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
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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
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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.

General Installation Information
© 1999, AXCESSTM Inc. 750.001.003
Revised June 1999 11
Required for Road Loop Antenna Installation
•Saw for cutting the road surface (e.g., a walk-behind concrete
saw)
•Two 1/8” saw blades with spacer – abrasive blades for asphalt or
diamond blades for concrete
•Vacuum or compressed air to clean the cut
•Mounting or burying hardware – concrete nails, thin dowel for
pushing wire into cut, etc.
•Road Sealant – For example, Bondo Flexible Embedding Sealer
(P-606), 3M Detector Loop Sealant or Q-Seal sealant. It takes
about a gallon of “Bondo” to seal the cuts for a 4x16-foot
antenna.
Required for Wiegand Reader Installation
•AXCESS Wiegand Readers are standard SIA 26-bit. The Reader
accepts Data Zero, Data One and Ground. Wires between the
Reader and the Wiegand control panel should be 18 AWG, no
longer than 500 feet. The wires should be green for Data Zero,
white for Data One and black for Common Ground.
Required for FTT Reader Installation
•Unshielded, twisted-pair wire to connect Readers to each other.
For details on network lengths, see Network Specifications, page
27
•Sensitive trigger, TTL relays to drive door strikes or other devices
(for example, Altronix RBSN-TTL or Alarm Saf RBKS-124P)
•22 AWG wire, maximum four feet in length, to connect the FTT
Readers to the relays.
•Additional wire as specified by device manufacturer(s) to connect
to external control devices (i.e., camera, door strike, etc.)
•A straight-through (one to one) RS-232 cable of sufficient length
to connect the Serial Gateway to the System PC. It is
recommended that the cable not exceed 50 feet in length. One
end of the cable should be a male DB9 connector.
Required for Serial Reader Installation
•A straight-through (one to one) RS-232 cable of sufficient length
to connect the Reader to the System PC. It is recommended that
the cable not exceed 50 feet in length. One end of the cable
should be a male DB9 connector.

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Revised June 1999 © 1999 AXCESSTM Inc.
Recommended
•Ladder for Bar Antenna mounting
•Chalk for marking Road Loop Antenna placement
•Fishing line – 15 lb. test for pulling cable
•Tie wraps and anchors
•Battery powered screwdriver
•Duct tape
•A pair of walkie-talkies if more than one installer will be on site
•Laptop computer to connect to Readers easily
•Wiegand wedge for Wiegand system troubleshooting
•Instructions for all third party devices

NT132 System Overview
History Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems have existed for
many years. Initially, systems were developed so that military aircraft
and ships could be quickly identified by electronic methods. Radio
equipment (transponder) on a plane or vessel would broadcast a
coded signal to identify it as a friend to an appropriate receiving
station. A plane or vessel not able to transmit the correct
identification would be considered a possible enemy. Similar
technology is employed today for air traffic control as well as vessel
identification in shipping lanes and ports – and the RF device is still
called a transponder.
Other present-day applications include “tagging” vehicles, assets or
people for identification within a designated area – or as they pass
through portals. For example, a transmitting device can be placed on
a laptop computer so it can be identified if carried out of a building.
Further, if people in that building also carry transmitting devices, it is
easy to ascertain not only that the computer left the building – but
that it was not carried by the person to whom it was assigned!
Obviously, such technology has quickly found its way into disciplines
such as vehicle entry, fleet management, inventory control, and
controlled access to buildings or other areas.
NT132 System Components
The following diagram (Figure 3) shows a very basic AXCESS NT132
system. The system has the following components:
•A Reader to send radio signals to a transmitting antenna,
receives radio signals from a receiving antenna and outputs the
data to some device – a computer or a Wiegand control panel,
for instance.
•A transmitting antenna to “wake up” any Tags in the area.
•An Antenna Tuning Unit (ATU) placed between the Reader and
the Antennas to properly tune the transmitting antenna to its
surrounding environment.
•Tags to receive wake-up radio signals and broadcast their IDs to
the receiving antenna. Tags can be carried by individuals, placed
on equipment or in vehicles.
•A receiving antenna to intercept radio signals from the Tags and
to pass the signals to the Reader.
•One or more of the following: a computer for data storage, a
peripheral device such as a light, buzzer, door strike, gate

