User's Manual

SkyPilot SkyAccess DualBand Installation 20
Planning your Installation
In a typical wide area wireless mesh network, you’ll install a
SkyConnector on a utility pole or the roof of a building. The effective
range of a SkyConnector is usually proportional to the height of the
installation.
When choosing a site for a SkyConnector Outdoor, consider the radio
frequency (RF) environment and the physical layout of the area.
Trees, buildings, and hills can attenuate or block a wireless signal. When
assessing a site, examine the overall topology of the wireless path for
possible obstructions—both existing and planned—as well as seasonal
changes of foliage and tree growth. The RF environment is dynamic, and
can deteriorate over time as structures appear or are relocated.
Plan to use test signals to determine the suitability of the link topology for
target applications. Interference on your desired frequency results in
overlapping signals, causing outages or intermittent drops in throughput.
Once you’ve identified a potential site, use a topographic map or path
profile software to ensure that terrain or obstacles will not interfere with
the links.
Your site survey should include an RF scan to identify available
frequencies. You should also check your preferred frequency at all
locations. A frequency that’s clear at one location may be crowded at
another. Frequency planning is a critical factor in planning and
implementing a wireless network. (For device operating frequencies, see
Appendix , “ C.” )
The site survey process should be ongoing. To verify that a site is
relatively free of interference, make site audits every six to twelve
months, scheduling regular maintenance visits to coincide with the site
audits.
NOTE Plan to configure the SkyConnector Outdoor before mounting it.
Some steps, such as those requiring serial console access, are