Cisco Fundamentals of Wireless LANs version 1.1

Cisco Fundamentals of Wireless LANs version 1.1
Ch. 7 - Antennas Cisco Fundamentals of Wireless LANs version 1.1 Rick Graziani Cabrillo College

Overview Everything about antenna choice involves a tradeoff.
If maximum range is desired, coverage must be traded. With a directional antenna, the same amount of power reaches the antenna, but the antenna design can reflect and direct the RF energy in tighter and stronger waves, or wider and less intense waves, just as with a flashlight. Rick Graziani

Antennas

Introduction Antennas generally fall into two categories: Directional
Radiate RF energy equally in all horizontal directions. Radiate RF energy predominantly in one direction. Antennas generally fall into two categories: Directional Omnidirectional Rick Graziani

Introduction The antennas used for WLANs have two functions: Receive:
This is the sink or terminator of a signal on a transmission medium. In communications, it is a device that receives Information, control, or other signals from a source. Transmit: This is the source or generator of a signal on a transmission medium. Rick Graziani

Introduction Two way radio communications can take place with:
FDD (Frequency Division Duplex) Full duplex A different frequency is used in each direction Must allocate two spectrum in two bands, one for each direction. TDD (Time Division Duplex) Half duplex Uses same channel or frequency, but with alternating periods of transmitting and listening. Rick Graziani

Variables Antenna maximum distances are usually expressed in kilometers or meters. The maximum link distance is not easy to solve and is governed by all of the following: Maximum available transmit power Receiver sensitivity Availability of an unobstructed path for the radio signal Maximum available gain, for the antenna(s) System losses (such as loss through coax cable runs, connectors, and so on) Desired reliability level (availability) of the link Rick Graziani

Variables More later… Rick Graziani

Ranges Vendor ranges are usually optimized for best conditions.
A link distance can exceed standard distances, if consistently higher error rates are acceptable. Rick Graziani

Antenna Bandwidth: Frequency Range
(There are various definitions of antenna bandwidth.) The bandwidth of an antenna is the band of frequencies, over which it is considered to perform acceptably. The wider the range of frequencies a band encompasses, the wider the bandwidth of the antenna. Antennas are ordered pre-tuned by the manufacturer, for use in a specified band segment. The trade-off in designing an antenna for a wider bandwidth is that it would generally not have as good of performance in comparison to a similar antenna that is optimized for a narrower bandwidth. Rick Graziani

Beamwidth 15 dBi 3 dBi 12 dBi 15 dBi Beamwidth is a measurement used to describe directional antennas. Beamwidth is sometimes called half-power beamwidth. Half-power beamwidth is the total width in degrees of the main radiation lobe, at the angle where the radiated power has fallen below that on the centerline of the lobe, by 3 dB (half-power). Rick Graziani

Gain – It’s all relative!
theoretical isotropic antenna dBi = dBd Half-wave dipole antenna The gain of any antenna is essentially a measurement of how well that antenna focuses radiated RF energy, in a particular direction. There are different methods for measuring this. Cisco is standardizing on dBi to specify gain measurements. This method of measuring gain uses a theoretical isotropic antenna as a reference point. Some antennas are rated in dBd, which uses a half -wave dipole type antenna. To convert any number from dBd to dBi, simply add 2.14 to the dBd number. Rick Graziani

Decibel references (Review)
Example: 1 mW = .001 Watts Using 1 mW as our reference we start at: 0 dB Using the dB formula, doubling the milliwatts to 2 mW or .002 Watts we get +3 dBm +10 dBm is 10 times the original 1 mW value or 10 mW +20 dBm is 100 times the original 1 mW value or 100 mW Rick Graziani

Path-loss (Review) Every time the distance from the transmitter to the receiver is doubled, the signal level is lowered (or increased) by 6 dB 1/4th or 4 times). 6 dBm = 4 times or ¼ 3 dB + 3dB = 2 times + 2 times = 4 times -3dB + -3dB = ½ + ½ = ¼ This is also know as the inverse square law. “Signal strength does not fade in a linear manner, but inversely as the square of the distance. This means that if you are a particular distance from an access point and you move measure the signal level, and then move twice a far away, the signal level will decrease by a factor of four. You move 2x and the signal decreases by 1/4x; hence the inverse square law. (Move 4x, signal decreases by 1/16x.) In any case, the fact that exponential measurements are involved in signal strength measurement is one reason why the use of logarithmic scale of measurement was developed as an alternative way of representing RF power.” WildPackets White Paper Rick Graziani

