During the installation process, the iHub uses an RF Takeover Card to automatically extract all sensor IDs, zones, and names from the legacy panel. The installer removes connections at the legacy panel from hardwired wired sensors and labels each with the zone. The installer pulls the legacy panel and replaces it with the GE Concord panel. The installer also pulls the existing legacy keypad and replaces it with either a GE keypad or a GE-iControl touchscreen. The installer connects legacy hardwired sensors to appropriate wired zone (from labels) on the Concord. The installer connects the iHub to the local network and connects the iHub RS485 interface to the Concord panel. The iHub automatically ‘enrolls’ legacy RF sensors into the Concord panel as GE sensors (maps IDs), and pushes or otherwise propagates other information gathered from HW panel (zone, name, group). The installer performs a test of all sensors back to CMS. In operation, the iHub relays legacy sensor data to the Concord panel, emulating equivalent GE sensor behavior and protocols.
The areas of the installation process particular to the legacy takeover include how the iHub extracts sensor info from the legacy panel and how the iHub automatically enrolls legacy RF sensors and populates Concord with wired zone information. Each of these areas is described below.