The QuickBridge II is a point-to-point, outdoor, wireless system offering a high-capacity alternative to wired data networks. Using IP packet radio transmitters, standard Ethernet interfaces, and an easy-to-deploy design, the QuickBridge II system enables a broad bandwidth link between two locations.
The product’s principle components are a radio and a power and Ethernet adapter. The radio has a self-contained antenna enclosed in a weatherproof, 10” by 10” container, which can be mounted to the side of a building, on a pole, or on a tower structure.
Power and Ethernet connections are supplied through a UV-protected, CAT5 cable attached to a power and Ethernet adapter. The power and Ethernet adapter should be located either in a weatherproof enclosure located near the radio or inside a building. The radio then can be connected to a switch or hub on your network, or directly to a PC.
The minimum system requirements for installing and running the QuickBridge Manager are as follows:
This book is designed for network engineers and field service personnel who will install, maintain, and troubleshoot the QuickBridge. It assumes that you have an understanding of networks in general, and a basic understanding of the following subjects:
There are several planning factors to be considered prior to installing the radio system. In addition to selecting the installation site, you must:
Calculate:
Determine:
Plan for:
For detailed information regarding these planning items, see Site Planning.
Perform the following steps in this section to install the QuickBridge II system:
You should have the following tools available before installing the Tsunami QuickBridge II radios:
GPS: 7 meters (approx. 23 feet)
T1/E1: 655 feet (approx. 200m)
Power/Ethernet: 246 feet (approx. 75m)
The product’s shipping boxes should be left intact and sheltered until arrival at the installation site. Carefully unpack the Tsunami QuickBridge II shipment and check for any shipping damage or missing parts. There are two sets of equipment in the box, as displayed in the following figure.
The Tsunami QuickBridge II Quick Install Guide and a Documentation and Software CD also are included in the shipment. (Extra screw-on caps to seal unused connector ports are also provided.)
Contact Technical Support regarding any missing or damaged parts.
Proxim recommends that you pre-assemble the radio mounting hardware on the ground to familiarize yourself with the equipment and check for any possible damaged or missing components before mounting the radios. This includes attaching the mounting bracket and loosely attaching the washers, lock washers, and lock nuts to the radios. Installers having prior installation experience may choose to skip this step and proceed with Step 3.
Perform these steps on each radio to pre-assemble the mounting hardware on the radios:
When you initially install the radios, you should configure the radios in the same room. A brief overview of the recommended computer/network configuration follows.
An interface cable with an 8-pin DIN connector and a weather-tight RJ45 cable are supplied in the product package. You also can construct your own interface cable.
Maximum cable lengths to be used with the Tsunami QuickBridge II are as follows:
GPS: 7 meters (approx. 23 feet)
T1/E1: 655 feet (approx. 200m)
Power/Ethernet: 246 feet (approx. 75m)
The following steps detail how to connect the cables between the radio, power and Ethernet adapter, and your network.
For each radio/power and Ethernet adapter set, perform these steps:
Before mounting the radios, Proxim recommends a back-to-back test of the radio pair. Back-to-back testing is a simple way to verify that the radios are fully operational before they are installed.
The process of installation adds several variables that can add to system turn-up delays during troubleshooting (such as antenna alignment, cabling, and path dynamics). Back-to-back testing can eliminate link problems caused by auxiliary equipment, installation, or the radio path, and isolates potential radio hardware problems.
The QuickBridge II includes configuration software (the QuickBridge Manager), which provides basic setup and operating capabilities. Before installing the software, be sure you have configured the radios as described in Step 4. Connect the Cables.
To install the QuickBridge Manager:
Before configuring the QuickBridge II with the Manager program, you must:
These tasks are covered in the following procedure:
When selecting a location in which to install the radios, keep the following points in mind:
If necessary, disconnect the cables you used to configure the radios inside, move the radios to their outdoor locations, and then connect them to the network segments you want to bridge.
After you connect each radio to its network segment, make sure you install the configuration software on the two PCs used to control the radios (one PC per radio). Use the configuration software to assign each radio a valid and unique IP address for the network segment to which it is attached.
Be sure to properly weatherproof outdoor connections. See Weatherproofing Connections.
The radio is designed to mount directly to a pole. Using optional mounting brackets, you can mount the radio to a wall or other flat surface (see Mounting the Radio to a Flat Surface).
To mount the radio to a flat surface:
A cellular telephone or two-way radio may be useful for coordinating alignment activities between both ends of the link. Perform a general alignment of the antennas on both ends of the path using binoculars, compass, GPS, or other related tools. You must align the antennas as accurately as possible before passing traffic over the link. This will help in getting the system running more rapidly.
It is critical that you perform antenna alignment on one end of the link at a time, with the other end remaining stationary. In some cases, you may need to perform coarse alignment using a wide arc in both azimuth and elevation while listening to the audio alignment tone to find the main beam of the opposite end antenna.
For information about using the Receive Signal Quality feature to fine-tune alignment, see Aligning Antennas with QuickBridge Manager.
Tsunami QuickBridge II radios operate using Time Division Duplexing (TDD), letting radios operate in a single RF channel shared between transmit and receive. If several QuickBridge II radio links must operate in close proximity (as would be the case if radios are co-located on a rooftop or on adjacent buildings), their transmitters must be time-synchronized to prevent interfering with receive signals of adjacent radios.
GPS synchronization minimizes interference between co-located QuickBridge II radios and allows radios to be synchronized even if they are not physically connected.
In general, QuickBridge II radios are considered co-located if you can see another radio from a potential installation location (within line-of-sight) or if there is another radio installed within 300 feet. (Exact rules are difficult to make due to local environmental variables.)
Synchronization is accomplished using a satellite-derived 1 Hz timing signal from an external GPS receiver connected to each of the co-located QuickBridge II radios.
Because far-end QuickBridge II radios are slaved to the co-located Master radios, the far-end radios do not require GPS receivers.
See Enabling GPS Control.
Signals from co-located high-power broadcast or cellular transmissions can interfere with the GPS receiver in certain cases. In most cases, however, careful placement of the GPS receiver can eliminate problems.
