Activator
Installation Manual
Activator Installation Manual
Notices
Information provided in this manual is a result of the design and development
of AXCESS Inc. products and is subject to change without notice. It applies
only to current AXCESS 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 AXCESS Inc.
FCC Rules
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits
for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These
limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and
can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Re-orient or relocate the activation antenna
• Increase the separation between the equipment and activator
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help
Responsibilities
• AXCESS Inc. declines all liability for any damage that might result from
any errors or omissions in this document or from improper installation.
• AXCESS 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 AXCESS Inc.
• AXCESS 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.
Customer Service
AXCESS Inc. toll-free support line is 1-800-577-6080.
2 750.001.006 R04 © 2005, AXCESS Inc.
Table of Contents
GENERAL INSTALLATION INFORMATION .......................................................................... 4
S
AFETY
................................................................................................................................... 4
I
NFORMATION FLAGS
H
AND TOOLS, EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS
Provided Materials ............................................................................................................. 5
Required Materials............................................................................................................. 5
Recommended................................................................................................................... 6
OVERVIEW............................................................................................................................... 7
S
PECIFICATIONS
F
EATURES
............................................................................................................................... 7
CONFIGURING THE ACTIVATOR .......................................................................................... 9
C
ONNECTING POWER
S
ETTING THE ACTIVATOR
S
ERIAL PORT COMMANDS
Receiving Help................................................................................................................. 15
Changing the Baud Rate ................................................................................................. 15
ACTIVATOR INSTALLATION................................................................................................ 16
................................................................................................................ 4
............................................................................... 5
...................................................................................................................... 7
............................................................................................................... 9
ID................................................................................................... 10
...................................................................................................... 15
R
EQUIRED MATERIALS
M
OUNTING THE ACTIVATOR
A
CTIVATION FIELD SIZE
........................................................................................................... 16
.................................................................................................... 16
.......................................................................................................... 17
Adjusting the Field ........................................................................................................... 17
INDEX ..................................................................................................................................... 18
Activator Installation Manual
General Installation Information
Safety
Personal safety is of first importance in the performance of any job.
• Installation and configuration of the ActiveTag 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 or cutting, do not damage wires, pipes or structural
components.
• When installing antennas and related equipment above a ceiling,
make sure they are properly attached to a structural member and
accessible for maintenance.
Information Flags
Information flags in this document draw your attention to important
information:
IMPORTANT!
NOTE
TIP
Provides essential information to the user that will ensure
proper operation of the hardware or software. If this advice is
not followed, system recovery can be difficult or timeconsuming. ALWAYS READ THESE ITEMS.
Provides helpful information that can make the installation go
more smoothly and quickly.
Provides useful information to the user on a particular
procedure or technique.
4 750.001.006 R04 © 2005, AXCESS Inc.
Hand Tools, Equipment and Materials
The following are provided, required and recommended hand tools,
equipment and materials necessary for the successful configuration
and installation of the Activator:
Provided Materials
Unpack the Activator. The following items are included with
each unit:
• Activator Transmitter
• AC/DC plug-in transformer with connector
• Tuning Tool
Required Materials
• 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). Finished
length should be no more than 50 feet (20 feet max. if using the
road loop lead wire). If installed outside, the cable should be
rated for direct burial.
Activator Installation Manual
• 3-piece crimp type male BNC connectors (for example,
Amphenol 31-320). Connectors can be damaged during
crimping. Having more than two on hand for each cable made is
recommended.
• A computer or terminal device to configure the Activator
• A terminal communication program such as HyperTerminal
(standard with MS Windows installations)
• A straight-through (one-to-one) DB9 male to female serial cable.
IMPORTANT! DO NOT use a null-modem cable or a null-
modem adapter.
• Tape measure
• Power drill and bits
• Phillips and flathead screwdrivers
• Needle-nose pliers
• Diagonal cutters
• Wire strippers
• Three blade rotary coaxial cable stripper
• BNC crimpers
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Activator Installation Manual
Recommended
• Ladder
• Fishing line – 15 lb. test for pulling cable
• Tie wraps and anchors
• A pair of walkie-talkies if more than one installer will be on site
• Laptop computer to connect to the Activator easily
• Instructions for all third party devices
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Overview
The Activator is a stand-alone transmitter that connects directly to
an application-specific transmit antenna to provide low frequency
activation signal that awakens tags as they pass through the
antenna’s field. The Activator writes its location ID to the tag, which
is then retransmitted, along with the tag’s unique ID to the Receiver.
