Cisco AIR-ANT2485P-R User manual

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Cisco Aironet 8.5-dBi Patch Antenna
(AIR-ANT2485P-R)
This document outlines the specifications, describes the AIR-ANT2460P 8.5-dBi patch antenna, and
provides instructions for mounting it. The antenna operates in the 2.4-GHz frequency range and is
designed for use in both indoor and outdoor environments.
The following information is provided in this document.
•Technical Specifications, page 2
•System Requirements, page 3
•Installation Guidelines, page 4
•Installing the Antenna, page 5
•Obtaining Documentation and Submitting a Service Request, page 7

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Technical Specifications
Technical Specifications
Antenna type Single patch
Note Illustration shows an indoor installation.
For outdoor installations, make sure the
orientation arrow printed on the back of
the antenna is pointing up. See the
“Outdoor Installations” section on page 6
for additional information.
Operating frequency range 2400 – 2484 MHz
Nominal input impedance 50Ω
2:1 VSWR bandwidth 2400 – 2484 MHz
Peak gain 8.5 dBi
Polarization Linear, vertical
E-plane 3-dB beamwidth 56°
H-plane 3-dB beamwidth 66°
Front-to-back ratio 20 dB
Cross-pol discrimination –15 dB
Cable length and type 36 in. (91.4 cm)
Times AA-9303 or
equivalent (plenum
rated)
Connector type RP-TNC
Length 5.1 in. (12.9 cm)
Width 5.1 in. (12.9 cm)
Height .92 in. (2.3 cm)
Operating temperature range –22°F to 158°F
(–30°C to 70°C)
Storage temperature range –40°F to 185°F
(–40°C – 85°C)
Environment Indoor/outdoor
E-Plane Pattern H-Plane Pattern

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System Requirements
System Requirements
This antenna is designed for use with Cisco Aironet access points and bridges but can be used with any
2.4-GHz Cisco Aironet radio device that utilizes an RP-TNC connector.
Safety Precautions
Translated versions of the following safety warnings are provided in the Safety Warnings for Cisco
Aironet Antennas, which is available at http://www.cisco.com.
Warning This warning symbol means danger. You are in a situation that could cause bodily injury. Before you
work on any equipment, be aware of the hazards involved with electrical circuitry and be familiar
with standard practices for preventing accidents. Use the statement number provided at the end of
each warning to locate its translation in the translated safety warnings that accompanied this device.
Statement 1071
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
Warning In order to comply with RF exposure limits established in the ANSI C95.1 standards, it is recommended
when using a laptop with a PC card client adapter that the adapter’s integrated antenna is positioned
more than 2 inches (5 cm) from your body or nearby persons during extended periods of transmitting
or operating time. If the antenna is positioned less than 2 inches (5 cm) from the user, it is
recommended that the user limit exposure time. Statement 254
Warning Do not work on the system or connect or disconnect cables during periods of lightning activity.
Statement 1001
Warning Do not locate the antenna near overhead power lines or other electric light or power circuits, or
where it can come into contact with such circuits. When installing the antenna, take extreme care
not to come into contact with such circuits, because they may cause serious injury or death. For
proper installation and grounding of the antenna, please refer to national and local codes (for
example, U.S.:NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, Article 810, Canada: Canadian Electrical Code,
Section 54). Statement 1052
Each year hundreds of people are killed or injured when attempting to install an antenna. In many of
these cases, the victim was aware of the danger of electrocution, but did not take adequate steps to avoid
the hazard.
For your safety, and to help you achieve a good installation, please read and follow these safety
precautions. They may save your life!
1. If you are installing an antenna for the first time, for your own safety as well as others, seek
professional assistance. Your Cisco sales representative can explain which mounting method to use
for the size and type antenna you are about to install.
2. Select your installation site with safety, as well as performance in mind. Remember: electric power
lines and phone lines look alike. For your safety, assume that any overhead line can kill you.

