DataSure™
Operators Manual
9
PT 6*****
With the Starrett
DataSure™
, EndNodes broadcast effectively within a 25-meter (80 feet)
radius, more or less. Routers and Gateway network nodes have a broadcast radius of 30 meters
(97 feet). With this knowledge, you can simply draw out a schematic floor plan of the area for
the
DataSure™
system to be deployed in and superimpose circles of the scaled radio ranges for
each network element.
1.5.5.1 Steps to layout your network:
1.
Render a floor plan of the shop area to be covered.
2.
Locate work cells or locations where the measurements are to be taken on the floor plan.
3.
Determine and locate any large obstruction or electrical noise source that radio coverage
will be blocked. Typically, radio coverage can be considered zero.
4.
Draw scaled circles around the area in which the Gateway and Routers can or will be
placed (30 meters to scale).
5.
Draw circles around the location or areas in which the EndNode radios will be used (25
meter to scale).
6.
Where EndNode broadcast circles overlap or touch, with a Router or Gateway broadcast
circle, radio coverage is good.
7.
Where gaps occur between Gateway, Routers, and EndNodes, you will have poor to zero
coverage. To resolve this gap problem, move the Routers closer to cover the area or add a
Router to fill the coverage gap.
8.
In order to have contiguous coverage on your floor plan, you should have at least one
path from EndNode to Gateway with zero gaps in the diagram.
9.
Take your floor plan out to the actual area and physically place routers and the gateway
in the locations indicated on the floor plan schematic.
10.
Test the network to see if it works. If not, check for gaps in the actual coverage on the
shop floor.
1.5.5.2 Tips for best performance:
1.
Make sure the batteries are good in the EndNodes. Battery condition and voltage value is
indicated on the
DataSure™
‘s Homepage.
2.
Place Routers up high above machinery and their enclosures, but no more than 15 – 20
feet off of the floor or area in which measurements are to be taken.
3.
If using a STRING configuration make sure radio coverage of adjacent Routers overlap
by several meters to insure good connectivity. Ideally the Routers are placed above
interference areas. (See #2 above)
4.
Locate
DataSure™
nodes away from known EMI sources:
5.
When EndNodes are within the 25 meters distance to the nearest Router, but appearing to
not get received by the Gateway, it may be because the EndNode’s radio waves are being
shielded by a large metal enclosure or there is EMI in the immediate vicinity of the
measurement area. Remedies for this; is to either wait for the EMI to subside or insure
that the measurement button is pushed when the tool is in plain sight of the Router or
Gateway (which ever is closer).
6.
Metal shields and blocks radio waves. Be diligent in locating and using all
DataSure™
components away from metal expanses if possible. There is no danger, but radio
reception/broadcast range will diminish significantly. When Routers or Gateways are
