Training: Wireless Site Surveys

1. Training: Wireless Site Surveys Released: 2012/02/04

2. Section: Introduction

3. Data-Linc Group • Industrial grade products include: • Wireless Modems • Ethernet Radio Modems • Serial Radio Modems • Copper Wire Modems • Dial-up/Leased Line • Dedicated Wire FSK Modems • Specialty: • Analog/Discrete Multiplexers • 4-Port Switch • Accessory Devices • Factory pre-configured for your application Site Surveys

4. Benefits of RF Site Survey • Engineered solution, by design • Reduce project cost overruns and rework • Minimize startup surprises and project “creep” • Maximize communication effectiveness • Minimize communication faults • Consistent response times • Reliable operation over project lifecycle

5. Who Performs the Survey? • The Customer, the Distributor • Contracted third party • System Integrator • Engineering Firms (Titus Engineering) • Local wireless businesses • Wireless service and/or repair • Some electrical shops • Radio tower sellers • Data-Linc - $1200/day plus expenses • Skills required: • Understand Line Of Sight (LOS) requirements • Ability to configure and install Data-Linc radio systems and correct possible abnormal operation • May require work at heights

6. Site Survey: When? • Alternatives Analysis & Preliminary Design • Theoretical Survey • Physical Survey • Detailed Design • Generate a Bill Of Materials • Project Startup • Sustaining • Conduct Site Surveys in early project stage

7. Types of RF Surveys • Demo Only • Theoretical • Physical

8. Example Survey Result • Station Colors • Yellow – Master • Blue – Existing • Green – Phase 1 • Red – Phase 2

9. Section: Survey Types

10. Survey Type: Demo Only • Data-Linc/Distributor provide demo equipment • Conducted in the field • Rapid equipment setup and test • For: • Small, straight forward projects • Indoor or short range outdoor projects with significant LOS interference • Examples: • RF path is from building to building through interior and exterior walls • Moving equipment around obstacles in the warehouse • A mile through trees

11. Survey Type: Theoretical • Theoretical – Mostly performed in the office • For most outdoor, multiple station projects • Requires prior collection of site coordinates • Only as accurate as maps and coordinates provided • No visibility of trees, vegetation, buildings and other such RF obstacles • Can be performed • Manually: using maps, compass, pen and paper • Semi-automatically: using RF computer programs

12. Survey Type: Physical • Physical – Always performed in the field • Demo only survey is a quick physical survey • For almost all projects and typically uses demo equipment • Must have a repeatable plan for study of each site to • Collect radio performance data • Prove the theoretical study by confirming RF quality • Possible Requirements: • Radios, coax and antennas to build a test network • Temporary installation of “fixed” equipment • A vehicle to be a radio site on wheels • Radio equipment, laptop, GPS and power • A means of achieving expected antenna heights

13. Survey Steps • Step 1 – Preliminary Data Collection • Step 2 – RF Network Design • Step 3 – Theoretical Survey • Step 4 – Physical Survey • Step 5 – Complete Summary Report

14. Section: RF Survey Steps

15. Step 1 - Collect Information • Project scope and Implementation Plans • Identify Key contacts • Potential Competition • Cost targets • Timelines

16. Step 1 - Collect Information (1) • Obtain Topographic Maps • Identify all sites - existing and future • Station Name • Station Purpose • GPS Coordinates with altitude • Identify possible repeater sites • Identify potential RF noise sources • Identify inter-site process relationships

17. Step 2 -RF Network Design • Determine RF band • Determine level of redundancy • Develop Network Architecture • Keep inter-site processes on the same radio network • Estimate system response times • Estimate data throughput requirements • Estimate amount of data • Estimate data update rates • Partition network as required to • Improve response times • Reduce failure vulnerabilities

18. Step 2 - RF Network Example

19. Function Link To Name Long Lat Elev Master NA 521/531 Chlor xxx°xx‘xx"W xx°xx‘xx"N 106.0m Slave Master 519 SS xxx°xx‘xx"W xx°xx‘xx"N 12.0m Slave Master 520 SS xxx°xx‘xx"W xx°xx‘xx"N 10.0m Slave Master 522/532 WPS xxx°xx‘xx"W xx°xx‘xx"N 65.0m Slave Master 541 TP xxx°xx‘xx"W xx°xx‘xx"N 23.0m Slave Master Chilco Res xxx°xx‘xx"W xx°xx‘xx"N 151.0m Slave Master Robert Str Res xxx°xx‘xx"W xx°xx‘xx"N 106.0m Rptr/Slv Master 517 PS xxx°xx‘xx"W xx°xx‘xx"N 43.0m Slave 517 PS 503 Chlor xxx°xx‘xx"W xx°xx‘xx"N 148.0m Step 2 - Station List Example City “B” Network

20. Step 3 - Theoretical Survey • Using maps and station location data • For each wireless network • Plot all locations • Plot desired RF links • Resolve LOS issues or weak RF links by • Adjusting antenna types and height, or • Convert slaves to repeater slaves, or • Find new repeater sites • Repeat above steps till satisfied • Create Reports • Cross-sectional Drawings • Calculate RF quality for each path • Make recomendations

21. Step 3 - Map Example

22. Step 3 – Cross-section Example

23. Step 4 - Physical Survey • Decide on test plan • Apply plan consistently • Determine testing technique • Radio loopback • Use User Equipment • Method to record test results • Install fixed equipment • Prepare mobile remote • Prepare report • Record results and observations • Make recommendations

24. This Location: Operating Mode: Master Antenna Test Height: 20 meters Expected Antenna Type: Yagi Estimated Final Coax Length: 75 feet RF Sources: Source Name Signal Level Noise Level % Rcv Rate Notes: Conclusions: Step 4 – A Data Collection Form

25. Accessing SRM RF Path Statistics • From Main Menu choose option 4 MODEM STATISTICS Master-Slave Distance(m) 0000796 Number of Disconnects 0 Radio Temperature 30 Antenna Reflected Power 0 Transmit Current (mA) 0000 Local Remote1 Remote2 Remote3 J dBm dBm dBm dBm Noise 52 115 Signal 75 90 Rate % 85 5E49F2 Press <Ret> for Freq Table, <Esc> to return to main menu

26. Thank You!