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Installation Guidelines
3. Call your electric power company. Tell them your plans and ask them to come look at your proposed
installation. This is a small inconvenience considering your life is at stake.
4. Plan your installation carefully and completely before you begin. Successful raising of a mast or
tower is largely a matter of coordination. Each person should be assigned to a specific task, and
should know what to do and when to do it. One person should be in charge of the operation to issue
instructions and watch for signs of trouble.
5. When installing your antenna, remember:
a. Do not use a metal ladder.
b. Do not work on a wet or windy day.
c. Do dress properly—shoes with rubber soles and heels, rubber gloves, long sleeved shirt or
jacket.
6. If the assembly starts to drop, get away from it and let it fall. Remember, the antenna, mast, cable,
and metal guy wires are all excellent conductors of electrical current. Even the slightest touch of any
of these parts to a power line complete an electrical path through the antenna and the installer: you!
7. If any part of the antenna system should come in contact with a power line, don’t touch it or try to
remove it yourself. Call your local power company. They will remove it safely.
8. If an accident should occur with the power lines call for qualified emergency help immediately.
Installation Guidelines
Because the antenna transmits and receives radio signals, they are susceptible to RF obstructions and
common sources of interference that can reduce throughput and range of the device to which they are
connected. Follow these guidelines to ensure the best possible performance:
•Mount the antenna to utilize its propagation characteristics. One way to do this is to orient the
antenna vertically and mount it as high as possible.
•Keep the antenna away from metal obstructions such as heating and air-conditioning ducts, large
ceiling trusses, building superstructures, and major power cabling runs. If necessary, use a rigid
conduit to lower the antenna away from these obstructions.
•The density of the materials used in a building’s construction determines the number of walls the
signal must pass through and still maintain adequate coverage. Consider the following before
choosing the location to install your antenna:
– Paper and vinyl walls have very little affect on signal penetration.
– Solid and pre-cast concrete walls limit signal penetration to one or two walls without degrading
coverage.
– Concrete and wood block walls limit signal penetration to three or four walls.
– A signal can penetrate five or six walls constructed of drywall or wood.
– A thick metal wall causes signals to reflect off, causing poor penetration.
– A chain link fence or wire mesh spaced between 1 and 1 1/2 in. (2.5 and 3.8 cm) acts as a
harmonic reflector that blocks a 2.4-Ghz radio signal.
•Install the antenna away from microwave ovens and 2-GHz cordless phones. These products can
cause signal interference because they operate in the same frequency range as the device your
antenna is connected to.
•Install the antenna in a vertical orientation to maximize signal propagation.

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Installing the Antenna
Site Selection
Before attempting to install your antenna, determine where you can best place the antenna for safety and
performance.
Follow these steps to determine a safe distance from wires, power lines, and trees.
Step 1 Measure the height of your antenna.
Step 2 Add this length to the length of your tower or mast and then double this total for the minimum
recommended safe distance.
Caution If you are unable to maintain this safe distance, stop and get professional help.
Generally, the higher an antenna is above the ground, the better it performs. Good practice is to install
your antenna about 5 to 10 ft (1.5 to 3 m) above the roof line and away from all power lines and
obstructions. If possible, find a mounting place directly above your wireless device so that the lead-in
cable can be as short as possible.
Installing the Antenna
You can install the antenna on any flat vertical surface. Hardware for mounting the antenna on drywall
is provided. If you intend to install your antenna on another surface, you must provide the appropriate
hardware.
Note Four mounting screws are provided to mount the antenna . To ensure a safe, reliable, and long-standing
installation, you must use all four screws to mount the antenna.
Tools and Equipment Required
A mounting installation kit is shipped with the antenna and consists of the following hardware:
•Four #8 x ¾ screws
•Four #8 plastic anchors
•Four end caps
You need the following tools and equipment, which are not provided.
•A Phillips screwdriver
•A drill
•A #29 ((0.136-in (3.45 mm)) drill bit (For drywall installation, other surfaces may require a different
size)
•A pencil
•A small mallet or hammer

