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Overview of the Outdoor Installation
Outdoor Antenna Installation Guide
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Antenna Placement
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To achieve maximum performance for your wireless outdoor
connection, the WaveACCESS Outdoor Antennas must have clear
line-of-sight. Line-of-sight can be defined as:
■
No obstacles in the direct path between the two antennas.
■
No obstacles within a defined zone around the antenna beam.
You need to be aware that the shape of a radio beam is not straight
and narrow like a laser beam. The radio beam, also referred to as
Fresnel Zone
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, is rather “bulged” in the middle, like for example a
“rugby ball”. The exact shape and width of the Fresnel Zone is
determined by the path length and frequency of the radio signal.
If any significant part of this zone is obstructed, a portion of the
radio energy will be lost, resulting in reduced performance.
Reduced performance may also occur when obstacles that are
close to the antenna beam cause signal reflections or noise that
interfere with the radio signal.
Figure 2-2 shows some typical examples of obstacles that you
must avoid for the Directional Antenna to operate effectively:
A. Neighboring Buildings
B. Trees or other obstructions
C. Power lines
To allow optimal performance you will need to ensure that the type
and placement of the antennas leaves sufficient clearance of the
Fresnel Zone at the maximum width of the bulge, typically at the
mid-point between the antennas. For more information turn to
Chapter 3 ”Determine Range & Clearance”.
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Pronounced as “Fray-Nell”