User's Manual

Chapter 2 Planning a CCU/Repeater Installation
8 TDC-0971-011 CCU 100 and Repeater 100 Installation Guide
Proprietary and Confidential
When you are determining the placement of the collector or repeater, the following are
primary considerations:
• Site for optimum RF reception.
• Site for optimum GPS and/or WAN reception.
• Ethernet connection availability (if required).
• Power connection availability.
• Structure or location present that can physically support the collector or repeater and
its mounting hardware.
Caution Always ensure you have permission to install a collector or repeater at
the selected site prior to beginning installation. If you have questions or need
assistance, contact Itron's Joint Use Team.
Propagation Study and Collector or Repeater Site Selection
Before you install a collector or repeater in the field, contact Itron to perform a
propagation study. A propagation study is performed for the following reasons:
• Evaluates the quantity and types of endpoints in the network.
• Assesses environmental and geographical considerations related to a collector or
repeater installation.
• Optimizes collector or repeater placement in the network for the best possible
reception.
• Helps influence the physical and structural implications of mounting a collector or
repeater to a given surface.
Once the propagation study is complete, you can determine the exact collector or repeater
installation location and the collector or repeater mounting surface. This is an iterative
process that may need to be repeated, depending on the final installation types and
heights.
GPS and WAN Coverage
You must install collectors or repeaters in locations where a GPS signal is strong and
consistent. If WAN is being used as the communications backhaul for the network, a
strong and consistent WAN signal is required (for collectors only). If the signal is too
weak, or its availability fluctuates, the collector cannot gather accurate date/time
information or communicate with the Fixed Network software.
Itron recommends using a handheld GPS unit to verify your collector, repeater, or
external GPS antenna mounting location can receive a signal from at least three satellites.
To ensure the best possible signal, avoid installing the collector, repeater, or external
antennas in the following locations:
• Adjacent to or between tall buildings, signs, towers, or bridges.
• Near swaying limbs, branches, or cables that could strike and damage the antenna.
• Between, beneath, or near highway overpasses, elevated train platforms, or tunnels.