P/N 1389990 Rev B (ECN 32099)
51
Spread Spectrum Installation Guide
Battery
A 9V alkaline battery is used to power the RTU if the control panel looses power.
When power is removed from the control panel the RTU will transmit that the
panel is powered down. The communication page on the web portal shows the
power level for each battery. The 9V battery should be replaced at the beginning
of each season. Only use 9V alkaline batteries. A new 9V battery is good for
more than 200 transmissions. If the RTU cable is removed the RTU will not
transmit that it has lost power. The RTU only transmits that it has lost power
when power is removed with the RTU cable installed.
Meshing
When first powered up the RTU attempts to find a Base RTU. The RTU will try to
find the Base RTU through any Repeaters that are on the same hop pattern as
the RTU or by directly communicating with a Base RTU on the same hop pattern.
If the RTU finds a Base RTU the Mesh LED with turn ON for a few seconds.
After the mesh LED turns on the RTU is meshed and can communicate with a
Base RTU. If the mesh light does not turn ON the RTU cannot communicate with
the Base RTU and information cannot be transferred to or from the web portal.
The MESH LED turning ON does not indicate that information can be sent to the
web portal, only that information can be send to a Base RTU.
Signal Strength
The RTU can perform a signal strength check. The signal strength is measured
by the RTU between it and the device it is communicating with, either a Repeater
or a Base RTU. To place the RTU in signal strength mode press the Signal
Strength Switch. There are five LEDs for indicating signal strength marked 0%,
25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. After pressing the Signal Strength Switch the 0%
LED with turn ON. The signal strength will then be indicated by how many of the
signal strength LEDs turn on. The RTU will remain in Signal Strength Mode until
the Signal Strength Switch is pressed again. While in Signal Strength Mode the
RTU will keep checking the signal strength every 30 seconds. The antenna
position can be adjusted while the RTU is in signal strength mode. If power is
removed and then returned the RTU will power up in its normal operating mode.
Unplugging the RTU and waiting 10 seconds for all power to drain before
connecting it to power again insures that the RTU is no longer in Signal Strength
Mode. There must be an operational Repeater or Base RTU on the same hop
pattern for a signal strength check to be performed.
