Wireless Installation Considerations |
Before purchasing a wireless system of any type, or from any manufacturer, one should become knowledgeable about the factors that affect reliable wireless communications. Some pre-thought and pre-planning could save time and effort. If you decide to go wireless, you will be installing a "system" not just a product. Potentially, the original "system" you may be envisioning may include factors that are detrimental to a reliable communication path. Some of these factors may include:
- Especially long distances
- Long distances indoors through many factory walls or floors
- Local sources of electrical interference (motors, contactors, etc.)
- Physical obstructions (trees, hills, cars, etc.)
- Rain, snow, or heavy fog
- Either parked or passing cars or trucks in the communications path
These factors should be reduced, eliminated, or considered in the design when constructing the wireless system. Achieving "line of sight" (LOS) where there is nothing between the send and receive antennas is optimum. Some solutions may include mounting an antenna(s) in a different or remote location (even experimenting with its location), the use of a higher gain antenna (yagi), or the use of a repeater. While most of these options can be implemented after the initial installation, carefully selecting wireless device locations will lessen the need for those options. For example, if a level instrument is located at the bottom of a tank, and you wanted to send that signal wirelessly to another location a good distance away, it would be best to run the level signal to the top of the tank so that you can position the wireless device with the antenna up high and away from the tank wall. Or, you could remote mount just the antenna to the top of the tank.
We have selected the 900 Mhz radio frequency for two major reasons. It penetrates walls and floors better than higher frequency radios. Also, the receiver that is used at that frequency is much more sensitive (hears better) than higher frequency receivers. Both of these factors help establish more reliable communications. But keep this in mind. The communication range is ultimately determined by how the system's design has dealt with surrounding physical factors, distance, and any electrical interference.
With permission from its author, we have made available an article by B&B Electronics in pdf form entitled "The Ten Commandments of Wireless Communications" via a link below. Once you understand the information contained in the article, you will be much better prepared to design your wireless system. We also encourage you to read the installation manual for the wireless product. It will have a good deal of valuable information. Our manuals (in pdf format) can be found in a link at the bottom of the every product page. After you have read the article and the manuals, please call us if you have any questions. We would be happy to help.
Click here for "The Ten Commandments of Wireless Communications" |