Blocked satellite signals for GPS receivers can be avoided by mounting the GPS receiver in a location that provides a less obstructed view of the sky.
All QuickBridge II radios are equipped with an external jack to which an external GPS receiver can be connected. You can co-locate multiple radios using an optional GPS antenna.
If you are installing radios in a location in which one radio could interfere with another, you can use an optional GPS antenna on each radio to avoid interference between the units. You can install the optional antenna on each radio and enable the GPS receiver to synchronize the TDD timing (transmission and reception) to the GPS signal.
See Enabling GPS Control.
To install a GPS antenna to your QuickBridge units:
This section tells you how to:
Tools Required:
None.
Equipment Required:
PC with 10/100 Ethernet adapter, CAT5 cable w/RJ45 connectors (straight-through)
Required configuration steps include:
|
Use this tab: |
|
|
Establish a connection |
Connection |
|
Log in |
Connection |
|
Review Status |
Link Status |
|
Reassign the Radio’s IP Address |
Settings à Admin |
|
Assign a Security Key ID |
Settings à Admin |
|
Select a Node Type |
Settings à Radio |
|
Change Throughput Setting |
Settings à Radio |
|
Specify a Default Gateway |
Settings à Admin |
|
Select Ethernet Protocol Support |
Settings à Radio |
|
Set the SNMP Community String |
Settings à Admin |
|
Reassign the Radio’s Frequency Plan |
Settings à Radio |
|
Align Antennas Using the Settings Tab |
Settings à Radio à Installation |
|
Upgrade your System’s Firmware |
Upgrade |
|
Roll back to a previous version |
Upgrade |
|
View Hardware and Firmware Version Numbers |
About |
|
Restart, Refresh, or Save Configuration Changes |
Settings à Configuration |
From the Connection window, click on the Discover Radio(s) button. The QuickBridge Manager program should discover all local radios and display the IP address of each discovered unit in the Radio(s) Available field.
The IP address of the PC must be in the same subnet as the QuickBridge unit in order to use the QuickBridge Manager for configuration.
Once you have selected the radio in which you are interested, click the Login button. For first-time configuration, you should login to the Master radio. You may have to clear the ARP table in the PC if there was a previous entry for 192.168.20.56.
The radios are shipped from the factory without preset passwords; click the OK button to log in at the Admin level.
Tabs available through the Tsunami QuickBridge Manager appear following the window header on all QuickBridge Manager windows. The following figure shows the tabs before you log on to a particular radio. At this point, you can view only the list of discovered radios and information about Tsunami QuickBridge Manager.
Once you have logged in, the Connection tab indicates the IP address of the selected radio being managed by QuickBridge Manager and the tabs you can access to configure the selected radio.
The selected tab is highlighted; for example, when you click on the Link Status tab, the tabs appear as follows:
LEDs indicating status of the local and wireless links are displayed at the bottom of all QuickBridge Manager windows.
To change settings, click the Settings tab and the Radio sub-tab. (The exact window layout depends upon which unit is selected (Master or Slave) and the radio model.) If the wireless link is established, you can select either the Local or Remote device to control from the Selected Radio box.
Select the settings you want to define for the radio; click Save to save your settings.
The Configuration sub-tab contains three buttons: Restart, Refresh, and Save.
The following table indicates whether the value for each field can be configured on the Local unit, the Remote unit, or both units.
|
Field |
Operation |
Reset |
|
Master-Slave (or Primary-Secondary) |
BOTH, REMOTE |
Yes |
|
Channels |
BOTH, REMOTE |
Yes |
|
Frequency |
BOTH, REMOTE |
Yes |
|
Antenna audible |
LOCAL |
No |
|
Antenna pointing |
LOCAL |
No |
|
IP address |
LOCAL |
No |
|
Subnet |
LOCAL |
No |
|
SNMP Community String |
LOCAL |
No |
|
Default Gateway |
LOCAL |
No |
|
Security |
BOTH, REMOTE |
No |
|
Throughput Setting |
BOTH, REMOTE |
Yes |
|
Ethernet Protocol Support |
BOTH, REMOTE |
No |
|
Enable GPS |
LOCAL |
No |
From the Link Status window, review the current status of both ends of the QuickBridge II link; in this case, the locally connected radio (Master) and the remote radio (Slave). This window is updated as changes occur.
You can switch between configuration of the Master unit and the Slave unit by clicking the radio button next to Master or Slave.
You can change the throughput setting for the selected radio by clicking the radio button next to one of these selections: 18 Mbps, 34 Mbps, or 54 Mbps. A possible reason for changing this setting is to reduce throughput to increase the range of reception.
The Frequency Selection consists of two components—a Channel and a Frequency. Throughout this document, these two settings are collectively referred to as the Frequency Plan. The Frequency Plan box lets you choose the Frequency Plan to be used for the selected radio. See Available Frequency Plans for available frequencies. Choose the same Frequency Plan for both radios.
You can leave the Frequency Plan unchanged and proceed with the installation, or you can change the Frequency Plan (now or at any later time). Generally, for a single hop of radios, any of the seven frequency channels (3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, 4C, or 4D) can be selected. Once a link has been established, changing the frequency plan of either Master radio (when locally connected to the Master) causes the frequency plan of the Slave radio on the other end of the link to change as well.
Changing Frequency Plans is especially useful when installing multiple QuickBridge II units at the same location.
Click the Settings tab and the Radio sub-tab to reassign the frequency plan. To select a new frequency plan, click on one of the other buttons for the other frequency channel not marked.
The QuickBridge II offers two channel plans, each with non-overlapping frequencies, as defined in the following tables. The 26 dB bandwidth of the RF signal is less than 26 MHz. Each channel is 20.75 MHz wide at the 3 dB point.
|
3-Channel Plan |
|
4-Channel Plan |
||
|
Channel ID |
Frequency |
|
Channel ID |
Frequency |
|
3A |
5742.20 MHz |
|
4A |
5743.86 MHz |
|
3B |
5775.40 MHz |
|
4B |
5764.61 MHz |
|
3C |
5808.60 MHz |
|
4C |
5785.36 MHz |
|
|
|
|
4D |
5806.11 MHz |
In the Ethernet Protocol Support box on the Radio sub-tab, you can select IP Only mode or Enhanced Ethernet mode.
