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Installation
3
Installation
3.1
Mounting Considerations
3.1.1
Positioning the WirelessHART Gateway
Install the WirelessHART gateway first, before installing other WirelessHART devices. This way
you can check for proper operation of new devices as they are installed. Nevertheless,
consider the location of future WirelessHART devices that will be routed through the
WirelessHART gateway to ensure good connectivity.
Guidelines for Planning a WirelessHART Network
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A line-of-sight between communication partners always is desirable. If a line-of-sight is
not possible, the obstacles should not be massive and the partners should be more to the
edge of an obstacle to allow the wave to "bend" around it (diffraction effect).
■
Consider moving objects that could affect the device's antenna range.
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Install wireless devices at least 1 m above the ground.
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Make sure that the device's antenna is aligned vertically for best results.
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Make sure that a minimum of 2 other WirelessHART devices are well within the antenna
range of the device.
■
Do not position WirelessHART devices directly below or above each other. They would be
outside each other's antenna range.
■
Install WirelessHART devices at least 1 m away from each other.
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Antennas must be at least 6 cm away from any wall or any metallic material running
parallel to it.
■
Position the device as far away as possible from metal surfaces or walls containing metal.
There should be as little metal close to the device as possible.
■
Do not position other 2.4 GHz devices like cordless phone bases or WLAN routers near
WirelessHART devices. Keep in mind other wireless networks using the same frequency
spectrum (WLAN, Bluetooth, etc.). Wireless technologies used in an industrial
environment must be able to coexist without disrupting each other. If multiple networks
operate in one plant, a frequency management should be applied as part of
administration.
If it is not possible to mount the WirelessHART gateway outdoors, you can also connect a
remote antenna to the WirelessHART gateway and mount the remote antenna outdoors.
3.1.2
Antenna Characteristics
The included antenna W-ANT-2400-2DB-ROD (Part. No. 215520) is an omnidirectional dipole
antenna. If you point the antenna upwards, the signal radiates horizontally with an angle of
approx. 45 degrees above and below the horizontal (donut shaped). Almost no signal will be
radiated directly above and below the antenna. Consider this when planning a WirelessHART
network. The height differences between wireless devices in a network should not be too big.
This is valid only for an antenna, which is placed outdoors with no metal surfaces in immediate
vicinity. The radiation pattern changes significantly when metal surfaces are close to the
antenna.
The following diagrams show the antenna gain in two different planes.
