1 The Leader in Industrial Data Communication Solutions Training: Wireless Site Surveys PN: Video PN:

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 - $800/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 stages of project

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

Section: RF 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

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 Step 2 - Station List Example FunctionLink ToNameLongLatElev MasterNA521/531 Chlor123°39'24"W48°51'49"N106.0m SlaveMaster519 SS123°37'59"W48°51'42"N12.0m SlaveMaster520 SS123°38'10"W48°51'42"N10.0m SlaveMaster522/532 WPS123°39'02"W48°51'49"N65.0m SlaveMaster541 TP123°38'35"W48°51'58"N23.0m SlaveMasterChilco Res123°37'51"W48°51'04"N151.0m SlaveMasterRobert Str Res123°39'22"W48°51'48"N106.0m Rptr/SlvMaster517 PS123°39'24"W48°52'23"N43.0m Slave517 PS503 Chlor123°46'17"W48°54'41"N148.0m 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 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 NameSignal LevelNoise Level% Rcv Rate Notes: Conclusions:

25 Accessing SRM RF Path Statistics MODEM STATISTICS Master-Slave Distance(m) 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 Signal Rate % 85 5E49F2 Press for Freq Table, to return to main menu  From Main Menu choose option 4

26 The Leader in Industrial Data Communication Solutions