Choose IP Only mode when all the bridged traffic is known to be composed of only IP or ARP packets, or protocols that use the 802.3 length field of the Ethernet Header.
Choose Enhanced Ethernet mode when the bridged traffic is known to contain packets with protocols that use 802.2 type fields (in addition to IP or ARP), such as Appletalk, IPX, 3Com 8688, and so on. Note that, with certain traffic loads, performance may be impacted.
If you are installing SUs in a location where one SU could interfere with another, you can install an optional GPS antenna on each SU and enable the GPS receiver to synchronize the TDD timing to the GPS signal.
To enable GPS control, click Enable in the GPS Control box.
Better alignment (“pointing”) of the antennas results in greater link reliability and robustness. An alignment tool is included in the QuickBridge Manager to assist with this process. It requires at least an approximate alignment of the antennas prior to its execution.
To align the radios:
Click the Settings tab and the Admin sub-tab to view or change the default current IP address. This appears in the Network box’s Radio IP Address field. Once a link has been established, you can re-assign the IP address of the remote radio. Any Class A, B, or C address is valid.
Set the local radio’s IP address to an address in the same subnet as the PC’s IP address. If you change the IP address of the local radio, you must change the IP address of the PC to an IP address in the same subnet as the radio in order to be able to use the Manager program.
To manage the QuickBridge II on the other side of a router, configure the subnet mask for the desired subnet and select a unique IP address supported on that subnet.
The default gateway defines the address of the router for your network. The default gateway for each client points to the router for that subnet. QuickBridge uses the default gateway only when sending a QuickBridge-originated SNMP trap to a trap manager that is reachable through a gateway.
For example, if you defined a subnet 192.168.1.0, and the IP address for the router on that subnet was 192.168.1.254, all the clients in that subnet would have their default gateway set to 192.168.1.254.
The Security Key is used to authenticate both radios for authorized point-to-point communication. Before setting the key, be sure the wireless link has been established. Click the Settings tab and the Admin sub-tab and enter a Security Key in the Security Key(0-16 characters): box. Click Save. With the wireless link established, the Security Key is assigned to both the Local and the Remote unit. The default Security Key is <blank> (there is no Security Key specified at the factory).
The Security Key can consist of up to 16 alphanumeric characters (a-z, A-Z, 0-9) and is case-sensitive. Non-alphanumeric keys such as * or # are not valid.
Example: ABC6543210jklmnO, or Sunnyvale94085, or BaldMountain888
This key is used to authenticate both radios for authorized point-to-point communication. Radios that do not have the same key cannot communicate with each other and will not establish a wireless link.
The default Security Key is <blank>. In other words, there is no Security Key specified at the factory.
Click the Settings tab and the Admin sub-tab to enter or change the Get and Set SNMP Community names in the Set SNMP Community String box.
SNMP delimits management domains by defining communities. Each community is identified by a name, which is an alphanumeric string of up to 255 characters defined by the user.
The Tsunami QuickBridge II SNMP agent defines strings of up to 10 characters (case-sensitive, numeric, and alphabetic).
Any SNMP entity (both managed entities and management stations) is assigned a community name by its user. In parallel, the user defines a list of the communities for each SNMP entity authorized to communicate with the entity, as well as the access rights associated with each community (this is the SNMP community name table of the entity).
Occasionally, flash upgrades may be made available, offering the ability to enhance some features of your QuickBridge II equipment. To upgrade the firmware for your QuickBridge II radios:
To view the levels of QuickBridge II firmware, hardware, and software in your system, click the About tab. This window also provides information about contacting Proxim Technical Support.
In addition management with the QuickBridge Manager, you also can manage and partially configure a Tsunami QuickBridge II using the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). Note that this requires an SNMP manager program, such as HP Openview or Castlerock’s SNMPc.
Tsunami QuickBridge II supports several Management Information Base (MIB) files that describe the parameters you can view or configure over SNMP:
Proxim provides these MIB files on the Documentation and Software CD included with each Tsunami QuickBridge II unit. You must compile the above MIBs into your SNMP program’s database before you can manage a QuickBridge II using SNMP. See the documentation that came with your SNMP manager for instructions about how to compile MIB files.
The Enterprise MIB defines the read and read-write objects that can be viewed or configured using SNMP. These objects correspond to most of the settings and statistics that are available with the other management interfaces. See the Enterprise MIB for more information; the MIB can be opened with any text editor, such as Microsoft Word, Notepad, or Wordpad.
Support for Enterprise and MIB-II traps is included; these are generated when events occur on the QuickBridge II radio. Traps can be enabled and disabled individually for customization. (See the Enterprise MIB description for more detailed information).
The following table summarizes link and other problems you might experience, along with recommended ways to solve the problems.
|
Problem |
Possible Cause |
How to Resolve |
|
Cannot log on to the QuickBridge Manager |
IP address of the PC is not in the same subnet as the QuickBridge II |
Change the IP address of the PC to the same subnet as the QuickBridge II |
|
Excessive traffic through radio |
Redistribute your network traffic to reduce throughput to this radio |
|
|
PC ARP table has old information |
Clear PC ARP table at the DOS prompt |
|
|
QuickBridge Manager cannot discover any units |
PC ARP table has old information |
Clear PC ARP table at the DOS prompt |
|
Excessive traffic through radio |
Redistribute your network traffic to reduce throughput to this radio |
|
|
PC not connected to the QuickBridge II |
Check all cable connections, also check straight and cross over cable rules |
|
|
“ODU not connected” message displayed in configuration software |
Wrong cable type used |
If connecting a radio to a switch or hub, use a cross-over Ethernet cable; if connecting directly to a PC, use a straight-through cable. |
|
Excessive traffic through radio |
Redistribute your network traffic to reduce throughput to this radio |
|
|
The QuickBridge II unit is not receiving power |
Check the AC power connection and/or “cycle” power at the unit by unplugging and reinserting the RJ-45 connector |
|
|
Radios remain in Slave/Master “searching for…” state indefinitely |
Channel plan/frequency settings do not match on radios |
Use the configuration software to set both radios to the same frequency plan. |
|
Security key settings do not match on radios |
Use the configuration software to define the exact same security key for both radios. |
|
|
Far end unit is not receiving power |
Apply power to the unit. Check or “cycle” power to the unit. |
|
|
Antennas are not pointed at one another |
Visually align the antennas so that they are pointed in elevation and azimuth to each other. |
|
|
High interference over link (as determined by Packet Loss Rate) |
Path between radios too great |
Shorten the path between radios. |
|
Conflict with other transmissions |
Try setting both radios to a different channel plan. |
|
|
Conflict with another radio or transmitter |
Try moving one or both radios to a different location. |
See the following sections for more detailed troubleshooting information.
