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• 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.
General Installation Information ..........7 Safety..........................7 Information Flags ....................... 7 Installation Tips ........................8 Things to Consider......................9 Hand Tools, Equipment and Materials................10 NT132 System Overview............13 History..........................13 NT132 System Components.................... 13 Tags..........................15 Reader ..........................16 Antennas.......................... 17 Antenna Tuning Unit (ATU) .....................
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Check the Antennas and Cables for Continuity ............... 87 Check the ATU ........................ 89 Check the Reception ....................... 90 Check the Output and Connections to Third-Party Devices ..........91 Common Problems with NT132 Components......93 Cable..........................93 Power..........................93 ATU..........................93 Road Loop Antenna ......................
• Personal safety is of first importance in the performance of any job. • Installation and configuration of the NT132 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.
General Installation Information Installation Tips IMPORTANT! Bench test communications between the NT132 system and the controller or device to which it will be connected. Lay the entire AXCESS NT132 system out and test the antenna fields before permanently installing any piece of the system.
Hand Tools, Equipment and Materials IMPORTANT! You need to have the following materials on hand to ensure successful installation of the NT132 system. These items are not supplied with the NT132 System. Required • 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).
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Required for Wiegand Reader Installation • AXCESS Wiegand Readers are standard SIA 26-bit. The Reader accepts Data Zero, Data One and Ground. Wires between the Reader and the Wiegand control panel should be 18 AWG, no longer than 500 feet. The wires should be green for Data Zero, white for Data One and black for Common Ground.
NT132 System Components The following diagram (Figure 3) shows a very basic AXCESS NT132 system. The system has the following components: • A Reader to send radio signals to a transmitting antenna, receives radio signals from a receiving antenna and outputs the data to some device –...
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An NT132 system may be as simple as a single Reader and Bar Antenna controlling the front door of a small office or it may comprise a network of interconnected devices and Readers controlled by a computer.
The signal is generally used for detection, identification and location of people or objects. An AXCESS Tag, encased in black or beige plastic, is about the size of a credit card and is approximately 200 mils thick. Some Tags have slots to attach personnel ID pictures to them.
Reader will convert the data to a format usable by a computer or Wiegand control panel for further processing of the information. • Output data to a control device or a computer. Figure 4 AXCESS Reader – external view Types of Readers Serial This Reader communicates using the EIA-232 standard, more commonly known as RS-232C.
NT132 System Overview Antennas Because the Tags receive and transmit at different frequencies, different antennas are used for each leg of the communication. Antenna construction is related to the wavelength (or fraction thereof) of its design frequency. Antennas designed for the Ultra High Frequency spectrum (to receive the transmit signal from the Tag) can be quite short.
Reader. It is installed between the Reader and the transmitting and receiving antennas. Figure 5 AXCESS ATU – external view On the bottom of the ATU, there are two jacks to connect to the transmitting and receiving antennas and two jacks to connect to the Reader.
Reader Installation Introduction The Reader is the brain of the NT132 system. Its functions include sending wakeup signals, receiving Tag signals, processing Tag data, and routing Tag data. Cabling Label RJ-45 Reader Case Unilon RX Card RF Card Unilon Output Card...
• White terminal block with connections for Wiegand ground, Data One and Data Zero, and connections for 24V power and ground • RJ45 connector used by AXCESS for programming the Reader’s firmware Reader Types Serial Reader This type of Reader can interface directly with the communications port of a computer or another control device that process standard EIA-232 serial data.
Mounting the Reader - All Types All Readers have the same mounting requirements. IMPORTANT! Before permanently mounting any piece of the AXCESS NT132 System, first lay out and test the entire system. Step 1: Select a Reader location consistent with the type of antenna being installed.
Reader Installation Installation of an FTT Reader System Introduction The AXCESS Free Topology Transceiver (FTT) Reader System is for network applications involving multiple, interconnected Readers (Figure 9). Reader 1 Reader 2 Serial Gateway Ground Ground Door Strike Door Strike FTT Motherboard...
Configuring 3.x Reader Firmware A 3.x Reader can be configured by a terminal application to do the following: • Set modes for reading either 2.0 Tags or 3.x Tags. • Change the Reader ID number to eliminate the possibility of cross talk in multi-Reader applications.
Configuring 3.x Reader Firmware Toggling Between Default and Diagnostic Modes Diagnostic mode allows you to troubleshoot the NT132 system. It displays information that the Tag broadcasts to the Reader – the Reader ID, Site Code and Tag ID number. Step 1: At the “Enter:”...
