Proxim Antenna Tsunami MP.11 User manual

Part Number 69143
Tsunami MP.11
Version 2.1
Antenna Installation Guide

NOTICES
Copyright
© 2003, 2004 Proxim Corporation, Sunnyvale, CA. All rights reserved. Covered by one or more of the following U.S.
patents: 5,231,634; 5,875,179; 6,006,090; 5,809,060; 6,075,812; 5,077,753. This manual and the software described
herein are copyrighted with all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed,
stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form by any means without the written permission of
Proxim Corporation.
Trademarks
Tsunami, Proxim, and the Proxim logo are trademarks of Proxim Corporation. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the
property of their respective owners.
REGULATORY INFORMATION
The Tsunami outdoor antenna solution must be installed and used in strict accordance with the instructions as described in
this Antenna Installation Guide.
Note: Radio approvals for the Tsunami outdoor antenna solution are valid only when using the exact combination of
outdoor antenna cabling components and antennas as listed in this Tsunami MP.11a Antenna Installation Guide.
Using other combinations of parts and components in outdoor antenna solutions voids the radio type approval and
may be in violation of local radio regulations.
Proxim Corporation and its authorized resellers or distributors are not liable for any damage or violation of
government regulations that may arise from failing to comply with these guidelines.
This document provides regulatory information for the following wireless products:
▪Tsunami MP.11a Base Station Unit, Subscriber Unit, Residential Subscriber Unit
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference
(2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Proxim Corporation could void the user's authority to operate the
equipment.
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 instructions, 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 determined by turning the equipment off and on), the user is encouraged to attempt to correct the interference
by one or more of the following measures:
▪Reorient or relocate 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 or television technician for help.
This product must be fixed/mounted on permanent structures with a separation distance of at least two meters from all
persons during normal operation.
Notices 2

Tsunami MP.11 Antenna Installation Guide
Contents
Notices...................................................................................................................................................2
Regulatory Information ..........................................................................................................................2
CONTENTS..................................................................................................................................................3
Figures...................................................................................................................................................3
Tables.....................................................................................................................................................4
ABOUT THIS BOOK....................................................................................................................................5
Who Should Use This Guide .................................................................................................................5
Finding Additional Information ...............................................................................................................6
About the Tsunami MP.11 ......................................................................................................................6
Safety Precautions.................................................................................................................................7
CHAPTER 1. PREPARING FOR INSTALLATION.....................................................................................8
Planning Antenna Installation ................................................................................................................8
Installation Process Overview................................................................................................................8
Site Prerequisites...................................................................................................................................9
Installation..............................................................................................................................................9
Outdoor Installation..............................................................................................................................12
Before Climbing the Roof... .................................................................................................................19
CHAPTER 2. DETERMINING RANGE AND CLEARANCE....................................................................20
Determining the Outdoor Range..........................................................................................................20
Distance Assumptions and Expectations.............................................................................................24
Data Speed of the Wireless Link .........................................................................................................26
Cable Factor ........................................................................................................................................26
Clearance Factor .................................................................................................................................27
Examples .............................................................................................................................................31
CHAPTER 3. ANTENNA CABLING SYSTEM.........................................................................................35
Selecting the Correct Cables...............................................................................................................35
Regulatory Information ........................................................................................................................36
Selecting the Correct Connector Type.................................................................................................37
Outdoor Cabling Components .............................................................................................................39
CHAPTER 4. RECOMMENDED ANTENNAS..........................................................................................41
Type of Outdoor Antenna Equipment ..................................................................................................41
14 dBi Directional Antenna ..................................................................................................................42
7 dBi Omni-Directional Base Unit Antenna..........................................................................................47
10 dBi Omni-Directional Base Unit Antenna........................................................................................51
12 dBi Directional Wide Angle Antenna...............................................................................................55
24 dBi Directional Parabolic Grid Antenna ..........................................................................................59
5 dBi Omni-Directional Antenna ..........................................................................................................65
High Gain Panel Directional Antenna for 2.4 GHz...............................................................................69
Surge Protector....................................................................................................................................71
LMR 600 cable – 50 ft..........................................................................................................................73
SUPPORT AND WARRANTY ...................................................................................................................75
Technical Support ................................................................................................................................75
Warranty and Repair............................................................................................................................75
FIGURES
Figure 1. Cable Setup for Antenna Installation .........................................................................................10
Figure 2. Potential Obstacles for a Directional Antenna ...........................................................................13
Figure 3. Fresnel Zone..............................................................................................................................27
Figure 4. Clearance Factor Diagram.........................................................................................................28
Figure 5. Calculating Point-to-Point Range...............................................................................................31
Figure 6. Calculating Point-to-Multipoint Range .......................................................................................33
Figure 7. Surge Arrestor............................................................................................................................39
Figure 8. Mounting 14 dBi Antenna to a Mast...........................................................................................43
Contents 3