This section describes troubleshooting methods for:
When the radios are in service, errors in the data stream can occur. This usually is known to the operator by either faulty data indications of downstream equipment or external bit error rate testing. The QuickBridge II employs a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) on all wireless data, strongly reducing the likelihood of such events. However, there always exists a finite probability of such events.
Some errors are exhibited on downstream data processing equipment or during an external BER test. In other cases, there may be data errors due to atmospheric conditions (fading), interference, or other reasons. In the case of these types of errors, the following information can be helpful to troubleshoot the radio link.
|
Indications |
Possible Causes |
Recommended Actions |
|
During external BER test, test equipment indicates errors Downstream equipment (switch, router, and so on) indicates errors |
· Path fading due to atmospheric conditions · Continuous or intermittent interference · Antenna problems, misalignment, or path clearance · Received signal level (RSL) is too strong · Far-end radio transmitter circuitry is faulty · Near-end radio receiver circuitry is faulty |
Re-align antennas Verify 10/100 Base-T wiring |
The QuickBridge II radio offers several distinct non-overlapping frequency channel plans (see Available Frequency Plans). Changing the channel plan is the fastest way to determine whether interference is affecting the radio bridge. If the bridge is not operating (that is, the link is not established), you may have to change each unit’s frequency plan locally by connecting to the QuickBridge II unit directly with the PC. If the link is up, change the bridge’s frequency plan by selecting either the local or remote radio and changing the frequency plan. This changes both the remote and local units at the same time (see Reassigning the Frequency Plan).
Occasionally, interference is caused by the radio being too close to another similar transmitter. Moving the radio or the interfering equipment can reduce or eliminate interference.
Interference countermeasures rely to some extent on the measurement of the received interference level and frequency. Prior to turning up a new hop, a spectrum analyzer can be used to monitor the spectrum at each end to check for possible interfering signals. For more details, see “Using a Spectrum Analyzer to Evaluate Potential Interference.
Connecting a spectrum analyzer to an external antenna and using “peak hold” on, the spectrum across the receive frequency range of the radio (5725 – 5825 MHz) can be swept and any signals being received at levels above the radio’s specified threshold identified. If potential interfering signals are found, then the frequency plan can be changed to avoid a receive channel that may contain significant interference (see Configuring Settings). For example, you can reduce interference by moving from the 3A plan to the 4D plan.
Signals outside the receiver frequency range can be ignored; they will not cause interference.
When using a spectrum analyzer for determining the presence of interference, very narrow resolution bandwidth settings must be used to detect signals down to the radio’s threshold (approximately –89 dBm).
The single most effective countermeasure against interference is to maintain “short path” length. This can be achieved by dividing long paths into multiple small paths by cascading hops. Intermediate repeaters can be formed using back-to-back QuickBridge II radios.
By definition, short path is a path where fades are extremely rare and signal levels vary by no more than plus or minus 3 dB during fades. This distance varies with the RF frequency. Typically, a short path is defined as any path length shorter than 5 miles/8 kilometers at 5.8 GHz.
This section provides insight into the planning necessary to prepare your site for your broadband fixed wireless system.
The installation of a wireless network requires much the same basic planning as any wired network. The main difference is that the wireless signal requires some additional planning. This additional planning includes:
Although the technology implemented in this broadband fixed wireless system can make use of multipath signals, reducing the effect of obstructions in the path, the characteristics of the path must be examined carefully. With this knowledge, components and network requirements can be planned correctly for your specific application.
A basic consideration is the physical location of the sites at each end of the link. Because microwave signals travel in a straight line, a clear line of sight between antennas is necessary. Frequently, however, the locations of the desired links are fixed. When a clear line of sight cannot be achieved, you must plan accordingly.
Other questions to consider include:
The following sections should assist you in determining which information is critical to the site and in making appropriate decisions.
Research any unusual weather conditions that are common to the site location. These conditions can include excessive amounts of rain, wind velocity, or extreme temperature ranges. If extreme conditions exist that could affect the integrity of the radio link, you should take these conditions into consideration early in the planning process.
Temperature inversions and stratification also can cause ducting, which can increase the potential for interference between systems that do not normally interfere with each other. Such effects of temperature are noticeable for path links farther than 3 miles.
You must always consider the potential for lightning damage to radio equipment when planning a wireless link. A variety of lightning protection and grounding devices are available for use on buildings, towers, antennas, cables, and equipment, whether located inside or outside the site, that could be damaged by a lightning strike.
Lightning protection requirements are based upon the exposure at the site, the cost of link downtime, and local building and electrical codes. If the link is critical and the site is in an active lightning area, attention to thorough lightning protection and grounding is critical.
To provide effective lightning protection, install antennas in locations that are unlikely to receive direct lightning strikes, or install lightning rods to protect antennas from direct strikes. Makes sure that cables and equipment are properly grounded to provide low-impedance paths for lightning currents. Install surge suppressors on adjacent telephone lines and power lines.
In regions that have extreme lightning occurrences, you should provide additional lightning protection for cables leading to the wireless radio. Place this optional lightning protection at points close to where the cable passes through the bulkhead into the building, as well as near the radio. A grounding screw is provided on the radio.
When the entire interface cable, from the building entrance to the radio, is encased in steel conduit, no surge arrestors are required. Otherwise, each interface cable requires one surge arrestor within two feet of the building entrance.
An important part of planning your broadband fixed wireless system is the avoidance of interference. Interference can be caused by affects outside the system. Good radio frequency (RF) planning can overcome most interference challenges.
