Intermec 9181, 9183 User Manual

User’s

Manual

9181/9183 900MHz RF Equipment

P/N 066163-001

Intermec Corporation
6001 36th Avenue West
P.O. Box 4280
Everett, WA 98203-9280

U.S. service and technical support: 1-800-755-5505
U.S. media supplies ordering information: 1-800-227-9947

Canadian service and technical support: 1-800-688-7043
Canadian media supplies ordering information: 1-800-268-6936

Outside U.S. and Canada: Contact your local Intermec service supplier.

The information contained herein is proprietary and is provided solely for the purpose of allowing
customers to operate and/or service Intermec manufactured equipment and is not to be released,
reproduced, or used for any other purpose without written permission of Intermec.

Information and specifications in this manual are subject to change without notice.

 1997 by Intermec Corporation
All Rights Reserved

The word Intermec, the Intermec logo, JANUS, IRL, TRAKKER, Antares, Adara, Duratherm,
Precision Print, PrintSet, Virtual Wedge, and CrossBar are either trademarks or registered
trademarks of Intermec Corporation.

Throughout this manual, trademarked names may be used. Rather than put a trademark ( or )
symbol in every occurrence of a trademarked name, we state that we are using the names only in an
editorial fashion, and to the benefit of the trademark owner, with no intention of infringement.

Contents

Contents

Before You Begin v

Warranty Information v
Safety Summary v
Warnings and Cautions vi
About This Manual vi
Other Intermec Manuals viii

9181 Base Radio Unit

1

2

Learning About the 9181 Base Radio Unit 1-3

Understanding the BRU Components 1-3
Understanding the BRU Status LEDs 1-4

Installing the BRU 1-4

Mounting to Drywall Surfaces 1-4
Mounting to Wood Surfaces 1-4
Mounting to Metal Surfaces 1-5
Connecting the BRU to the Model 200 Controller 1-6
Connecting the BRU to the 9180 Controller 1-6
Terminating the Cable at the BRU 1-8

Connectors That Require a Banding Tool 1-8
Clamp-Type Connectors 1-8

Terminating the Cable at the Controller End 1-9

Troubleshooting the BRU 1-9

9183 Radio Repeater

Learning About the 9183 Radio Repeater 2-3

Understanding the Repeater Components 2-4
Understanding the Repeater Status LEDs 2-4

Setting the DIP Switches 2-5

Installing the Repeater 2-7

Mounting to Drywall Surfaces 2-7
Mounting to Wood Surfaces 2-7
Mounting to Metal Surfaces 2-7

Troubleshooting the Repeater 2-8

iii

Before You Begin

This section introduces you to standard warranty provisions, safety
precautions, warnings and cautions, document formatting conventions, and
sources of additional product information.

Warranty Information

To receive a copy of the standard warranty provision for this product, contact
your local Intermec sales organization. In the U.S. call [phone], and in
Canada call [phone]. Otherwise, refer to the Worldwide Sales & Service
list that comes with this manual for the address and telephone number of your
Intermec sales organization.

Safety Summary

Your safety is extremely important. Read and follow all warnings and cautions
in this book before handling and operating Intermec equipment. You can be
seriously injured, and equipment and data can be damaged if you do not
follow the safety warnings and cautions.

Before You Begin

Do not repair or adjust alone Do not repair or adjust energized equipment alone
under any circumstances. Someone capable of providing first aid must always
be present for your safety.

First aid Always obtain first aid or medical attention immediately after an
injury. Never neglect an injury, no matter how slight it seems.

Resuscitation Begin resuscitation immediately if someone is injured and stops
breathing. Any delay could result in death. To work on or near high voltage,
you should be familiar with approved industrial first aid methods.

Energized equipment Never work on energized equipment unless authorized
by a responsible authority. Energized electrical equipment is dangerous.
Electrical shock from energized equipment can cause death. If you must
perform authorized emergency work on energized equipment, be sure that you
comply strictly with approved safety regulations.

v

9181 and 9183 User’s Manual

Warnings and Cautions

The warnings and cautions in this manual use the following format.

