B&B Electronics Wireless Antenna User manual

Wireless Antenna
Installation Guide
10 Tips for Making Your
Wireless Installation a Success
International Headquarters
707 Dayton Road • PO Box 1040
Ottawa, IL 61350 USA
Phone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
www.bb-elec.com
Europe, Africa, Middle East
10 Westlink Commercial Park
Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland
Phone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
In the U.K. call +44.01926.851500
www.bb-europe.com
Connecting Your Industrial Devices - Simply and Reliably
Making Wireless Easy

Table of Contents
1 How to Choose the Right Antenna 2
Yagi Antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Omni Antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2 Wireless Antenna Installation Tips 5
Tip 1 - Clear RF Path of Obstructions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Tip 2 - Pay Attention to Antenna Alignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Tip 3 - KnowYour Overall System Gain Required to Meet the Distance . . . . . . 7
Tip 4 - KnowYour Signal Losses and the Required Antenna Gain . . . . . . . . . 7
Tip 5 - Use the Minimum Cable Length Required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Tip 6 - Do Not Wrap the Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Tip 7 - Use Drip Loops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Tip 8 - Protect the Antenna Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Tip 9 - Correctly Phase the Yagi with Respect to the Omni Base Antenna . . . . . 11
Tip 10 - Correctly Phase Yagis with Respect to Each Other . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3 Additional Resources 12

Yagi Antenna
A directional antenna. Focuses energy to one particular direction. In a point-to-
point application, it is ideal to use Yagi antennas at both locations for extended
range and better signal strength. Yagi antennas generate best results in point-to-
multipoint applications when used with remote slave radios.
High Gain Yagi Antenna
Back
Front
Y
X
Azimuth
Y
Z
Elevation
Z
X
Yagi Radiating Pattern
1 How to Choose the
Right Antenna
2| How to Choose the Right Antenna Wireless Antenna Installation Guide | 3

Omni Antenna
Omni-directional antennas focus their energy equally in all directions. ey
typically have lesser range than a Yagi antenna of similar gain. Omni antennas
are used in point-to-multipoint applications for the central master unit.
Omni-Directional Antenna
Y
Azimuth
X
Z
Y
Elevation
Z
Y
X
Base Station Radiation Pattern
Wireless Antenna Installation Guide | 3

Point-to-Point
In this conguration, two radios will be talking to one another. Typical examples
are serial-to-serial communication or peer-to-peer I/O wire replacement
systems. Yagi antennas at both ends increase signal strength, range and reduce
interference.
Point-to-Multipoint
In a multipoint system, an Omni antenna is typically used as the master with
individual Yagi antennas as “slaves” pointing to the “master” antenna for the best
range and signal strength. A typical example is Modbus I/O conguration with a
Radio Modem connected to an RTU master with several I/O nodes as slaves.
When transmitting, a Yagi antenna allows more
transmitted power to be sent in the direction
of the receiver, increasing the received signal
strength. When receiving, a Yagi antenna
captures more of the signal, increasing signal
strength. This also reduces interference.
Clear Line of Sight Required
Clear Line of Sight Required
Slave Master Slave
4| How to Choose the Right Antenna Wireless Antenna Installation Guide | 5

RF Range is inuenced by several factors. Proper consideration during
installation will help enhance the signal strength and range ensuring reliable
operation.
Tip 1 - Clear RF Path of Obstructions
Make sure the RF path is clear of obstructions. Antennas should be installed
where they can “see” each other as much as possible. Make sure the antennas are
high enough above any obstructions in the RF path.
CORRECT WRONG
Line of Sight
Line of Sight
Obstructions in the lobe of the radio signal
Wireless Antenna Installation Guide | 5
2 Wireless Antenna
Installation Tips
SUGGESTED HEIGHT CLEAR OF OBSTRUCTIONS
Range 2.4 GHz 900 MHz 868 MHz
1000 ft (300 m) 5.5 ft (1.7 m) 8 ft (2.5 m) 8.5 ft (2.6 m)
1 mi (1.6 km) 10.5 ft (3.2 m) 16 ft (5 m) 19.4 ft (5.9 m)
5 mi (8 km) — 34 ft (10.5 m) 46.6 ft (14.2 m)
10 mi (16 km) — 47.5 ft (14.5 m) 61 ft (18.6 m)

Tip 2 - Pay Attention to Antenna Alignment
Make sure the antennas are aligned to center of the signal path and angle, and
on the same level plane.
Yagi
Yagi Omni
Yagi 1 Parallel, 1 Perpendicular to the ground
Antennas not aligned
Antennas not on the same level plane
Antennas not on the same level plane
Antennas are backwards
Yagi
CORRECT
ACCEPTABLE
WRONG
6| Installation Tips Wireless Antenna Installation Guide | 7
Back
Back
Front
Front
CORRECT
WRONG

