Cisco Aironet AIR-ANT2566D4M-R User manual

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Cisco Systems, Inc. www.cisco.com
Cisco Aironet 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
Dual-Band Polarization-Diverse Directional
Array Antenna (AIR-ANT2566D4M-R)
This document describes the Cisco Aironet 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Dual-Band Polarization-Diverse Directional Array Antenna
(AIR-ANT2566D4M-R), and provides electrical specifications and mounting instructions.
The AIR-ANT2566D4M-R antenna is a four-port polarization-diverse array that operates over the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi
bands. It ships with an articulating mount for use on flat surfaces and masts, and is adjustable in both horizontal and vertical
planes. The radome can be painted using commonly available non-conductive spray paints, such as Krylon or Rust-Oleum.
The antenna is designed for use in indoor and outdoor environments with an approved Cisco Aironet access point that requires
four dual-band antennas.
The following information is provided in this document:
Technical Specifications
Azimuth and Elevation Radiation Patterns
Safety Precautions
Installation Notes
Contents of the Antenna and Bracket Kit
Dimensions of the Antenna and Brackets
Installing the Antenna
Obtain Documentation and Submit a Service Request

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Cisco Aironet 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Dual-Band Polarization-Diverse Directional Array Antenna (AIR-ANT2566D4M-R)
Technical Specifications
Antenna Type Dual-Band Polarization-Diverse Directional Array
Operating Frequency Ranges 2.4–2.5 GHz 5.15–5.925 GHz
Nominal Input Impedance 50 Ohms 50 Ohms
Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) 2:1 2:1
Peak Gain 6 dBi 6 dBi
Polarization (Ports A & C) Vertical Vertical
Polarization (Ports B & D) Horizontal Horizontal
Nominal Elevation Plane 3-dB Beamwidth 65° 60°
Nominal Azimuth Plane 3-dB Beamwidth 65° 55°
Front-to-Back Ratio > 12 dB > 20 dB
Port-to-Port Isolation > 30 dB > 30 dB
> or = to 30º Elevation Peak Gain 3 dBi
Connector Type RP-TNC (with coupling ring)
Cable Length 3 foot
Length 10 in. (25.4 cm)
Width 10 in. (25.4 cm)
Height 1.61 in. (4.1 cm)
Weight 2.5 lbs. (1.13 kg)
Water/Foreign Body Ingress IP-67
Operational Wind 100 MPH
Operating Temperature Range -40° C to 70° C
Storage Temperature Range -40° C to 85° C

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Cisco Aironet 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Dual-Band Polarization-Diverse Directional Array Antenna (AIR-ANT2566D4M-R)
Azimuth and Elevation Radiation Patterns
Safety Precautions
WARNING: Installation of this antenna near power lines is dangerous. For your safety, follow the installation directions.
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, read and follow these safety precautions. They may save your life!
If you are installing an antenna for the first time, for your own safety as well as that of others, seek professional assistance.
Your Cisco sales representative can explain which mounting method to use for the size and type of antenna you are about
to install.

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Cisco Aironet 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Dual-Band Polarization-Diverse Directional Array Antenna (AIR-ANT2566D4M-R)
Select your installation site with safety as well as performance in mind. Remember that electric power lines and phone lines
look alike. For your safety, assume that any overhead line can kill you.
Call your electric power company. Tell them your plans and ask them to come and look at your proposed installation. This
is a small inconvenience considering your life is at stake.
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 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.
When installing your antenna, remember:
—Do not use a metal ladder.
—Do not work on a wet or windy day.
—Do dress properly—shoes with rubber soles and heels, rubber gloves, long sleeved shirt or jacket.
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 completes an
electrical path through the antenna and the installer: You !
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.
If an accident occurs with the power lines, call for qualified emergency help immediately.
For a listing of all the warning statements and their translations, see Translated Safety Warnings for Cisco Aironet Access Points
at:
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/access_point/warnings/reference/guide/ap_warn1.html
Installation Notes
Antennas transmit and receive radio signals that are susceptible to RF obstructions and common sources of interference that
can reduce throughput and the range of the device to which they are connected. Follow these guidelines to ensure the best
possible performance:
Install the antenna vertically and mount it with the cables pointing towards the ground.
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 can pass through
and still maintain adequate signal strength. Consider the following before choosing the location for your antenna:
—Signals penetrate paper and vinyl walls with little change to signal strength.
—Signals penetrate only one or two solid and precast concrete walls without degrading signal strength.
—Signals penetrate three or four concrete and wood block walls without degrading signal strength.
—Signals penetrate five or six walls constructed of drywall or wood without degrading signal strength.
—Signals are likely to reflect off a thick metal wall and may not penetrate it at all.
—Signals are likely to reflect off a chain link fence or wire mesh spaced between 1 and 1 1/2 inch. (2.5 and 3.8 cm). The
fence acts as a harmonic reflector that blocks the signal.

