GageWay Wireless

About GageWay Wireless
GageWay Wireless is a measurement collection system consisting of one or more Base units connected to PCs receiving wireless data from multiple MiniStation Remotes or Universal Mobile Modules.  The wireless system supports  digital & RS-232 gages from Brown & Sharpe, CDI, Fowler, Mahr Federal, Mitutoyo, Ono Sokki, Starrett, Sylvac, and other RS-232 devices.
 

Why should I consider GageWay Wireless?

What is the range of your wireless system?

What frequency does the equipment run at and do you need to obtain a license?

What gages and RS-232 devices can I use with the wireless system?

How does the gage user know when the data is accurately received by the Base?

What if I forget to turn the Mobile Module off after I finish using it?

How long will the batteries last in the new Universal Mobile Module?

How can I get the data in real-time from your wireless system into Microsoft Excel?

Can I use multiple Base units in close proximity to each other?

What is a PAN?

What operating system do I need on my computer in order to use the wireless system?

What spare parts do I need in order to keep my wireless system up and running?

Everyone says they offer excellent technical support.  What makes your technical support different?

What SPC/DAQ software will the wireless system work with?

How do I connect your wireless system to my computer if my computer does not have a serial port?

I thought serial ports and RS-232 technology were obsolete?

Some devices have USB connections already built into them.  Why doesn't the MiniStation?

Why should I consider GageWay Wireless?

Reliable and durable, the GageWay Wireless solution was designed over a period of several years specifically for industrial and manufacturing environments.  The result is a system that is easy to use and very reliable.  The Universal Mobile Module works with any instrument or gage and provides the user with verified feedback.  The system integrates with any SPC and DAQ application software, is ergonomically designed and is built to last.  MicroRidge has 25 years of DAQ and gage interface experience and is dedicated to your success and customer satisfaction.

What is the range of your wireless system?

The theoretical range for a Mobile Module for indoor line-of-site measurements is 100 feet.  The range for the MiniStation is 300 feet.  The actual range that you achieve will probably be less than this due to interference from things such as motors, lighting, etc.  The only way to determine the actual range you will achieve is to test the equipment in your operating environment.

What frequency does the equipment run at and do you need to obtain a license?

The wireless system operates at 2.4 GHz in the ISM (Industrial, Scientific & Medical) band.  The system has been approved for use in the United States & Canada.  You do not need any additional license.  Contact us if you require use in other countries.

What gages and RS-232 devices can I use with the wireless system?

The Universal Mobile Module supports digital gages and RS-232 devices.  The Universal Mobile Module also supports gages that use the Opto interface cable found on gages from Fowler, Starrett, Sylvac, etc.  A  MiniStation Remote can be used with any serial device and supports baud rates from 600 to 115.2K.

How does the gage user know when the data is accurately received by the Base?

When a reading is sent from the Mobile Module to the Base, it includes an additional number -- a checksum.  When the Base receives the data (and checksum), it uses these corresponding bits of data in a mathematical formula to verify accuracy.  The result of this information is then transmitted back to the Mobile Modules where two LED lights, with tunnel focusers for extra visibility, provide the user with feedback, acknowledging data reception and accuracy.  The user knows that data was accurately received via intuitive and highly visual feedback.

What if I forget to turn the Mobile Module off after I finish using it?

The Universal Mobile Module does not have an on/off switch, so you never have to be concerned about turning the Mobile Module off.

The Universal Mobile Mobile does not turn off, but goes into a low power sleep mode when it is done sending data.  For gages that use the Opto cable (Fowler, Sylvac, Starrett, etc.), the power drawn in the sleep mode is so low that the battery life in the sleep mode is greater than 10 years.

How long will the batteries last in the new Universal Mobile Module?

Current tests indicate that you will think of the Universal Mobile Module battery life in terms of years.  Current indications are that for Mitutoyo gages, you should be able to get at least 400,000 readings from a battery.  This Mobile Module uses a Photo Lithium battery that is commonly available in many locations.

How can I get the data in real-time from your wireless system into Microsoft Excel?

To put the data into an application such as Excel, you would use a keyboard wedge.  WedgeLink Xpress is a special version of our WedgeLink software keyboard wedge and is included at no additional charge with GageWay Wireless.

Can I use multiple Base units in close proximity to each other?

There is no limit as to the number of MiniStation Bases that can be used within an area.  Each MiniStation Base operates within its own Personal Area Network (PAN).  The data for one PAN is ignored by all of the other PANs.

What is a PAN?

A PAN is short distance wireless network designed to support portable and mobile computing devices.  The range of a PAN typically varies from 30 to several hundred feet.  One device (such as a MiniStation in Base mode) has the role of the controller, and this controller is in charge of the operation and communications within the PAN.  The Controller also determines whether a new device can become a member or associated with the PAN.  Multiple PANs can be operating in the same area and the data from one PAN is not processed by the other PANs.

What operating system do I need on my computer in order to use the wireless system?

The setup program used for the wireless system configuration requires Windows 2000 or later.  When using the wireless system in the measurement collection mode, any operating system can be used.

What spare parts do I need in order to keep my wireless system up and running?

If you are using the Mobile Module, there are two different spare parts that you should always have on hand.  The first are replacement batteries.  The Universal Mobile Module uses a CR2 Photo Lithium battery.

The second spare part that you should have is a replacement gage cable.  A unique feature of the Mobile Module is that it allows the user to replace the cable in the field without having to send the Mobile Module back to MicroRidge.  Our experience since 1990 with a caliper-mounted data collector says that you need to consider cables as consumables.

There are no spare parts recommended for the MiniStation.

Everyone says they offer excellent technical support.  What makes your technical support different?

When you call MicroRidge for technical support, you will reach a real person, not a voicemail system.  We provide unlimited technical support at no charge on all of the products that we manufacture both before and after your purchase.

What SPC/DAQ software will the wireless system work with?

The wireless system will work with any software that accepts ASCII strings.  Virtually all of the SPC/DAQ software accepts this kind of input.

How do I connect your wireless system to my computer if my computer does not have a serial port?

If your computer does not have a serial port, it should have multiple USB ports.  Connection to the computer is via the serial to USB cable included with the MiniStation (GWS-MINI-BASE-U).

I thought serial ports and RS-232 technology were obsolete?

This is a common perception that is definitely incorrect.  When you use a serial to USB cable, you also install drivers to make that USB connection look like a standard RS-232 port within your computer.  Your application software will be looking for a serial port (COM1, COM2, etc.) for data input.  Your PC application will not know and does not care whether that serial port was a standard serial port on a PC or whether it was created by the USB drivers.  They all look the same.  RS-232 communications is a very cost effective and efficient method for transmitting data at speeds up to 115.2K baud.  Read more

Some devices have USB connections already built into them.  Why doesn't the MiniStation?

By not building USB connectivity directly into the MiniStation, we have provided the user with greater flexibility.  If the RS-232 connector on the MiniStation was replaced with a USB connection, you could not use the MiniStation as a Remote unit.  You would also have to use the MiniStation with a computer that had an available USB port.  By using the 9-pin serial port, the MiniStation can be connected to any computer with a serial or USB port.  The MiniStation with the 9-pin serial port can also be configured for use as a Remote unit.  Remember, the MiniStation connection to your PC looks like a serial port to your application whether it is connected to a serial or USB port.

 Copyright © 2010 MicroRidge Systems, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.

Revised July 28, 2010