Review Maps RF Design Program Analysis RF System Design Physical Inspection and Testing Confirming Results from RF System Design On-Site Radio Site Survey Same Testing on Installed System Site Commissioning

Wireless is being applied in many applications but few have a working knowledge of designing a successful wireless system Each Radio Application is Unique Dizzying array ranges from vendors Provide tools to personally review specifications Selecting A Wireless Vendor

Conservative model of expected radio results Installed hardware generally higher signal strengths Allows for modification to system design prior to installation if problems are found Change Antenna Type Change Coax Cable Types Provides means of determining expected data errors RF Design Program

Earth Antenna A Antenna B Minimum Height (ft.) Distance (miles) Radio Horizon Directional Antenna Omni-directional Antenna Bottom Reference Line for Height Clearance

Fresnel Zone shows the ellipsoid spread of the radio wavesArea must be clear of obstructions or signal strength will be reducedBlockage in 60% will induce significant signal lossesUse for frequencies above 900 MHz

Effective Radiated Power (ERP) = Tx Power - Feedline Losses + Antenna GainReceived Signal = Rx Power - Feedline losses + Antenna Gain

Receiver Sensitivity is the minimum signal level in dB needed by the receiver to output received data. Fade Margin in dB is the amount of received signal above the receiver’s minimum required useable Receiver Sensitivity. Transmitter Power Transmitter feedline attenuation Transmitting antenna gain Receiving antenna gain Receiver feedline attenuation Receiver Sensitivity Fade Margin is controlled by Minimum Receiver Sensitivity Maximum Received Signal Strength Fade Margin = Usable Range of Receiver

Imperfect world and things are constantly changing. Equipment ages Antennas go out of alignment Unexpected man-made noise/interference Basic rules of thumb for digital transceivers. 10 dB - 10% link retries 20 dB - 1% link retries 30 dB -.1% link retries Link Listed Marginal <10dB Over 10dB Fade Margin = Green 1-10db Fade Margin = Yellow (Marginal) Less than 1dB = Red (Site Not Operational) How much Fade Margin?

Draw a simple layout of the proposed system. Site maps. If Latitude and longitude are known use the “Distance Between Two Points Calculator” in the RF Design Program. Use a hand held GPS. Google Earth® Determine Line-of-Sight (LOS) distances between each point to point radio path by:

Base to Remote Base to Repeater Repeater to Remote Repeater to Repeater Most Radio Systems are designed as a “Multiple” of Point to Point RF Paths Each Path Needs Evaluation

Sketch a site diagram and distances between site nodes. Note LOS blockages. Pump Site #2 Control Room Pump Site #1 Water Tank Pump Site #3 LOS 4 miles 5.5 miles 5 miles 3 miles LOS

Reference maps Handheld GPS. Google Earth® Find the elevation of each node above sea level. Estimate installed antenna height at each node above ground level to achieve LOS to destination site. Estimate feedline length from antenna to equipment cabinet.

Accurate site locationsLongitude and LatitudeDistance between locations Side profile for Line of Sight (LOS) measurement

Antenna Feedline Length Equipment Cabinet Terrain Height Above Sea Level Height of Antenna Above Ground for LOS Path

Calculate Elevation Differential between the lowest node and the remaining nodes. Site Elevation Differential + Antenna Height above ground. Calculated the Adjusted Antenna Height.

Calculate Elevation Differential between lowest node and remaining nodes. Adjusted Antenna Height = Elevation Differential + Antenna Height above ground.

Pump Site #2 Control Room Pump Site #1 Water Tank Pump Site #3 4 miles 5.5 miles 5 miles 3 miles LOS

In this example we will use the ESTeem 195Eg 2.4 GHz Frequency Use your Site Information Table data Use Vendor information on transceiver selected The RF Site Design Program will provide ESTeem hardware recommended for operating frequency selected Enter data in the Data Entry Key Board Use the RF Site Design Program on each point-to- point RF path.

Lightning Arrestor Antenna Port Equipment Port Directional Antennas Omni-Directional Antenna Coax Cable ESTeem Model 195Eg Power Supply

Model 195Eg Omni-Directional Antenna Model 195E Outdoor Fixed Base Hardware Diagram Direct Pole Mount Pole Mounting Kit EST P/N AA195PM Power Over Ethernet Cable Ethernet CAT-5e Cable 300 ft. maximum Weather Proof Boot Weather Proof Front Cover Antenna Feedline External Antennas Directional Antennas Weather Proof Boot To LAN Interface PoE Power Supply EST P/N AA175 Ethernet Surge Protection EST P/N AA166 Ethernet CAT 5e Cable EST P/N: AA09.2 Unit Shown With Rubber Duct Antennas Direct Mount Antennas

Lower cost ($65-$500 Savings) Lower signal loss Increased Range and/or data rate Remove Long Coax Cable Required Lower cost ($120 Savings) Also removes loss in jumper cable No Lightning Arrestor Needed Greatly reduced design and installation costs ($300 Savings) No Enclosure Needed

Pump Site #2 Control Room Water Tank Pump Site #3 4 miles 5.5 miles 5 miles 3 miles LOS Perform a RF Path Analysis from the Control Room to Pump Site #1. Pump Site #1

Path Distance: 4 miles

In this example we used the highest Rx Sensitivity of -89 dB for a RF data rate of 1Mbps. This will give a 12.6 dB Fade Margin for a 4 mile path length. What would be the maximum data rate for this RF link?

