Black Box LWN602A User Manual page 19

• Configuring Antennas
As anyone who has administered a WLAN system in the past knows, proper configuration of the access point antennas
at the outset can save you lots of trouble. The SmartPath AP (LWN602A) has internal antennas that cannot be adjusted.
However, the antennas for the SmartPath (LWN602HA) are adjustable. The SmartPath AP (LWN602A) has a pair of fixed, dual-
band omnidirectional antennas; and the SmartPath AP (LWN602HA) can support up to six single-band omnidirectional antennas
(three for the 2.4-GHz radio and three for the 5-GHz radio). You typically orient these antennas vertically, positioning the anten-
nas on all SmartPath APs in the same direction. Omnidirectional antennas create a coverage areas that can be toroidal (dough-
nut-shaped) or cardioid (heart- or plum-shaped), broadcasting to the sides much more effectively than up or down (see Figure
2-1). In general, this is good for most office environments because you have large flat floors. However, it can be a problem in
environments with high ceilings.
The SmartPath AP can accommodate external antennas via coaxial jacks on its chassis. The jack is a standard male RP-SMA con-
nector. Various patch, directional, and omnidirectional antennas can be used to change the coverage pattern. The most common
external antennas are patch antennas. These are directional antennas that provide coverage in a single direction. Most commonly
they have a transmission pattern as shown in Figure 2-2. Based on the gain, the signal will be wide (like the low gain antenna
shown on top) or narrow and long (like the high gain antenna shown on the bottom). Note that the coverage patterns are not
perfect for these antennas and that they often broadcast slightly in other directions than the primary one. These extra "lobes"
can be seen in both of the patterns shown below.
Toroidal Pattern
Figure 2-1. Omnidirectional antenna radiation patterns.
Bird's Eye View
(Bird's Eye View)
Patch
Patch Antennas
Antennas
Figure 2-2. Directional antenna patterns.
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Chapter 2: Preparing for a WAN Deployment
Cardioid Pattern
Lower Gain
Lower Gain
Higher Gain Higher Gain
Higher Gain
Page 19