User's Manual Part 1a

Pre-Installation Tasks
G
ATEKEEPER SYSTEMS INC.
2007
CART CONTAINMENT MANUAL
Page 8
• Where do most of the store customers park? Are there any spaces outside the store’s parking domain
where customers might reasonably be expected to take carts? Are there any associated or integrated
businesses such as a gas station to which customers will need to have access?
• Location(s) of cart storage areas. Are the carts kept in cart corrals? Where are the cart corrals located?
This is important because you do not want to route the system antenna within six (6) feet of any location
where carts are stored permanently.
Assessing the Parking Lot Layout and Surrounding Property
While you are at the store, make sure to walk the entire site, including behind the store. Some important
information to note during this process includes:
Does store practice allow the use of carts to move items about in the receiving dock area? If it does, you will
want to ensure that the perimeter antenna encompasses the receiving area.
Are there any barriers on any sides of the perimeter? Are these barriers permanent and high enough that a cart
cannot be lifted over it?
A low hedge (less than four feet high) or landscaping should not be considered a permanent barrier. Over time,
walkways may develop through the hedge, allowing a path for carts to escape if the area is not secured by a
locking perimeter antenna.
Determining the CentralTransmitter Location
The location of the Central Transmitter is critical. It is important to find a secure, ventilated area protected from
any possible damage or tampering. The CentralTransmitter should be mounted on the interior surface of an
exterior wall in the receiving or customer service areas. Power availability should also be considered when
choosing a location. The CentralTransmitter operates on 110 volts AC and should always be connected to a 24-
hour power source. It is best to mount the transmitter in a location that will allow the antenna cable to exit the
store as close as possible to the location of the CentralTransmitter. It is never advisable to place the transmitter
in a location that would require the antenna to travel any significant distance within the store itself. It is often
necessary to route the antenna from the CentralTransmitter, down to ground level within the store, and then drill
through the base of the exterior wall directly into the ground.
In determining the location for the CentralTransmitter, it is important to bear in mind the possibility of any other
conductive surfaces that may cause coupling. Coupling is a condition in which the GS
2
signal generated from the
CentralTransmitter is carried by another conductive structure, such as rebar in concrete, metal store fronts, metal
drain pipes, or electrical/data lines. Essentially, the signal carried from the transmitter by Gatekeeper’s antenna
“jumps” to another conductive structure. At this point, the signal is carried by the new structure. If a GS
2
Wheel
comes within range of this structure, it is possible that it will receive the GS
2
signal and initiate the locking
process. Proper transmitter placement combined with careful antenna routing can effectively eliminate the
possibility of coupling taking place. Always avoid routing the antenna inside the front of the store or near any in-
store data cable routes.
While the store manager may express a preference regarding the location of the transmitter, it is important to
discourage any placement that may result in less-than-optimal system performance. Be prepared to explain why
a specific transmitter location would be undesirable.
Determining System Component Requirements
Once you have acquired information regarding the store’s cart containment requirements, you can go about
determining what components that will be required to deliver a system that meets customer requirements. It is
important to understand what system components are available and the capabilities and limitations of the
different components, especially when planning a more complex layout. For a detailed description of available
components, see the “Error! Reference source not found.” section on page 2.