Based upon type of modulation type Maximum for peak power set by FCC/DOC Peak Power vs Average Power Average power and peak same in Direct Sequence Maximum peaks in OFDM has lower average power Modulation Modulation type based upon data rate Verify all RF data rates and power levels Average power used in RF Design Program

Only available for wireless Ethernet products 195Eg, 195Ep, 195Ea and 195EdEnter site information same as RF Path Analysis Over 10dB Fade Margin = Green 1-10db Fade Margin = Yellow (Marginal) Less than 1dB Fade Margin = Red (Site Not Operational) Fade margin results for each data rate

Maximum design data rate for application would be 9 MbpsMaximum possible data rate is 18 Mbps 195E will not reserve 10dB in operation 195E will maintain highest data rate possible Actual Data Rates Could Be Higher in Normal Operation

Same application using higher gain directional antennaAA204Eg 19dB Parabolic directional antennaLegal for use from single remote to omni-directional

Much higher RF Data Rates available with higher fade marginMaximum design data rate for application would be 24 MbpsMaximum possible data rate is 48 Mbps

Pump Site #2 Control Room Pump Site #1 Water Tank Pump Site #3 4 miles 5.5 miles 5 miles LOS Perform a RF Path Analysis from the Control Room to Pump Site #2. 24 Mbps 3 miles

Path Distance: 5 miles

Maximum design data rate for application would be 24 Mbps Maximum possible data rate is 36 Mbps

Perform a RF Path Analysis from the Control Room to Water Tank. 24 Mbps Pump Site #2 Control Room Pump Site #1 Water Tank Pump Site #3 5.5 miles 5 miles LOS 3 miles 4 miles

Path Distance: 3 miles

Maximum design data rate for application would be 9 MbpsMaximum possible data rate is 24 Mbps

Perform a RF Path Analysis from the Water Tank to Pump Site #3. 9 Mbps 24 Mbps Pump Site #2 Control Room Pump Site #1 Water Tank Pump Site #3 5.5 miles 5 miles LOS 3 miles 4 miles

Path Distance: 5.5 miles

Maximum design data rate for application would be 24 Mbps Maximum possible data rate is 36 Mbps

 Problem areas ◦ Fresnel Zone Warning  Increase height of the Pump Site #3 Antenna  Need to increase from 15 ft. to 33 ft. to be above the minimum height requirements for the Fresnel Zone.  In this example I increased height to 40 ft. for a margin of error.

AA204Eg is the highest gain antenna that the unit is type accepted for. 19 dB gain Two Directional Antennas.6 dB because the unit is pole mounted. Cable Loss dB Fade Margin dB Fade Margin Range

dB Fade Margin Antenna Height = 4,010 ft at each end Fresnel Zone (60%) = 185 feet This would probably be usable only from mountain top to mountain top dB Fade Margin Antenna Height = 54 ft. at each end This is a practical height Range

AA20Eg 6 dB gain Two Omni-Directional Antennas.6 dB because the unit is pole mounted Cable LossRange 6 dB with Fade Margin 1 Mbps = 9.0 minimum antenna height of 45 ft.5.5 Mbps = 5.7 minimum antenna height of 36 ft.11 Mbps = 4.0 minimum antenna height of 31 ft.24 Mbps = 2.0 minimum antenna height of 26 ft.54 Mbps = 0.4 minimum antenna height of 14 ft.

Reliability is only as good as the system design Education is Best Means to Confidence Compare different vendor’s hardware Review specifications and claims Use the Tools Planning and evaluation are best keys to success Radio Applications Are Not Difficult

Customer’s RF Communication Desires Gather Maps, Site Layout, etc. Develop Testing Plan Confirm RF Design Results RF Signals & Noise Determine Radio Paths On-site Radio Measurements Physical Site Inspection Installation Information Gather Site Information

Review Topographic Maps Site Walk-down Layout The Site Lay out equipment Reference Site Pre-Test Preparation Site Testing Site Survey Report Test Results

Area Topography Repeaters - Antenna types Review Map Look for LOS blockages Type of antenna mounting structure and height Routing of feedlines Environmental considerations Site Walk down

Antenna placement SWR measurement Install AntennaConduct Spectrum Analysis Isolated frequency Check for license availability Choose Frequency for Testing Quick Connect Test

Furthest or least likely to communicate direct Proceed To Most Questionable Remote First Install and Test Antenna Status light If no connection, determine repeater site Quick connect Signal Strength Polling Test or Pings Data Transmission Testing

Repeater Peer List RF Data Rates Status Menu in Model 195 Series View Noise and Signal Other Transmitters in Area Spectrum Analyzer 10dB above minimum signal strength for fade margin

Remote to master Remote to repeater Repeater to master Conduct Test to All Communication Paths Overnight Polling Test Long Term Testing Master Repeater Remote

10dB above Minimum for Spread Spectrum All Signal Strengths Above Fade MarginAntenna Heights and LocationsOperating Frequency Background Noise From every site Overnight to farthest site Data Transmission Tests

Test ResultsRF System LayoutAccurate Bill of MaterialInstallation InstructionsSafety ConcernsModem Program CommandsReliable Operating Frequency and License Information.

Equipment Installed Same testing as site survey with installed hardware Long term Ping Test Confirmed reliable operation Equipment Commissioned Site Commissioning