Nokia RoofTop R242-V01 User manual

GSDU 468845A (paper)
WREM 070700A (on CD 468846A)
August, 2000
Nokia RoofTop™Wireless Routing
Installation Guide

COPYRIGHT
© 2000 Nokia Corporation. All rights reserved.
Rights reserved under the copyright laws of the United States.
RESTRICTED RIGHTS LEGEND
Use, duplication, or disclosure by the Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph (c)(1)(ii) of the Rights in
Technical Data and Computer Software clause at DFARS 252.227-7013.
IMPORTANT NOTE TO USERS
This device has been certified by the FCC as a Class B device and as such must be installed and/or moved by a profes-
sional.
TRADEMARKS
Nokia is a registered trademark of Nokia Corporation. Nokia RoofTop™ is a registered trademark of Nokia Networks.
Other products mentioned in this document are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
COMPLIANCE STATEMENTS
This hardware complies with the standards listed in this section.
Emission Standards
UNINTENTIONAL EMISSIONS: FCC Part 15 CLASS B
INTENTIONAL EMISSIONS: FCC Part 15, Section 15.247
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC
rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruc-
tions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur
in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception which can be deter-
mined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try and correct the interference by one or more of the fol-
lowing measures:
—Reorient or locate the receiving antenna.
—Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
—Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
—Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Any modifications made to the unit, unless expressly approved by Nokia could void the user’s authority to operate the equip-
ment.
DISCLAIMER:
TO THE INSTALLER: THE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THIS GUIDE ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF
ANY KIND EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. NOKIA MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PUR-
POSE OR INFRINGEMENT, INCLUDING ANY THIRD PARTY PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS, TRADEMARKS OR OTHER
RIGHTS. THERE IS NO WARRANTY BY NOKIA THAT THE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED IN THE GUIDE WILL MEET YOUR
REQUIREMENTS. THERE IS NO WARRANTY BY NOKIA THAT THE INSTRUCTIONS AND STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN

THE GUIDE OR ITS CONTENT ARE TRUE, ACCURATE OR COMPLETE.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL NOKIA,
ITS EMPLOYEES OR AFFILIATES BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOST PROFITS, REVENUE, SALES, DATA, OR COSTS OF PRO-
CUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES, PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY, INTERRUPTION OF
BUSINESS, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION OR FOR ANY SPECIAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, ECONOMIC,
COVER, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES HOWEVER CAUSED, AND WHETHER ARISING UNDER
CONTRACT, TORT, NEGLIGENCE, OR OTHER THEORY OF LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO
USE THE GUIDE, EVEN IF NOKIA OR AFFILIATES ARE ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
SAFETY WARNING:
THE ANTENNA FOR THIS TRANSMITTER MUST BE INSTALLED TO PROVIDE A SEPARATION
DISTANCE OF 2 METERS OR MORE FROM PERSONS TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH EXPOSURE
GUIDELINES. THE ANTENNAS USED FOR THIS TRANSMITTER MAY NOT BE CO-LOCATED OR
OPERATED IN CONJUNCTION WITH ANY OTHER ANTENNA OR TRANSMITTER.

Nokia RoofTop™ Wireless Routing Installation Guide v
Contents
CHAPTER 1 System Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
1.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
CHAPTER 2 Antenna Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
2.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
2.2 Site Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
2.2.1 RF Link Feasibility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.3 Line of Sight Analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
2.3.1 Visual Line of Sight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.3.2 Radio Line of Sight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.3.3 Fresnel Zone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.3.4 Antenna Height. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.4 Antenna Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.4.1 Omnidirectional Antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.4.2 Directional Antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.5 Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.6 Outdoor Installation Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.6.1 Safety Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.6.2 Required Installation Components. . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.6.3 Polarization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2.6.4 Test Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2.6.5 Grounding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
2.6.6 Weatherproofing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2.6.7 Weatherproofing Flexible RF Jumper Cables . . 19
2.6.8 Amplifier Weatherproofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
2.7 Indoor Installation Procedures. . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
2.7.1 Weatherproofing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
2.7.2 Antennas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
2.7.3 Grounding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
CHAPTER 3 Wireless Router Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
3.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
3.1.1 Preinstallation Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

vi Nokia RoofTop™Wireless Routing Installation Guide
Contents
3.1.2 Physical Location. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3.1.3 Physical Mounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3.1.4 Connection Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
3.1.5 Amplifiers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
3.2 Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
3.2.1 LED Indicators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
3.2.2 Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
3.3 Rear Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
APPENDIX A Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
APPENDIX B Network Planning Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
APPENDIX C Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Nokia RoofTop™Wireless Routing Installation Guide 1
CHAPTER 1 System Overview
1.1 Introduction
This chapter provides:
•A basic understanding of how a wireless router system functions
•How wireless systems self-configure
Wireless router networks bypass the wired local loop with fast “always-
on” wireless Internet access.
The Nokia AIR™ Operating System (OS) provides intelligence, security
and ease of use to make wireless networks practical, simple to deploy, and
cost effective. Wireless Internet or intranet access across a network is
completely transparent to the end user.
The Nokia RoofTop™ Wireless Routers, Models R242/242A, are both
wireless Internet access devices and IP routers. The wireless router units
operate in a mesh network where line of sight access is required to only
one other wireless router.

