How Site Survey Works - Worth Data 7100 RF Terminal Series Owner's Manual

One-Way mode also works well as a test program since it doesn't require a program running on the host computer or even that the
Base Station be connected to the host. To get into One-Way Mode select option 3 from the opening screen menu.
If the Base Station already has other RF Terminals signed on in Two-Way mode, you will not be allowed into the system. A Base
Station must be dedicated to one mode at a time.
If the Base Station is dedicated to One-Way mode, you will see the following prompt on the RF Terminal display:
Data Received Was
Enter Data?
Since you have just started your One-Way session, there is no data to display on line #2. Line #3 is now asking you to scan or key
data into the RF Terminal. If you are entering data from the RF Terminal keypad, you must press the ENTER key to transmit your
data. If the Base Station receives the data, the RF Terminal displays the following prompt:
Data Received Was
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Enter Data?
Where aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa is the data received by the Base Station (and transmitted to the Host Computer if connected). You
can exit One-Way Mode simply by pressing the F1 key on the RF Terminal keypad.
In One-Way Mode, the RF Terminal transmits its Terminal ID to the Base Station but it does not pass it on to the Host Computer.
If your application on the Host Computer needs to know which RF Terminal data came from, use the Preamble setup parameter
to enter unique identifying information. Data is also transmitted without a Terminator Character (like a CR or TAB that is trans-
mitted after the data); so if you need one, use the Postamble setup parameter to add the appropriate character(s) after your data.
For more information on Preambles and Postambles see Chapter 2; RF System Setup for details.

How Site Survey works

The RF Terminal uses Site Survey mode to: 1) test the radios at short range, (50 ft.) as an acid test for correct operation, and 2) to
evaluate a specific site for effective coverage. Because each operating environment is different, it is almost impossible to predict
the range without Site Survey.
Before you permanently install any hardware, you should perform a Site Survey to fully evaluate your planned area of operation.
During the test the RF Terminal is transmitting messages and waiting for acknowledgment from the Base Station. (Since this US
Terminal hops over 26 different frequencies, the Site Survey goes across all frequencies to make comparisons valid; this takes
about 10 seconds.). The Site Survey mode displays the success rate of sending 100 packets to the Base. The higher the number,
the more successful your communications will be from that area. Site Survey does not require your Base Station be attached to
your Host Computer. All you need is your Base Station, 5v power supply and RF Terminal. For detailed information on how to
perform a Site Test and use the results to determine the best location for your Base Station, go to
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Chapter 5; Performance Issues.