From this information, the Receiver uses the Activator ID to
determine what action to take with the Tag data.
Activator Installation Manual
Specifications
TM
TX OUTPUT
PWR TX RX
Figure 1 Front panel of the Activator
DATA
RS-232
TX CNTL
+
POWER
GND +24VDC
-
Figure 2 Back panel of the Activator
Power
Adapter 120 V AC/24 V DC transformer
Input 24 V DC @ 1 Amp
Dimensions
Height 1.5 inches
Width 3.5 inches
Depth 6.5 inches
Weight
Operating
Temperature
12 ounces
-40 to +185F (-40 to +85C)
TM
Features
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Activator Installation Manual
The Activator has the following functions:
Control Point Architecture
Limits the tag activation to specific user-defined points or zones for
tracking and control.
Adjustable Power
The Activator’s activation zone can be sized using a simple tuning
tool with exterior LED power-level indicators.
Signal Penetration
The Activator’s low frequency signal penetrates briefcases, luggage,
clothing, people, and virtually all non-metallic building materials.
Flexible Installation
The Activator connects directly to a wide variety of applicationspecific antennas at distances up to 50 feet away (we recommend
this length be kept under 20 feet).
8 750.001.006 R04 © 2005, AXCESS Inc.
TX OUTPUT
RX
GND
+24VDC
TX CNTL
Configuring the Activator
The Activator can be configured with its own user-defined location ID
via serial port (using a PC or terminal communications device) or
manually via jumpers. The unit installs easily and offers flexible
coverage for perimeter doors, interior zones, vehicle lanes and other
control points throughout the facility.
The following items are necessary for the successful configuration of
the Activator:
• A computer with a terminal program and a free communications port
• A standard one-to-one computer modem RS-232 cable with a DB9 male
connector (Receiver end) and a suitable connector for the PC/terminal
end
Activator Installation Manual
IMPORTANT! Do not use a null-modem cable or null-modem adapter.
Connecting Power
Activators come with a 24V DC, 1 Amp power transformer that plugs
into a standard 110V AC outlet. The transformer is pre-wired into the
terminal block at the factory. IF uninterruptible power is an issue, a
backup battery or UPS can be used.
To connect power to the Activator
1: Connect the antenna to the Activator in order for the antenna
auto-tune feature to function when power is applied. Auto-tune
takes place each time power is cycled.
2: Plug the power terminal block into the back of the Activator
(Figure 3).
BNC
Connector
From
Transmit Antenna
TM
Front Panel
TM
PWR TX
To 24V DC
Source
Back Panel
DATA
RS-232
POWER
-
+
Power
Terminal Block
Figure 3 Connecting power to the Activator
3: Plug the AC adapter into a 110-volt outlet.
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Activator Installation Manual
Setting the Activator ID
The Activator sends its ID number in the wake-up signal. The Tag
then transmits both its own ID and the device ID of the Activator to
the Receiver.
IMPORTANT! All Activators are given the same ID number (127) at the
factory. Each Activator in a multi-Activator application needs to be set with a
unique ID number to ensure proper behavior of the system.
An Activator ID can be set by two methods:
Method 1 – serial commands (requires a computer or terminal device).
This is the preferred method of setting the Activator ID
Method 2 – hardware jumpers if no terminal is available
Required Materials
• A computer or portable terminal with a free communications port.
A laptop is recommended because it can be taken into the field
easily.
• A terminal program for communicating with an Activator.
HyperTerminal is convenient since it is standard with the
WindowsTM based operating system. Other terminal emulation
programs, such as ProComm, etc., can also be used.
• A standard one-to-one (straight-through) computer modem RS-
232 cable with a DB9 male connector for the Receiver and
suitable connector for the PC/terminal.
IMPORTANT! DO NOT use a null-modem cable or null-modem adapter.
Method 1: Serial Commands
To connect the computer to the Activator
1: Ensure power is applied to the Activator.