2 Nokia RoofTop™Wireless Routing Installation Guide
1.1.1 Configuration
When the units are configured and deployed, they adapt to the network
automatically to learn the network topology. The operating system then
builds and maintains the network topology and routing tables, and
continually updates them as the network changes.
Line of sight problems, common in point-to-multipoint networks, are
eliminated by routing traffic through other units. If a node cannot connect
directly to the AirHead, multihop routing protocols forward traffic
through another wireless router.
Operating system protocols optimize wireless links providing hop-by-hop
data integrity and efficient, intelligent multicasting. Protocols control
channel scheduling, neighbor authentication, and link maintenance, as
well as optimize routing in the wireless environment. By scheduling
traffic streams to non-conflicting transmission times and Radio
Frequency (RF) channels, quality-sensitive and/or bandwidth intensive
applications co-exist with standard applications.
1.1.2 Installation Components
Each installation consists of a Nokia RoofTop™Wireless Router, RF
cabling, lightning protection, and an amplifier (optional). The antennas
mount on the roof, or in a location in line of sight to other antennas in the
network. RF cabling is run from the antenna to the wireless router, which
is mounted indoors.
A successful installation requires:
•Site analysis and proper planning (section 2.3)
•Placement of the antenna with line of sight to at least one antenna
in the network (section 2.3)
•Using appropriate antenna and cabling (Sections 2.4 and 2.5)
•Proper installation technique, including grounding and
weatherproofing (Section 2.6)

Nokia RoofTop™Wireless Routing Installation Guide 3
Introduction
•Proper placement and mounting of the wireless router (Section
3.1)
•Proper use of cabling between the wireless router and the
subscribers’PC/network (Section 3.1.7)

4 Nokia RoofTop™Wireless Routing Installation Guide

Nokia RoofTop™Wireless Routing Installation Guide 5
CHAPTER 2 Antenna Installation
2.1 Introduction
Chapter topics include:
•Site Analysis
•Line of Sight Analysis
•Antenna Selection
•Cables
•Outdoor Installation Procedures
•Safety Guidelines
•Required Installation Components
•Polarization
•Test Installation
•Grounding
•Weatherproofing
•Indoor Installation Procedures

6 Nokia RoofTop™Wireless Routing Installation Guide
2.2 Site Analysis
The goals of site analysis are:
•To determine the feasibility of RF links at each site
•To determine the antenna and cable requirements necessary to
provide service
2.2.1 RF Link Feasibility
Wireless routers operate in a “mesh”network—line of sight is required to
only one other radio in the network. The IP routing capability allows all
units to act as repeaters for other units.
Survey all obstructions to potential sites. For most installations use an
omnidirectional antenna. This assures maximum connectivity and allows
the unit to forward packets for existing and future needs.
NOTE: To maintain broadband data rates, it is recommended that
networks be kept within three hops.
2.2.1.1 Site Survey Steps
1. Determine if there are Line of Sight (LOS) paths for each proposed
link. Line of sight exists if there are no obstructions (for example,
trees, buildings, etc.) between the antennas. For best results, there
should be no obstructions between the two antennas. For long
distance paths there should be no obstacles close to the RF path.
2. Determine the antenna location and maximum possible antenna
height. The height of the antenna is often dependent on the physical
limitations of the site. For example, an antenna mast can be placed on
a rooftop, an antenna can be installed on an existing structure or
tower, or the mast and antenna can be installed on the ground.

Nokia RoofTop™Wireless Routing Installation Guide 7
Site Analysis
3. Determine the RF paths between the antenna at the site and the
antennas at adjacent sites. For a directional link with a single antenna,
there is only one RF path. For an omnidirectional antenna, determine
all RF paths. The RF path can be determined by knowing the relative
bearing from the current site to adjacent sites.
4. The feasibility of an RF link can be estimated based on:
•Distances between the potential sites
•The line of sight for the RF paths
•Antenna RF gains
•Cable losses
5. After one or more sites have been installed and are operational, test
each new site before completing the installation.
6. After determining the feasibility of the RF link, consider the
following:
•Hardware and tools necessary to complete the installation
•Wireless router installation location
•The RF cable routing between the wireless router and the antenna
•Power for the wireless router
•Ethernet cable routing
•Antenna grounding and lightning arrestor requirements

8 Nokia RoofTop™Wireless Routing Installation Guide
2.3 Line of Sight Analysis
A quality antenna installation includes:
•Clear visual line of sight between antennas
•Clear radio line of sight between antennas
•Antenna and cable selection and mounting based on the site
requirements and limitations
2.3.1 Visual Line of Sight
Visual line of sight exists when an imaginary straight line can be drawn
between two antennas without passing through any physical obstructions.
Verifying visual line of sight is the first step in planning. Observation
points must be high enough to allow the viewer to see over obstructions.

