In this interview Nortech Control Systems' Managing Director Amer Hafiz discusses the company's latest addition in long-range vehicle identification and how it fits within Nortech's comprehensive vehicle access control ecosystem.
The Evolution of Hands-Free Vehicle Access
The move from traditional access control methods to sophisticated, hands-free solutions has up-ended how organisations manage vehicle entry points.
As facilities become increasingly complex and security requirements more stringent, the demand for seamless, efficient and secure vehicle access solutions continues to grow.
For over 30 years, Nortech Control Systems has been at the forefront of access control innovation, developing solutions that balance security needs with user convenience.
The latest addition to Nortech's vehicle access portfolio, the uPASS Go reader, represents a significant advancement in UHF technology that addresses the evolving challenges of modern vehicle access management.
Enhancing Nortech's Vehicle Access Portfolio
The uPASS Go reader is designed to complement and enhance Nortech's existing vehicle access control solutions.
As Amer Hafiz explains, "The uPASS Go is going to complement our vehicle access control solution. It will enhance hands-free vehicle identification, designed to work alongside our other offerings, including ANPR and our existing UHF range of readers."
This strategic positioning allows Nortech to offer a comprehensive suite of vehicle identification technologies, including:
- Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR): Camera-based identification systems
- UHF Technology: Including the Target reader and the new uPASS Go
- Microwave Technology: Featuring the Transit reader system for high-security applications
Each technology serves specific use cases and environments, providing Nortech's clients with flexible options to meet their unique requirements.
Technical Advancements: uPASS Go vs. Reach
The uPASS Go represents a significant evolution from its predecessor, the uPASS Reach, incorporating several key advancements that improve both installation experience and operational performance.
"The uPASS Go brings several enhancements over the Reach," Amer notes. "One major improvement is its compact design and ease of installation from the installer's perspective. It also offers a longer read distance of 10 meters, double the 5-meter range of the Reach."
Perhaps the most significant technical advancement is the circular polarisation field that the uPASS Go employs.
Amer explains the practical impact: "Previously with the Reach, the field was in one horizontal direction. With the Go, it can be in either direction, so you could install the tag vertically or horizontally because the field is circular."
This flexibility proves critical in real-world applications, particularly for vehicles with metalised windscreens where tag placement options are limited. The ability to orient tags in any direction significantly improves readability and installation flexibility.
Understanding UHF Technology
At the core of the uPASS Go is Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) technology, operating in the 840-940 MHz frequency band.
Amer provides a concise explanation of how this technology works:
"The reader transmits a modulated RF signal in the UHF band, similar to television aerial signals. This power is transmitted within a 10-meter read range. On the receiving end, a credential—either a tag or card—contains an antenna. These credentials are battery-free, as the energy from the reader energises the coil in the tag, powering the embedded chip, which then remodulates the signal back to the reader with its stored information."
This passive technology offers significant advantages for vehicle access control, including:
- Battery-free credentials: Reducing maintenance and replacement costs
- Configurable read ranges: Adaptable to different installation environments
- Flexible communication protocols: Supporting various security levels from standard EPC numbers to advanced AES encryption
Security Considerations and Applications
The uPASS Go includes support for enhanced security protocols, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.
"If you take example sites like financial institutions, MOD buildings, or government buildings where it's utmost important that unauthorised people cannot gain entry, they want to ensure that if someone is sitting outside and sniffing on the wave, they cannot read someone else's credential and make a duplicate," Amer explains.
For these high-security environments, the encryption capabilities of the uPASS Go ensure that communications between the credential and reader remain secure, preventing unauthorised cloning or duplication of access credentials.
The versatility of the uPASS Go makes it suitable for numerous applications, including:
- Standard car parks
- Gated communities
- Staff parking areas
- Secure facilities
For more complex environments or larger vehicles like lorries or commercial vehicles, Amer recommends Nortech's microwave technology solutions, highlighting the company's comprehensive approach to meeting diverse customer needs.
Integration and Implementation
Like other Nortech readers, the uPASS Go is designed for seamless integration with existing access control systems.
"Normally the reader is treated like any other reader," Amer notes. "There would be a backend access control system that the reader will connect to, which will make decisions enabling or authorising people as they come into the site."
This plug-and-play approach simplifies implementation and allows organisations to enhance their vehicle access control without overhauling their entire security infrastructure.
Optimising Performance Through Installation
Achieving optimal performance with UHF technology requires careful attention to installation details. Amer emphasises the importance of proper reader positioning and configuration:
"The reader needs to be installed at a certain angle, a 10-degree tilt, at an optimum height of 2.5 to 3.0 metres, projecting a circular lobe from the reader. This needs to be adjusted quite accurately by the installer on site, ensuring the vehicle is coming in that direction."
Environmental factors can also impact performance, including:
- Interference from other technologies using the same frequency band
- Metal reflections that can create dead zones or extended read ranges
- Site-specific considerations such as lane width and surrounding structures
To address these challenges, Nortech provides software tools that allow installers to adjust reader power settings and optimise performance for each specific installation environment.
"During installation, the installer needs to be familiar with how the technology works and adjust the reader according to the site. Each site is different, and the reader needs to have the correct setting and configuration," Amer advises.
Comprehensive Support for Successful Implementation
Nortech's commitment to customer success extends beyond providing advanced technology. The company offers comprehensive support throughout the entire implementation process:
"We help to specify the right product during pre-sale stages. When a customer has a requirement, we get involved and guide them to choose the right technology. We help during the installation phase and provide support for configuration issues. Our dedicated technical support team is on hand post-sale to give ongoing support on these products."
This end-to-end support ensures that organisations can maximise the benefits of their investment in Nortech's vehicle access control solutions.
Advancing Vehicle Access Control
The introduction of the uPASS Go represents Nortech's ongoing commitment to innovation in access control technology.
By combining enhanced read range, flexible tag orientation, and robust security features in a compact, easy-to-install package, the uPASS Go addresses key challenges in modern vehicle access management.
As facilities continue to evolve and security requirements become more complex, Nortech's comprehensive approach to vehicle identification—spanning ANPR, UHF, and microwave technologies—provides organisations with the flexibility to implement tailored solutions that balance security, efficiency and user experience.
For more information about uPASS Go or to discuss your specific vehicle access control requirements, contact Nortech's expert team today.