2: Attach the DB-9 male connector of the RS-232 cable to the Data
RS-232 port on the back of the Activator.
3: Attach the other end of the RS-232 cable to an open com port on
the computer (Figure 4).
10 750.001.006 R04 © 2005, AXCESS Inc.
GND
+24VDC
TX CNTL
Activator Installation Manual
Open
Com Port
RS-232
Cable
Back Panel
DATA
RS-232
POWER
-
+
Figure 4 Connecting computer to the Activator
To communicate via Windows HyperTerminal
1: From the Start button on the computer’s desktop, select Programs
> Accessories > Communications > HyperTerminal.
2: In the Explorer window that appears, double-click the
Hypertrm.exe icon to launch the HyperTerminal application.
3: In the Connection Description dialog, enter any name of the
connection and select the first icon in the Icon selection box; then
click OK (Figure 5).
Figure 5 Enter a name for the connection
4: Select the com port to which the Activator is connected from the
Connect Using drop-down list; then click OK (Figure 6).
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Activator Installation Manual
Figure 6 Select a com port
5: Enter the following information in the Com Properties dialog box:
Bits per second (Baud) 19200
Data Bits 8
Parity None
Stop Bits 1
Flow Control None
6: Click OK.
To change the Activator ID number
If your ActiveTag system is using Version 5 Tags, type one of the
default Activator ID numbers in Table 1 followed by an exclamation
point “!”. The number will be accepted as the Activator’s ID number.
NOTE 127 is the default Activator ID.
3 34 70 103 13 44
72 105 14 47 75 106
21 52 80 113 22 55
83 114 24 57 93 124
27 58 94 127 33 69
100
Table 1 Default Activator IDs programmed into the Network Receiver
If your ActiveTag system is using Version 6 or later tags, type any
number between 1 and 250 followed by an exclamation point “!”.
If you type: 113!
Activator response: ID = 113
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Activator Installation Manual
Method 2: Hardware
When set with jumpers, the Activator ID is a binary number
represented by jumpers. A 1 is represented by a jumper on the
header and a 0 is represented by an absence of a jumper (Table 2).
Once an Activator ID is set by jumpers, it can not be reset with serial
commands. In order for serial commands to take effect, the jumpers
must be removed, the unit must powered down and then rebooted.
However, even with the jumpers removed the Activator will maintain
the ID that had been set with jumpers until reprogrammed with the
serial command.
NOTE Before the Activator ID is set with jumpers, the default ID is 127,
although there are no jumpers on the headers.
ID# Jumpers
ID# Jumpers
JP19 JP12
JP19 JP12
3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 70 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0
13 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 72 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0
14 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 75 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 1
21 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 80 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
22 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 83 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1
24 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 93 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 1
27 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 94 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 0
33 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 100 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0
34 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 103 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1
44 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 105 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 1
47 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 106 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0
52 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 113 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1
55 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 114 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0
57 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 124 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0
58 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 127 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
69 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0
Table 2 Activator IDs and their jumper positions
To set the Activator ID with jumpers
1: Power down the Activator and disconnect the wake-up antenna.
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Activator Installation Manual
Jumpers for setting the
Front of Activator
2: Carefully remove the lid from the Activator case and locate the
JP12-JP19 jumper block.
3: Using needle-nose pliers, place jumpers on headers JP12 through
JP19 (Figure 7) to represent the ID number in binary. A jumper
on a header represents a one and absence of a jumper is a zero.
JP12 is the least significant bit and JP19 is the most significant
bit.
Antenna BNC
Connector
JP12
JP19
Activator ID
Least Significant Bit
Most Significant Bit
Figure 7 Activator ID Jumpers
JP12
JP19
Activator ID 13- 00001101
JP12
JP19
Activator ID 100 - 01100100
Figure 8 Examples of Activator IDs set with Jumpers
IMPORTANT! Ensure that the Receiver is configured to accept the
new Activator ID so that it may process the Tag data properly.
Please see the Network Receiver Installation Manual for instructions
on programming the Receiver to respond to the new Activator ID.
14 750.001.006 R04 © 2005, AXCESS Inc.
Serial Port Commands
There are commands available to list a help screen and change
the baud rate of the Activator’s serial port.
