Crestron Best Practices for Installation and Setup of Crestron RF Products Reference Guide
The specific patents that cover Crestron products are listed at patents.crestron.com. Crestron, the Crestron logo, Cresnet, Crestron Toolbox, infiNET, and infiNET EX, are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Crestron Electronics, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Bluetooth is either a trademark or registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. iOS is either a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc.
Crestron Best Practices RF Products Contents Best Practices for Installation and Setup of Crestron RF Products 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 1 Wireless Characteristics .............................................................................................. 1 RF Channels ................................................................................................................
Crestron Best Practices RF Products Best Practices for Installation and Setup of Crestron RF Products Introduction This document outlines the Crestron® recommended practices for installing and troubleshooting Crestron Radio Frequency (RF) devices. Explanations of Crestron RF protocols and correct installation procedures are provided.
RF Products Crestron Best Practices Electromagnetic Spectrum As shown in the illustration above, the frequencies within the RF spectrum are divided into smaller portions called bands. A band is a range of frequencies that is broad enough to allow for one or more communication paths without affecting adjacent bands. Only particular transmission bands are permitted without a special license from the FCC. Three bands are used by Crestron wireless products: • 418-433 MHz • 2.4 GHz • 5.
Crestron Best Practices RF Products Devices using the same RF band can interfere with one another’s communication. As shown in the table on page 2, most of the current Crestron product offerings transmit using the 2.4 GHz wireless communication band. Even though products on different wireless networks cannot communicate with each other, they can create interference that degrades performance or eliminates connectivity. Most wireless networks use the 2.
RF Products Crestron Best Practices 2.4 GHz Wireless Network The recommended group of three discrete 802.11 channels (1, 6, and 11) is shown in orange. An 802.11 device on channel 1 may interfere with an 802.15.4 device operating on channel 13 because the two channels overlap. The devices should still operate but may see potential latency due to the overlapping channels. The use of channels 1, 6, or 11 is strongly recommended. As stated previously, not all 802.11 channels are available in all countries.
Crestron Best Practices RF Products Approximate Range of Each Network Type Refer to the illustration below for an example of mesh networking, which can be used to extend the range of infiNET EX devices. Note that leaf nodes are typically battery powered devices and cannot act as routing nodes between devices. If a node fails, the device automatically re-routes its path to the gateway through the closest routing node, not a leaf node.
RF Products Crestron Best Practices Crestron Toolbox InfiNetEx Diagnostic Tool A helpful resource when installing infiNET EX devices is the Crestron Toolbox™ InfiNetEx Diagnostic Tool. This tool allows users to view, configure, and troubleshoot all devices on an infiNET EX network. In addition, users can acquire devices, set the network ID, view the amount of hops the device takes and its link quality, and even change the RF channel.
Crestron Best Practices RF Products Installing RF Devices When installing RF devices, it is recommended that the following steps be performed in the order listed below: 1. Create a network list. 2. Conduct a site survey. 3. Build a channel map. 4. Install and configure RF gateways. 5. Verify connectivity. Creating a Network List It is important to know which wireless networks are to be installed.
RF Products Crestron Best Practices Site Survey Tools The following tools (provided by others) are recommended for performing a site survey: Wi-Spy, Chanalyzer, and InSSIDer • Wi-Spy, Chanalyzer, and InSSIDer (http://www.metageek.net) • Wi-Fi Analyzer (Android™ OS phone app) • WiPry (iOS® phone app) Wi-Spy is an RF spectrum analyzer built into a small USB dongle that plugs into a PC. It detects the amount of interference across the 2.4 and 5.8 GHz band. Four versions are available: Wi-Spy2.
Crestron Best Practices RF Products “Wi-Fi Analyzer” Screen1 WiPry WiPry is an iOS phone app capable of analyzing the 2.4 GHz spectrum and acting as a power meter for the 100 MHz – 2.7 GHz spectrum. A required plug-on meter (which is available from www.oscium.com) is needed to fully access the analyze tool. WiPry iOS App2 Site Survey Tasks NOTE: Wi-Spy 2.4x is used as the site survey tool for the examples in this section. A site survey on the 2.
