Badger Meter ORION AMR/AMI Hardware Solutions for Gas Utilities - Manual (Page 3)

Trimble
®
Ranger™ Serial Repeater Programmer
Installation and Operation Manual
June 2009
Badger
® ORION ® Serial Repeater
The Serial Repeater is a receiver/transmitter that can be used with any Badger ORION water or
gas transmitter to increase transmission range. The repeater’s plastic enclosure allows it to be
placed in non-submersed outdoor locations as well as indoors.
A size ‘D’ lithium battery provides power for 15 years; the unit is shipped in the off mode.
When installing the Serial Repeater, the operator can program the repeater to repeat ORION
reading data for transmitters stored in its data base using narrow band or frequency hopping
technology. The Serial Repeater should only be programmed to frequency hopping mode if the
utility’s handheld and mobile reading equipment have frequency hopping receivers to be able to
collect the reading data provided by the Serial Repeater. It should also be noted that the
expected battery life for the Serial Repeater is determined by the transmission mode
programmed into the repeater. A Serial Repeater programmed in narrow band mode has an
expected battery life of 15 years and a Serial Repeater programmed in frequency hopping mode
has an expected battery life of 7.5 years.
Once programmed, the Badger ORION Serial Repeater will cycle through the list of transmitters
in its memory and retransmit one reading every four to five seconds.
Locating the Badger ORION Serial Repeater
The purpose of the Badger ORION Serial Repeater is to receive and re-transmit signals from
meter/transmitters whose signals are not being received where needed—near the road, for
example. This might be due to distance alone, obstructions, or a combination.
Ideally, the repeater will be located so that the Badger ORION gas or water transmitters it is
programmed to receive signals from have a clear, line-of-sight path to it.
However, this is not always possible. Obstructions such as trees, shrubbery, buildings, decks,
vehicles, and uneven terrain are often present and might affect reception and transmission.
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