Co-channel interference results when another RF link is using the same channel frequency. Adjacent channel interference results when another RF link is using an adjacent channel frequency. In selecting a site, a spectrum analyzer can be used to determine whether any strong signals are present and, if present, determine how close they are to the desired frequency. The further removed from your proposed frequency, the less likely they are to cause a problem.
For point-to-point applications, the narrower the antennas’ beamwidth, the better. QuickBridge II Ethernet Systems use integrated directional antennas that transmit and receive a relatively narrow beamwidth of radio energy, improving system performance by reducing the likelihood that surrounding RF clutter will interfere with reception.
The integral antennas have the following characteristics:
Type: Flat-panel antenna
3 dB Beamwidth: 10-degree
Polarization: Circular polarization, left-hand sense
Even when other licensees are not an issue, all these considerations are still important to reduce interference between your own adjacent installations. Antennas are tuned to operate on a specific group of frequencies. QuickBridge II offers two channel plans that provide a flexible tool for overcoming present and future interference.
Three or four non-overlapping channels (seven total directional channels) can be used to avoid existing traffic in the 5.8 GHz frequency band. If one part of the 5.8 GHz spectrum is occupied when QuickBridge II initially is deployed, another frequency channel can be selected to bypass the interfering signal. If interference arises after deployment, another frequency channel plan can be selected to “steer around” the impacted channel. Beamwidth and gain have been optimized in this equipment.
When planning antenna placement, it might be necessary to build a free-standing tower for the antenna. Regulations and limitations define the height and location of these towers with respect to airports, runways, and airplane approach paths. These regulations are controlled by the FAA. In some circumstances, the tower installations must be approved by the FAA, registered with the FCC, or both. To ensure compliance, review the current FCC regulations regarding antenna structures. These regulations (along with examples) are on the FCC website at http://wireless.fcc.gov/antenna/.
To get the most value from a wireless system, path planning is essential. In addition to the fact that radio signals dissipate as they travel, many other factors affect a microwave signal as it moves through space. All of these must be taken into account, because any obstructions in the path will attenuate the signal.
A link budget is a rough calculation of all known elements of the link to determine whether the signal will have the proper strength when it reaches the other end of the link. To make this calculation, consider the following information. A signal degrades as it moves through free space. The longer the path, the more loss it experiences. This free-space path loss is one factor in calculating the link viability. Free space path loss is easily calculated for miles or kilometers.
Availability represents the quality of a link. It is the ratio of the time that the link is available to the total time. This serves as a guide to the service that you can expect, on average, over a period of one year.
The FCC has identified the frequencies from 5.725 to 5.825 GHz as Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII). This band can be used by anyone without having to obtain a license. However, you must use radio equipment that is “type approved” by the FCC or local government for use within the specific band.
The FCC has identified the frequencies from 5.725 to 5.850 GHz as Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM). This band can be used by anyone without having to obtain a license. However, you must use radio equipment that is “type approved” by the FCC or local government for use within the specific band.
The outdoor placement and height of the QuickBridge II radios on a tripod, mast, or pole is critical to the proper operation of the equipment to provide error-free performance.
The wireless path will suffer from poor performance (high bit error rate or even complete outage) if the path has any of the following:
The height of the QuickBridge II unit must be sufficiently above the blockage so that definite clear line-of-sight is achieved, as well as clearance in the first Fresnel Zone.
The Fresnel Zone is the shape of the radio beam between the two transmitters that is determined primarily by the distance between the antennas and the frequency of transmission. The Fresnel Zone is not a straight and narrow beam like a laser, but rather “bulged” in the middle like a football. Any blockage within 60% of this “bulge” would interfere with the performance of the wireless link.
Clearance in the path is defined as consisting of:
The height of each end of the QuickBridge II hop must be high enough to ensure:
|
Distance between |
0.6 x First |
Earth |
Total Clearance (minimum) |
|
0.1 mile |
3 ft. |
0 |
3 ft. |
|
0.25 mile |
4 ft. |
0 |
4 ft. |
|
0.5 mile |
6 ft. |
0 |
6 ft. |
|
1 mile |
9 ft. |
0 |
9 ft. |
|
2 miles |
13 ft. |
1 ft. |
14 ft. |
|
3 miles |
16 ft. |
2 ft. |
18 ft. |
|
4 miles |
18 ft. |
3 ft. |
21 ft. |
|
5 miles |
20 ft. |
4 ft. |
24 ft. |
|
6 miles |
22 ft. |
6 ft. |
28 ft. |
For example, for a path that is 3 miles long, the transmitters on each end of the hop must be 18 feet above any obstruction that is in the path. Therefore, if there is a 30-foot building in the middle of the path, then the two transmitters must be at least 48 ft (30 + 18 ft) above ground. This then dictates the height of the pole or mast; could be a 48 foot mast, or an 8 foot pole on a 4-story building.
Antennas should be placed with the following simple guidelines:
Weatherproof outdoor connections with waterproof butyl tape, as shown in the following photos:
|
Power
/ Ethernet Connection |
||||||||
|
Ethernet
Link |
Off Blink On |
No link Ethernet activity Ethernet link established |
|
RF Link |
Off Blink On |
No power (DC) No link Link established |
||
|
GPS
Transceiver Connection |
||||||||
|
RSL |
Blink |
The faster the
blinking, the higher the RSL value. |
|
GPS |
Off On |
GPS disabled Enabled & input okay |
||
|
Cable #1 (50 meters, provided with radio) |
|
|
Function Connector type,
radio end |
Power (DC) and Ethernet connection Note: The total length of cabling between the PC and the QuickBridge cannot exceed 100 meters, which includes both the cable from the PC to the power adapter and the cable from the power adapter to the QuickBridge. Due to DC power requirements, the maximum cable length between the power adapter and the QuickBridge is 75 meters. RJ-45
female, weatherized using weatherproof
connector |
|
Cable #2 (NOT provided with equipment; optional GPS
receiver kit) |
|
|
Function |
GPS transceiver connection |
|
GPS Transceiver Connector
Pin Assignments |
|||
|
Pin |
Description |
Pin |
Description |
|
1 |
5v VCC |
5 |
GPS TX Data (from GPS) |
|
2 |
GND |
6 |
1PPS (input from GPS) |
|
3 |
GPS RCV Data (to GPS) |
7 |
NC (not connected) |
|
4 |
GPS Enable (active Low) |
8 |
NC (not connected) |
|
|
|||
|
DIN PIN |
|
|
|
|
2 7 |
BLUE WHITE / BLUE |
+24 VDC -24 VDC |
4 5 |
|
6 8 |
WHITE / BROWN BROWN |
+24 VDC -24 VDC |
7 8 |
|
5 3 |
WHITE / ORANGE ORANGE |
Rx+ Rx- |
1 2 |
|
1 4 |
WHITE / GREEN GREEN |
Tx+ Tx- |
3 6 |
|
Color codes are for reference only |
|||
The Ethernet connector supports 10/100 Base-TX Ethernet serial data using one 8-pin modular jack connector. This port allows Ethernet data to be passed across the hop.