Half-wave dipole antenna (FYI)
The length from end to end is equal to half the wavelenth at that frequency. “At any angle, the distance of the "surface" from the origin indicates the intensity of radiated power in that particular direction. The surface is shaped something like a "bagel", such that zero power is transmitted along the line of the axis, and the maximum power is radiated along the "equator" (i.e. the plane orthogonal to the axis). In the "equatorial plane", however, the antenna is omnidirectional - that is to say it radiates energy uniformly in all directions.” Rick Graziani

Other decibel references besides mW
From Ch. 3 dB dipole (dBd) - This refers to the gain an antenna has, as compared to a dipole antenna at the same frequency. A dipole antenna is the smallest, least gain practical antenna that can be made. dB isotropic (dBi) - This refers to the gain a given antenna has, as compared to a theoretical isotropic, or point source, antenna. Unfortunately, an isotropic antenna cannot exist in the real world, but it is useful for calculating theoretical coverage and fade areas. A dipole antenna has 2.14 dB gain over a 0 dBi isotropic antenna. For example, a simple dipole antenna has a gain of 2.14 dBi or 0 dBd. Rick Graziani

EIRP - Effective Isotropic Radiated Power
The actual power transmitted by a radio connected to an antenna. EIRP takes the gain of an antenna in units of dBi, relative to an isotropic antenna, plus the net power offered by the transmitter to the antenna. Measured in dBi ERP (Effective Radiated Power) Same as EIRP but with gain expressed relative to a dipole antenna. Measured in dBd Rick Graziani

Other decibel references besides mW
From Ch. 3 Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) - EIRP is defined as the effective power found in the main lobe of a transmitter antenna. It is equal to the sum of the antenna gain, in dBi, plus the power level, in dBm, into that antenna. Gain - This refers to the amount of increase in energy that an antenna appears to add to an RF signal. There are different methods for measuring this, depending on the chosen reference point. Cisco Aironet wireless is standardized on dBi to specify gain measurements. Some antennas are rated in dBd. To convert any number from dBd to dBi, simply add 2.14 to the dBd number. Rick Graziani

Gain Like a flashlight: There is always a tradeoff between gain, which is comparable to brightness in a particular direction, and beamwidth, which is comparable to the narrowness of the beam. Rick Graziani

Gain Antennas have gain in particular directions
Direction other than the main intended radiation pattern, are typically related to the main lobe gain Rick Graziani

Cisco Aironet 802.11b Antennas
FCC requires that ALL antennas sold by spread spectrum vendor be certified with the radio they are to be sold with All Cisco Aironet b supplied cables, RF devices and antennas have reverse polarity TNC (RP-TNC) connectors Cisco Aironet supplied antennas meet all FCC rules Wide variety of b antennas for most applications Rick Graziani

Cisco Aironet 802.11a Antennas
FCC requires that all radios utilizing the UNII-1 Band (5.15 GHz – 5.25 GHz) must have non-removable or integrated antennas FCC allows radios utilizing the UNII-2 Band (5.25 GHz – 5.35 GHz) to have external or removable antennas The Cisco Aironet a radios utilize both UNII-1 and UNII-2 bands, therefore cannot have external or removable antennas Cisco a antennas are integrated into the radio module Cisco 1400 radios utilize UNII-3 bands, therefore have external or removable antennas Rick Graziani

Polarization Polarization is the physical orientation of the element on the antenna that actually emits the RF energy. An omnidirectional antenna is usually a vertically polarized antenna. All Cisco antennas are set for vertical polarization. Rick Graziani

Using different Antennas
The antennas for both ends of a link do not need to be the same size or type. In some cases, the antenna mounting arrangements at one end of a link may only be able to physically support a relatively small antenna. The link may require a larger antenna at the other end to provide the needed antenna gain for the path length. On the other hand, a high-gain, narrow-pattern antenna may be needed at one end in order to avert an interference problem, which may not be a concern at the other end. If two antennas have different gains, it does not matter which antenna is at which end, except in consideration of mounting or interference issues. Remember that even though the two antennas for a link may look very different from each other, they must have the same polarization for the link to work properly. Rick Graziani