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Cisco Aironet 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Dual-Band Polarization-Diverse Directional Array Antenna (AIR-ANT2566D4M-R)
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 to which your antenna is connected.
Contents of the Antenna and Bracket Kit
Figure 1 Contents of the Antenna Bracket Kit
Dimensions of the Antenna and Brackets
The dimensions noted in the following illustrations are all in mm, unless noted otherwise.
1One of two articulating mount flanges required for the
installation. The other flange comes attached to the back
of the antenna.
51/4-inch split-lock washers. Two are included in the kit.
2Articulating mount arm. 61/4-20 Hex nuts. Two are included in the kit.
31/4 20 x 1.25-inch stainless steel screws. Two are
included in the kit.
7one of two worm-gear type hose clamps. Each has a
range of 50–135mm
41/4 inch flat washers. Two are included in the kit.
353895
2X
2X
2X
2X
2X
5
6
4
1
3
7
2

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Cisco Aironet 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Dual-Band Polarization-Diverse Directional Array Antenna (AIR-ANT2566D4M-R)
Figure 2 Dimensions of the Antenna with Brackets and Cables
353893
240.0
240.0
254.0
254.0
4X
4.50
THRU ALL
41.0
36" 1"
FROM BOTTOM
EDGE OF RADOME
217.0
176.0

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Cisco Aironet 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Dual-Band Polarization-Diverse Directional Array Antenna (AIR-ANT2566D4M-R)
Figure 3 Locations of Screw Holes and Pressure Vent at the Back of the Antenna
353894
62.0
83.1
PRESSURE RELEASE
VENT
C
L
C
L
4X M4x0.7 THREADED
INSERT

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Cisco Aironet 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Dual-Band Polarization-Diverse Directional Array Antenna (AIR-ANT2566D4M-R)
Figure 4 Locations of the Screw Holes on the Articulating Mount Flange
Installing the Antenna
You can install the antenna on a wall or ceiling (must be a flat surface), or on a pole with a minimum diameter of 2 inches
(5.08 cm) and a maximum diameter of 5 inches (12.7 cm). The antenna and one mounting flange are connected together when
shipped.
To install the antenna:
1. Decide on a mounting location. See the Deciding on a Mounting Location.
2. Ensure that you have the requisite tools and fasteners ready. See the Tools and Equipment Required.
3. Proceed with mounting the antenna. When mounting the antenna, assemble the bracket hardware, connect the antenna
and bracket to the mounting surface, and adjust the antenna orientation.
The mounting options available are:
1. Mounting on a Wall or Ceiling.
2. Mounting on a Pole or Mast.
3. Flush Mounting on a Wall Without Mount Brackets.
4. (Optional) Paint the antenna. See Painting the Antenna.
353897
4X
4.50
62.0
83.1

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Cisco Aironet 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Dual-Band Polarization-Diverse Directional Array Antenna (AIR-ANT2566D4M-R)
Deciding on a Mounting Location
The antenna should be mounted clear of any obstructions to the side or front of the enclosure, which contains the radiating
elements. Keep in mind that this antenna should be aimed at the intended coverage area. Therefore, you should mount the
antenna such that the desired mechanical tilt is achieved. If possible, mount the antenna near the access point so that you can
use the shortest possible connecting cables.
CAUTION: For outdoor installations, install the antenna with cables exiting downward. This will help prevent water from
accumulating around the cable exit points.
Tools and Equipment Required
WARNING: The fasteners and the mounting surface should be capable of maintaining a minimum pullout force of 150 pounds
(68 kg) to support the weight of the antenna and bracket along with the potential wind loading on the antenna.
WARNING: The pole or mast must be rigid enough to hold the weight of the antenna along with the associated forces produced
by wind loads. Also, the pole or mast must be structurally strong enough to withstand the clamping force of the hose clamps.
Before you start with mounting the antenna, go through the mounting procedure for each kind of installation and ensure that you
have all tools and fasteners mentioned therein ready. The following is a general list of fasteners and tools which are not included
in the antenna and brackets kit.
To loosen and tighten the adjustment bolts on the brackets, you need a flat-blade screwdriver.
To mount the antenna on a wall or ceiling, you need four mounting 4 mm or #8 screws or bolts and wall anchors.
To mount the antenna on a pole or mast, you will need either or both of these supplies:
—Slotted screwdriver to tighten the screws on the hose clamps
—A 5/16 inch (8mm) socket or box wrench
You may also need the following tools and equipment, which are not provided as part of the kit:
—A drill and drill bit
—A pencil
—A small mallet or hammer, to hammer
—A Phillips screwdriver
Mounting on a Wall or Ceiling
1. The fasteners and mounting surface should be capable of maintaining a minimum pullout force of 150 pounds (68 kg) to
support the weight of the antenna along with the potential wind loading on the antenna.
2. Determine the mounting location for the antenna.
3. Attach the free articulating mount flange to the wall or ceiling using four 4 mm or #8 screws and fasteners, through the
holes on the bracket.
One of the two required articulating mount flange brackets come attached to the back of the antenna (see Figure 1). The other
flange bracket, included in the kit, is the one used in this step.
1. Assemble the bracket hardware, as shown in Figure 5. Use a flat blade screwdriver to tighten the 1/4 20 x 1.25" screws
on the brackets.

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Cisco Aironet 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Dual-Band Polarization-Diverse Directional Array Antenna (AIR-ANT2566D4M-R)
2. Orient the antenna correctly (note the arrow on the back of the antenna that indicates the top of the antenna). Use a
flat-blade screwdriver to loosen or tighten the fasteners at the azimuth and elevation- adjustment pivots.
3. Adjust the azimuth (side-to-side position) and elevation (up-and-down position) of the antenna. Loosen the adjustment
pivot bolts slightly to allow for adjustment.
The azimuth angle can be adjusted ±90 degrees (Figure 7) and elevation can be adjusted ±55 degrees (Figure 8).
Use the azimuth and elevation markings on the articulating mounting arm and the flange brackets as a guide. See Figure 6.
1. After adjusting the antenna position, tighten the pivot bolts. Tighten all the bolts to not more than 30 lbf.in. (3.4 Nm).
2. Connect the antenna cables to the access point. The antenna ports are labeled A through D. Connect the antenna port A
to connector A on the access point, antenna port B to connector B on the access point, and so on.
For the recommended cable type, see Recommended Cable.