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

Section: Introduction

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

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

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

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

Types of RF Surveys Demo Only Theoretical Physical

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

Section: Survey Types

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

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

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

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

Section: RF Survey Steps

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

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

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

Step 2 - RF Network Example

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

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

Step 3 - Map Example

Step 3 – Cross-section Example

Step 4 - Physical Survey Decide on test plan Install fixed equipment 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

Step 4 – A Data Collection Form 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:

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

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