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The IXP 200 is manufactured by Impro PTY of South Africa and distributed here by BPT Security Systems (UK) Limited, who provide initial design assistance and full technical backup.

We looked at an IXP 200 controller, door terminals, a range of readers and the controlling software.

The IXP 200 software provides for control by a single controller of:

• Access – through a maximum of 16 doors (15 if Lift Control is used)
  
• Lift Control – a maximum of four lifts, each with access to a maximum of 16 floors
  
• ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Management – up to 16 digital input signals from switches responding to such conditions as air conditioning overheating, pump dry, roller door open and up to 16 dry contact relay outputs for switching on lighting and air conditioning, on a timed basis as required.

We had not previously encountered the use of the term "digital input" to describe the connec-tions to volt free switch or relay contacts. They are obviously not digital in the usual sense but do have a binary effect on the unit to which they are connected. In our view, to describe them as "digi-tal", merely extends the use of the word a little.

The controller communicates with the door, input and output terminals via an RS 485 bus known as the terminal bus.

Communication between a host PC and the controller is via an RS 232 bus providing that they are not more than 15m apart. Greater separation distances (up to 1 km) require the use of a ProxPal unit, which is sited near the PC since it includes a tag reader for ease of installation. It interfaces between the controller via the RS 485 bus and the PC via the RS 232 bus. Each door terminal will serve one reader, also providing a relay output for a door strike rated at 10A, 28v DC or 5A, 220v AC, two digital inputs for RTE (request to enter/exit) or door open switch. A DC supply in the range 8 - 30 volts at a current of the order of 200 mA at 8v is needed.

If the anti-passback feature is to be used, then readers are needed on both sides of the door, each requiring its own door terminal.

For the uninitiated, "Anti-Passback (APB) is intended to prevent a tag-holder entering a zone and, without physically exiting the zone, passing the tag to a person outside the zone and thus allowing that person to gain entry to that zone illegally", thereby improving security standards.

Host PC required
A host PC is required for initial IXP 200 software installation. Graphics can be added to the PC for the display of floor plans of the areas under access control. The display plans permit the monitoring and control of various system parameters by means of icons superimposed on the plans.

The minimum host PC hardware requirements are set out in detail and include " CPU: Pentium II 300 or faster ... Floppy Drive: 3.5" high density stiffy drive ..."

After initial installation, the PC can be taken off-line. The IXP 200 will then run as a standalone system. Transaction data is recorded in the controller database and uploaded to the PC's database when it is returned on-line.

When the PC is off-line, some manual editing can be carried out using the keypad and LCD on the controller (changes to system settings menus and tagholder menus).

At the end of the working day when the premises are vacated, an administrator/supervisor tagholder can arm the intruder alarm system via a keypad reader terminal on leaving. The intruder alarm control panel will need to be capable of keyswitch operation (the IXP 200 control panel relay output replacing the keyswitch) and must provide "alarm ready" and "alarm armed" outputs. We have not encountered many alarm control panels which provide "alarm ready" outputs.

The IXP 200 controller is housed in a black, matt finish plastic box having overall dimensions 205 (H) x 121 (W) x 45mm (D). The main PCB, secured in the base, is well up to modern high quality standards.

It uses surface mount components where appropriate and includes a 3.6v lithium battery for memory backup in the event of power failure, and the input/output screwed terminal block. The terminals connect to the terminal bus (RS485); PC host bus (RS 232 or RS 485); intruder alarm system input and outputs; general alarm digital input; emergency unlock digital input; 8 - 36v DC PSU. The keypad and LCD PCBs are rigidly secured inside the cover and connect to the main PCB via two ribbon cables and plugs, removable for ease of installation.

The cover hooks onto the top of the base and is secured by a single screw at the bottom. The keys have a firm and positive response to touch.

The door terminal enclosures looked very neat and attractively styled but were less impressive from a practical viewpoint. With the top cover removed, connecting terminal accessibility is restricted; removing an end cover and sliding the PCB out made life a bit easier.

Neater installation
Cover securing arrangements consisted of slightly more than half of a self-tapped thread for each screw – passable if used infrequently with great care. Any lifting of the top cover could result in a tamper alarm being generated.

BPT is now supplying the door terminal PCBs without an enclosure, for mounting in their appropriate PSUs, resulting in a neater installation.

