SkyZhone 1600, 1400, 1200 Hardware Installation Guide
13
Coverage area
With the SkyZhone access point, there is no need to use Wi-Fi links for
communication between stations. This eliminates issues associated with
buildings, trees, or hilly terrain that can impact node-to-node communications
for mesh access points.
The SkyZhone access point uses 5dBi antennas that provide a 26-degree beam-
width per antenna. Additionally, the three 2.4 GHz antennas are oriented to
provide complete coverage both horizontally and vertically. SkyZhone access
point’s signals extend up and down, and all around to minimize dead spots.
MIMO (Multiple-In, Multiple-Out) technology maximizes the receive signal
strength from typical low-power 802.11b/g client devices and enables SkyZhone
to maintain a reliable link at distances more than 50% greater than non-MIMO
solutions.
In Figure 1 on page 12, note that the 4.9 GHz 802.11a radio uses the bottom two
antennas and the 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g radio uses the top three antennas.
The 2.4 GHz radio operates in the unlicensed ISM band and can be used for a
variety of applications such as Internet Access, Voice over IP, Mobile Video, or
Enterprise VPN.
The 4.9 GHz radio operates in the licensed spectrum reserved for Public Safety
users including city government, police, fire and EMT.
SkyZhone features
The SkyZhone access points communicate with SkyZhone aggregators using
standards-based 10/100 Ethernet uplinks to transport data traffic between access
points and the Central Office or remote cabinet.
After initial power up, the SkyZhone access point contacts the ACS Server,
downloads the latest software, downloads the configuration file, and registers
itself with the Network Management System (NMS) system.
The SkyZhone access points’ dual-radio architecture provides 2.4GHz access for
residential and commercial applications while simultaneously providing 4.9GHz
access for public safety applications, using industry standard IEEE 802.11 client
devices.
Remote configuration and troubleshooting is supported via SSH and HTTPS to
SkyZhone access points through a separate management VLAN. In addition, a
console port is provided for local access to the CLI.
Figure 2 shows an example of a SkyZhone network configuration.
