User's Manual

5
Installation Guidelines
Installation Guidelines
This section describes installation procedures for your SmartPoint and RoutePoint wireless routers.
It also describes important considerations in selecting the wireless router location, wall mounting
options, and power and LAN connections.
Selecting Locations for RoutePoint Gateways and SmartPoint Nodes
One of the most important things to keep in mind when installing your SmartPoint and RoutePoint
wireless routers is the fact that 10/100 Base-T Ethernet using category 5 network cabling has a
100 meter distance limitation.
Basic Guidelines
The SmartPoint and RoutePoint wireless routers are radio devices. Therefore they are susceptible to
common causes of interference that can reduce throughput and range. To ensure the best possible
performance, follow these basic guidelines:
•
Install the SmartPoint or RoutePoint wireless router antennas in an area where trees, buildings,
and large steel structures such as shelving units, bookcases, and filing cabinets do not obstruct
radio signals to and from the antenna. Locating the antennas for direct line-of-sight operation is
best.
•
Install the SmartPoint or RoutePoint wireless router away from microwave ovens or other
devices operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency range. Microwave ovens operate on the same
frequency as the wireless router and can cause signal interference.
•
Install the SmartPoint or RoutePoint wireless router away from other possible sources of 2.4 GHz
WLAN interference, such as cordless phones, home spy cameras, frequency hopping (FHSS) and
DSSS LAN transceivers (non-802.11b), electronic news gathering video links, radars, amateur
radios, land mobile radio services, local government sites (such as law enforcement), fixed
microwave services, local TV transmission and private fixed point transmitters, and excited
sodium lamps (some street lighting).
Installation in Air-Handling Environments
The SmartPoint and RoutePoint wireless routers are UL2043 certified which means that they are
suitable for use in air-handling spaces.
Antenna Options
The SmartPoint and RoutePoint wireless routers support external antennas with omni-directional or
directional capabilities. Omni-directional antennas are best for systems requiring a signal
distribution in more than one direction. High-gain directional antennas are best suited for covering
longer distances in a fixed direction.
Note Only use antennas supplied by FHP Wireless with your wireless routers. Operating the
SmartPoint and RoutePoint wireless routers with a non-qualified antenna may be in violation
of FCC Rules Part 15.203(c), Code of Federal Regulations, Title 47.