|
Ethernet Port Connector Pin Assignment Description |
||
|
Pin |
Description |
Signal Direction |
|
1 |
Rx Data In + |
Input |
|
2 |
Rx Data In - |
Input |
|
3 |
Tx Data Out + |
Output |
|
4 |
* (connected to cross-talk
suppression circuits) |
|
|
5 |
* |
|
|
6 |
Tx Data Out - |
Output |
|
7 |
* |
|
|
8 |
* |
|
All outdoor electronic equipment is susceptible to lightning damage. Proper grounding to national and local codes is instrumental in providing human safety. Lightning Protection is used to maximize the reliability of the electronic system by diverting the excess energy that can be induced on any transmission lines (data, power) through a series of surge protection devices. The energy is dissipated through heat and also diverted to ground.
All Tsunami QuickBridge radio units have built-in lightning protection on both the power supply lines and the Ethernet lines. There are TVS diodes that provide protection to IEC 61000-4-05. Proxim Corporation uses “well-design” practices incorporating these devices in the Tsunami QuickBridge products.
Lightning, even with the built-in protection, can still damage outdoor Tsunami equipment. This can occur for any number of reasons, such as an improperly grounded installation, or when the amount of transient energy from nearby lightning exceeds what the devices can handle.
If a Tsunami unit fails due to damage from lightning, the link is out-of-service until the unit is replaced or repaired. An external, revertive protection device can provide a higher level of protection and greater probability of surviving lightning transients without damage to the Tsunami equipment. If damage does occur, most likely it is to the lightning protection devices and not the Tsunami equipment. Remember, even with external lightening protection, damage can still occur to the Tsunami outdoor units.
Proxim recommends the following for its QuickBridge products:
|
|
Installation
Requirement |
||
|
Proxim Product |
Industrial |
Commercial |
SOHO |
|
Tsunami QuickBridge |
(1) |
(1) or (2) (up to 50 meters) |
(1) or (2) (up to 50 meters) |
|
(1) PolyPhaser 101-1218W-A.1 CAT 5 Contact
Information: Polyphaser Corporation
|
(2) Transtector
1101-TSU Surge Supressor Contact information: Transtector Systems |
||
This is a heavy-duty aluminum, weather-tight enclosure for outdoor use that serves to protect wireless outdoor units, as well as the indoor power & Ethernet adapter and connected line equipment inside the roof penetration. This product can be used for all CAT 5 cable lengths up to 100 meters from the outdoor wireless unit to the indoor power & Ethernet adapter.
The Polyphaser Data Protector uses Cascade Technology. This is a multi-stage technology that is superior to single stage because of high surge current capacity and fast response time. The unit is designed to fit in-line onto the outdoor CAT 5e cable, using two weatherized plug openings for the cable to enter and exit. The existing cable is cut, dressed, and reconnected onto two sets of 8 screw terminals inside the Data Protector.
This outdoor-use, molded plastic, weather-tight enclosure is a surge suppressor designed to protect the QuickBridge II unit from lightning damage. This product can be used for CAT 5 cable lengths up to 50 meters from the outdoor wireless unit to indoor power & Ethernet adapter.
The 1101-TSU uses silicon avalanche suppression diodes (SASD) to provide lower voltage protection level (VPL). This technology provides a superior protection level over traditional gas tube type devices. The unit is designed to fit onto a CAT 5 cable in a pass-through configuration. The input and output connections can be made at two sets of 8-screw terminals, or two 8-pin DIN style connectors. This arrangement allows the installation of the connectorized CAT 5e cable directly into the Surge Suppressor, or with a cut cable.
The lightning protection units recommended are designed to be installed in-line onto the CAT 5e cable that connects the outdoor QuickBridge unit to the indoor power adapter.
The lightning protection device has a Surge (cable-facing) side, and an Equipment (equipment-facing) side. The Equipment side faces the outdoor QuickBridge unit or the indoor power & Ethernet adapter. The Surge side faces the long length of cable; when installing two lightning protection units, each unit’s Surge side face one another.
See pin-out information for each unit in “Protection Unit Specifications” for connecting the cable to the protection device.
At least one unit should be installed near every outdoor QuickBridge unit. General guidelines are:
Installing two protectors provides the maximum protection against lightning damage to the outdoor QuickBridge II unit and the indoor power & Ethernet adapter, especially if the CAT 5 cable length is greater than 15 meters.
The QuickBridge contains two complete radio units. A total of two or four lightning protection units should be ordered per QuickBridge link.
Surge:............................................................... BellCore 1089 10/100msec, 100A
Temperature:.................................................... -40°C to +65°C storage/operating +50°C
Maximum Characteristics Data (Ethernet):
Turn-on:............................................................ +7.0
VDC ± 10%
Resistance:....................................................... 1
ohm
Capacitance:..................................................... 15
pf Line to Ground, 30 pf Line to Line
Data Rage:........................................................ Up
to 100Mbps (100BT)
Maximum Characteristics DC:
Turn-on:............................................................ ± 68 VDC ± 10%
Resistance:....................................................... 0.02
ohm
User
Current:.................................................... 2A
max.
