Installation; Microhard Systems Inc. Confidential - Microhard Systems Nano IP Series Operating Manual

7.0 Installation

There are a number of factors to consider when preparing to deploy a radio network, several of
which have been touched-upon or detailed elsewhere within this manual. Following is a listing
of a number of factors, in no particular order:
Network Topology
The installation,
removal, or
maintenance of any
Section 5.0 detailed the various network topologies which the Nano IP Series will support. De-
antenna system
termine which topology is suited to your specific requirements.
components must be
undertaken only by
qualified and
Throughput
experienced personnel.
The Nano IP Series is capable of significant data throughput. The network topology has an ef-
fect on how this available throughput is ‗shared' between all nodes on the network.
Distance
The physical distance between the Nano IP Series dictates such things as required antenna
performance and heights, and whether or not a Repeater(s) is required. When contemplating
antenna types and Repeater sites, keep in mind the directivity (omnidirectional or directional) of
the antennas, also recall the effect of a Repeater on throughput (see Section 4.4).
Terrain
Along with distance, the terrain is a very important consideration with respect to antenna height
requirements. The term ‗line-of-sight' (LOS) refers to being able to ‗see' one location from an-
other - 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 require-
ments for a robust communications link.
Transmit Power
Having read thus far through the factors to be considered, it should be clear that they are all in-
terrelated. Transmit power should be set for the minimum required to establish a reliable com-
munications path with adequate fade margin. Required transmit power is dictated primarily by
distance, antenna type (specifically the ‗gain' of the antennas being used), and the receive sen-
sitivity of the distant IP Series. Cable and connector losses (the physical path from the mo-
dem's ‗antenna connector' to the antenna's connector) must also be taken into account.
Receive Sensitivity
The Nano IP has exceptional receive sensitivity, which can produce a number of benefits, such
as: added fade margin for a given link, being able to use less expensive coaxial cable or an-
tenna types, being able to operate at greater distances for a given distant transmitter power
(perhaps negating the requirement for a Repeater site!). Distance, antenna gain, transmit
power, and receive sensitivity are critical ‗numbers' for radio path calculations. Fortunately, the
Nano IP Series features the maximum available transmit power combined with exceptional re-
ceive sensitivity - two ‗numbers' which will produce the most favorable path calculation results.
© Microhard Systems Inc. CONFIDENTIAL 136