Warning

A warning alerts you of an operating procedure, practice, condition, or
statement that must be strictly observed to avoid death or serious injury to
the persons working on the equipment.

Avertissement

Un avertissement vous alerte d’une procédure de fonctionnement, d’une
méthode, d’un état ou d’un rapport qui doit être strictement respecté pour
éviter l’occurrence de mort ou de blessures graves aux personnes manupulant
l’équipement.

Caution

A caution alerts you to an operating procedure, practice, condition, or
statement that must be strictly observed to prevent equipment damage or
destruction, or corruption or loss of data.

Conseil

Une précaution vous avertit d’une procédure de fonctionnement, d’une
méthode, d’un état ou d’un rapport qui doit être strictement respecté pour
empêcher l’endommagement ou la destruction de l’équipement, ou l’altération
ou la perte de données.

Notes: Notes are statements that either provide extra information about a topic or

contain special instructions for handling a particular condition or set of circumstances.

vi

Before You Begin

About This Manual

All the information you need to install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot
the 9181 Base Radio Unit and the 9183 Radio Repeater is in this manual. This
manual is written for the person who will be installing and configuring this
equipment. Many of the parameters need to be set by the network
administrator. This manual assumes that you are familiar with your network
and data communications.

• The Model 200 Controller is usually referred to as “the controller.”

• “JANUS devices” refers to all the readers and vehicle-mount computers

(VMC) in the JANUS family of data collection computers.

• “Data collection devices” refers to all the Intermec products including
JANUS devices that can communicate through a controller.

Other Intermec Manuals

You may need additional information for working with the 9181 or the 9183 in
an Intermec data collection network. This list contains only some of the
manuals for Intermec’s more recent products that can communicate with this
Intermec 900 MHz equipment. To order manuals, contact your local Intermec
representative.

Manual

Data Communications Reference Manual

Model 200 Controller System Manual

Model 200 Controller Technical Reference Manual

RF System/9180 Controller User’s Manual

RF System/9185 Controller User’s Manual

9189 RF Gateway User’s Manual

JANUS 2010 Hand-Held Computer User’s Manual

JANUS 2020 Hand-Held Computer User’s Manual

JANUS 2050 Vehicle Mount Computer User’s Manual

Intermec
Part No.

044737

063439

064398

054292

056543

066164

058426

059951

062874

vii

1

9181 Base Radio Unit

.

Learning About the 9181 Base Radio Unit

The 9181 Base Radio Unit (BRU) links the Model 200 Controller or another
Intermec network controller to the Intermec 900 MHz RF data collection
network. It broadcasts information from the controller to the Intermec RF
devices and receives RF signals from the devices, passing the information back
to the controller.

Note: The only physical connection to the BRU, other than the power cord, is to a
serial port on the controller. The antenna attaches to a connector on the front panel,
either directly or through a coax cable.

Understanding the BRU Components

This figure shows the components for the BRU. The communications port
connector, status LEDs, antenna connector, and power cord are all on the front
panel.

9181 Base Radio Unit

1

9181 BRU Components

Power
cord

Status LEDs

Antenna
connector

Base Radio

RFNC

POWER

Radio RFNC
Rx/Tx Rx/Tx

ANTENNA

9183

918XU.001

1-3

9181 and 9183 User’s Manual

Understanding the BRU Status LEDs

The front panel of the base radio unit contains three LEDs that continuously
display the status of the unit. During power up and self tests, all LEDs are on
and then they turn off. If all tests pass, the LEDs will show the status described
in this table.

LED Description

Power Indicates the BRU is receiving power.

Radio Rx/Tx Lights when BRU is receiving or transmitting a packet through

RFNC Rx/Tx Lights when the BRU is receiving or transmitting a packet of

Note: When the 9181 is connected to a controller, the controller sends out a packet
every second. This causes the Radio Rx/Tx and the RFNC Rx/Tx LEDs to blink once a
second.

the radio.

information with the controller.

