Wireless Range
Wi-Fyre Xenos Wireless transmits data via radio waves. Under ideal conditions, when there are no obstacles or any interference in the path of the waves, Xenos’ radio waves can take a direct path (the shortest path) between the devices to the translator or expander. These open space conditions provide the maximum communication for radio waves and serve as a generally accepted benchmark for comparing capabilities of radio technology.
Under optimal conditions, Wi-Fyre Xenos can achieve point-to-point transmission of over 1km.
Design Factors When Considering a Wireless Fire Alarm System
Obstacles
In most circumstances, radio waves will encounter obstacles such as things like walls and ceilings. Radio waves can pass through some objects without any loss and can reflect from others. However, some obstacles can absorb radio waves.
There are a variety of factors that can change the effect an obstacle has on radio waves. These include the type of material, the obstacles’ shape, and its thickness. Elements such as rain, snow, dust and debris, even people can change how radio waves perform. When radio waves encounter these obstacles, they attenuate, losing some of their power. The more obstacles they encounter, the shorter the distance they can travel becomes.
When radio waves are reflected, they change direction. This forces them to take a different path, reducing the overall distance they can travel.
Absorption
Reflection
Interference
Other radio waves of the same frequency, or even radio waves from the same transmitter reflected from obstacles, can create interference. This does not always lead to signal attenuation, but usually has a negative effect.
Wi-Fyre Xenos operates on a frequency of 868MHz. This band is much less noisy compared to Wi-Fi frequencies (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) and 433 MHz, which is commonly used by IoT electronics, remote control units, and outdated security alarm systems.
In-Phase Signals
Anti-Phase Signals
Diffraction
Xenos radio waves can pass through small holes without significant attenuation, this is known as diffraction.
Building Material Effect of Wireless Range
Obstacles can reflect or absorb radio waves depending on what material they are made from. This can deprive them of some of their power, or have no effect on the radio signal.
Materials that do not affect radio signals are called radiotransparent. The higher the signal absorption coefficient, and the thicker the obstacle, the more it impacts the transmission of the signal.
| Low | Dry Red Brick Dry Wood Plasterboard Thin Glass |
| Medium | Breeze Block Brick Concrete |
| High | Thick Concrete Reinforced Concrete Steel Beams |
How to Ensure Satisfactory Wireless Signal
A wireless survey can, and must, be conducted prior to installation to not only ensure that the alarm system will operate efficiently, but to speed up installation time. A wireless survey is conducted using a Wi-Fyre Xenos Wireless Survey Kit that provides all the equipment needed to test channels and frequency bands that will be used.
Wi-Fyre Xenos Wireless Survey Kits are available to purchase or hire from Eurofyre. Alternatively, a Eurofyre engineer can attend the property to carry out an on-site wireless survey for you.
Xenos Key Features
Wireless Architecture
Wi-Fyre Xenos uses versatile wireless architecture with two distinct methods, mesh and hybrid:
Mesh
When the system is configured to use mesh architecture, it prioritises redundancy by identifying optimal communication paths during system setup. If any expanders encounter a failure, the system automatically reroutes the transmission path to maintain seamless communication.
Hybrid
In hybrid setup, fire alarm devices communicate via zones with a translator, which collects data and transmits it to the control panel for seamless integration. If issues arise, the system auto-reroutes paths, prioritising redundancy, and optimal setup paths.
60 Communication Channels
Xenos uses 60 communications channels to prevent channel collisions within the network. These channels are divided into infrastructure and field channels and allow for seamless expansion of the system architecture.
Network Infrastructure Channels
| Pair # | Primary Channel | Secondary Channel | ||
| Channel # | Frequency | Channel # | Frequency | |
| 1 | 9 | 868.2125 | 45 | 869.4125 |
| 2 | 10 | 868.2375 | 46 | 869.4375 |
| 3 | 11 | 868.2625 | 47 | 869.4625 |
| 4 | 12 | 868.2875 | 48 | 869.4875 |
| 5 | 13 | 868.3125 | 49 | 869.5125 |
| 6 | 14 | 868.3375 | 50 | 869.5375 |
| 7 | 15 | 868.3625 | 51 | 869.5625 |
| 8 | 16 | 868.3875 | 52 | 869.5875 |
Field Device Channels
| Pair # | Primary Channel | Secondary Channel | ||
| Channel # | Frequency | Channel # | Frequency | |
| 1 | 55 | 869.7125 | 25 | 868.7125 |
| 2 | 56 | 869.7375 | 26 | 868.7375 |
| 3 | 57 | 869.7625 | 27 | 868.7625 |
| 4 | 58 | 869.7875 | 28 | 868.7875 |
| 5 | 59 | 869.8125 | 29 | 868.8125 |
| 6 | 60 | 869.8375 | 30 | 868.8375 |
| 7 | 61 | 869.8625 | 31 | 868.8625 |
| 8 | 62 | 869.8875 | 32 | 868.8875 |
| 9 | 63 | 869.9125 | 33 | 868.9125 |
| 10 | 64 | 869.9375 | 34 | 868.9375 |
| 11 | 65 | 869.9625 | 35 | 868.9625 |
| 12 | 66 | 869.9875 | 36 | 868.9875 |
| 13 | 1 | 868.0125 | 37 | 869.0125 |
| 14 | 2 | 868.0375 | 38 | 869.0375 |
| 15 | 3 | 868.0625 | 39 | 869.0625 |
| 16 | 4 | 868.0875 | 40 | 869.0875 |
| 17 | 5 | 868.1125 | 41 | 869.1125 |
| 18 | 6 | 868.1375 | 42 | 869.1375 |
| 19 | 7 | 868.1625 | 43 | 869.1625 |
| 20 | 8 | 868.1875 | 44 | 869.1875 |
| 21 | 17 | 868.4125 | 53 | 869.6125 |
| 22 | 18 | 868.4375 | 54 | 869.6375 |
Wireless Communication Continuity
Wi-Fyre Xenos uses mesh expander technology to create excellent system reliability and performance. If any expander in the chain fails, the transmission path finds an alternate route, ensuring communication continuity.
Why Choose Eurofyre?
- Wi-Fyre Xenos Support
- Eurofyre’s team of fire detection specialists are experts in wireless fire detection. We offer a Xenos Survey Kit to buy or hire to make conducting a Wi-Fyre Xenos site survey quick and easy. We also provide Xenos programming support to help with off-site programming.
- Complete System Supplier
- Eurofyre supplies all aspects of fire detection and its associated safety products, including Wi-Fyre Xenos, and can provide expert advice and consultation.
- Demonstration and Training
- We offer demonstrations and expert training on a range of systems, including Wi-Fyre Xenos, in our very own sophisticated training facility.
- After-Sales Support
- Eurofyre offers both on-site and telephone support to assist you in ensuring that your system is fully functional and operating at maximum efficiency. Our after-sales care and support are second to none.
For more information about Wi-Fyre Xenos, or to discuss any of the other products that Eurofyre have to offer, please feel free to get in touch either by phone on +44 (0) 1329 835 024, by email to [email protected] or via the online enquiry form situated on our contact page.
Don’t forget you can follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook or sign up to our newsletter (in the footer below) to receive all the latest information from Eurofyre.