Wireless Antenna Installation Guide | 7
Tip 4 - Know Your Signal Losses and the
Required Antenna Gain
Signal is lost across cables and connectors. e longer the antenna cable and
the more the number of connections, the more the signal loss. A larger antenna
gain is necessary to compensate for these losses and to meet the required
distance. As a rule of thumb, the RF range will be reduced by half for every
6 dB signal loss.
e lost signal has to be compensated by choosing a proper antenna gain. B&B’s
900 MHz Zlinx and Zlinx Xtreme radios come standard with a 3 dBi Omni
antenna and the 2.4 GHz radios come with a 2.1 dBi gain Omni antenna. If
more gain is necessary, choose a higher gain antenna depending on your system
requirement.
e table below shows the signal loss across cables and connections.
Tip 3 - Know Your Overall System Gain Required
to Meet the Distance
e more the distance between the radios, the more the overall system gain
needs to be. A quick rule of thumb for the overall system gains vs. distance is as
below:
Radio Frequency
& Wattage
300 ft
(100 m)
1000 ft
(300 m)
1 mile
(1.6 km)
5 miles
(8 km)
10 miles
(16 km)
2.4 GHz, 60mW 2.1 dB >6 dB >10 dB — —
900 MHz, 1W 2.1 dB 2.1 dB >3 dB >6 dB >10 dB
Note: RF signal is lost across cables and connections. Refer to Tip 4 to know the impact of
cable lengths and connections and how to select the antenna gain to compensate for the
signal loss.
SIGNAL LOSS ACROSS COMPONENTS
Signal Loss
868/900 MHz 2.4 GHz
Antenna Cable (LMR400) -3.9 dB/100 ft -6.8 dB/100 ft
Connectors (RP-SMA/N-Type) -0.5 dB -0.5 dB
Lightning Arrestors -1 dB -1 dB

8| How to Choose the Right Antenna Wireless Antenna Installation Guide | 9
N-Female
-0.5 dB
-1 dB
-0.5 dB
-0.5 dB
10 ft cable
1 ft cable
N-Male
N-Male
N-Male
RP-SMA
Radio
Lightning Arrestor
N-Female
N-Female
-0.5 dB
-0.5 dB
-0.5 dB
-0.5 dB
-1 dB
100 ft cable
5 ft cable
N-Male
N-Male
N-Male
N-Male
RP-SMA
Radio
Lightning Arrestor
Total Signal Loss Calculation
Connectors (3) = -1.5 dB
Lightning Arrestor = -1.0 dB
Cable (11 ft) = -0.429 dB
Total = -2.929 dB
Total Signal Loss Calculation
Connectors (4) = -2.0 dB
Lightning Arrestor = -1.0 dB
Cable (105 ft) = -4.095 dB
Total = -7.095 dB
LOWER LOSS, LONGER RANGE
HIGHER LOSS, SHORTER RANGE
How Too Many Connectors
Aect dB Loss
Example Antenna
Gain Calculation
For a 900 MHz, 1W radio to achieve a
5 mile distance: Overall gain required =
>6 dB (see Tip 3).
Signal lost across a 11 ft antenna cable
(LMR400) and a lightning arrestor =
-2.929 (approximately -3 dB).
Antenna gain required =
6 dB + 3 dB = 9 dB
Note: A Lightning Arrestor is strongly
recommended for outdoor applications.

Wireless Antenna Installation Guide | 9
CORRECT
Tip 5 - Use the Minimum Cable Length Required
Use the minimum cable length required. Do not run more cable than needed.
Tip 6 - Do Not Wrap the Cables
Do not wrap or coil the cables around anything.
CORRECT WRONG
WRONG

10 | Installation Tips Wireless Antenna Installation Guide | 11
Tip 7 - Use Drip Loops
Use drip loops at the cabinet. is keeps moisture from collecting between the
connection joints and in the cabinet itself. When using cabinets, bottom cable
entry is recommended versus side entry. Never run the cable in through the top
of your cabinet.
CORRECT WRONG
WRONG
CORRECT
WRONG

Wireless Antenna Installation Guide | 11
Tip 8 - Protect the Antenna Connection
Protect the antenna connection with the correct vulcanizing rubberized tape.
CORRECT WRONG
CORRECT WRONG
90° out of phase
90° out of phase
Tip 10 - Correctly Phase Yagis with Respect
to Each Other
Make sure Yagis are phased (oriented) correctly with respect to each other.
Tip 9 - Correctly Phase the Yagi with Respect
to the Omni Base Antenna
Make sure Yagis are phased (oriented) correctly with respect to the Omni
base antenna.