Installing the BRU

To install the BRU, make sure that you use cables that are appropriate for the
distance between the BRU and the controller. Then, use one of these
procedures.

Mounting to Drywall Surfaces

If mounting the unit to drywall (sheetrock), make sure it is mounted on a
ceiling joist. Plastic anchors in drywall will not safely support the BRU.

Mounting to Wood Surfaces

If mounting the unit to wood, the minimum thickness must be 0.5 inch (12.7
mm). Use 5/16-inch sheetmetal or wood screws.

1-4

9181 Base Radio Unit

1

Mounting to Metal Surfaces

If mounting the unit to a metal surface, the minimum unreinforced thickness
must be 14 gauge (steel).

To install the BRU

1. Locate the BRU within 4 feet (1.22 m) of a power outlet.

2. Bolt the BRU to the rafters so the antenna points down. The front panel
LEDs should be visible from the ground.

3. You may want to review the section “Terminating the Cable at the BRU”
carefully before you continue.

Route the cable between the BRU and the controller and secure with plastic
tie wraps or cable clamps. At the end of the cable near the BRU, create a 7­inch drip loop to prevent water from leaking into the connector. Leave a
similar loop in the power cord.

4. Attach the antenna to the BRU so it points down. Make sure it is at the
lowest point of the ceiling and reaches below all beams, pipes, and ducts.

Installing the 9181 BRU

Tiewrap

Mounting

screws

9183

Radio RFNC

Rx/Tx Rx/Tx

A

N

N

POWER

E

T

N

A

Base Radio

RFNC

Water drip loops

918XU.002

1-5

9181 and 9183 User’s Manual

Connecting the BRU to the Model 200 Controller

To connect the BRU and the Model 200 Controller, you need to know if you
have a 2-port or 4-port RF controller card in the controller. You will also need:

• Intermec cable kit (Intermec P/N 055003) or equivalent. Each kit contains
two sets of connectors and pins: one for the controller and one for the BRU.

• Belden 89688 cable (Intermec P/N 583326) or equivalent. The BRU and the
controller may be separated by as much as 2,000 feet (650 meters) with a
data rate of 64 Kbps.

To connect the BRU to the Model 200 Controller

1. Refer to “Terminating the Cable at the BRU” and “Terminating the Cable at
the Controller End” later in this chapter for important information on
terminating the cable before you connect the BRU and controller.

2. Connect the 9-socket end of the cable to the controller.

• If you have a 2-port RF controller card, connect one end of the Belden

cable to one of the ports on the card.

• If you have a 4-port card, Intermec provides you with a 4-port interface

cable. Insert the controller end of the interface cable into the port on the
RF controller card. Connect one end of the Belden cable to one of the
downline connectors (DNLN 1, DNLN 2, DNLN 3, or DNLN 4).

3. Connect the other end of the cable to the BRU.

Connecting the BRU to the 9180 Controller

To connect the BRU and the 9180 Network Controller, you need:

• Intermec cable kit (Intermec P/N 055003) or equivalent. Each kit contains
two sets of connectors and pins: one for the controller and one for the BRU.

• Belden 89688 cable (Intermec P/N 583326) or equivalent. The BRU and the
controller may be separated by as much as 2,000 feet (650 meters) with a
data rate of 64 Kbps.

1-6

To connect the BRU to the 9180 controller

1. Refer to “Terminating the Cable at the BRU” and “Terminating the Cable at

2. Connect the 9-socket end of the cable to one of the downline connectors

3. Connect the other end of the cable to the BRU. Refer to the table on the next

DNLN Port Pin Assignments

Pin
No. Function

8 RXD Input Circuit A (Differential input pair for receive data)

9 RXD Input Circuit B

9181 Base Radio Unit

the Controller End” later in this chapter for important information on
terminating the cable before you connect the BRU and controller.

