Introduction
RDC from Digital Barriers is a revolutionary unattended ground sensor (UGS) system for intrusion detection and remote asset protection. It combines an innovative rapid deployment design, exceptional power efficiency, accurate target detection/classification and intelligent mesh-based two-way wireless networking. The Alternative Sensor Node is a component of RDC networks that enables third party sensors to be connected into the RDC network. They can be used alongside the RDC seismic Sensor Nodes in the same network. The ASN can also be used as a powered Repeater Node for use at locations where there is permanent power.
This document provides detailed instructions for using the Alternative Sensor Node. It should be read in conjunction with the RDCConfig user guide.
Overview
The ASN has the same form factor as a RDC master Node. It can be distinguished from the Master Node by a brass label with the letters ASN printed on it.
It has a connector mounted on the side. Power and connections to external sensors is provided through this connector. It has a M10 threaded hole in the bottom to allow it to be mounted to a bracket or fitted with the ground spike. The ASN must be oriented as shown in this picture in order that the internal antenna is correctly aligned.
The customer/system integrator provides power to the ASN and the external sensors. Digital Barriers can also provide a battery enclosure and PIR sensors for use with the ASN but this is outside the scope of this user guide. This user guide provides details of the power and external interfaces for system integrators.
The Alternative Sensor Node has the capability to report alarms for up to two external sensors. The ASN uses wireless communications to report external alarms to the Master Node. Sensor Nodes and Alternative Sensor Nodes can be used in the same network with the same Master Node. The ASN can route power (up to 100mA total) to the external sensors so that separate power supplies are not required.
The external sensor must have either a dry contact as the output or an open collector output. Alternatively, digital outputs might be possible but compatibility with the ASN should be confirmed with Digital Barriers first.
An alternative use of the ASN is as a powered Repeater Node. Often the best place for a Repeater Node is at the top of a pole or other location at height which makes accessibility difficult for battery replacement. If power is available, such as at a camera or lighting pole, then the ASN can provide a permanently powered Repeater.
Although ASNs can also be used as seismic sensors care needs to be taken to deploy them properly to minimise false alarms caused by cable movement in the wind. Contact Digital Barriers if this is required.
Cable and Wiring Instructions
The ASN can be connected to a power supply and the alarm outputs of up to two external sensor(s).
The cable usually supplied with the ASN is a ‘Triple-split Cable’ (part number 1610-0158-0001). The Triple-split Cable is a cable with bare ends and is designed for system integrators who can provide power to the ASN and terminate the cable ends to the external sensors appropriately. Where the power supply is provided by Digital Barriers an alternative cable will be supplied.
At one end of the Triple-split Cable is a 10-way Amphenol connector which connects to the ASN. The cable splits into three. The red and blue pair of wires connect to power and GND of the ASN power supply respectively. The two sets of red, blue and yellow wires connect to the external sensors. The red and blue wires connect to the power and GND of the external sensor. The yellow wire connects to either the relay N/C or relay N/O pins on the sensor. Connect the relay common (COM) of the sensor to the GND connection of the sensor. However, if the sensor is simply a contact closure without power then the COM should be connected to the blue wire.
The voltage to be supplied to the ASN can be in the range +5V to +30V. The voltage supplied to the external sensor is the same as the voltage supplied to the ASN. Therefore, the voltage supplied to the ASN needs to be within the acceptable range of both the ASN and the external sensors. The average current requirement of the ASN at different voltages is detailed in Annex A.
If either or both of the sensor inputs is not used the wires should be prevented from touching each other and sealed.
The total current consumption for both external sensors should be less than 100mA otherwise an external power supply should be used. If an external supply is used then the yellow and blue wires are connected to the N/C or N/O terminal and COM terminal of each sensor respectively. The red wire of the cable should be prevented from touching any of the others and sealed.
Configuring the ASN
The ASN is connected to a RDC network in the same way as a Seismic Sensor using the RDC Staging Tool. See Staging Tool user guide for details.
The ASN is configured using RDC Config. RDC Config can be run as part of EdgeVis Shield or standalone. See RDC Config user guide for details.
When selecting an ASN in the RDC Config Configuration window only those categories appropriate to ASNs appear. These are:
Ext1 Trigger Input
Ext2 Trigger Input
Ext Trigger None Event
There is also a Seismic category but this has only one function which is to switch off the seismic detection if it had been enabled using legacy software.
