Operation Manual

System and Network Layouts
Product Reference Guide 31
Multidrop STAR-System™ Network Layouts
Even though many stand-alone systems can operate in the same physical area without
interfering with each other, it may be desirable to bridge data from multiple base stations in a
network to a
single Host. PowerScan™ M8500 readers are compatible with STAR-System™
networks. These networks provide seamless active roaming for any RF reading device in the
system.
Host Master Layout
Figure 21. Example of Multidrop STAR-System™ Network with Host as Master
A. Host Master with STAR-Link™
B. STAR-Box™ converter
C. BC-8060 slave cradles
D. STARGATE™ base stations
In this layout the Host acts as the Master using STAR-Link™ software. The Host is
connected in RS-232 to a STAR-Box™ converter, which is connected to the first slave in
the RS-485 network. In this way the base stations provide communications between a
single
Host and all readers in the system. STARGATE™ base stations are used as slaves in this
network. The Slaves at the ends of the network must be terminated (reference the
STARGATE™ and STAR-Box™ Installation Manuals and
"Network Termination" on page
21).
See
"PowerScan™ M8500/STAR-System™ Setup" on page 37 and "BC-8060 STAR-System™
Network Setup"
on page 39, or the Datalogic Aladdin™ Help On-Line, for system
configuration specifications.