Installation - Cal Amp Phantom II Operating Manual

7.0 Installation

The installation, removal, or
maintenance of any antenna
system components must be
undertaken only by qualified
and experienced personnel.
© CalAmp
There are a number of factors to consider when preparing to deploy
a radio network, several of which have been touched-upon or de-
tailed elsewhere within this manual. Following is a listing of a num-
ber of factors, in no particular order:
Network Topology
Section 5.0 detailed the various network topologies
which the Phantom II will support. Determine which
topology is suited to your specific requirements.
Throughput
The Phantom II is capable of significant data
throughput. The network topology has an effect on
how this available throughput is 'shared' between all
nodes on the network.
Distance
The physical distance between the Phantom II mo-
dems dictates such things as required antenna per-
formance and heights, and whether or not a Re-
peater(s) is required. When contemplating antenna
types and Repeater sites, keep in mind the directivity
(omnidirectional or directional) of the antennas being
used, and also recall the effect of a Repeater on
throughput (see Section 4.2).
Terrain
Along with distance, the terrain is a very important
consideration with respect to antenna height require-
ments. The term 'line-of-sight' (LOS) refers to being
able to 'see' one location from another - a minimum
requirement for a radio signal path. In addition to
LOS, adequate clearance must also be provided to
satisfy 'Fresnel Zone' requirements - an obstruction
-free area much greater than the physical LOS, i.e.
LOS is not enough to completely satisfy RF path
requirements for a robust communications link.
Phantom II
146