New Long Range Wireless Access Solution (Allegion)

Delivering access control to parking lot gates or elevators usually means spending tens of thousands on special cables or trenching. However, Allegion is claiming it's new kit can do everything for a fraction of the historical price.

In this note, we examine how it works, which access platforms it works with, and see if it is really less expensive than other methods.

System Overview

Allegion's Wireless Gate/Elevator Control Kits are not standalone access systems, but a bundle of devices designed to connect remote access equipment by wireless link. The kit varies by application, but all are constructed around three main parts:

• Reader (Unsecure) Side: The remote readers and gate/elevator ties into a WRI-400 wireless interface board. Typical access components like REX buttons, PIRs, and door position switches terminate in this panel, which uses 900 mHz to communicate with the head end controller. The reader input ports support Wiegand or Clock & Data formats.
• Antenna: Outside the building or atop the elevator shaft, ANT400 antenna is available in either omni-directional or high gain configurations to receive signal up to 1000 feet away.
• Panel (Secure) Side: Attached to the antenna is a PIM400-TD2 access panel interface that integrates with an access control system and essentially acts like the controller in the setup, validating credential reads and coordinating access at the other end.

The PIM400-TD2 is compatible with most access control platforms by direct integration with a systems' access controllers.

Installation Plan

Shown in an example gate system, component installation is shown in the image below:

The WRI-400 reader interface connects the reader, position switches, gate operators, and other serial I/O to a building mounted PIM400-TD2 that is connected to an access control panel.

Key Features

Wireless: Rather than running hard cables to distant locations like vehicle gates, or with mobile locations like elevator cars, Allegion's kit uses 900 mHz wireless for a claimed range of up to 1000 feet with a clear line of sight. This claimed range is sufficient for covering most commercial parkinglot gates or elevator shafts.

Open Compatiblity: The key to the kit's appeal is that it is nonproprietary to one particular system.  The 'secure side' PIM400-TD2 panel passes Wiegand or Clock & Data to other access platforms and controllers such as HID, Axis, Lenel, Honeywell, RS2, Genetec, Avigilon, and others.

Encrypted: The wireless link claims 128-bit AES encryption to prevent open air snooping and intercept between reader and access system.

Price

Street price for the kit is ~$1,500 from internet retailers and national distributors. Allegion dealers will likely get the best pricing, although buying minimums likely will apply.

Compared to traditional methods of trenching and burying communication cable, this is a small percentage of the typical cost. Even a trenching run that does not distrurb parking spaces or concrete overlay can cost more than $20 per foot. For a 500' run, trenching labor alone could cost $10,000 or about 5X the cost of Allegion's wireless kit.

Weaknesses

Line of Sight: Any maximum wireless range is heavily dependent on clear line-of-sight, or with no obstructions between link points. Even incidental obstructions like foliage growth or more permanent barriers like structures or RF interference can weaken signal strength and reduce range.

Two Readers Only: The kit supports a maximum of two readers. Some applications like ganged turnstiles or multiple lanes of gate operators will likely require multiple kits, where a single buried cable or fiber could support many more discrete access points.

Sketchy Alternatives

Using wireless to transport access data is not unique, and other options in the market include:

• Long Range Access Control Readers
• Assa Abloy Aperio Wireless Examined
• Wireless Access Control Panels

However, other options are typically proprietary, unable to deliver to range of Allegion's offering, or limit the possible compatible readers. Allegion's long range wireless offering essentially replaces the direct cable connection between the reader and controller with a set of wiegand compatible wireless radios.