Antenna Tuning Unit (ATU) Installation Introduction Each access control point (e.g. door, roadway, etc.) has at least two antennas: • A Low Frequency (LF) loop antenna that broadcasts a wakeup signal at 132 kHz to any Tags that may be within the antenna field of radiation.
100% foil shield coverage (for example, Belden 9310). The length required for your installation will vary. The maximum length recommended is 80 feet between the Reader and ATU and 20 feet between the ATU and each antenna. AXCESS cannot guarantee performance if these parameters are exceeded.
Antenna Tuning Unit (ATU) Installation Mounting the ATU IMPORTANT! Lay out and test the entire NT132 System before permanently mounting any piece of the system. Figure 19 Mounting screw channels for the ATU Step 1: The ATU should be mounted a minimum of 36 inches off the ground, preferably at eye height.
Dipole Antenna Installation Introduction The Dipole Antenna receives signals transmitted by the Tags and works in association with the Road Loop Antenna. IMPORTANT! To ensure proper system operation, do not substitute antenna kit components. Required Materials The following materials must be on hand in order to successfully install the Dipole Antenna: •...
Dipole Antenna Installation Installing the Dipole Antenna IMPORTANT! Before permanently mounting the Dipole Antenna, lay out and test the entire NT132 system. Installation Guidelines The length of the coaxial cable between the Dipole Antenna and the ATU should not exceed 20 feet.
Road Loop Antenna Installation Introduction The Road Loop Antenna is a transmitting antenna that works in conjunction with the Dipole Antenna. Road Loop Antenna wire is available in lengths that will accommodate roadways or gate entrances up to 70-feet in width. The Figure 22 shows a simplified diagram representing the field generated by a Road Loop Antenna.
Bar Antenna System Installation Introduction The Bar Antenna typically receives signals transmitted by personnel and asset Tags (transponders). The Bar Antenna is an excellent antenna for mounting above or beside a doorway (sometimes above the ceiling tile) to monitor or control access to an entry/exit point of a facility.
Reader before continuing with the Bar Antenna installation. IMPORTANT! Before permanently installing the Bar Antenna, lay out and test the entire NT132 system. Installation Considerations Determine the approximate installation site of the Bar Antenna and of any third-party gate controller if one is being used.
Reader before continuing with the Swing Frame Antenna installation. IMPORTANT! Before permanently installing the Swing Frame Antenna, lay out and test the entire NT132 system. Installing the Swing Frame Antenna Step 1: Cut two coaxial cables with sufficient length to connect the Swing Frame Antenna to the ATU.
Maximizing Antenna Performance with the Because the antenna transmits by inductive coupling at low frequency, it is subject to environmental detuning, due to where the antenna is mounted, what material it is mounted on, etc. For this reason, it is impossible to factory pre-tune antennas for optimized generation of the wakeup signal.
Modifying Antenna Range: Adjusting the Transmitter Card Introduction Each Reader contains a card stack that has five sub-boards, each of which has a specific function. The transmitter card controls the voltage output to the transmit antenna. If the Reader’s connectors are at the bottom, then the transmitter card is on the bottom of the stack (Figure 34).
Tag Mounting Because of the low frequency used for transmission, Tags can be mounted in a variety of positions on assets and vehicles without the signal being blocked. Personnel can carry Tags on chains, clips, pockets or purses. Mounting Tags to Assets Required Materials •...
If you do not have power to the ATU, check the cables from the Reader to the ATU. The ATU receives its power from the Reader via the RG-58/U cable. This is one reason this cable is specified for the NT132 system.
Check the Site Step 1: Ensure that there are no other sources of similar radio frequencies nearby. Proximity card readers and clicker systems can affect the NT132 system, as can radio- controlled sprinkler systems and military-grade communications systems. Step 2: Determine if metal is attenuating the signal.
Common Problems with NT132 Components Cable Problem: The NT132 System has reduced range Most of the problems encountered with the NT132 system lie with the cables. This includes having little or no range on the antennas. Check these items first: Step 1: Ensure that RG-58/U with 100% foil shield coverage is used.
The following questions need to be answered before Axcess Inc, Technical Staff will be able to assist you. Please have the answers to these questions before you contact an Axcess Inc, customer service representative at (800) 577-6080 and fax a copy to (972) 407-9085.
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Additional Equipment What third-party equipment is connected to the entire system? Give brands and model numbers. Who is installed the NT132 system? Attach a rough sketch of the facility noting the placements of the Antennas, Reader, third- party controllers, cable, distances and any other pertinent data.
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