Appendix to San Diego Implementation

It is noted that during this implementation many smaller issues occurred which
needed to be handled delicately. Among these issues was an apparent misunderstanding
of the configuration of the motion sensors mounted on all six portals. It was thought that
initially the sensors needed to be adjusted to its most powerful position so that it would
exert the strongest emitted beam from the sensor. (Fig. 1) However, it should be seen
that in order to configure the sensor for the most sensitive mode of operation, the sensor
should be set taking into consideration the farthest target object. The farthest target
object should be within the 6-8 ft. that makes up the middle of the sensor area. The
pallet tag will appear within this area in an ideal situation. Moreover, then the closest
background should be taken into
consideration. The closest background
will most likely be the plastic wrap
around the pallet itself. This is also at
the middle area of the sensor range.1
Therefore, it would be wise to set the Figure 2: Sensor
adjustment for sensor sensitivity to the Mounting
Recommendation
middle range. Then, the set cutoff will
trigger anywhere within given sensor range of 6’8”. It
Figure 1: Sensor Configuration should be noted also that the wiring configuration for
the motion sensor should also be given special
attention due to the fact that the portal originally comes with an
electronic eye and a reflector. (Fig. 2)
Moreover, it should also be noted that the
sensor should be mounted on the portal at the
second installation screw on whatever side is
chosen for its installation. This is due to the fact
that the emitted beam gains entrance to the
sensor range by the bottom part of the sensor.
Moreover, since the housing that comes with
the sensor is inadequate in some instances in
the warehouse; metal receptacles can be used
Figure 4: Augmented as housing for the sensor. (Fig. 4) This particular Figure 3: Physical Makeup of
Housing instance pictured is one that called for a more durable the Motion Sensor
housing because the portal is mounted next to a bay
door that has a chain mechanism that lifts the door. It was admonished by one of the floor managers in
San Diego that if left in its previous state it would most likely be broken or impacted by the chain
mechanism. Therefore, the housing pictured will provide a more secure attachment of the sensor to the
portal. It was seen that the documentation for the setup of the RFID printer was very useful in the
capacity that it was developed to support. However, a revision of this document will be made making
note of the fact that usually the RFID printers will not take the configuration inputted into it from the

1
Refer to sensor diagram on the following page.
front panel on its very first configuration. Moreover, the configuration should be done by means of the
onboard printer web server.

Sensor Diagram

The following Visio drawing will provide a glimpse into the architecture of the network setup in San
Diego:
 Wiring Configuration for the Alien 9800 Portal
This Document shows how all Alien Portal infrared
sensor and light stack cables were terminated.
NOTE: The term “unused” means that no new wires
were installed at that terminal.
Terminals 1, 2, and 3 are main 120 volt power-.
Terminal 1 – Black wire, 120 volt AC power.
Terminal 2 – White wire, 120 volt AC power.
Terminal 3 – Green wire, 120 volt AC power.
Terminal 4 – input 1 – unused.
Terminal 5 – input 2 – On a single sided portal this
would be the black wire from the infrared sensor
regardless if the sensor is on the warehouse side or
the door side.
Terminal 5 – input 2 – On a double sided sensor this
would be the black wire from the infrared sensor on
the warehouse side. This should always be the left
side portal.
Terminal 6 – input 3 – On single sided portals this is
unused.
Terminal 6 – input 3 - On a double sided portal this
would be the black wire from the second infrared
sensor. NOTE: The second sensor on a double sided
portal would be the sensor closest to the door.
Terminal 7 – unused.
Terminal 8 – output 1 -White wire from the light
stack.
Terminal 9 – output 2 - Red wire from the light
stack.
Terminal 10 – output 3 - Green wire from the light
stack.
Terminal 11 – output 4 – unused.
Terminal 12 – output 5 – unused.
Terminal 13 – output 6 – unused.
Terminal 14 – output 7 – unused.
Terminal 15 – output 8 – Wire to Piezo (alarm)
Terminal 16 - +VS – Wire to Piezo (alarm)
Terminal 17 - +VS – Brown wire to infrared sensor
and black wire to light stack.

Terminal 18 – +VS - Unused for new installation

Terminal 19 – Ground (-) -unused for new

installation

Terminal 20 - Ground (-) – Blue wire to infrared

sensor.

Terminal 21 – Ground (-) – unused for new

installation.

(NOTE) Terminals number 16, 17, and 18 have a

jumper wire installed between the three of them as
do terminals number 19, 20, and 21.This is done on
one side of the terminal block by the original
manufacture and ensures that these groups of
terminals are common to one another. If any one
terminal in a group is used on the installation side of
the block they are all three common to each other.

For example; if a terminal block is inspected and the

brown wire to the infrared sensor is found on
terminal number 18 instead of terminal number 17
there would be no difference in the electrical
circuitry of the wiring.