RF Products Crestron Best Practices phones ring and the lines are active; there may also be interference on the 2.4 GHz. NOTE: As long as Bluetooth does not consist of the majority of RF devices in the system, any Bluetooth device kept beyond a meter from any access point does not pose much interference in the 802.15.4 network. 4. If the wireless equipment is to be used in a room greater than 1,000 square feet, repeat steps 2 and 3 in various locations within the room. 5.
Crestron Best Practices RF Products Chanalyzer Capture of a Poor RF Environment Created by Cordless Phones Microwave Oven Interference The following is an example of interference emitted from a microwave oven. A microwave oven does not have the high peaks of interference that the 2.4 GHz cordless phone has; however, the radiation of a microwave oven affects most channels. Although the radiation usually does not cause major issues, it can periodically reduce performance and cause instability.
RF Products Crestron Best Practices Chanalyzer Capture of an 802.11g Wi-Fi Network Building a Channel Map After completion of a site survey, the next step is to build a channel map by selecting the channels for the networks. Use the following channel map worksheet to select the most appropriate channels for the networks. NOTE: For convenience, the channel map worksheet is repeated in the appendix on page 20. A checklist of the steps required to complete the worksheet is also provided.
Crestron Best Practices RF Products Entering a network into the NETWORK column of the channel map worksheet reserves the associated channel for that device and ensures that two devices are not accidentally communicating on the same channel. Note the large size of Wi-Fi 802.11 networks compared to 802.15.4 networks. The Wi-Fi network occupies four rows in the network list. To build a channel map, refer to “Channel Map Guidelines” below.
RF Products Crestron Best Practices In the channel map example, wireless networks, shown in italics on the channel map worksheet, are entered as follows: 1. Too much interference exists on Wi-Fi channel 1 and on 802.15.4 channels 11–14; therefore, those channels are eliminated. 2. Wi-Fi channel 6 is the channel that is most free from interference; therefore, a TPMC-8X-GA network uses that channel. 802.15.4 channels 16–19 are then unavailable to any other devices. 3.
Crestron Best Practices RF Products Wi-Fi Channel Allocation Map By physically separating the networks, the amount of interference among networks on the same channel is reduced. A standard channel map cannot be created for these installations because multiple networks reside on each channel. Channels 1, 6, and 11 are usually chosen for Wi-Fi networks because they are the only three non-overlapping Wi-Fi channels. 802.15.
RF Products Crestron Best Practices Antenna Set the antenna vertically as shown in either of the following illustrations (applicable to most applications). The wireless network is stronger in a perpendicular direction from the antenna. Vertical Orientation If the gateway is positioned parallel to a metal surface (for example, when mounted to a metal wall), orient the antenna horizontally (perpendicular to the metal surface) as shown in the following illustration.
Crestron Best Practices RF Products Improving Wi-Fi Network Performance Extra communication parameters can be configured on Wi-Fi networks to improve the performance of the network. If a Crestron access point is being used, those parameters are configured for the network using the wizard.
RF Products Crestron Best Practices Troubleshooting RF Devices If an installation is having wireless communication issues, some of the following quick fixes can help in certain situations: 18 • Best Practices – RF Products • If the network is 802.11a capable and is transmitting using 802.11g, move the network to 802.11a to escape potential interference. Note that this may slightly reduce the network’s range. If supported by the wireless access point, then place the same SSID on both 802.11a and 802.
Crestron Best Practices RF Products Further Inquiries To locate specific information or resolve questions after reviewing this guide, contact Crestron's True Blue Support at 1-888-CRESTRON [1-888-273-7876] or, for assistance within a particular geographic region, refer to the listing of Crestron worldwide offices at www.crestron.com/offices. To post a question about Crestron products, log onto Crestron’s Online Help at www.crestron.com/onlinehelp.
RF Products Crestron Best Practices Appendix: Channel Map Worksheet For convenience, this appendix provides a blank channel map worksheet followed by a checklist of the steps necessary to complete the channel map. If a site survey is being conducted, it is suggested that this page be printed and included with the items taken to the site location. Channel Map Worksheet CHANNEL NUMBERS NETWORK 802.15.4 CHANNELS 11 Wi-Fi 802.
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Crestron Electronics, Inc. 15 Volvo Drive Rockleigh, NJ 07647 Tel: 888.CRESTRON Fax: 201.767.7576 www.crestron.com Reference Guide – DOC. 6689E (2021003) 05.14 Specifications subject to change without notice.
