WIRELESS CONTROL - SonNet, Survey Kit

Description - RF-SSK Site Survey Kit
Wireless devices, by their very nature, mean there is always an initial element of uncertainty as to whether devices will be able to communicate reliably.

Several factors affect this ability, such as frequency, interference and building materials.

The SonNet SSK (Site Survey Kit) eliminates this uncertainty by allowing a survey of the building using the same power levels and frequency channel the final system will use.

 

	Leaflet	General
	on request	Information	Start guide

Intuitive and simple to use, a plan of devices, routers and receiver can be quickly established to give full confidence in the final installed system, while at the same time allowing a concise list of exactly the right number of device types to be compiled.

Data Transmission
Data is transmitted back to the receiver at configurable time intervals, or on a configurable change in measured value. Each sensor retains these configurations if the battery becomes discharged or requires replacement.

The SSK Receiver
The receiver automatically selects which of the 16 transmission channels available gives the best radio network performance, taking into account both signal strength and interference levels from adjacent channels and equipment (such as Wi-Fi etc.)

The SSK hand-held monitor, nodes and routers automatically find the best path back to the receiver, which may be directly to the receiver or via “parent” routers.

Installation

Technical Overview

The SonNet Site Survey Kit (SSK) is designed to make the planning and installation of a SonNet radio sensor system simple and quick and to take the guesswork out of the radio communications aspect of the network.

The SSK receiver should be placed where the actual RS-RX system receiver will be installed (typically in a plant room or riser).

The hand-held monitor (HHM) communicates with the SSK receiver (via a router, if necessary), and the LCD display shows which nodes are on-line and the quality of the radio link to their “parent” devices.
 

Follow the step-by-step guide to determine where to position the receiver, any necessary routers, and to test that all sensor nodes can communicate with the receiver reliably when installed.

1. Ensure that the SSK receiver, HHM, and special battery powered SSK routers and nodes are fully charged. Always use the correct chargers provided for each device. Batteries will be damaged if not charged by the correct charger.
    

2. Place the SSK receiver where the system receiver will be placed, ensuring that the aerial is aligned vertically if possible.
    

3. Switch on the SSK receiver.
    

4. Switch on the HHM. After a brief period, the LCD display will show the HHM in the device list.
    

5. Place the battery powered sensor nodes where required by the site specification, taking care to ensure that the sensors are not placed:

   • In direct sunlight or near a source of heat

   • On a cold or hot outside wall, where conducted or radiant heat may affect the accuracy

   • Behind any obstruction likely to impede the radio signal (for example, a filing cabinet)
      

6. Using the HHM, observe whether each battery powered sensor node has communication back to the SSK receiver. If it does, observe the quality of the link, shown on the LCD display.
    

   1. If the link quality is shown as good or v. good, no router is required for this node. Go to the next step
       

   2. If there is no communication, or the link quality is shown as marginal to the SSK receiver, you will need to position a router between the node and the receiver.
       

   3. In this case, position a router between the node and receiver in a convenient location, remembering that a system router in the final installation will require a permanent 24V supply.
       

   4. Observe the HHM again. The new router should be registered on the HHM.
       

   5. Using the HHM, observe the link quality for the new router to the receiver. If the link is shown as good or v. good, proceed to the next step
       

   6. If the link quality is shown as marginal, select the new router and then navigate to “Verification” on the HHM menu. Press the OK key to force the new router into verification mode. The node will go off-line for a short period, then rejoin in verification mode. The router will now try to find a better communications path back to the receiver via another router, if there is one already installed. Note the link quality and the position of the router. It is recommended that a drawing or floor plan be used to mark device positions.
       

   7. Using the HHM, select the node and then navigate to “Verification” on the HHM menu. Press the OK key to force the new router into verification mode. The node will go off-line for a short period, then rejoin in verification mode. Note the link quality and the exact position of the router.
       

   8. Where a router or node has been placed into verification mode, it must be returned to normal operating mode by resetting or power cycling prior to moving to step
       

7. If left unattended for more than 5 minutes, a router or node placed into verification mode will automatically return to normal mode.
    

8. Continue placing battery powered sensor nodes (and routers if required), until battery powered sensor nodes have been tested at the required points, good quality links are shown for all devices on the HHM, and complete coverage is demonstrated.