User's Manual

Table Of Contents
Viewing General Status (SM)
Using Informational Tabs in the GUI
4-8
pmp-0049 (September 2012)
Attribute
Meaning
Registered AP
This field displays the MAC address of the AP to which this SM is registered.
Color Code
Module parameter that identifies the other modules with which
communication is allowed. The range of values is 0 to 255. When set at 0, the
Color Code does not restrict communications with any other module.
Channel Frequency
This field lists the current operating frequency of the radio.
Receive Power Level
This field lists the current receive power level, in dBm.
Transmit Power
Level
This field lists the current transmit power level, in dBm.
Signal to Noise Ratio
This field lists the current signal-to-noise level, an indication of the
separation of the received power level vs. noise floor.
Air Delay
This field displays the distance in feet between this SM and the AP. To derive
the distance in meters, multiply the value of this parameter by 0.3048.
Distances reported as less than 200 feet (61 meters) are unreliable.
Data Slots Down
This field lists the number of slots used for downlink data transmission.
Data Slots Up
This field lists the number of slots used for uplink data transmission.
Control Slots
This field indicates the number of (reserved) control slots configured by the
operator. Control slots are half the size of data slots. The SM uses reserved
control slots and unused data slots for bandwidth requests.
If too few reserved control slots are specified, then latency increases in high
traffic periods. If too many are specified, then the maximum capacity is
unnecessarily reduced.
In a typical cluster, each AP should be set to the same number of control
slots to assure proper timing in the send and receive cycles. However, where
high incidence of small packets exists, as in a sector that serves several VoIP
streams, additional control slots may provide better results. For APs in a
cluster of mismatched control slots settings, or where OFDM and FSK APs of
the same frequency band are collocated, use the frame calculator.
If you are experiencing latency or SM-servicing issues, increasing the number
of control slots may increase system performance, depending on traffic mix
over time.
Use care when changing the control slot configuration of only some APs,
because changes affect the uplink/downlink ratio and can cause collocation
issues.
Change control slot configuration in an operating, stable system
cautiously and with a back-out plan. After changing a control slot
configuration, monitor the system closely for problems as well as
improvements in system performance..