12 | Additional Resources Wireless Antenna Installation Guide | 13
RANGE VARIABLES AND THEIR IMPACT
Range Variable RF Range Reducer RF Range Enhancer
Transmitter Power Less More
Receiver Sensitivity More Less
Antenna Gain Less More
Antenna Cable Length More Less
Number of Connectors More Less
Physical Obstructions More Less
Radio Frequency Interference More Less
Data Rate More Less
e table below shows the maximum distance for dierent antenna and cable
combinations at dierent terrains. Impact of weather is not factored in.
HOW WILL ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AFFECT MY ANTENNA CHOICE?
2.4 GHz Models 868/900 MHz Models
Indoor: No line of sight, limited number of frame-construction walls, multiple reflective surfaces
500 ft (150 m) Supplied antenna Supplied antenna
500-2600 ft (150-750 m) — Supplied antenna
Outdoor Unobstructed: Perfect RF conditions:Tower to Tower
Up to 1.4 mi (2.25 km) Supplied antenna (no cable) Supplied antenna (no cable)
5 mi (8 km) Omni (10 ft / 3 m cable)
Yagi (20 ft / 6 m cable)
Supplied antenna (no cable)
7 mi (11.2 km) Yagi (50 ft / 15 m cable) Supplied antenna (no cable)
10 mi (16 km) Yagi (20 ft / 6 m cable) Supplied antenna (no cable)
14 mi (22.5 km) — Omni (50 ft / 15 m cable)
Yagi (50 ft / 15 m cable)
40 mi (64 km) — Yagi (50 ft cable)
Outdoor Rural: Clear line of sight with elevated antennas and no obstructions
Up to 2900 ft (870 m) Supplied antenna (no cable) Supplied antenna (no cable)
1 mi (1.6 km) Omni (20 ft / 6 m cable)
Yagi (50 ft / 15 m cable)
Supplied antenna (no cable)
1.5 mi (2.4 km) Omni (10 ft / 3 m cable)
Yagi (50 ft / 15 m cable)
Supplied antenna (no cable)
3 mi (4.8 km) Yagi (20 ft / 6 m cable) Supplied antenna (no cable)
7 mi (11.2 km) — Omni (10 ft / 3 m cable)
Yagi (50 ft / 15 m cable)
10 mi (16 km) — Yagi (50 ft / 15 m cable)
20 mi (32 km) — Yagi (10 ft / 3 m cable)
3 Additional Resources

Additional Online Resources
For more information, visit B&B Electronics Technical Library, Wireless section
at www.bb-elec.com/techpapers.
10 Commandments of Wireless Communication♦
www.bb-elec.com/10WirelessCommandments
Wireless Range Estimator♦
www.bb-elec.com/WirelessRangeEstimator
Making Wireless Work: Antenna and Cable Selection♦
www.bb-elec.com/Antennas
B&B Electronics Technical Support Team
Before, during and after the sale, we are here to make it easy. With more than
30 years of industrial communications experience, we will help you through your
toughest problems. And it is always free.
Call 815-433-5100, 8am-5pm central time or email suppor[email protected].
EMEA customers call [phone] or email suppor[email protected].
In the UK call [phone].
Wireless Antenna Installation Guide | 13
TABLE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
2.4 GHz Models 868/900 MHz Models
Outdoor Suburban: Line of sight but with some obstructions
Up to 1100 ft (330 m) Supplied antenna (no cable) Supplied antenna (no cable)
2900 ft (870 m) Omni (10 ft / 3 m cable) Supplied antenna (no cable)
1 mi (1.6 km) Yagi (20 ft / 6 m cable) Supplied antenna (no cable)
1.5 mi (2.4 km) — Supplied antenna (no cable)
2 mi (3.2 km) — Omni (20 ft / 6 m cable)
Yagi (50 ft / 15 m cable)
6 mi (9.6 km) — Yagi (10 ft / 6 m cable)
7 mi (11.2 km) — Yagi (2 ft / 0.6 m cable)
Outdoor Urban: No clear line of sight, multiple reflective surfaces
Up to 500 ft (150 m) Supplied antenna (no cable) Supplied antenna (no cable)
2700 ft (810 m) Omni (10 ft / 3 m cable)
Yagi (10 ft / 3 m cable)
Supplied antenna (no cable)
3900 ft (1.2 km) — Supplied antenna (no cable)
1 mi (1.6 km) — Omni (10 ft / 3 m cable)
Yagi (10 ft / 3 m cable)
2.5 mi (4 km) — Yagi (10 ft / 3 m cable)

International Headquarters
707 Dayton Road • PO Box 1040
Ottawa, IL 61350 USA
Phone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
www.bb-elec.com
Europe, Africa, Middle East
10 Westlink Commercial Park
Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland
Phone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
In the U.K. call +44.01926.851500
www.bb-europe.com
Connecting Your Industrial Devices - Simply and Reliably
Making Wireless Easy
Documentation #4310
PN #8912