Wi-Fi or Wired: the best way to connect people counters?
Which is the best way to connect people counters to a PC? It depends on how many counters you have, your existing infra-structure and the location of the controlling PC. Possible communications include Ethernet, Wi-Fi, RS-485 and RS-232.
Ethernet
Ethernet is appropriate where:
- There is an existing Ethernet infrastructure (cabling and patch panels)
-
There is access to the Ethernet infrastructure close to where the counters will be
placed
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is available by connecting the counter via Ethernet to a Wi-Fi router. Wi-Fi is appropriate where:
Transmitting the people counts over Wi-Fi.
- There is no easily accessible Ethernet cabling
-
Running cables is difficult
- It would cause damage to walls or ceilings or their decoration
- Installation work time must be minimised
RS-232
Use RS-232 when you are using just one counter and this will be less than 10 m from the PC used to collect the data.
RS-485
RS485 can be used when you have several counters. The RS485 cable can connect to counters up to 1 km away from the
PC.
-
An RS-232-to-RS-485 adapter converts a PC COM port (serial port) from RS-232
to RS-485. - Up to 29 counters can be connected from one adaptor on a single cable in a daisy chain.
-
A second COM port can be used to connect to another set of counters through another
RS485 cable.
If you would like to know more please get in touch.