Axcess NT132 User manual

NT132 RFID System
Installation Manual

Notices
2 750.001.003
Revised June 1999 © 1999 AXCESSTM Inc.
Notices Information provided in this manual is a result of the design and
development of AXCESSTM INC. products and is subject to change
without notice. It applies only to current AXCESSTM INC. RFID
systems.
No part of this manual may be reproduced, translated or transmitted,
in any form or by any means, without the prior written consent of
AXCESSTM INC.
Responsibilities •AXCESSTM INC. declines all liability for any damage that might
result from any errors or omissions in this document or from
improper installation.
•AXCESSTM INC. can only guarantee the correct operation of its
products if they are used with the software programs, systems,
and consumables supplied or authorized in writing by AXCESSTM
INC.
•AXCESSTM INC. recommends keeping the original packaging for
transporting the equipment later.
Registered Trademarks
Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or
registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Document Revisions
Number Changes Author Date
700.001.001 Original Issue Jerry Hegdahl Nov 1998
750.001.002 Update Jean Mahoney Mar 1999
750.001.003 Update Jean Mahoney Apr 1999
750.001.003 Update Jean Mahoney July 1999
Customer Service AXCESSTM INC. toll-free distributor support hotline is1-800-577-
6080. Representatives are available to answer your questions from
7:30 – 6:30 Central Standard Time.

Table of Contents
General Installation Information................................................7
Safety.................................................................................................................................7
Information Flags...............................................................................................................7
Installation Tips..................................................................................................................8
Things to Consider.............................................................................................................9
Hand Tools, Equipment and Materials.............................................................................10
NT132 System Overview...........................................................13
History..............................................................................................................................13
NT132 System Components............................................................................................13
Tags.................................................................................................................................15
Reader.............................................................................................................................16
Antennas..........................................................................................................................17
Antenna Tuning Unit (ATU) .............................................................................................18
Reader Installation....................................................................19
Introduction......................................................................................................................19
Required Materials...........................................................................................................20
Mounting the Reader - All Types .....................................................................................21
Installation of a Serial Reader..........................................................................................22
Installation of a Wiegand Reader ....................................................................................23
Installation of an FTT Reader System.............................................................................25
Connecting Power to the Reader – All Types..................................................................32
Configuring 3.x Reader Firmware............................................35
Required Materials...........................................................................................................35
Connecting a Computer to the Reader............................................................................35
Communicating with the Reader via HyperTerminal .......................................................37
Reader Commands .........................................................................................................38
Entering a Command.......................................................................................................39
Toggling between reading 3.x Tags and reading 2.0 Tags..............................................40
Changing the Reader ID Number....................................................................................41
Toggling Between Default and Diagnostic Modes...........................................................42
Bypass Mode - Enabling Action on 254 Code .................................................................44
Unilon Reset Buttons.......................................................................................................45
Antenna Tuning Unit (ATU) Installation...................................49
Introduction......................................................................................................................49
Installation Considerations...............................................................................................49
Required Materials...........................................................................................................50
Prerequisite Tasks...........................................................................................................50
Mounting the ATU............................................................................................................51
Cabling the ATU ..............................................................................................................52
Connecting the ATU to the Reader..................................................................................53
Connecting the ATU to the Antennas ..............................................................................53

Contents
4 750.001.003
Revised June 1999 © 1999 AXCESSTM Inc.
Dipole Antenna Installation ..................................................... 55
Introduction.......................................................................................................................55
Required Materials...........................................................................................................55
Prerequisite Tasks ...........................................................................................................55
Installing the Dipole Antenna............................................................................................56
Road Loop Antenna Installation.............................................. 59
Introduction.......................................................................................................................59
Required Materials...........................................................................................................60
Prerequisite Tasks ...........................................................................................................60
Road Loop Layout & Connecting to the ATU...................................................................61
Common Layout Problems...............................................................................................63
Installing the Road Loop Antenna....................................................................................64
Bar Antenna System Installation............................................. 67
Introduction.......................................................................................................................67
Required Materials...........................................................................................................68
Prerequisite Tasks ...........................................................................................................68
Installation Considerations ...............................................................................................68
Installing the Bar Antenna ................................................................................................70
Swing Frame Antenna System Installation............................. 71
Introduction.......................................................................................................................71
Required Materials...........................................................................................................71
Prerequisite Tasks ...........................................................................................................71
Installing the Swing Frame Antenna.................................................................................71
Maximizing Antenna Performance with the ATU.................... 73
Adjusting Antenna Performance ......................................................................................73
Modifying Antenna Range: Adjusting the Transmitter Card . 77
Introduction.......................................................................................................................77
Required Materials...........................................................................................................78
Adjusting the Transmission Field.....................................................................................78
Tag Mounting............................................................................ 79
Mounting Tags to Assets..................................................................................................79
Mounting Tags to Vehicles...............................................................................................81
Tags and Personnel.........................................................................................................83
Troubleshooting the System ................................................... 85
Introduction.......................................................................................................................85
Required Materials...........................................................................................................85
Check the Power..............................................................................................................85
Check the Site..................................................................................................................86
Trace the Cables..............................................................................................................86