Size................................................................... L
x W x T: 6.53” x 2.77” x 1.25”
Mounting............................................................ Panel
or pole mount
Pinout and Wiring Specifications:
|
Surge
Side |
Equipment
Side |
Application |
Original Wiring
(Green on RJ45 Pin 1) |
EIA 568B Wiring
(White/orange on RJ45 Pin 1) |
|
Vdc in |
VDC
out |
48Vdc |
White/Orange |
Blue |
|
RTN
in |
RTN
out |
Ground |
Orange |
White/Blue |
|
Vdc in |
VDC
out |
48Vdc |
White/Brown |
White/Brown |
|
RTN
in |
RTN
out |
Ground |
Brown |
Brown |
|
Tx+ in |
Tx+ out |
Tx + |
Green |
White/Orange |
|
Tx- in |
Tx- out |
Tx - |
White/Green |
Orange |
|
Rx+ in |
Rx+ out |
Rx + |
Violet |
White/Green |
|
Rx- in |
Rx- out |
Rx - |
White/Violet |
Green |
|
GND |
GND |
Shield, if req. |
|
|
Note: VDC in (out) and RTN in (out) pinouts are based upon applying a positive 24 FDC to the VDC terminal and applying the dc ground to RTN.
For additional information, go to www.polyphaser.com.
Surge:........................................................................... IEEE
10/1000 Long Wave, 150 A peak
Temperature:............................................................... -40°C to +80°C operating and storage
Ethernet Characteristics:
Transfer Rate:.............................................................. CAT
5
Maximum Continuous Operating Voltage:................... 20 VDC
Protection Mode:.......................................................... Line
to Line, Line to Ground
Response Time (max):................................................ 5
nanoseconds
Standby Power (max):................................................. <0.5
Watt
Peak Power:................................................................. 5000
Watts
DC
Characteristics:
Service Voltage:........................................................... 20
VDC
Maximum Continuous Operating Voltage:................... 80
VDC
Response Time (max):................................................ 5
nanoseconds
Standby Power (max):................................................. <0.5
Watts
Peak Power:................................................................. 20,000
Watts
Protection Mode:.......................................................... Line
to Line
Size:............................................................................. L
x W x T: 6.13” x 4.5” x 2.5”
Pinout and Wiring Specifications:
|
Surge Side |
Equipment Side |
Application |
Original
Wiring (Green on RJ45 Pin 1) |
EIA 568B Wiring (White/Orange on Pin 1) |
|
VDC
in |
VDC
out |
+24
VDC |
White/Orange |
White/Blue |
|
RTN
in |
RTN
out |
Ground |
Orange |
Blue |
|
VDC in |
VDC out |
+24 VDC |
White/Brown |
Brown1 |
|
RTN in |
RTN out |
Ground |
Brown |
White/Brown |
|
Tx+ in |
Tx+ out |
Tx + |
Green |
White/Orange |
|
Tx- in |
Tx- out |
Tx - |
White/Green |
Orange1 |
|
Rx+ in |
Rx+ out |
Rx + |
Violet |
White/Green |
|
Rx- in |
Rx- out |
Rx - |
White/Violet |
Green |
|
GND |
GND |
Shield, if req. |
|
|
1The RTN pins in the ALPU-TSU are floating ground. The DC connection (+24 VDC and Gnd) will be unaffected if the ORANGE (or BLUE depending upon the color code on pin 1 of the RJ45), or the WHITE/ORANGE i(or White/Blue) wire is connected to the RTN pin.
For additional information, go to www.transtector.com
The color code of the Ethernet cable used between the power supply and
the radio depends upon the particular QuickBridge radio. For example, the color code of the Ethernet
cable used between the power supply and the radio has been changed to the
standard EIA 568B wiring color code. See the illustration at the bottom of
the next page.
Normally this does not present a problem since the cable is wired the
same end-for-end; just the colors have changed. When using a lightning
protector, however, the color code of the cable must be noted to make sure that
the lightning protection is connected properly. Incorrect wiring can
cause damage to the lightning protector. Here are the two different color
codes.
|
Signal |
RJ45 Pin# |
DIN Pin# |
Original Wiring
Color |
538B Wiring Color |
|
Rx+ |
1 |
5 |
Green |
White / Orange |
|
Rx- |
2 |
3 |
White / Green |
Orange |
|
Tx+ |
3 |
1 |
Blue |
White / Green |
|
+V |
4 |
2 |
Orange |
Blue |
|
-V |
5 |
7 |
White / Orange |
White / Blue |
|
Tx- |
6 |
4 |
White / Blue |
Green |
|
+V |
7 |
6 |
Brown |
White / Brown |
|
-V |
8 |
8 |
White / Brown |
Brown |
|
Cable Part# on Label |
Length |
Original
Revisions |
EIA 568B
Revisions |
|
100-00737-01 or 53999 |
25 m |
90, 1, 2, or 3 |
4, 5, or > |
|
67085 |
25 m |
None |
All |
|
100-00737-02 or 59400 |
50 m |
1, 2, or 3 |
4, 5, or > |
|
67086 |
50 m |
None |
All |
The color code that a cable is using can be identified by either looking at the color of the wire in pin one of the RJ45 connector (the pin on the left with the tab facing down and the cable coming towards you). If the wire in pin 1 is Green, then you have the original color code, if the wire is White / Orange then you have an EIA 568B wired cable.
Alternatively, if you do not have
access to the RJ45 (for installed systems), you may reference the part number
and revision label on the cable that is usually near the DIN connector.
Refer to the following table to determine which color code cable you have based
on the cable.
|
Cable Part # on Label |
Original Revisions |
EIA 568B
Revisions |
Length |
|
100-00737-01 or
59399 |
Rev 90, 1, 2, 3 |
Rev 4, 5, or
> |
25m |
|
67085 |
None |
All Revisions |
25m |
|
100-00737-02 or
59400 |
Rev 1, 2, 3 |
Rev 4, 5, or
> |
50m |
|
67086 |
None |
All Revisions |
50m |
|
100-00737-03 or
59401 |
Rev 1, 2, 3 |
Rev 4, 5, or
> |
75m |
|
67087 |
None |
All Revisions |
75m |
The QuickBridge II provides ways to prevent unauthorized users from communicating with the QuickBridge II unit. You can password protect the system to prevent unauthorized users from accessing the system. Also, you can use the Link Security Key to scramble the transmitted signal, preventing unauthorized units from detecting the signal.