NT132 System Overview
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Revised June 1999 © 1999 AXCESSTM Inc.
controller, camera, etc., and/or a control panel that accesses a
computer or a device.
An NT132 system may be as simple as a single Reader and Bar
Antenna controlling the front door of a small office or it may comprise
a network of interconnected devices and Readers controlled by a
computer.
Reader ATU
Transmitting Antenna
Receiving
Antenna
Tag
Device
(Computer, controller
door strike, camera
etc.)
Low Frequency Wakeup Signal
UHFTagResponse
RX
TX
Figure 3 A simple AXCESS NT132 System

NT132 System Overview
© 1999, AXCESSTM Inc. 750.001.003
Revised June 1999 15
Tags A Tag is a very small transponder (transmitter + responder) that
remains in a sleep state (off) until awakened. When the Tag receives
a special wake-up signal from the Reader, the Tag will wake up (turn
on) and emit a radio signal of its own. The signal emitted by the Tag
is typically its pre-programmed identification number – but could
include other data as well. The signal is generally used for detection,
identification and location of people or objects.
An AXCESS Tag, encased in black or beige plastic, is about the size
of a credit card and is approximately 200 mils thick. Some Tags have
slots to attach personnel ID pictures to them. Other Tags may be
attached permanently to vehicles or assets such as computers.
Types of Tags
The typical types of Tags are:
Passive Tags
A passive tag does not have an on-board power source (battery). It is
powered from the antenna radiation field of the transmitter that is
trying to wake the tag up. It uses the same antenna for transmitting
and receiving.
Active Tags
An active tag has its own battery and is capable of a greater transmit
distance (range) than the passive tag. An active tag only has a
transmitting antenna. It is common for active tags to continually
transmit and the system will only report those tags in the reception
field.
AXCESS Tags
AXCESS Tags, based on AXCESS NeuroTag technology, are a
hybrid of active/passive and do not respond until awakened. The tag
is in a “sleep” state that requires almost no power until the tag is
activated. AXCESS Tags receive on a low frequency and transmit on
an ultra high frequency.
The Tag checks the wakeup signal for proper modulation and a
Reader ID code, then transmits its own ID number along with the
Reader ID that woke it up.

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Revised June 1999 © 1999 AXCESSTM Inc.
Reader The Reader (Figure 4) originates the signal that is broadcast to wake
the Tag. The Reader has the following purposes:
•Encode a transmission wake-up signal and transmit it via the
antenna to the sleeping Tag.
•Decode the signal from the Tag via the receiving antenna. The
Reader will convert the data to a format usable by a computer or
Wiegand control panel for further processing of the information.
•Output data to a control device or a computer.
Figure 4 AXCESS Reader – external view
Types of Readers
Serial
This Reader communicates using the EIA-232 standard, more
commonly known as RS-232C. It can connect to a communications
port on a computer or any device that can accept RS-232C data.
Wiegand
Wiegand Readers output Security Industry Association (SIA) 26-bit
data to Wiegand control panels. It connects to the Wiegand control
panel by three wires – Data One, Data Zero and Ground.
Free Topology Transceiver (FTT)
FTT Readers can be used to create networks of Readers. They
communicate with a computer using Echelon LonWorksTM and can
control external devices via TTL controls.

NT132 System Overview
© 1999, AXCESSTM Inc. 750.001.003
Revised June 1999 17
Antennas Because the Tags receive and transmit at different frequencies,
different antennas are used for each leg of the communication.
Antenna construction is related to the wavelength (or fraction thereof)
of its design frequency. Antennas designed for the Ultra High
Frequency spectrum (to receive the transmit signal from the Tag) can
be quite short. Antennas designed for Very Low Frequencies (to
transmit the wake-up signal to the Tags) must be quite long. The
transmitting antenna is a loop and the receiving antenna is a dipole.
Types of Antennas
For interior use, antennas can be inconspicuously mounted – for
example, hidden in a false ceiling or disguised as a common picture
frame. Also, depending on type of installation, the transmitting
antenna and receiving antenna may be combined into a single
enclosure or may be built as separate units.
Road Loop and Dipole Antennas
The Road Loop and Dipole Antennas are used for identifying Tags in
vehicles. The Road Loop Antenna is installed in the road surface and
sends out wake-up signals. The Dipole Antenna is separate from the
Road Loop Antenna and is mounted so that it can receive
transmissions from the Tags.
Bar Antenna
The Bar Antenna has both transmitting and receiving antennas
enclosed in a box that is approximately 2 feet long, 5 inches wide and
1 inch thick. It can be inconspicuously mounted above or next to a
door or above the ceiling tiles.
Swing Frame Antenna
The Swing Frame Antenna has both transmitting and receiving
antennas built into its frame. The antenna enclosure is designed as a
picture frame so that it may be mounted unobtrusively on walls.