Contents
© 1999, AXCESSTM Inc. 750.001.003
Revised June 1999 5
Check the Connectors.....................................................................................................86
Check the Antennas and Cables for Continuity...............................................................87
Check the ATU ................................................................................................................89
Check the Reception .......................................................................................................90
Check the Output and Connections to Third-Party Devices............................................91
Common Problems with NT132 Components.........................93
Cable................................................................................................................................93
Power...............................................................................................................................93
ATU..................................................................................................................................93
Road Loop Antenna.........................................................................................................94
Dipole Antenna ................................................................................................................96
Bar Antenna.....................................................................................................................96
Swing Frame Antenna .....................................................................................................97
Wiegand Reader..............................................................................................................98
Serial Reader...................................................................................................................98
FTT Reader .....................................................................................................................99
Serial Gateway.................................................................................................................99
Tags.................................................................................................................................99
Appendix A: Coaxial Cable.....................................................101
Required Materials.........................................................................................................101
Attaching the BNC Connector........................................................................................101
Appendix B: Specifications....................................................103
Reader...........................................................................................................................103
Serial Gateway...............................................................................................................104
Antenna Tuning Unit (ATU) ...........................................................................................104
Antennas........................................................................................................................105
Tag.................................................................................................................................106
Customer Support Questionnaire..........................................107
Index ........................................................................................109

General Installation Information
Safety •Personal safety is of first importance in the performance of any
job.
•Installation and configuration of the NT132 system should only be
performed by experienced installers.
•Where practical or required by code, all wiring should be
enclosed in conduit, or equivalent protection, firmly anchored to
sturdy structural elements and protected from mechanical
damage.
•Hand tools should be of good quality and properly maintained.
•Hand tools should be used in the applications for which they were
intended.
•Always wear eye protection when using power tools.
•When drilling, cutting or drilling, do not damage wires, pipes or
structural components.
•When installing antennas and related equipment above ceiling,
make sure they are properly attached to a structural member and
accessible for maintenance.
Information Flags Information Flags draw your attention to important information:
IMPORTANT!
These sections provide information you must have to ensure proper
operation of hardware or software. If this advice is not followed,
system recovery can be difficult or time-consuming. ALWAYS READ
THESE ITEMS.
NOTE
These sections provide helpful information that can make the
installation go more smoothly and quickly.

General Installation Information
8 750.001.003
Revised June 1999 © 1999 AXCESSTM Inc.
Installation Tips IMPORTANT! Bench test communications between the
NT132 system and the controller or device to which it will
be connected.
Lay the entire AXCESS NT132 system out and test the
antenna fields before permanently installing any piece of
the system.
Swing Frame Antenna
Supply Cabinet
Figure 1 A real-life example of an antenna field. The gray area is
the field of a Swing Frame Antenna mounted in a hall. Always
test your field to ensure that you get the coverage you want.
Waterproofing
Any parts of the system exposed to the elements must be
waterproofed using sealing tape, waterproof boxes, sealant spray,
etc.
RTV rubber silicone sealant can be used on outside connections to
protect them from the weather.
Note: The silicone seal can be broken by just pulling on a cable, and
the sealant would then need to be reapplied.

General Installation Information
© 1999, AXCESSTM Inc. 750.001.003
Revised June 1999 9
Things to ConsiderIMPORTANT! The Reader must be installed in a moisture-free
environment at approximately room temperature and a minimum of
36 inches above the floor. Installation at eye height is recommended.
If possible, position the Reader and the ATU where they are not
readily accessible to help prevent tampering or accidental damage.
Cabling
•Use only RG-58/U coaxial cable with 50-ohm impedance
(nominal), solid copper center conductor, 55% tinned copper
braid or better, 100% foil shield coverage (for example, Belden
9310).
•The maximum recommended cable length between the Reader
and ATU is 80 feet.
•The maximum recommended cable length between the ATU and
the antennas is 20 feet.
Reader
ATU
Bar Antenna
20 feet
80 feet
Figure 2 Maximum recommended cable lengths
IMPORTANT! System performance may be adversely affected if a
different cable is used, the cable lengths exceed recommendations,
or if the cable is kinked.
NOTE: All distances are by cable run unless specified otherwise.

General Installation Information
10 750.001.003
Revised June 1999 © 1999 AXCESSTM Inc.
Hand Tools, Equipment and Materials
IMPORTANT! You need to have the following materials on hand to
ensure successful installation of the NT132 system.
These items are not supplied with the NT132 System.
Required
•RG-58/U coaxial cable with 50-ohm impedance (nominal), solid
copper center conductor, 55% tinned copper braid or better,
100% foil shield coverage (for example, Belden 9310). The
length required for your installation will vary.
•Eight 3-Piece Crimp Type Male BNC Connectors (for example,
Amphenol 31-320). Connectors can be damaged during
crimping. Having more than eight on hand is recommended.
•Tape measure
•Power drill and bits
•Diagonal cutters
•Phillips and flathead screwdrivers, including a very small flathead
screwdriver
•4 # 10 Anchors, Plastic (for mounting the Reader in drywall or
mortar)
•4 # 10 Self threading screws
•4 # 10 Washers
•4 Screws for mounting the ATU
•Wire strippers
•Three blade rotary coaxial cable stripper
•BNC crimpers
•Multimeter
•Wire to connect to third-party devices (i.e., camera, door strike,
etc.) as specified by the manufacturers.
•A computer to configure the Reader ID numbers
•A terminal communication program
•A straight-through (one-to-one) DB9 male to female serial cable.
DO NOT use a null-modem cable or a null-modem adapter.