Receiving Help
Typing a question mark “?” displays a help screen listing all
commands available for the Activator:
Changing the Baud Rate
To connect the Activator to another serial device, you can
change the Activator’s baud rate to match the baud rate of the
device by entering one of the following commands:
Baud Rate Command
NOTE After you have set the baud rate, you will need to adjust the
port settings of the serial device.
c = 4800cps
d = 9600cps
e = 19200cps
<Num>! = ID
4800 c
9600 d
19200 E (Default baud rate)
Activator Installation Manual
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Activator Installation Manual
TX OUTPUT
Activator Installation
The Activator originates the signal that is broadcast by the transmit
antenna. The Activator should be installed as close as possible to the
transmit antenna, and up to 50 feet away by cable distance from the
antenna. Contact Distributor Support for assistance with extended
distance installations. The shorter the cable, the better the system
will perform.
Required Materials
The following materials are necessary for a successful installation:
• Power drill and bits
• Screwdrivers – Phillips and flathead
• Two screws (for wall mount)
NOTE Depending on the surface that the Activator will be mounted on, you
may want to use #10 molly bolts.
Mounting the Activator
IMPORTANT! Before permanently mounting any piece of the ActiveTag
System, first lay out and test the entire system.
The Activator should be a maximum of 50 feet from the transmit
antenna for best performance.
Holes on the bottom of the Activator allow it to be mounted vertically
to a wall or other surface.
IMPORTANT! Cycle the power on the Activator after attaching the
transmitting antenna.
To install the Activator
1. Install the Activator as close as possible to the transmit antenna.
A maximum distance of 50 feet for best performance.
2. Cycle the power on the Activator after attaching the transmitting
antenna in order for the antenna’s auto-tune feature to function.
3. Check the strength of the TX Output LEDs located on the front
panel of the Activator (Figure 9). A minimum of four lit LEDs is
desired.
Figure 9 TX Output LEDs on the front of the Activator
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TX CNTL
Activation Field Size
The Tag activation area can be controlled by adjusting the size of
the activation field. For example, you may want to shrink the
activation field to concentrate the field near a doorway,
preventing activation of tags further up the hall.
NOTE Each Activator is shipped from the factory with its activation
control adjusted to its highest level.
Adjusting the Field
The size of the activation field is controlled by the TX CNTL screw
on the back of the Activator (Figure 10). The screw can turn in
one direction 30 times. After it has been turned 30 times in one
direction, it will make a soft clicking sound. The clicks indicate
that continuing in this direction will no longer have an effect on
the field’s size. When you hear this sound, the wake-up field has
been adjusted to one extreme or the other.
Activator Installation Manual
-
+
Figure 10 Adjust the size of the activation field
To Reduce the Activation Field
Rotate the TX CTRL screw clockwise with the supplied tuning
wand. Constantly check the field with an LED Test Tag to ensure
that the field is the size that you want.
TIP The system will stop functioning if the activation control is turned
down too low. To fix this, turn the screw counter-clockwise until it clicks.
Then slowly reduce the field by tuning the TX CNTL screw clockwise
while checking its size.
To Enlarge the Activation Field
Rotate the TX CTRL screw counter-clockwise with the supplied
tuning wand. When it clicks, it has been tuned up as high as
possible.
After Adjusting the Field
Cycle the power on the Activator after the field has been adjusted.
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Activator Installation Manual
Index
Activation Field Size, 17
Adjusting the Field, 17
Adjustable Power, 8
Changing Activator ID Numbers, 12
Configuring Activator, 9
Connecting Computer to Activator, 10
Connecting Power, 9
Control Point Architecture, 8
Features, 7
Flexible Installation, 8
Front Panel, 7
Hotline, 2
Information Flags, 4
Installation, Activator, 16
Jumper Positions, 13
Materials
Provided, 5
Recommended, 6
Required, 5
Mounting the Activator, 16
Rear Panel, 7
Receiving Help, 15
Safety, 4
Serial Port Commands, 15
Setting Activator ID
Jumpers, 13
Serial Commands, 10
Signal Penetration, 8
Specifications, 7
Windows HyperTerminal, 11
18 750.001.006 R04 © 2005, AXCESS Inc.
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