Wireless in the Warehouse Survey and Installation Methodology NetCom International Incorporated John A. Helm, VP Operations

NetCom International Inc. Doing data communications since 1986 Design and Installation Services only organization dedicated to quality of service Over 7000 Wireless Site Surveys and Installations Single source solution encompassing cable, electrical and equipment staging departments Key deployment of Field Engineers in major cities optimizes NetCom Internationals coverage range nationally. Learn more at

NetCom International Inc. Wireless Warehousing Warehouse environments require mobility and repetitive actions Many elements such as redundant functions and expansive space can slow overall operation performance Today’s wireless network can streamline these functions and make up for that space by allowing the data entry to go where the work is being performed

NetCom International Inc. Wireless Warehouse Project Requirements Collect pre-site information –Critical information determining the type of equipment and survey to be conducted Site survey –A proper site survey should be conducted for any facility that would require greater than one access point Installation –An improper installation could result in serious performance problems, make sure the installation is done by certified contractors for all aspects –Ensure all materials have been ordered and delivered prior to this step

NetCom International Inc. Pre-Site Survey A form of data collection –Information that will dictate how or where the survey is conducted –This helps to determine overall project requirements such as: Throughput needed Redundancy and overlap Number of users Type of applications which dictate performance Survey restrictions and special needs See an example on the “Contact Us” web page at FOR MORE INFO...

NetCom International Inc. Site Survey The only way to guarantee a successful installation is to have a full site survey or engineering design plan for the facility Installation without a site survey can lead to serious network problems

NetCom International Inc. What You Need Test Equipment Antennas & Cables Ladder or Lift Safety Equipment Marking Materials Site Drawing Meet with MIS Conduct a Walk- through of the Site

NetCom International Inc. Test Equipment Selection of antennas AP model that will be installed Wireless Laptop or client device used Spectrum Analyzer

NetCom International Inc. Antennas & Cables Always test with the antenna to be installed Any antenna extension cables needed for the installation should be used for the Site Survey too

NetCom International Inc. Dipole Omni Directional Whip The Dipole Omni-Directional Whip: Access Points and PC boards are usually installed with this antenna. –Polarization:Vertical –Gain:2.14dBi

NetCom International Inc. Omni-Directional Antenna The High-Gain Omni-Directional: This antenna covers a significantly greater area than can be covered with the unity-gain Omni- directional type. Access Points are usually installed with high-gain antennas. –Polarization: Vertical –Gain: 5.2 and 12dBi

NetCom International Inc. Hemispherical Patch Antenna The Patch: This is a directional antenna with a very wide pattern. It is sometimes easier to mount the “patch” than any other type antenna. –Gain:6dBi and 8.5dBi –Frequency:2.4 GHz

NetCom International Inc. High Gain Yagi This is a very directional antenna with a beam width of only 30 degrees. When the high-gain Yagi is used in a facility with many objects surrounding it, the antenna can provide long directional coverage. This type of Yagi is enclosed in a plastic casing. Gain:13.5dBi Frequency:2.4 GHz

NetCom International Inc. Access Point Always use an Access Point (AP) that is capable of the results desired The device used should replicate the following needs by the end user: –Frequency range –Power out –Desired data rates –Specific form factor if needed

NetCom International Inc. Laptop or Client Device Any device used for testing the connection between the AP and Client device must be able to run diagnostic utilities to test the link Laptops are normally used however sometimes client devices are specified such as pen based PC’s

NetCom International Inc. Other Test Tools A Spectrum Analyzer is sometimes used to locate sources of Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) A handheld Frequency Counter can provide a quick reference to specific emissions in a close area An Electromagnetic Field Probe can detect local sources of Electro- Magnetic Interference (EMI)

NetCom International Inc. Site Drawing A set of drawings or prints are needed to annotate: –AP locations –Coverage areas –Cable and electrical requirements –Sources of interference A set of colored pens, ruler and of course something to mark the locations in the facility such as flagging tape are also needed

NetCom International Inc. Site Walkthrough A walkthrough is necessary for: –Defining coverage areas desired –Identifying environmental restrictions –Familiarizing with the facility to develop a game plan for the Site Survey

NetCom International Inc. Think of Rate vs. Range 2 Mbps FHSS 2 Mbps DSSS 1 Mbps FHSS 5.5 Mbps DSSS 11 Mbps DSSS

NetCom International Inc. Site Survey

NetCom International Inc. Facility Layout Rack Shelving Staging and Burn-in Shipping & Receiving NetCom International Inc. 1 1

Continuing the Survey Coverage Overlap

NetCom International Inc. Surveying Dense Stock Rack Shelving Staging and Burn-in Shipping & Receiving NetCom International Inc. 1 1

Continuing Dense Stock

NetCom International Inc. Site Survey Utilities

NetCom International Inc. Site Survey Report A good site survey report should include specific information: –Contact information –AP locations and Antennas used –Configuration notes –Cable and/or power requirements –Installation notes –Diagrams

NetCom International Inc. Installation of Equipment Install Cabling and Electrical needs Inventory the equipment on site Configure access points Install access points, antennas and antenna extension cables if needed Connect all devices, power on and do a certification test to verify coverage

NetCom International Inc. Cabling and Electrical Rack Shelving Staging and Burn-in NetCom International Inc. 1 Data Electrical

NetCom International Inc. Inventory and Configuration Be sure to connect Antennas before powering on!

NetCom International Inc. Equipment Installation Antennas must be mounted according to polarization Access Points will be mounted to: –Wall –Backboard –Inside an enclosure All cable and wire will be service looped following the guidelines discussed on the cabling and electrical slide

NetCom International Inc. Connect and Test Be sure to properly connect all devices then apply power Use the Cisco Site Survey utility to verify the installed coverage is right Check roaming Check data rate Check quality Check strength

NetCom International Inc. Showing Off! The person on the left is wondering why he didn’t get a superior wireless capable device like his co-worker did.

NetCom International Inc. Application Stories Walk in Freezers –This can be an anti- RF environment when all metal construction is used. –AP’s are usually mounted outside with the antenna inside or all is mounted inside the freezer in a heated NEMA Applications –Many warehouse apps are simple barcode scanning that requires little throughput. *

NetCom International Inc. Application Stories cont. Many manufacturing and warehouse sites have remote buildings that need network capability –Bypass a phone charge and factor in a wireless bridge Make installations robust to the environment –Place devices out of the way –Never jeopardize safety to yourself or others to do the work…Be Careful!

NetCom International Inc. Contact Reference your web site for Cisco Wireless products John A. Helm VP Operations NetCom International Inc Kennesaw N. Ind. Pkwy. Kennesaw, GA Ph: View our Video of NetCom Int.NetCom Int. You may reference our website for additional help on Site Surveys and Installations