Creating an Air-Fi Network Without a Tracer SC+ (Stand-Alone Network)

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How to Create a Stand-Alone Air-Fi Network

Creating a Stand-Alone Network

A standalone network is defined as a network that does not have a Tracer SC+.  A WCI on a Unit Controller will be designated as the Coordinator for Air-Fi the network.

If a Tracer SC+ is not yet available on site and the use of an Air-Fi sensor is required, one of the unit controller's WCI must be configured as the coordinator.

In installations involving multiple standalone controllers, the designation of a centralized coordinator is required. Please refer to the Best Practice guide for detailed guidelines. Air-Fi Wireless Planning and Implementation - IOM and Air-Fi Network Design Considerations and Best Practices

Only one Coordinator is allowed per group and network number. If required, multiple networks can be established to accommodate the number of UCs or the physical configuration of the site.

Once the network layout has been established, it is essential to define the Group and Network number. A Group and Network combination must not be duplicated within the radio range of another network operating using the same Group and Network number. The valid range for groups is 1 thru 8 and similarly the valid range for networks is 1 thru 8. For existing buildings, it is recommended to conduct a Channel Quality Scan to identify the optimal channel/network for the area.   See Tracer TU V11.11: Channel Quality Scan - Statistical Report

Steps For Creating a Standalone Network

1. Connect Tracer TU service tool via USB to the unit controller associated with the WCI that will be configured as the Coordinator. Click the 'Wireless' drop down menu in Tracer TU and then click "Create Network' .

   
   
   Alternate Method

   To make a WCI the coordinator, and create the wireless network, press and hold the Start Button for 5 seconds then release it. The network LED should flash follow after solid Network LED. Additionally, the CRD and OPEN LED's should also light within a few seconds.
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   WCI Version 2
   
   
   Either method results in the network to be open for 60 minutes to allow member WCIs that have been set with the same GRP/NET address as the Coordinator to join the network. 
    

2. The Air-FI sensor GRP and NWK rotaries must match the rotaries address on the WCI. This will allow it to become a member of the network
3. The UC setting must match the rotary address of the unit controller.  This will allow the sensor to associate with the specific controller
4. The sensor (Sn) setting should be 1, unless you are using multiple sensors that are being used for zone temperature averaging. See: Air-Fi Wireless Sensor - How to Set Up a UC/Symbio Controller to Read Multiple Air-Fi Sensors
5. The network must be open for WCI's and Air-Fi sensors to join. The sensor may display an E2 code indicating that it is not yet a member of the network. It may take a few minutes for the sensor to join the network and the E2 error to be cleared from the screen. Pressing the center button twice will force the sensor to join of the network if the network is open.
   
   For these sensor (WCS-SO/SCO2) press the up arrow from the blank screen to initiate the join.  
6. If the zone sensor is displaying a E1 code, it has not associated with the UC controller with matching address. Press the center button twice on the zone sensor to force the association and clear the E1 code. See this article for more sensor error codes: Wireless Sensor Error Codes

Moving Stand-alone Network to Tracer SC+

If the stand-alone network needs to be moved to a SC+, the network must manually disband before connecting and powering the WCI coordinators wired to the SC+. 

To manually disband a network, press and hold the start button on the coordinator WCI until the CRD and NWK LED's turn off (roughly 10 seconds).

The preferred method to disband the network is to use Tracer TU. Connect Tracer TU to any device on the network. Then from the Wireless menu select Disband Network.

WCI's wired to the SC+ will automatically become coordinators on power up.  If there are existing coordinators with the same group and net settings, then the WCI on the SC+ will not become the coordinator due to the conflicting network with the same group and net settings.  If the WCI wired to the SC+ is not becoming a coordinator automatically, connect Tracer TU to the SC+, and navigate to Controller Status. On the IMC Communication Status Frame, check for error messages with the WCI.

WCI Will not Become a Coordinator

If the WCI failed to become a coordinator, this typically means there is a duplicate network.  There can not be a WCI that is part of a network with the same Group and Network numbers or more commonly a WCI that was part of a network that has the same Group and Network numbers.  This often happens when a coordinator fails or is removed.

See for troubleshooting help, see Air-Fi - Troubleshooting Duplicate Air-Fi Networks.