The QuickBridge II provides two levels of password protection:
The default password is <blank>. By default, password protection is turned off. Password protection for either password level (user or admin) can be turned on and off.
Passwords can be from 1 to 16 characters; any combination of alphanumeric characters are allowed.
To define the password for either access level from the QuickBridge Manager:
Upon successful login, the Link Status window for the selected radio is displayed.
To turn off password protection, reset both passwords to <blank>. Do this by returning to the Security window and entering the current password while leaving the two new password entries blank (for both the User and Admin access levels).
If a password has been specified for the access level you desire, you must log in to the system with the appropriate password.
Wireless transmissions on the QuickBridge II employ PN scrambling whereby all emissions are "shuffled." The shuffling method is uniquely determined by the 16-character security key so that the receiving device can correctly "un-shuffle" the transmission. With a mismatched security key, the shuffled transmissions are unusable to the device attempting to receive the signal.
The 16-character Security Key is user-defined using the QuickBridge Manager program. The two keys, set for both the Master and Slave units, must match before a link can be established. The ID code is made up of 0-9, a-z, and A-Z characters. In addition, the two units must match frequency plans and one must be designated a “Slave” and the other must be “Master”. Two Slaves cannot talk to one another, and two Masters cannot talk to another.
The following technical specification is for reference purposes only. Actual product performance and compliance with local telecommunications regulations may vary from country to country. Proxim Corporation will only ship products that are type approved in the destination country.
|
Radio Unit |
|
|
Maximum Ethernet Packet Size |
1610 bytes |
|
Maximum Transmitter Power (EIRP) |
+36 dBm, maximum (includes +20 dBi antenna gain) |
|
Receiver
Sensitivity |
-89 dBm for 18 Mbps setting
-81 dBm for 34 Mbps setting
-77 dBm for 54 Mbps setting
|
|
Operating Frequency Range |
5742-5808 MHz |
|
Access Method |
Time Division Duplex (TDD) |
|
Integrated Antenna |
20 dBi (10” x 10”) LHCP |
|
Maximum Receive Threshold |
-20 dBm error free |
|
Latency |
5.0 msec max |
|
Modulation Technique |
QPSK with equalization and FEC for 18 Mbps; 8QAM for 34 Mbps; 16QAM for 54 Mbps |
|
Security ID |
16 character Security ID used for authentication and PN transmission scrambling |
|
Frequency Channels |
7 channels total (3 in plan A, 4 in plan B) |
|
Regulatory Compliance |
FCC
Part 15.407 (U-NII), 15.247 (ISM) IC RSS210
Layer
2 transparent bridge – IEEE 802.3
|
|
Interfaces |
|
|
Ethernet Interface |
10/100 Base-T via AC power and Ethernet adapter |
|
Ethernet Connector |
RJ45, female with weather protected shell |
|
Interface Cable |
CAT5 cable |
|
Management |
|
|
Local and Remote Access |
QuickBridge Manager (java-based GUI) for discovery, status, and configuration |
|
Software Upgradeable |
Over-the-air reprogramming for upgrades |
|
Security |
Two-level password access on Manager |
|
Power/Environment/Safety |
|
|
Radio |
+18 to +28 Volts DC, 0.8 Amps, power over Ethernet Cat5 cable |
|
Power Adapter |
100-240 Volts AC |
|
Operational Temperature |
0° to 55° C (indoor), -25° to 65° C (outdoor) |
|
Humidity |
95%
non-condensing (indoor power and Ethernet adapter) |
|
Altitude |
Up to 10,000 ft |
|
Windloading |
115 mph |
|
Physical Unit/Installation Details |
|
|
Radio Unit |
Pole Mounting, 1.5-3.00” diameter |
|
Size (per QuickBridge II unit) |
10.5 x 10.5 x7 inches, 26.5 x 26.5 x 14.4 cm |
|
Weight (per QuickBridge II unit) |
10 lbs/4.5 kg |
|
Shipping weight (per QuickBridge II Kit) |
42 lbs/20 kg |
|
Installation Kit |
|
|
The Installation Kit provides necessary instructions, cabling, mounting hardware, and software to install the radio at the customer’s premises, and includes the following items. |
|
|
–
Quick Install Guide for QuickBridge II |
–
Mounting hardware for pole attachment |
|
Optional Accessories |
|
|
AC-5200 Cable Termination kit |
|
|
Frequency Plans |
|
|
Channel Plan 3 |
Channel Plan 4 |
|
3A: 5742.19 MHz |
4A: 5743.85 MHz |
|
3B: 5775.39 MHz |
4B: 5764.60 MHz |
|
3C: 5808.59 MHz |
4C: 5785.35 MHz |
|
|
4D: 5806.10 MHz |
If you are having a problem and cannot resolve it with the information in Troubleshooting, gather the following information and contact Proxim Technical Support:
Be sure to obtain an RMA number before sending any equipment to Proxim for repair.
To ask a question of Technical Support, be sure to include the part number and the serial number of the product or products in question. We cannot respond to your inquiry without this information.
To contact Proxim Technical Support by telephone, dial 1-866-674-6626 (Domestic) or 1-408-542-5390 (International). Telephone support hours are 6:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, PST.
To see whether answers to your questions already exist, access Proxim’s Support Knowledgebase at http://support.proxim.com/.
To contact Technical Support online, go to http://support.proxim.com/cgi-bin/proxim.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php. Fill in the information requested and click Submit Question.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
Shielded cables and I/O cords must be used for this equipment to comply with the relevant FCC regulations.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved in writing by Proxim Corporation may void the user's authority to operate this equipment.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.
This device must be professionally installed.
The QuickBridge II units are intended for mounting on a roof or the side of a building. Installation must not be attempted by someone untrained or inexperienced in this type of work. These units must be installed by a suitable, trained, professional installation technician or by a qualified antenna installation service. Site pre-requisites must be checked by a person familiar with the national electrical code and with other regulations governing this type of installation.
This product is intended to be installed, used and maintained by experienced telecommunications personnel only. Equipment is suitable for mounting on concrete or other noncombustible surface only.
