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Chapter 5:
Performance Issues
Evaluating your area of planned operation
Since every operational environment is different, it is impossible for us to tell you exactly what equipment you need and where
you should put it to achieve maximum performance from your RF System. However with 3.3 miles of open area range, unless you
are going through a lot of walls, you probably won't care where the Base is located and you probably will not need a Relay.
Site Survey
was developed so that the user could start with a minimum system (RF Terminal and Base Station) and determine for
themselves what their realistic operating range is, what additional equipment they need, and where to install their Base Stations to
achieve optimum performance. Some other manufactures require expensive Site Surveys before you can even purchase any
equipment from them. Our Site Survey allows you the flexibility to Site Survey whenever you choose, whether it is before you in-
stall your system or during operation to troubleshoot RF problems. Site Survey is the most valuable tool you have to help you
achieve an efficient RF System with maximum range.
There is also some basic information about Radio Frequency itself that can help you make smart choices about the location and compo-
sition of your system:
Metal walls are almost impenetrable by RF
. If your warehouse computer is located in a metal shed, don’t locate the Base Station in-
side with the computer. Locate the Base Station outside the metal shed instead.
The more walls you try to transmit through, the more the signal breaks down.
Walls that have metal studs (interior office
walls) and concrete walls with steel rebar slightly degrade the signal with each wall you try to go through. Metal walls may require
the use of Relay Stations to achieve adequate coverage.
Organic material absorbs RF energy
. If you are trying to operate in an area with lots of densely packed organic material (bags of
beans or corn), expect and plan for reduced operating ranges.
There are some additional measures (other than a Site Survey) you can take early on to maximize your range:
Base Stations should be located at the center of the area of intended coverage
. If they are not located in the center, they
should be tilted in the direction of use.
Raise the Base Station
. Sometimes just raising the Base Station a foot or two will dramatically increase your operating
range, especially in a warehouse or grocery store environment. Mounting the Base Station on the ceiling with the antenna
pointing down is the best.
Performing a Site Survey
As we have said before, the Site Survey is your most valuable tool for evaluating your planned area of operation. All you need to
perform a Site Test is a RF Terminal, a Base Station and its 5v power supply. There are a few things you need to do though before
you begin:
Make sure
all
other
Base Stations are turned
OFF
.
Make sure that the Base Station and RF Terminal you are using are set to the same channel. Base Stations and RF Terminals are
shipped from the factory set to channel 0. If you need to change the channel, see
The Base Station does not need to be connected to a host computer to do a Site Survey. Simply connect the Base Station to wall
power using the 5v power adapter. Locate the Base where you think you will have the best range and power it up. Turn on the RF
Terminal and press a key at the opening screen. At the
MODE MENU:
MODE MENU
1 - Sign On
2 - Setup
3 - One Way Mode
4 - RF Site Survey
Enter Selection : _
select option 4 to go to the Site Survey screen.
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