Step 4
3G Signal Strength Verification (optional)
page 5
CheckVideo Gateway for Mobile Broadband Networks Installation Guide
Make sure there is an adequate 3G signal to your Gateway.
You can see the precise signal strength by attaching a monitor to the Monitor output
on the Gateway back panel (Figure 6). This can be a TV connected to a CheckVideo
Gateway monitor connector with a BNC to RCA cable.
It may take up to five minutes for the Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI)
to be displayed on your monitor (see Figure 7). The 3G signal strength should be
greater than -84 to -86 dBm. Remember that -86 is a negative value, so -85 would
be a better signal strength than -86, -50 would be much better than -85, etc.
Note that because the RSSI text is white, it may not appear clearly for camera views
with a light background. In such cases, you might want to temporarily disconnect
the camera attached to the “Cam 1” camera port.
Tips:
• Make sure that the tips of the antennas are extended outward from the
Module.
• Remove any obstructions immediately around the antenna.
• You can use a Sprint 3G mobile device to assess relative signal strength within
your facility. However, any signal strength displayed on a mobile device won’t
necessarily be valid for what the CheckVideo Gateway would receive at
that spot.
• When necessary, move the Gateway to an area with an adequate signal
strength, or consider the use a 3G signal-boosting antenna or amplifier.
• If the message on the monitor indicates that the cell service is not active, call
Support.
• Cellular signal strength will vary over time. Additionally cellular network capac-
ity will vary over time. These considerations must be taken in to account when
deploying a mobile broadband solution.
Note:
You will not see the RSSI displayed on your Monitor output if you have the
Franklin Module and an external storage device concurrently connected
to your Gateway with a USB hub. The process for connecting an external
storage device is provided in the Appendix on page 22.
Figure 7
RSSI displayed via Monitor output
Figure 6
Monitor output on CheckVideo Gateway
Monitor Output