The input for each ASN can be set as OFF, Normally Open or Normally Closed. It is also possible to configure the node to send an event to show that the input has changed to its non-detecting state using the Ext Trigger None Event e.g. if a door which was opened has been closed.
The only two applications/environments that are relevant for ASNs are Default and Repeater. Repeater switches off both inputs.
Monitoring ASN Events
ASN Events can be monitored using the Event list or Events graph views in RDC Config.
In EdgeVis Shield external input alerts from the ASN can be reported by SMS, email and the EdgeVis Shield Client. This is configured using the EdgeVis Rule Builder (see knowledgebase article – EdgeVis Alarm Management – Creating rules and alerts).
Annex A
ASN Technical specifications
Function: Reporting events from external sensors over RDC network
Communications
Radio
Frequency of Operation: | Europe: 865.3-868.0MHz North America: 903.0-928.0MHz |
Modulation: | BPSK, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum |
Max output power: | Europe: +5dBm (limited by regulations) North America: +10dBm |
Receiver Sensitivity: | -110dBm (message error rate <1 in 103) |
Network Topology: | Configurable as Single-hop or Multi-hop (mesh) |
Antenna: | Internal |
Environmental
Operating temperature range: | -20°C to +70°C |
Storage temperature range: | -40°C to +80°C |
Ingress protection: | IP67 (totally protected against dust, protected against the effect of immersion between 15cm and 1metre) |
Vibration: | DEF STAN 00-35: Part 3: Issue 3 |
Drop: | 1.5m single occurrence, any face |
Static load: | 100kg |
Impact: | 3.25” ball bearing from 1.5m |
Weight
410g include ground spike
Dimensions
Max. length (excl. spike): 80mm
Max. diameter: 90mm
Power Consumption
Voltage
Input Voltage:
Minimum: 5V, Maximum: 30V
Current Consumption
Voltage (V) | Maximum current (mA) | Average current (mA) | Minimum current (mA) | Avg power consumption (mW) |
5 | 17.23 | 6.78 | 3.72 | 33.9 |
6 | 14.65 | 6.11 | 3.2 | 36.66 |
7 | 12.75 | 5.34 | 2.82 | 37.38 |
8 | 12.3 | 4.71 | 2.52 | 37.68 |
9 | 10.36 | 4.24 | 2.28 | 38.16 |
10 | 10.3 | 3.9 | 2.09 | 39 |
11 | 8.83 | 3.58 | 1.93 | 39.38 |
12 | 8.23 | 3.35 | 1.8 | 40.2 |
13 | 7.69 | 3.14 | 1.69 | 40.82 |
14 | 7.19 | 2.92 | 1.59 | 40.88 |
15 | 6.85 | 2.8 | 1.5 | 42 |
16 | 6.9 | 2.66 | 1.42 | 42.56 |
17 | 6.17 | 2.5 | 1.35 | 42.5 |
18 | 6.23 | 2.39 | 1.29 | 43.02 |
19 | 6.24 | 2.23 | 1.23 | 42.37 |
20 | 5.96 | 2.1 | 1.18 | 42 |
21 | 5.3 | 2.11 | 1.14 | 44.31 |
22 | 4.96 | 2.04 | 1.09 | 44.88 |
23 | 4.94 | 1.98 | 1.05 | 45.54 |
24 | 4.59 | 1.87 | 1.02 | 44.88 |
25 | 4.64 | 1.82 | 0.99 | 45.5 |
26 | 4.58 | 1.75 | 0.95 | 45.5 |
27 | 4.66 | 1.71 | 0.92 | 46.17 |
28 | 4.15 | 1.66 | 0.9 | 46.48 |
29 | 4 | 1.62 | 0.87 | 46.98 |
30 | 4.63 | 1.56 | 0.84
| 46.8 |
 CE COMPLIANCE STATEMENT |
The RDC Components comply with the following European Union Directives:
The RDC radio module conforms to the following European Union Directives:
In order to satisfy the essential requisite of the R&TTE 99/05/EC directive, the radio module is compliant with the following standards:
The use of this product may be dangerous and has to be avoided in the following areas:
It is responsibility of the user to enforce the country regulations and specific environment regulations. |