Instruction Manual

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Table Of Contents

[15:8] [7:0]

I/O 7 Red Total Missed Total

I/O 8 Green Total Yellow Total

Example Results

[15:8] [7:0]

I/O 7 10 0

I/O 8 80 10

Note: This is the current register arrangement when using Modbus/TCP or Modbus RTU. In some older

models, the Modbus/TCP registers are reversed (missed and yellow totals are in [8:15], red and green

totals are in [0:7]).

3.6.4 Interpreting the Site Survey Results

Site Survey results are listed as a percentage of data packets received and indicate the signal strength of the received

signal.

Result Description

Green

Packets received at a strong signal strength. A strong signal strength is greater than −90

dBm at the receiver.

Yellow

Packets received at a good signal strength. A good signal is between −90 and −100 dBm

at the receiver.

Red

Packets received at a weak signal strength. A weak signal is less than −100 dBm at the

receiver.

Missed Packets not received on the ﬁrst transmission and requiring a retry.

Judging if the reliability of a network’s signal meets the needs of the application is not just a matter of green, yellow, and red

packets received. In normal operating mode, when data packets are not received, the transmitter re-sends the packet until

all data is received.

For slow monitoring applications such as a tank farm, where data is required in terms of seconds or minutes, receiving most

of the data in the ‘red’ range, indicating a weak but reliable signal, transmits enough data for accurate monitoring. Nodes

positioned near the outside range of the radio signal may have 90% of the data packets received in the red zone, again

indicating a weak, but reliable signal.

We recommend keeping the missed packets average to less than 25%. When the network misses more than 25% of the

data packets, the signal is usually too unreliable or obstacles may be interfering with the signal. When Site Survey reports

the missed packets are 25% or higher, improve the radio system performance by:

• Mounting the network’s antennas higher to clear obstacles in the area and improve the line of sight between Sure

Cross

devices

• Using higher gain antennas to focus the energy of the radio signal in a

speciﬁc direction and extend the signal’s

range

• Adding data radios to the network to extend the range of a radio network. For more information on data radios,

please refer to Banner’s white paper on range extension on www.bannerengineering.com/wireless.

3.6.5 Improving Your Site Survey Results

Refer to the Sure Cross Installation Guide (p/n 151514) for installation details and tips and tricks for improving your radio

network's performance.

If your Site Survey results have more yellow than green, consider replacing the Node's antenna with one the following:

• Use a 2 dBi Omni dome antenna (model BWA-9O2-D) or a 5 dBi Omni antenna (model BWA-9O5-C)

• Use a 6 dBi Yagi (directional) antenna (model BWA-9Y6-A)

If the distance between devices is greater than 5,000 meters (3 miles) line-of-sight or objects, such as trees or man-made

obstructions, interfere with the path, and the MISSED packet count exceeds 25 per 100 packets, consider the following

steps:

• Install the antenna(s) remotely at a higher position (requires an antenna extension cable);

Sure Cross

Performance DX80 Wireless I/O Networks