Matrix T7XI-01, Service Manual

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10.8 NeTPUlSe & am SeTTING UP SoP
CHaPTer 10: TreadmIll SPeCIfICaTIoNS aNd aSSembly GUIde
STeP 1 - Identifying areas that need coverage and estimating the number of APs needed:
Wireless coverage only needs to be provided in areas where cardio machines need to have a wireless connection. If there are spaces in the
facility that don’t have cardio machines, there is no need to install access points in that area.
Once the areas that need coverage have been identified, calculate the minimum number of access points (APs) needed to support your
machines. One Meraki MR24 access point can support up to twenty (20) 7xi Machines. Calculate the number of 7xi Machines will be installed,
divide this number by 20, and the result is the minimum number of APs you will need to install to support the equipment. This number is only a
starting point; additional access points will be required depending on the physical distribution of the clients and the RF challenges presented by
the facility’s environment.
The next step in designing the wireless network is to determine the distance from the AP that each machine will be placed. Machines cannot be
placed further than 50 feet away from any given access point. This limitation is a best case scenario and only applies to clients that have direct
line of sight to the access point. If there are walls, floors, lighting fixtures, windows, or other obstructions that block the line of sight to the access
point, the maximum distance the client can be from the access point is reduced significantly and will need to be determined with empirical testing.
For each group of 20 clients, stand in the center of the group and measure the distance to the furthest client. If this distance is greater than 50
feet, an additional AP will be needed to cover this group of clients. If clients are installed on different floors, use additional APs to cover the floors
separately.
Understand and plan around interference. There are two main types of interference to be aware of. The first is physical interference. Physical
objects that block line of sight to the access point will interfere with the signal. This includes walls, windows, pillars, shelving, lighting, air ducting,
etc. Choose mounting locations that allow for clear line of sight to the clients. It may be necessary to use a drop pole to lower the AP below these
types of obstructions.
The second type of interference is electrical and magnetic interference. This includes other wireless and radio frequency devices, such as
neighboring access points, cordless phones, baby monitors, and two-way radios. It also includes other devices that emit EMI (electromagnetic
interference), such as microwaves, high voltage power lines, electrical distribution boxes, fluorescent lighting ballasts, generators, and any
other electrical devices that turns currents on and off at high speeds. Avoid running network cable and mounting APs near these sources of
interference.
Once all of the above factors are taken into consideration, should be able to identify the number of access points needed, as well as the locations
that they will be mounted.
STeP 2 - Once it is determined where the APs will be located, plan out your cable runs. Each AP will need a “home run” back to this secure
closet housing all the network equipment. Network cables cannot be split or tapped; each run must connect only to a single AP. Measure the
distance from the communications closet to each access point mounting location. This distance cannot be longer than 90 meters (300’). If the
distance exceeds this limit, install an IDF (intermediary distribution frame) which houses an additional network switch to act as a repeater for the
signal. Once you have planned out all your runs, pull, terminate, and test all cable runs to the AP mounting locations.
STeP 3 - Once cable has been pulled, mount the access points. The following section covers the propagation patterns of the APs and the appro-
priate ways to mount them.
Both the MR12 and the MR24 have virtually identical coverage patterns. The coverage patterns are shown below.