Custom-developed COMMS for Sandton City parking

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Gone are the days when shoppers had to cruise Sandton City's parking garages in search of open parking bays - now display boards at 16 positions around this popular shopping mecca indicate to drivers exactly how many bays are available. Various enhancements to this project - involving escorting drivers to specific parking bays using illuminated signs - are poised for implementation.

Telecommunications specialists, Q-KON, was awarded a contract by Corproot Systems to provide the communication link between a basestation in the Sandton City parking garage and the 16 remote display board sites on access roads leading to the garage.

Q-KON's expertise was called in to complement Corproot's unique software package, capable of picking up information from each entry point and indicating on the display boards how many bays are available.

To provide this link, Q-KON installed a repeater at the top of the centre's Tower office block. Communications equipment - some with unique features - comprised a custom-built base, repeater and remote. The base included the MiniNode MN96-M data radio, capable of conveying 9600 bits per second (bps) using 12,5 kHz of bandwidth, developed by Q-KON. Integrated with the Motorola GM350 radio the MiniNode radio modem is a complete data radio for rugged mobile and fixed installation applications. The MiniNode design incorporates the latest advantages and functions of radio data solutions. It was specifically designed to provide a seamless and direct integrated solution for different applications.

The repeater includes two GM 950 radios, a duplexer and 220 V a.c. to 12 V d.c. power converter, while the remote comprises a custom-built enclosure to house the MN96-M data radio, a Q-KON developed RS 232 to RS485 converter and 220 V a.c. to 12 V d.c. power converter. Battery back-up ensures the data radios are reliable to provide continuous transmission of data to the remote display boards.

Q-KON's Dawie de Wet says on average, parking garages use only about 65% of available space. "Generally, when a garage is around 65% full, it is considered to be at capacity, because it takes too long for drivers to seek out open bays. Considering that construction costs break down to about R50 000 per parking bay, this under-utilisation could amount to enormous profits if utilised fully. The new system at Sandton City is already saving drivers a great deal of time."

Established in 1988, Q-KON is a wholly owned private South African company committed to excellence in the supply of telecommunication products and services to the corporate, telecommunication and government market. A Radio Systems Project House, Q-KON's strength lies in its system engineering and telecommunication engineering expertise provided to clients in the form of engineering services or product and turnkey supplier services.

By executing design activities within a systems engineering approach and supported by product expertise, Q-KON is able to offer cost-effective solutions. Currently Q-KON is structured in the following business units, each supported by a range of specialised products and services: telecommunication projects, mobile radio solutions and RF networking solutions.

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Custom-developed COMMS for Sandton City parking

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