AvMesh
®
RF Communications Systems
Installation & Service Manual
Latest products and information available at
www.avlite.com
3
Table of Contents
1.0 Glossary of Terms .......................................................................................................................5
2.0 Background ..................................................................................................................................6
3.0 RF Fundamentals ........................................................................................................................ 7
3.1 Elements of a Radio Frequency communications system ........................................................................7
3.2 Modulation and Demodulation .................................................................................................................................. 8
3.3 Intermodulation .................................................................................................................................................................. 8
3.4 Antennas ................................................................................................................................................................................ 9
3.4.1 Gain................................................................................................................................................................................10
3.4.2 Direction ......................................................................................................................................................................10
3.4.3 Polarization .................................................................................................................................................................11
3.5 RF Propagation ...................................................................................................................................................................11
3.5.1 Line-of-sight propagation ..................................................................................................................................12
3.6 Interference .........................................................................................................................................................................13
3.6.1 Fresnel zones ............................................................................................................................................................13
3.6.2 In-band interference ............................................................................................................................................15
3.7 Spectrum Analyzers .......................................................................................................................................................16
3.7.1 Types of Spectrum Analyzer ...........................................................................................................................16
3.7.2 The Decibel formula ............................................................................................................................................. 17
3.7.3 Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR or S/N) ...............................................................................................................19
4.0 AvMesh
TM
Communications System: Theory of Operation ...............................................20
4.1 Node Information ............................................................................................................................................................. 20
4.2 Network set-up procedure .........................................................................................................................................21
4.3 Network bridging ............................................................................................................................................................24
5.0 Avlite Wireless Remote Controller......................................................................................... 27
5.1 Radio Controller Menu ...................................................................................................................................................27
5.1.1 Operation Mode .......................................................................................................................................................27
5.1.2 Advanced Op Mode .............................................................................................................................................28
5.1.3 Light Group ...............................................................................................................................................................28
5.1.4 Intensity .......................................................................................................................................................................28
5.1.5 Timeout Mode .........................................................................................................................................................28
5.1.6 Timeout Duration ...................................................................................................................................................29
5.1.7 Diagnostic ...................................................................................................................................................................29
5.2 Controller Menu (Advanced) .................................................................................................................................... 30
6.0 Direct Connection ...................................................................................................................... 31
6.1 To force a primary node ...............................................................................................................................................31
7.0 Rotary Switches ........................................................................................................................32
7.1 To force a Reserve node...............................................................................................................................................32
8.0 Maintenance/Housekeeping of the AvMesh
TM
Communications System ......................32
9.0 Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................................33
9.1 Identifying the Problem.................................................................................................................................................33
9.2 Single Fixture Non-functional ...................................................................................................................................34
9.3 Whole Runway Non-functional ...............................................................................................................................35
9.4 Multiple Fixtures Non-functional .............................................................................................................................36
9.4 Multiple Fixtures Non-functional Continued ....................................................................................................37