Radiation patterns Imagine pressing in the top and bottom of a balloon. This causes the balloon to expand in an outward direction, which covers more area in the horizontal pattern. It also reduces the coverage area above and below the balloon. This yields a higher gain, as the balloon, which represents the antenna, appears to extend to a larger horizontal coverage area. Rick Graziani

Space Diversity With space diversity, the receiver of a microwave radio accepts signals from two or more antennas that are spaced apart by many wavelengths. The signal from each antenna is received and then simultaneously connected to a diversity combiner. Depending upon the design, the function of the combiner is either to select the best signal from its inputs or to add the signals together. Rick Graziani

Frequency Diversity With frequency diversity, the information signal is simultaneously transmitted by two transmitters operating at two different frequencies If the separation in frequencies of the two transmitters is large, the frequency selective fading will have low probability of affecting both paths to the same extent. This will improve the system performance Access points can have two antennas attached to them. These two antennas are for diversity in signal reception, not to increase coverage. Rick Graziani

Omni-directional Antennas

Omni-directional Antennas
An omni-directional antenna is designed to provide a 360 degree radiation pattern. This type of antenna is used when coverage in all directions from the antenna is required. Omni-directional antennas come in many different styles and shapes. Most operated in the 2.4 GHz ranges, whereas a few operate in the 5 GHz range. Omni-directional antennas include dipoles, mast mount, pillar, and patch antennas. The standard 2.14 dBi "Rubber Duck" is the most commonly used omni-directional antenna. Rick Graziani

Dipole Antenna Radiation Pattern
Side View (E) The radiation patterns will be shown as a horizontal, looking down (H-plane) radiation pattern, an Elevation, looking across (E-plane), or Vertical radiation pattern, or both. Top View (H) Side View (E) Side View (E) Rick Graziani

2.2 dBi Dipole “rubber duck” antenna(s) (AIR-ANT4941)
Indoor diversity dipole antennas with a base are designed to extend the range of Aironet LMC client adapters and has two MMCX (2) connectors instead of the RP-TNC connector. Rick Graziani

Cisco 2.2 dBi ceiling mount diversity patch antenna
Side View (E Plane) Vertical Radiation Rick Graziani

Cisco 5.2 dBi ceiling mount omni-directional antenna

5.2 dBi Mast Mount Vertical Omnidirectional indoor/outdoor antenna

12 dBi Omnidirectional antenna (outdoor only)

5 GHz outdoor wireless bridge 9-dBi omnidirectional antenna
Used with 1400 Bridge Side View (E Plane) Vertical Radiation Top View (H) Rick Graziani

5.14 dBi Pillar Mount Diversity Omni
Designed to be mounted to the side of a pillar Side View (E Plane) Vertical Radiation Rick Graziani

Integrated antennas Rick Graziani

Integrated Antennas Rick Graziani

Directional Antennas

Directional Antennas Directional antennas do not offer any added power to the signal, and instead simply redirects the energy it received from the transmitter. By redirecting this energy, it has the effect of providing more energy in one direction, and less energy in all other directions. As the gain of a directional antenna increases, the angle of radiation usually decreases, providing a greater coverage distance, but with a reduced coverage angle. Directional antennas include Yagis, patch antennas, and parabolic dishes. Parabolic dishes have a very narrow RF energy path and the installer must be accurate in aiming these at each other. Rick Graziani

Cisco 6 dBi patch antenna

6 dBi diversity patch antenna
Indoor/outdoor antenna with two RP-TNC connectors. It is similar to the above patch, but providing diversity antennas in the same package for areas where multipath problems exist Side View (E Plane) Vertical Radiation Rick Graziani

Cisco 8.5 dBi antenna Side View (E Plane) Vertical Radiation
Rick Graziani

13.4 dBi Yagi (outdoor/indoor)
Linear array of parallel dipoles The Yagi is constructed of at least three elements, which are metal bars that supplement the wave energy transmitted. In a Yagi antenna, there is at least one driven element, one reflector element, and usually one or more director elements. The Yagi antenna is also known as a linear end-fire antenna or a Yagi-Uda array, has a linear array of parallel dipoles. Yagi antennas are directional and designed for long distance communication. Rick Graziani