Nokia RoofTop™Wireless Routing Installation Guide 9
Line of Sight Analysis
2.3.2 Radio Line of Sight
Provide a clear radio path by raising the antenna as high as possible and
away from objects near the radio path. A radio wave is not like a laser
with a narrow, pointed beam. RF waves fan out from a single source and
are diffracted or absorbed by objects that are near the visual line of sight.
This area is called the Fresnel Zone. Clear radio line of sight exists when
there are no physical obstructions in the Fresnel Zone.
2.3.3 Fresnel Zone
Elevate antennas as high as practical above physical obstacles to avoid
obstructing the Fresnel Zone, the elliptical area adjacent to the path, that
could reflect unwanted signals into the primary path and reduce signal
levels. The Fresnel Zone must be considered when installing antennas.
2.3.4 Antenna Height
All antennas have a limited vertical radiation pattern. If nearby antennas
are placed at different heights, verify that the vertical line of sight angle
falls within the antenna specifications for a good link.
Fresnel Zone

10 Nokia RoofTop™Wireless Routing Installation Guide
2.4 Antenna Selection
2.4.1 Omnidirectional Antennas
Omnidirectional antennas radiate spherically, providing equal coverage in
all directions, and are best for multi-point links and forwarding sites.
Because they receive and transmit signals in all directions, they are the
best antenna for most installations.
Omnidirectional Antennas - Radiation Pattern
2.4.2 Directional Antennas
Directional antennas focus their RF beam in narrow patterns in one
direction. Directional antennas provide communications over longer
ranges than omnidirectional antennas, but are much more limited in the
areas they cover. Directional antennas maximize link distances. They are
also effective for simple, dedicated, point-to-point links.
NOTE: Directional antennas limit future growth and prevent the wireless
modem from repeating signals to other units. They should be used only
where an omnidirectional antenna will not work.
Side View Top View

Nokia RoofTop™Wireless Routing Installation Guide 11
Antenna Selection
Directional Antennas - Radiation Pattern Side View

12 Nokia RoofTop™Wireless Routing Installation Guide
2.5 Cables
Nokia provides two types of RF cabling for wireless router installations:
1. Low Loss RF Cable - rigid low attenuation cable for long cable runs.
2. Flexible Jumper Cables - flexible cables, up to six feet long, that
connect the wireless router to the low loss RF cable or connect
amplifier components with the wireless router and antenna.
NOTE: Only use the RF cables provided by Nokia. Using cables or RF
equipment other than that provided by Nokia may void the user’s
authority to operate the equipment.

Nokia RoofTop™Wireless Routing Installation Guide 13
Outdoor Installation Procedures
2.6 Outdoor Installation Procedures
WARNING: Use extreme caution when installing antennas in areas
with overhead power lines. Outdoor antennas and their supporting
masts, guy wires, and cables are electrical conductors. Contact with
high-voltage electrical wires can cause serious injury or death.
2.6.1 Safety Guidelines
•Plan the entire procedure before starting
•If necessary, obtain appropriate assistance
•Wear a hard hat and gloves
•Wear heavy toe boots to protect your feet from falling objects
•Do not install antennas on windy or rainy days
•Assemble the antenna components at or near the final site
•Ground the antenna support structure prior to erecting the antenna
•Firmly anchor the base of the support structure
•Keep the antenna at least twice the mast height from power lines
•If you start to drop an antenna, let it fall and back away from it
•Installations must be performed by a professional
•Maintain at least six feet (two meters) distance from the antenna
while the wireless router is on
•Install antennas at least six feet (two meters) above ground
2.6.2 Required Installation Components
•RF cabling
•Lightning protector
•Antenna
•Antenna mounting hardware

14 Nokia RoofTop™Wireless Routing Installation Guide
•Antenna mast and hardware
2.6.3 Polarization
Polarization refers to the direction of antenna element alignment. For
antennas to properly communicate with each other, all antenna must be
aligned (polarized) in the same direction.
2.6.3.1 Omnidirectional Antenna
This vertically polarized antenna can only be mounted vertically.
2.6.3.2 Directional Panel Antenna
•Polarization is identified by an arrow on the rear panel
•Radiates from the front side and away from the mounting bracket
•Can be vertically or horizontally polarized; the elements can be
vertical or horizontal
NOTE: If you have a combination of vertical omnidirectional antennas
and directional antennas, the directional antennas must be polarized
vertically.
2.6.4 Test Installation
Connect and test all of the equipment prior to completing the permanent
installation. After confirming operation, disassemble only as much of the
equipment as is necessary to permanently reinstall it.