User's Manual

3.4Installation Requirements
Power supply requirements:
Mains input: 110 - 240 VAC @ 50/60 Hz
Low voltage input (MARS-24): 12 VDC @ 2 A
MARS-24 requires special installation and tuning of external antennas.
Refer to the ReaderManager User Guide (40-01-006-DOC) for the antenna
matching, tuning and testing instructions using the Reader Setup Wizard
tool.
MARS’ external antennas are suitable for applications where many reading
points are required. MARS-24 is capable of operating up to 24 external
antennas that can be embedded into desk tops or shelves.
Once antennas are placed in the position they are
to be used, it is essential that they are fixed in
place and tuned. The tuning is to be done only
once at installation. All antennas (except the small
round antenna 30 mm radius) have an adjustable
capacitor that allows for tuning.
Materials
The affect of materials and antenna position on antenna operation may be
determined as follows:
Place an antenna on a Styrofoam block and tune
for maximum voltage at the antenna center using
an Antenna Tuning Probe, digital voltmeter and a
trimming tool. Then place the antenna on/into the
installation position and measure the maximum
voltage again. Compare the voltage values.
A difference of 10% or less is acceptable. If the
voltage reduces more than 10%, this indicates the
material is adversely affecting the antenna. The
user should determine if the reduction in
operation is acceptable by measuring read range
and stacking operation. If the reduction is not
acceptable the antenna may be relocated.
Alternatively use of a plastic spacer of 5 mm
between the mounting material and the antenna is
recommended where the mounting material is
adversely affecting the antenna.
Reader antenna performance may be affected by conductive and metallic
materials in the immediate vicinity of the antenna.
Metal, metallic or metallized objects placed next to the Reader antenna may
change the characteristics of the antenna affecting the tuning operation and
reducing the read range.
It’s recommended that the antenna not to be placed closer than 35 cm to
any metallic object that is of a similar or larger size to the antenna.
Small metallic objects such as jewelry or coins put on the antenna will have
almost no affect on the antenna performance.
If metallic conveyor rollers are a part of an application it’s advised to replace
them with plastic parts if possible or apply shielding techniques as required.
MARS-24 USER MANUAL 63-70-006-DOC ver.1
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