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Installing the Antenna
Mounting on a Vertical Surface
Follow these steps to mount your antenna on a vertical surface. This procedure describes mounting the
antenna on a drywall surface. If you are mounting the antenna on any other type of surface, your
procedure may vary slightly.
Step 1 Determine the location where you will mount the antenna.
Step 2 Use the antenna as a template to mark the locations of the four mounting holes.
Step 3 Use a drill and #29 drill bit to drill four holes at the locations you marked in Step 2.
Step 4 Start a plastic anchor into each hole.
Step 5 Use a mallet or small hamer to seat the anchors into the wall.
Step 6 Align the antenna’s mounting holes with the anchors.
Step 7 Start a #8 x ¾ screw into each antenna mounting hole.
Step 8 Use a Phillips screwdriver to secure the antenna to the wall. Do not overtighten.
Step 9 Install the end caps into the antenna mounting holes.
Step 10 Remove the yellow outdoor installation warning label from the antenna radome.
Outdoor Installations
You can mount this antenna outdoors. If you mount the antenna outdoors, you must provide the mounting
hardware. For outdoor installations, Follow the instructions printed on the back of the antenna.
Caution An orientation arrow is printed on the back of the antenna that indicates the orientation for outdoor
installations. You must install the antenna with the orientation arrow pointing up to prevent any water
intrusion and to provide a drain for any moisture that may accumulate inside the antenna.
Suggested Cable
Cisco recommends a high-quality, low-loss cable for use with the antenna.
Note Coaxial cable loses efficiency as the frequency increases, resulting in signal loss. The cable
should be kept as short as possible because cable length also determines the amount of
signal loss (the longer the run, the greater the loss).
The antenna terminates with a RP-TNC plug after a short, 3-ft (0.91-m) cable. The mating connector to
the antenna is an appropriate RP-TNC jack. The connector on the opposite end will vary according to
the type of equipment used.
After the cable is attached to the antenna, make sure that the connections are sealed (if outdoors) to
prevent moisture and other weathering elements from affecting performance. Cisco recommends using
a coax seal (such as CoaxSeal) for outdoor connections. Silicon sealant or electrical tape are not
recommended for sealing outdoor connections.

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Installing the Antenna
Grounding the Antenna
Follow these steps to ground the antenna in accordance with national electrical code instructions.
Step 1 Use No. 10 AWG copper or No. 8 or larger copper-clad steel or bronze wire as ground wires for both
mast and lead-in. Securely clamp the wire to the bottom of the mast.
Step 2 Secure the lead-in wire to a static discharge unit (lightning arrestor, Cisco Aironet AIR-ACC245LA-R
or equivalent) and the mast ground wire to the building with stand-off insulators spaced from 4 ft (1.2
m) to 8 ft (2.4 m) apart.
Step 3 Mount the antenna discharge unit as close as possible to where the lead-in wire enters the building.
Step 4 Drill a hole in the building’s wall as close as possible to the equipment to which you will connect the
lead-in cable.
Caution There may be wires in the wall. Make sure your drilling location is clear of any obstructions or other
hazards.
Step 5 Pull the cable through the hole and form a drip loop close to where it enters the building.
Step 6 Thoroughly waterproof the lead-in area.
Step 7 Connect the lead-in cable to the equipment.
Obtaining Documentation and Submitting a Service Request
For information on obtaining documentation, submitting a service request, and gathering additional
information, see the monthly What’s New in Cisco Product Documentation, which also lists all new and
revised Cisco technical documentation, at:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/general/whatsnew/whatsnew.html
Subscribe to the What’s New in Cisco Product Documentation as a Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feed
and set content to be delivered directly to your desktop using a reader application. The RSS feeds are a free
service and Cisco currently supports RSS version 2.0.

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Installing the Antenna
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