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Using with Campbell Scientific Dataloggers
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cost antennae designed for vehicle mounting require a flat, metal sheet to
form a ground plane at the base of the antenna to achieve the specified
gain figure and to ensure proper impedance matching. As an approximate
rule the ground plane should have a radius equal to or greater than the
height of the radiator.
Slightly higher priced co-linear, or dipole antennae do not require such a
ground plane and can be more easily pole or cross-arm mounted.
In areas of poor signal coverage a directional, high-gain ‘Yagi’ antenna
can be considered, but this requires knowledge of where the cell base
stations are situated in order to enable proper alignment and often the
frequency the base station uses needs to be known to match the antenna
correctly.
Raising the antenna is often the most effective way of getting better
signal reception. However, if long cables are required to achieve this, use
low-loss extension cables that do not have the significant signal loss of
low cost cables. Long cables are a particular problem when operating at
1800MHz or above.
Like most cellular-based systems, the COM111 modem varies its
transmitter power to ensure good communications with the remote cell
station. Using a cheaper, low-gain, antenna may result in a significant
increase in power consumption in areas of poor signal coverage.
If the antenna is placed near the top of a mast or has long antenna cables
it may be vulnerable to lightning damage. If lightning is common at the
installation site, additional lightning protection may be required to
protect the COM111 modem – please contact Campbell Scientific for
further advice.
Using an antenna that is installed incorrectly, or with faulty
wiring, can lead to premature failure of the transmitter output
of the COM111.
Install the antenna so that the radiator is positioned away from other vertical
metal structures. It should also be at a distance from any sensors so that it
does not either physically or electrically interfere with the sensor readings.
Connect the aerial cable to the connector labelled “GSM”. The other
connector labelled “GPS” is not used.
If the COM111 modem can be connected to a PC (see below) it is possible to
check the received signal strength using the diagnostics option in the Mobile
Data Assistant package or using the
AT+CSQ
command in a terminal
program (see Appendix C for further details). This can be used to find the
optimum antenna position. You should aim to get the highest signal strength
(as close to 31) as possible. For reasonable communications you need a
minimum level of approximately 10 when operating in non-transparent mode
for GSM dial-up or 12-14 for data use. Be sure that the modem is configured
to talk only to the network operator you intend to use when doing this (see
the
AT+COPS
command).
CAUTION