(DNLN 1 or DNLN 2) on the controller. Refer to the table on the next page
for DNLN port pin assignments.

page for BRU pin assignments.

1

4 TXD Output Circuit A (Differential output pair for transmit

data)

6 TXD Output Circuit B

1 Shield Ground

3 Shield Ground

7 Circuit Ground

5 +5 VDC

BRU to Network Controller Connection

BRU Controller

Rx+ A 4 Tx+
Rx- B 6 Tx-

Tx- K 9 Rx+
Tx+ J 8 Rx-

Network

Shield

918XU.003

1-7

9181 and 9183 User’s Manual

BRU Pin Assignments

GJ

Terminating the Cable at the BRU

The conductor and cable shield for the BRU must be terminated properly. Do
not terminate the cable with any other connector than the ones that Intermec
recommends. Placing a DB-9 or any other connector at the BRU end of the cable
and then running a short cable to the BRU connector is not acceptable and will
result in poor performance.

Pin Function

A

H

K

F

B

C

D

E

A RX+

B RX-

J TX+

K TX-

All other open pins are not used.

Note: If you are attaching the connector to the cable before running the cable along the
ceiling, make sure the cable will not have to pass through any small holes or other
obstructions that will not let the connector through.

You may want to test or Ohm out the cable for shorts before connecting it to
either the BRU or the controller.

Connectors That Require a Banding Tool

Follow the instructions that come with the cable carefully. The bands that
secure the cable shield to the BRU connector backshell is a standard shell (0.25
inch) and can be tightened with any automotive CV joint boot banding tool.

Note: Do not overtighten the band or it will cut through both the shield and the
internal wires.

Once the shield band is installed, make sure you heat the waterproof heat
shrink in place to protect the back of the connector.

Clamp-Type Connectors

Note: If you are using the clamp-type BRU connector, assemble the BRU connector kit
onto the end of the cable. Make sure the cable shield is properly terminated in the
connector backshell.

1-8

Terminating the Cable at the Controller End

Once the BRU is mounted and the cable is routed and secured to the controller,
size up the cable and provide plenty of extra cable length before you cut the
cable.

Cut the cable and terminate it with the 9-pin D shell connector from the kit.

Note: It is very important that you connect the cable shield to the backshell of the
connector.

Troubleshooting the BRU

During power up and the self tests, all LEDs are on. If any of the self tests fail,
the LEDs will blink. The LED blink patterns are listed in this table.

Fault Radio Rx/Tx LED RFNC Rx/Tx LED

ROM Test rapid blinking rapid blinking

9181 Base Radio Unit

1

RAM Test rapid blinking off

CPU Test off rapid blinking

Note: Do not confuse the rapid blinking in the self tests with the blinking (every
second) that occurs when the controller sends out status packets. To verify which
blinking is occurring, disconnect the BRU from the controller.

1-9

2

9183 Radio Repeater

.

Learning About the 9183 Radio Repeater

The 9183 Radio Repeater stores and forwards information between the data
collection devices and the 9181 Base Radio Unit (BRU). You use a repeater
when distance or physical layout impedes radio reception and transmission.

Sending data through a repeater is called a repeat count (or hop). Up to seven
repeat counts are allowed for each signal, but Intermec highly recommends
that you do not use more than three repeat counts, since they slow down data
transmission.

The figure on the next page shows how the repeaters increase the area covered
by the transmissions emitted from the BRU. The BRU can only cover a certain
area, represented by the dotted circle surrounding it in the figure. The
repeaters increase the area as shown by the dotted circles around them.

Repeaters Extending the RF Transmission Area

9183 Radio Repeater

2

Repeater

Area not covered

BRU

Repeater

918XU.004

2-3

9181 and 9183 User’s Manual

Understanding the Repeater Components

This figure shows the components for the repeater. The front panel contains
three LEDs, the antenna connector, and the power cord. The DIP switches are
not accessible from the exterior of the unit. For help, see “Understanding the
DIP Switches” later in this chapter.

