network and also
for network data reliability by forming multiple redundant paths. Setting the VECTOR V1100
to a high StepVolt enables more wireless HART packets to be routed through the VECTOR
V1100 for other network nodes.
Another consideration from a wireless HART network standpoint is that many devices in a
wireless HART network are battery powered and all wireless transmissions performed by
these devices impact battery life. The more wireless HART devices that a battery powered
node has to route messages for, the shorter its overall battery life.
The VECTOR V1100 is different - Since it is loop powered it can support wireless messages
indefinitely without any concerns of battery life. By placing VECTOR V1100s at key locations
in a wireless HART network, such as places that route messages for other wireless HART
nodes, this routing function can be off loaded from battery powered nodes to the VECTOR
V1100 and help to preserve the battery life of battery powered nodes.
NOTE
The value shown in Wireless HART Packets per second column is
the value reported back in HART Command 777.
Plan on using the highest StepVolt setting possible to help the
overall wireless HART network performance.
Table 1 StepVolt Settings
StepVolt Setting Wireless HART Packets per
Second
1.0 V 4.25
1.5 V 12.65
2.0 V 19.66
2.5 V 26.66