Paxton Net2 How-To

How to achieve the best read range with hands free
equipment
Overview
Very few sites have a clear open space around the
entrance to be controlled and so several factors need
to be considered before mounting the hands free
interface and reader to their best effect.
Radio signals do not always behave as you might
expect. A mobile phone that displays a full signal on
one part of the site will loose signal completely only a
few hundred yards away. There are many reasons for
this including the proximity of buildings, walls and
even trees or bushes.
Problem areas
To achieve the best read range possible, you first need to determine where the potential problems are and plan
to avoid them. Every source of interference will progressively reduce the range that you can achieve.
Metal objects (storage bins, fencing, vehicles, etc) are the most troublesome to the high frequency signal as
they will disrupt any electrical field. Radio signals also have a physical component that will cause them to bounce
off solid objects (e.g. brick walls, glass, trees, etc.) and reduce the final signal read at the interface.
This will be a particular problem where the object comes between the interface and the user.
In the above diagram, we have a metal fence alongside the entrance. This will shield the interface from any
user approaching from the left.
The waste bins to the right of the entrance will also have an effect on range by deflecting the signal in the
'Fair' area and shielding the signal from a user in the 'Poor' area.
You can see that we could fill the following pages with dozens of examples, but that would still not give a
guarantee of the perfect location. Many of the items, vehicles, bins, etc, may be moved around the site
on a daily basis.
Hands free
interface
Metal fencing
POOR
Waste Bins
POOR
GOOD FAIR
Net2
APN-1091-US
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