9183 Repeater Components

Power
cord

REPEATER

POWER

Rx Tx

ANTENNA

9183

Status LEDs

Antenna
connector

918XU.005

Understanding the Repeater Status LEDs

The front panel of the repeater contains three LEDs that continuously display
the status of the unit. During power up and self tests, all LEDs are on. If all
tests pass, the LEDs will show the status described in this table.

LED Description

Power Lights when the repeater is receiving power.

RX Lights when the repeater is receiving data.

TX Lights when the repeater is transmitting data.

2-4

Setting the DIP Switches

Inside the repeater are two banks of DIP switches, SW1 and SW2. You need to
set these DIP switches during installation to configure the RF channels on the
repeater. The RF channels must match the channels used in the data collection
network.

9183 DIP Switches

9183 Radio Repeater

2

DIP Switch
Locations

918XU.006

2-5

9181 and 9183 User’s Manual

Switches 1, 2, and 3 of SW1 determine which RF channel the repeater uses.

RF Channel 1 2 3

924 MHz off off off

921 MHz on off off

918 MHz off on off

915 MHz on on off

912 MHz off off on

909 MHz on off on

906 MHz off on on

Caution

Proper torque value is critical when replacing the front panel. Too little torque

CAUTION

will allow water to enter the housing. Too much torque will damage the
gasket.

SW1 Switches

Conseil

Il est critique de déterminer une valeur correcte pour le moment de torsion lors
du remplacement du panneau avant. Un moment de torsion inférieur laissera
entrer de l'eau dans le boîtier. Un moment de torsion trop élevé endommagera
le joint d'étanchéité.

To set the DIP switches

1. If the repeater is installed, shut down the RF system. Disable all data
collection devices and the controller.

2. If the repeater is installed, unplug the power cord. Remove the unit from
the mounting location.

3. Remove the four screws on the rear panel and remove the panel.

4. The DIP switches are located on the PCB assembly. Use a pointed object to
move the switches to the required positions.

2-6

5. Position the rear panel on the housing and secure with the four screws.
Tighten each screw until the gasket between the front panel and the
housing begins to bulge slightly. Do not overtighten.

6. Mount the repeater and plug in the power cord. For help, see “Installing
the Repeater” later in this chapter.

You can now restart the RF system.

Installing the Repeater

The only cable used by the repeater is the power cord; it is not cabled to any
other device.

Note: The DIP switches must be set prior to installation.

Mounting to Drywall Surfaces

9183 Radio Repeater

2

If mounting the unit to drywall (sheetrock), make sure it is mounted on a
ceiling joist. Plastic anchors in drywall will not safely support the repeater.

Mounting to Wood Surfaces

If mounting the unit to wood, the minimum thickness must be 1/2 inch. Use
5/16-inch sheetmetal or wood screws.

Mounting to Metal Surfaces

When mounting the unit to metal surfaces, the minimum unreinforced
thickness must be 14 gauge (steel).

To install the repeater

1. Locate the repeater within 4 feet of a power outlet.

2. Bolt the repeater to the rafters or beams so the antenna points straight
down. The front panel LEDs should be visible from the ground.

3. Before plugging in the power cord, create a 7-inch water drip loop in the
power cord a few inches below the repeater’s lowest point to prevent water
from leaking into the connector.

4. Attach the antenna to the repeater so it points down. Make sure it is at the
lowest point of the ceiling and reaches below all beams, pipes, and ducts.

2-7

9181 and 9183 User’s Manual

Installing the 9183 Repeater

Tiewrap

Mounting

screws

REPEATER

9183

Rx Tx

A

N

N

POWER

E
T

N

A

Water drip loops

Troubleshooting the Repeater

During power up and self tests, all LEDs are on. If any of the self tests fail, the
LEDs will blink. The LED blink patterns are listed in this table.

Fault RX LED TX LED

ROM Test blinking blinking

RAM Test blinking off

Internal RAM off blinking

918XU.007

2-8