User's Manual

Setup and Deployment Guide
Appendix A Site Selection/Deployment Guidelines
General Guidelines A.1
A.2
The IAP location(s) should be selected first since they have the additional requirement of routing
information back to the MiSC. This may be done via an Ethernet cable if the IAP and MiSC are
located within 100 meters (the max length permitted for standard Ethernet) of each other. If the
distance is greater than 100 meters, a mechanism for extending the Ethernet connection will be
required, e.g., using fiber or T1. (MeshNetworks recommends T1 backhaul equipment from Net-
to-Net Technologies.)
Once the IAPs have been placed, then the location of the WRs can be determined. Optimally,
the devices should be distributed such that a SD has no more than 3 hops to an IAP.
AC power must be available for both IAPs and WRs.
Lastly, any local building/structure codes must be adhered to, as well as proper permits for
placing devices on structures that are not owned by the Network Operator (e.g., light poles).
MeshNetworks has developed the “Location Analyzer” tool to assist in the placement of
infrastructure. This tool runs on a Win2000 SD. The tool collects and analyzes data, ultimately
resulting in a deployment quality indication. Refer to the Location Analyzer documentation for
information on configuring and using this tool.
Antenna Guidelines
The location of fixed infrastructure antennas must address proper antenna orientation, selection
of elevation pattern for the specific locale, the avoidance of pattern distortion, and the impact of
obscuration and non-line-of-sight paths.
Polarization - Most of the antennas used in deployment will be vertically polarized. To maximize
line-of-sight signal reception, both the transmit and receive antenna should be vertically oriented
to avoid signal loss due to polarization mismatch. This applies to mobile and stationary
antennas. For example, placing a magnetically mounted vehicle antenna on a curved portion of
the vehicle roof so that its axis is not vertical risks a measure of signal loss at range, dependent
upon the specific elevation pattern details, as discussed above.
Local obstructions - Antennas should be mounted either above or below the plane of
obstructions as shown in Figure 9.
obstruction
antenna
antenna
obstruction
Figure 9. Antenna Mounting
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