We looked at three different types of proximity reader: KHR – harsh environment, keypad type; MHR – harsh environment microreader; MR – ABS enclosed micro reader. The harsh environment readers have solid zinc alloy die-cast enclosures and are rated at IP 66 (dust tight and watertight), while the MR enclosure is rated at IP 53 (dustproof and rainproof).

All the electronic components, with the exception of the buzzer, are potted in resin, leaving the business end of the terminal block exposed. They are each hooked onto backing plates and secured by a single screw at the bottom. The screw position is not obvious to the casual observer and, in the case of the metal clad harsh environment types, the screw needs an hexagonal driver to remove it.

Each door terminal serves only one reader, so that for an anti-passback door, two readers and thus two door terminals are required. Add in a door latch/release/strike, magnetic contacts for door state indication and power supplies, then you are ready to proceed.

Some manufacturers recommend separate power supplies for electronic units and the door latches; Impro does not appear to have such preferences. But Impro gives clear details of the arc suppression components to be fitted across the latch for both AC and DC supplies, in order to prevent excess wear of the door terminal relay contacts.

The door terminal must be installed within 20m of its corresponding reader using Belden 9502 or equivalent twisted pair, screened cable. This cable is also recommended for the host and terminal bus connections.

It is important that during installation, the location and unit fixed address of each terminal is recorded for software installation purposes. Impro provides an "Improx Unit Location Chart" for the purpose. A loose "fixed address label" is packed with each terminal for sticking on the chart and the installer writes down the exact location alongside it.

The RS 485 connections from the controller to the terminals can be either multiple star or daisy chained, providing that each chain length does not exceed 1000m. The terminating jumper in the last terminal of each chain should be connected to avoid unwanted reflections.

Get familiar with Windows
A familiarity with Microsoft Windows is a distinct advantage when installing the IXP 200 software and to assist, Impro has included an appendix in the User Manual entitled "Basic Windows Information For The User".

In spite of this, we gratefully accepted the help of BPT's professional man to programme our "system" assembled on the bench.

He quickly found our wiring error – the comms connections between the door terminals and readers had been crossed: strict adherence to wiring diagrams is always recommended! Successful software installation followed at a pace.

We can heartily recommend BPT's offer of dedicated experienced professional support in the form of: help with initial system design and wiring diagrams; installer training; and unlimited telephone technical advice.

The User Manual provides a system overview and covers software installation, system configuration, reports and manual editing – in fact everything except the hands-on installing bits. The instructions are backed up by typical Windows displays and include sample graphics.

Our copy includes a now well-thumbed Glossary and is supplied in a hard-backed folder and case along with the system CD.

The Installation Instructions are far more fragmented. While an overall so-called IXP 200 User/Installation Manual is included in the main folder, a more detailed individual Installation Manual is supplied with each item of equipment supplied. These include pertinent installation instructions and a full technical specification.

The instructions are all very well written, informative and comprehensive.

What the manufacturer says ...
The Impro IXP 200 supports up to 2,000 tags operating 16 doors and up to four lifts. This, combined with its flexibility and advanced features, make it ideal for small to medium sized premises that require more than just a standard access control system, but at a standard system price.

With the IXP 200, users have a wide range of features they can make use of.

These include 16 anti-passback zones with anti-passback lockout and three anti-passback modes (off, relaxed, strict), intrusion alarm and alarm panel arming facilities, and uncomplicated building management features such as time triggered actions i.e. turning lights and heating on.

In addition, the system caters for daily door mode patterns to determine the access status of a particular door at a given time and access patterns, to specify which tag can open which door and when.

For extra security, the IXP 200 comes with four tag levels – Administrator, Supervisor, Normal and Visitor – plus the system can be set up to allow for a dual tag option, whereby two tags have to be used within a pre-defined time to open a door.

A modular system, the IXP 200 has a choice of readers to allow users to select tag only, tag and PIN code, or tag, PIN code and 'reason for access' code.

The IXP 200 comes with free Windows-based software and can be operated both on and off-line. It can be integrated with third party software. These events, as well as the most recent 8000 transactions, are all digitally recorded on the IXP 200 system for an accurate log.

The IXP 200 is the latest addition to the Impro range of proximity access control systems and represents the next step up from the standalone IXP 100 system.