Performance Optimization; Antenna Aiming - Microwave Data Systems iNet 900 Quick Start Manual

MDS 05-2873A01, Rev. A
DRAFT 6—8/29/01
b. Observe the transceiver LED status panel (Table 2 on page 7) for
the proper indications. In a normally operating system, the fol-
lowing LED indications will be seen within a few seconds of
start-up:
• lamp lit continuously
PWR
• lamp blink intermittently
LINK
If the LINK LED is not on, check the received signal strength indi-
cator for an adequate signal level from the radio network's Access
Point station. It may be necessary to reposition the radio's antenna
for better reception/signal strength, or if a directional antenna is
used, rotate it until the signal is optimized.
In-service operation of the MDS iNet 900 transceiver is completely
automatic. Once the unit has been properly installed and config-
ured, operator actions are limited to observing the LED status indi-
cators for proper operation. See Table 2 on page 7 for details on the
LED functions.

4.8 Performance Optimization

After the basic operation of the radio has been checked, you may wish
to optimize its performance using some of the suggestions given here.
The effectiveness of these techniques will vary with the design of your
system and the format of the data being sent.
Complete instructions on using the unit's configuration options refer-
enced within this section are can be found in Section 6.0, PROGRAM-
MING (beginning on page 21).

Antenna Aiming

For optimum performance of directional antennas, they must be accu-
rately aimed in the direction of desired transmission. The easiest way to
do this is to point the antenna in the approximate direction, then use the
remote radio's built-in Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) fea-
ture to further refine the heading for maximum received signal strength.
RSSI can be read by connecting a terminal (
browser ( Port) to the iNet 900 radio and requesting the
LAN
In an iNet 900 system, RSSI readings are only meaningful when initi-
ated from a Station Adaptor. This is because the Access Point station
typically receives signals from several remote sites, and the RSSI would
be continually changing as the Access Point receives from each remote
in turn.
MDS iNet 900 Installation and Operation Guide
Port) or Internet
COM1
reports.
RSSI
19