Antenna Selection And Installation; Introduction To Selecting Antennas; Antenna Installation Best Practices - Cisco Catalyst IR1800 Series Installation Manual

Antenna Selection and Installation

This chapter contains the following sections:

Introduction to Selecting Antennas

Note Before you install the Cisco IR1800 router on a table, wall, or DIN rail, install the antennas on the pluggable
module. It is difficult to install the antennas after the router is installed.
This chapter contains information about selecting antennas for the IR1800 router.
The P-LTE-xx or P-LTEA-xx cellular modules have three RF SMA(f) connectors on the pluggable module. Two
connectors, Main and Div (Diversity), are used to connect to the 4G/LTE modem. The third connector is used
for GNSS. The Diversity port is also referred to as an Aux connector.
The P-LTEAP18-GL module has four RF SMA(f) connectors. Two pairs of Main and Diversity connectors are
used to connect to two modems.

Antenna Installation Best Practices

The optimal site location for antennas for 4G routers and cellular modules plays a significant role in determining
the overall cellular link performance. Routers located at the farthest coverage points might have 10 to 50
percent of the bandwidth available compared to routers located closer to the cellular base station tower, away
from obstructions, and with an unobstructed view of the cellular tower.
Because antennas transmit and receive radio signals over the air, the signal propagation and antenna
performance may be adversely affected by the surrounding environment, including physical obstructions.
Radio frequency (RF) interference may also occur between wireless systems located close to each other,
especially if the antennas of these systems are located close to each other. Interference may also occur when
antennas are in close proximity to cable clutter or other sources of radio interference.
Follow these guidelines to ensure the best possible performance:
Introduction to Selecting Antennas, on page 39
Antenna Installation Best Practices , on page 39
Supported Antennas for the IR1800 Series Router, on page 41
Supported Extension Bases and Cables, on page 44
C H A P T E R
Cisco Catalyst IR1800 Rugged Series Router Hardware Installation Guide
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