Setup Guide
Here is a rundown of how to setup your system out of the box, then how to adjust your setup to get the most from your Active RFID equipment.
Initial Trial
Some setups work immediately straight out of the box and some need some experimentation and tinkering. Starting with the steps below assures you have set yourself up for success.
- If you are using a USB receiver, install the driver by following these instructions:
How to setup a USB receiver
- Connect the receiver to your computer
- Open a connection to the serial port with the following parameters: 9600 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, XON/XOFF flow control
- Pull out a transmitter and insert the batteries provided (most transmitters ship with batteries installed)
- Return to your computer to view the data stream from the receiver
- You should have data flowing every 2.5-5 seconds for a single transmitter
Improving Initial Performance
If the initial setup yields either very few tag receptions (or none at all) there are a few things to try
- Extend the receiver as far from the computer and other electronics equipment as possible (RF radiation in the 315Mhz band is very common from CPUs). If you see some improvement consider extending the distance further using a USB or Serial extension cord.
- Add supplemental power to the receiver. See the detail page for your receiver for the allowed voltages and connection type. Some computers do not provide enough current on either the USB or Serial port to run the receiver. If you see improvement assume this will be needed from now on
- Experiment with the polarization of your transmitter and receiver antennas. Typically a tag will not be received when directly in line with the antenna on the receiver. To achieve an omnidirectional receiver extend the receiver antenna straight up or straight down. Resist the temptation to place tags directly on the receiver case to judge performance (though this is a good troubleshooting technique if you have no data flowing at all) since the receiver will miss many transmissions due to overpowering.
At this point, if you have never seen any data from the receiver re-read the instructions to make sure you have everything right. If you still do not see any data, send me an email and we will dig in some more.
Finding Your Best Setup
With experimentation you will determine how each of the transmitter types and receiver locations contribute to performance. Here are some tips to get the best performance where you need it most.
- Experiment with a variety of receiver locations around your home or facility. If you need to cover a particular area or gain better reception from a particular direction, try placing the receiver in (or toward) those locations. Remember to consider the direction of the antenna on the receiver as noted earlier
- Remember that height typically improves the reception range (for example, placing the receiver in your attic). This also generally reduces the number of walls the tags must punch through to get data to the receiver.
- Extending the receiver antenna from the case may improve performance. Give it a try.
- Extending the wire antenna on a transmitter so that it is straight or close to it will improve performance. For example, using a 40 meter transmitter with a wire antenna in your car (or other metal box) will result in the best performance with the transmitter is high in the vehicle and the antenna is vertical.
If you have any questions or would like further assistance determining if your problems can be overcome with your setup please feel free to email me.
Jeff