Installation Instructions

EkoTek System Installation and Configuration Manual
Network Design and Survey
Overview
The survey is used to assess the number of Repeaters required and best locations. It is
suggested that the surveyor reads the System Overview (page 2) to become familiar with
the basic principles of operation.
Pre-requisites
 Two survey units
 Site plan
Placement Rules
Each Repeater connects to the Hub, either directly or via another Repeater. The number
of Repeaters required is dependant upon the size and layout of the building and the
consistency of the radio coverage.
The EkoTek Hub/Repeaters must not be installed in areas where explosive gas, or dust
products, may be present. Protect the devices from liquids, extreme temperatures and
strong magnetic fields. Do not install in places where they will be exposed to strong
sunlight, or electro-magnetic interference.
Hub
The Hub is norm ally placed in an area such as a cont rol room or reception
desk, where it is possible t o m onit or the display when required. Other
considerat ions are t o m inim ise t he num ber of hops required for any Repeat er
to connect to t he Hub; it is bett er if possible
that the Hub be located at the centre of
the network. The Hub must be located near to an AC mains socket outlet and it should
also be borne in mind that connection via a modem link to the telephone network may be
required, so access to a telephone socket would also be necessary.
Repeaters
Ideally Repeaters should be spaced 10-15 meters apart. They should be no closer
together than 6 metres, except where there is a structural barrier such as a wall between
Repeaters, sufficient to attenuate the radio signal. The maximum range is 20 metres, but
placing equipments at this distance should be avoided if possible, as any degradation of
the radio path may result in the loss of connection between Repeaters.
Multi-Storey Buildings
The EkoTek can be used in multi-storey buildings, provided that the floors are of concrete
construction. The concrete floor provides sufficient attenuation of the radio signal to
ensure that the Pager/Fob is located on the correct floor. In wooden floored buildings, the
Pager may pick up a beacon from the floor above or below, giving an inaccurate location
for the device.
In order to establish which floor the Pager/Fob is on, it is important that Repeaters are
placed at the entrances to the bottom and top of stairwells. The actual placement of the
Repeater may not necessarily be in the stairwell itself, but in a room leading onto the
stairwell, in order to provide sufficient radio separation between Repeaters.
Corridors
In long corridors it may be prudent to place a Repeater in the middle of the corridor as
well, to ensure robust radio connection in the mesh.
Room Placements
If locating individual rooms, place the Repeater as central to the room as convenient.
Placing it on the edge of the room may allow a sufficient strength of location signal to pass
through the wall, to be seen as a beacon by a Pager/Fob in the adjacent room.
9261-8173 Issue 2
Page 9
© 2007 Multitone Electronics PLC