13.4 dBi Yagi (outdoor/indoor)
Top View (H Plane) Horizontal Radiation The Cisco Yagi provides 13.5 dBi of gain and features a range of up to 10 km (6.5 miles) at 2 Mbps, and 3.2 km (2 miles) at 11 Mbps. Most Yagi antennas are mounted with U-bolts, to a sturdy mast. Rick Graziani

21 dBi Parabolic Dish Side View (E Plane) Vertical Radiation Distances of up to 40 km (25 miles) may be possible. It is important to evaluate how well the dish will withstand icy conditions and high winds. Equally important is the sturdiness of the mast and tower the antenna will be mounted on. The Cisco high gain parabolic dish is designed to be used as a bridge antenna between two networks or for point-to-point communications Rick Graziani

5 GHz 28-dBi dish antenna antenna
Side View (E Plane) Vertical Radiation Top View (H Plane) Horizontal Radiation Operates in the UNII-3 band (5725 to 5825 MHz) Can be extended up to 12.9 miles (20.7 kilometers) at 54 Mbps. Rick Graziani

9.5-dBi sector antenna Side View (E Plane) Vertical Radiation Top View (H Plane) Horizontal Radiation Used with the Cisco Aironet 1400 Series Outdoor Wireless Bridge The antenna is not compatible with other Cisco Aironet radio products operating in the 5-GHz frequency band. Rick Graziani

Cable and Accessories

Antenna Cables It might be possible to use existing coaxial cable. This determination will depend on the quality of the cable and whether it meets the following three specifications: Impedance must be 50 ohms. Total loss at 400 MHz, for the entire run length, must be 12 dB or less. The cable center conductor size must be #14 AWG, or larger. Rick Graziani

Cable loss The amount of energy lost in the cable is called cable loss. The use of coaxial cable to carry RF energy, always results in some loss of signal strength. The amount of loss depends on the four factors below: Length - Long cables lose more power than short cables. Thickness - Thin cables lose more power than thick cables. Frequency - Lower frequencies of 2.4 GHz lose less power than higher frequencies of 5 GHz, as shown in Figure . Cable materials - Flexible cables lose more power than rigid cables. Cable loss does not depend upon which direction the signal travels. Transmitted signals lose the same percentage of strength as received signals. Lost energy is wasted as heat. Interestingly, the low power levels of WLANs make cable heating almost undetectable. Rick Graziani

Cable connectors and splitters
Cisco antennas use the Reverse-polarity TNC (RP-TNC) connector. Splitters A splitter allows a signal to be used with two antennas at once. Using two antennas with a splitter may provide more coverage. Using a splitter adds approximately 4 dB of loss. Rick Graziani

Amplifiers FCC has laws that limit the use of amplifiers with a WLAN.
An amplifier may only be used, if it is sold as part of a system. This means that the AP, amplifier, extension cable, and antenna are all sold as a system. These laws help to ensure that amplifiers are tested with certain products and legally marketed and sold. Be aware of the local laws and of other systems in the area, which may be affected by an amplifier. Rick Graziani

Lightning arrestor A lightning arrestor is designed to protect WLAN devices from static electricity and lightning surges. It is similar in function to a safety valve on a steam boiler. A lightning arrestor prevents energy surges from reaching the equipment by shunting the current to the ground. Rick Graziani

Link Engineering and RF Path Planning

Path Considerations Radio line of sight Earth bulge Fresnel zone
Antenna and cabling Data rate Rick Graziani

Line of Sight The following obstructions might obscure a visual link:
Topographic features, such as mountains Curvature of the Earth Buildings and other man-made objects Trees Line of sight! Rick Graziani

Tools The following tools can be helpful in making an accurate alignment: Balloon - The tether should be marked at three meter (ten feet) intervals, so a height can be established. This value will help determine the overall height of the tower or mast needed. Binoculars or a telescope - These are needed for the more distant links. Remember that the balloon must be visible from the remote site. GPS - For very distant radio links, this tool allows the installer to aim the antennas in the correct direction. Strobe light - This can be used instead of the balloon. Use this at night to determine where to align the antenna and at what height. Rick Graziani