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Revised June 1999 © 1999 AXCESSTM Inc.
Antenna Tuning Unit (ATU)
An Antenna Tuning Unit or ATU (Figure 5) maximizes the signal
transmission from the Reader. It is installed between the Reader and
the transmitting and receiving antennas.
Figure 5 AXCESS ATU – external view
On the bottom of the ATU, there are two jacks to connect to the
transmitting and receiving antennas and two jacks to connect to the
Reader.
Types of ATUs
There are two kinds of ATUs currently provided. Although they
require different methods of optimizing performance, they perform
the same function.
Toggle Switch ATU
This ATU has a toggle switch, a rotary switch and a voltmeter. The
antenna performance is tuned by toggling one switch between three
positions and turning the other switch among ten positions. The
voltmeter indicates when the optimal setting has been reached.
Jumper ATU
This ATU has eleven 3-pin headers and five LEDs. The antenna
performance is tuned by moving jumpers on the headers. Optimal
performance is indicated by the strength of the LEDs.

Reader Installation
Introduction The Reader is the brain of the NT132 system. Its functions include
sending wakeup signals, receiving Tag signals, processing Tag data,
and routing Tag data.
Conduit
Chase
Terminal Block (TB1)
Ground Lug
RXRS-232
Unilon TX Card
Transmitter Card
Unilon Output Card
RF Card
TX
Unilon RX Card
RJ-45
Cabling Label
Reader Case
Figure 6 Reader – internal view
The Reader (Figure 6) in a typical AXCESS system consists of the
following:
•A stack of sub-controller Printed Circuit Board (PCB) cards:
Unilon RX Card – decodes the signal sent from the receiving
antenna through the RF card
RF Card – receives the signal from the receiving antenna
Unilon Output Card – sends the data to a controller or
computer
Unilon TX Card – encodes the transmission signal
Transmitter Card – sends the signal to the transmitting
antenna
•Two external female BNC connectors to connect to the Antenna
Tuning Unit (ATU)

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Revised June 1999 © 1999 AXCESSTM Inc.
•External DB9 RS-232 female connector to connect to a computer
or device
•Conduit chase for wiring access through the Reader case
•White terminal block with connections for Wiegand ground, Data
One and Data Zero, and connections for 24V power and ground
•RJ45 connector used by AXCESS for programming the Reader’s
firmware
Reader Types
Serial Reader
This type of Reader can interface directly with the communications
port of a computer or another control device that process standard
EIA-232 serial data.
Wiegand Reader
This is type of Reader outputs standard SIA 26-bit Wiegand data and
is used when interfacing with a standard Wiegand controller.
For each Tag read, the Reader outputs data every 750 milliseconds.
Duplicate Tag information is stored in the Reader’s buffer for 12
seconds so that redundant Tag reads are ignored during the this time
interval.
FTT Readers
FTT (Free Topology Transceiver) Readers are for installations
involving a network of Readers connected to one another. This is
accomplished via twisted-pair wiring over a total distance of up to
8,800 feet. FTT Readers can also control devices according to data
sent over the network by the host computer.
Required MaterialsThe following materials are necessary for a successful installation:
•Power drill and bits
•Screwdrivers – Phillips and flathead
•4 # 10 Anchors, Plastic (for mounting in drywall or mortar)
•4 # 10 Self threading screws
•4 # 10 Washers
•Depending on the surface that the Reader will be mounted on,
you may need #10 molly bolts.