Quick Start Guide
TransCore Proprietary6
Reader Placement
Encompass 4 Readers may be mounted on a pole at the side of the lane (side-fire), or on a gantry or
surface extending over the center of the lane (overhead). The reader should be located in a place
where it is not likely to be bumped out of alignment. Readers should not directly face each other or be
positioned back-to-back.
For a pole mount installation, readers should be installed as high as possible so that the reader can be
pointed down to control the read zone and minimize interference in the adjacent lane.
Tag Placement on Vehicle
Most TransCore RFID tags should be mounted in the center of the windshield to the right of the rear-
view mirror post. Refer to the installation instructions for your specific tag for more information on tag
placement.
Site Layout, Lane Type, and Trac Flow
Become familiar with the configuration of the site and its proximity to other sites. Determine what the lane
types will be, and identify any equipment that will be used, such as ticket machines or proximity readers.
The number of readers that will be required depends on the number of lanes at the site, how they are
grouped, and total entry and exit points. Measure lane widths and the distance between adjacent lanes,
taking into account any island/barrier width. TransCore recommends a lane width of 12 feet or less, with
the distance between the readers at least 12 feet or more.
Interfaces to External Equipment
For eective lane layout and transaction framing, the maximum distance from the entry loop to the reader
should be about 8 feet. The distance from the reader to the gate arm should be 3 to 4 feet before the
gate. If the read zone is much larger than 3 to 4 feet, a following car may be read (skip read), allowing a
non-tagged vehicle to enter the facility.
The readers are typically configured to be loop-activated (on by presence). Readers may be alternatively
set to have RF on continuously. The choice depends on trac volume and possible interaction with the
other in-lane components.
Electrical and Communications Requirements
The Encompass 4 Reader requires 16-20VAC, 47-63HZ, or 16-28VDC for proper operation. Contact
TransCore Sales Support for a list of recommended transformers and cable lengths.
The reader is available in RS–232 or RS–422 models. Maximum distance for RS–232 (3-wire serial) is 50
feet at 9600 baud. Maximum distance for RS–422 (4-wire dierential signal) is 4000 feet at 9600 baud.
The baud rate can be adjusted to accommodate noisy environments.