Longer Distances Line of Sight disappears at 6 miles (9.7 Km) due to the earth curve Rick Graziani

Fresnel Zone The Fresnel zone is an elliptical area immediately surrounding the visual path. It varies, depending on the length of the signal path and the frequency of the signal. The Fresnel zone can be calculated, and it must be taken into account when designing a wireless link. Rick Graziani

Fresnel Zone Obstructions that can interfere with visual line of sight can also interfere with radio line of sight. But one must also consider the Fresnel effect. If a hard object, such as a mountain ridge or building, is too close to the signal path, it can damage the radio signal or reduce its strength. This happens even though the obstacle does not obscure the direct, visual line of sight. The Fresnel zone for a radio beam is an elliptical area immediately surrounding the visual path. It varies in thickness depending on the length of the signal path and the frequency of the signal. The necessary clearance for the Fresnel zone can be calculated, and it must be taken into account when designing a wireless links. Rick Graziani

Fresnel Zone As shown in the picture above, when a hard object protrudes into the signal path within the Fresnel zone, knife-edge diffraction can deflect part of the signal and cause it to reach the receiving antenna slightly later than the direct signal. Since these deflected signals are out of phase with the direct signal, they can reduce its power or cancel it out altogether. If trees or other 'soft' objects protrude into the Fresnel zone, they can attenuate (reduced the strength of) a passing signal. In short, the fact that you can see a location does not mean that you can establish a quality radio link to that location. Rick Graziani

Improving Fresnel Effect
Raise the antenna New structure Existing structure Different mounting point Remove trees Rick Graziani

Site to Site Fresnel Zone
Antenna Height Fresnel zone consideration Line-of-Sight over 25 miles (40 Km) hard to implement Antenna Height (Value “H”) Total Distance 60% (Value “F”) Earth Curvature (Value “C”) Earth curvature becomes a concern for links longer than 11 km (7 miles). Line of sight disappears at 25 km (16 miles). Therefore, the curvature of the Earth must be considered when determining the antenna mounting height. Rick Graziani

Site survey and path profiling
Rick Graziani

Alignment and interference
When aligning antennas, be sure that the two antennas for the link are not cross-polarized. Next, ensure that each antenna is pointed or aligned to maximize the received signal level. A signal strength tool is provided, which gives a reading of the received signal level. At one end of the link at a time, the antenna pointing direction is carefully adjusted to maximize or peak the reading on the signal-indicator tool. After this is done for both ends, it is very important to obtain the actual received signal level, in dBm. Rick Graziani

Antenna Mounting Rick Graziani

Mounting (Cont.) Rick Graziani

Interference Carrier Detect Test (Spectrum Analyzer) Built into Bridge
Run from Console Menu Rick Graziani

Antenna Installation Towers and antennas may require permits and must meet local regulations Rick Graziani

Antenna Installation (cont.)
Antenna Alignment Tool Id Name Address Signal Strength Signal Quality 18 Cisco Bridge # fd % -10 dBm % 17 Cisco Bridge # fd % -10 dBm % 16 Cisco Bridge # fd % -73 dBm % 15 Cisco Bridge # fd % -77 dBm % 14 Cisco Bridge # fd % -10 dBm % 13 Cisco Bridge # fd % -67 dBm % 12 Cisco Bridge # fd % -77 dBm % 11 Cisco Bridge # fd % -64 dBm % 10 Cisco Bridge # fd % -10 dBm % 9 Cisco Bridge # fd % -73 dBm % Rick Graziani

Antenna Installation (cont.)
Aironet Client Utility Site Survey Utility for antenna alignment Rick Graziani

Examples from EtherDesigns.com
Rick Graziani

Rick Graziani graziani@cabrillo.edu

Ladder Safety Rick Graziani

Summary

Summary Rick Graziani

Non-Cisco Antenna Rick Graziani

Other Vendors getting in the market
Rick Graziani

It’s important to keep your identity secret
Rick Graziani

Distance Calculations for Bridges
Rick Graziani

Cisco Fundamentals of Wireless LANs version 1.1
Ch. 7 - Antennas Cisco Fundamentals of Wireless LANs version 1.1 Rick Graziani Cabrillo College

Cisco Fundamentals of Wireless LANs version 1.1

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