User's Manual

SPEEDLAN 9000 Series Installation and Operation User Guide
Introduction 1-5
• SPEEDLAN 9102: Can be used with the K
2
polling protocol or the Mesh protocol:
• K
2
polling protocol : A unit/router used in star networks such as a remote station (CPE),
point-to-point or as a base station is referred to as a SPEEDLAN 9102. The parameters
on this unit/router are configured via the K
2
polling protocol in the SPEEDLAN 9000
Configurator. This unit/router uses an external antenna, such as a grid, sectoral, etc.
For more information on how the K
2
polling protocol works, see SPEEDLAN K
2
’s Polling
Protocol --How It Works. If you need to use an amplifier with the SPEEDLAN 9102, see
If Using An Amplifier with the SPEEDLAN 9102, page 2-16.
• Mesh protocol: Most users needing the mesh topology solution will use the SPEEDLAN
9101. However, there is the option of using an external antenna (e.g., high-gain omni
antenna, sectoral or directional). If you choose this option, use the SPEEDLAN 9102,
and it can act as a mesh topology solution.
Note: A SPEEDLAN 9102 is shipped as mesh, CPE star or base star. Mesh and CPE star are user
ready. If you need to use the unit/router as a base star (or base station), you must contact Wave
Wireless to order the "key" to activate this functionality.
SPEEDLAN K
2
's Polling Protocol -- How it Works in Star Networks
Here are the popular scenarios for star networks using the SPEEDLAN K
2
polling protocol: point-to-
multipoint (CPE and base station) and point-to-point (one unit/router talking to another, and a base
station if needed). If any of the SPEEDLAN 9102 units/routers are unable to see each other, a base
station must be used to repeat traffic to next unit/router in line.
Point-to-Multipoint Functionality
A point-to-multipoint network consists of a group of units/routers (Customer Premise Equipment,
hereon abbreviated as CPE) and a base station. The network is based on a star topology (as shown
in the following graphic), thus CPE must have clear LOS to the base station. The base station acts as
the "traffic cop" within the network, making use of a polling protocol in order to control the flow of
data between the CPE and the base station. The base station continuously polls the CPE, allowing
CPE the opportunity to transmit some data via their wireless interface. This configuration solves the
"hidden transmitter" problem since CPE will only transmit when instructed to do so by the base
station.