"It takes a specific expertise to design and build wireless terminals for the freezer market," says Doug Brown, LXE senior product manager, "and the tough part isn't the extreme cold, but moving in and out of the cold, which causes condensation to become an issue."
Extreme fluctuations in temperature create condensation, and condensation causes screens to fog up, keyboards to seize up, and internal parts to corrode -- reducing operator productivity levels and increasing operator frustrations and equipment repair costs.
"There are also network issues that one has to overcome in a freezer that aren't as prevalent in the typical warehouse," says Hank Stephens, LXE product manager. "Freezer walls are heavily insulated and lined with stainless steel, which creates an RF environment conducive to multipathing."
RF multipathing is the phenomenon that occurs when radio signals bounce off obstacles and arrive at the receiver at slightly different times, causing the receiver to fail to pick up either signal. LXE's Spire antenna, based on technology originally developed for space applications, reduces the problems associated with RF multipathing.
LXE's heated NEMA 4 enclosure allows operation of wireless access points or wireless bridge in temperatures as low as -22° F (-30° C). It also protects them from ice, snow and hose spray.
For more information, visit www.lxe.com.