Tsunami MP.11 Antenna Installation Guide
Figure 9. Azimuth Plane (Horizontal), 14 dBi Directional Antenna............................................................45
Figure 10. Elevation Plane (Vertical), 14 dBi Directional Antenna ............................................................46
Figure 11. Mounting the 7 dBi Antenna to a Mast .....................................................................................48
Figure 12. Azimuth Plane (Horizontal), 7 dBi Omni-Directional Base Unit Antenna .................................49
Figure 13. Elevation Plane (Vertical), 7 dBi Omni-Directional Base Unit Antenna ...................................50
Figure 14. Mounting the 10 dBi Antenna...................................................................................................51
Figure 15. Azimuth Plane (Horizontal), 10 dBi Omni-Directional Base Unit Antenna ...............................53
Figure 16. Elevation Plane (Vertical), 10 dBi Omni-Directional Base Unit Antenna .................................54
Figure 17. Mounting the 12 dBi Wide Angle Antenna ...............................................................................55
Figure 18. Azimuth Plane (Horizontal), 12 dBi Directional Wide Angle Antenna ......................................57
Figure 19. Elevation Plane (Vertical), 12 dBi Directional Wide Angle Antenna.........................................58
Figure 20. Assemble the Reflector............................................................................................................60
Figure 21. Determine Polarization.............................................................................................................60
Figure 22. Attach Mounting Bracket ..........................................................................................................61
Figure 23. Azimuth Plane (Horizontal), 24 dBi Directional Parabolic Grid Antenna..................................63
Figure 24. Elevation Plane (Vertical), 24 dBi Directional Parabolic Grid Antenna ....................................64
Figure 25. 5 dBi Omni-Directional Antenna...............................................................................................65
Figure 26. Azimuth Plane (Horizontal), 5 dBi Omni-Directional Antenna..................................................67
Figure 27. Elevation Plane (Vertical), 5 dBi Omni-Directional Antenna ....................................................68
TABLES
Table 1. Maximum Outdoor Range for FCC Products, Part 1...................................................................22
Table 2. Maximum Outdoor Range for FCC Products, Part 2...................................................................23
Table 3. Maximum Range for ETSI/FR/JP Products.................................................................................24
Table 4. Cable Factor ................................................................................................................................26
Table 5. FCC Outdoor Range with 10 m 933 ft) Clearance, Part 1...........................................................29
Table 6. FCC Outdoor Range with 10 m 933 ft) Clearance, Part 2...........................................................30
Table 7. Certified Cable and Antenna Combinations FCC........................................................................35
Table 8. Certified Channel and Antenna Combinations FCC....................................................................36
Table 9. Standard N-Type Connector Diagram .........................................................................................37
Table 10. Reverse Polarity-N Cabling Diagram ........................................................................................37
Table 11. Specifications 14 dBi Directional Antenna .................................................................................44
Table 12. Specifications 7 dBi Omni-Directional Base Unit Antenna ........................................................48
Table 13. Specifications 10 dBi Omni-Directional Base Unit Antenna ......................................................52
Table 14. Specifications 12 dBi Directional Wide Angle Antenna..............................................................56
Table 15. Specifications 24 dBi Directional Parabolic Grid Antenna .........................................................62
Table 16. Specifications 5 dBi Omni-Directional Antenna .........................................................................66
Contents 4

Tsunami MP.11 Antenna Installation Guide
About This Book
This Tsunami MP.11 Antenna Installation Guide explains how to install and set up an outdoor antenna with the
Tsunami MP.11 hardware.
This guide does not explain how to erect antenna masts or how to install a safety grounding system. These
prerequisites must be in place before installing the directional antenna.
WHO SHOULD USE THIS GUIDE
The installation of outdoor wireless links requires technical expertise. At the very least, you should be able to:
▪Install and configure the network components, such as the Tsunami MP.11 hardware
▪Understand, or have a working knowledge of, installation procedures for network operating systems using
Microsoft Windows
▪Mount the outdoor antenna and surge arrestor. Proxim Corporation recommends the installation is
performed by a qualified antenna installation service
WARNING!
The Tsunami outdoor antennas are intended for mounting on an antenna tower, a roof, or on the side of a
building. Anyone not trained or experienced in this type of work must not attempt this installation. The antenna
must be installed by a suitably trained professional installation technician or by a qualified antenna installation
service. A person familiar with the national electrical code and other regulations governing this type of
installation must check the site prerequisites.
As radio regulations differ between the various worldwide countries, it may be that not all of the outdoor
solutions described in this Tsunami Outdoor Antenna Installation Guide are allowed in the country in which you
plan to install this equipment.
Local radio regulations or legislation may impose restrictions on the use of specific combinations of:
▪Low-loss antenna cables and outdoor antennas
▪Radio channels selected at the radios that are connected to specific outdoor antennas
Note: A basic rule for selecting a combination of cables and antennas is that no combination is allowed unless
explicitly approved in this Tsunami Antenna Installation Guide. Therefore, always use this Appendix in
combination with “Chapter 2. Determining Range and Clearance” on page 20 of this document to select
the correct type of antenna equipment and to inform your antenna installer and LAN administrator about
the impact of regulatory constraints on their job or activities.
CAUTION At all times, it is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that an outdoor antenna
installation complies with local radio regulations.1The customer must verify that:
 The antenna installer is aware of these regulations
 The correct cable type and surge arrestor have been used, according to the
instructions described in this document
Proxim Corporation and its resellers or distributors are not liable for any damage or
violation of government regulations that may arise from failing to comply with these
guidelines.
1In case you are not certain about the regulations that apply in your country, consult your local Proxim Corporation Sales Office.
About this Book 5

Tsunami MP.11 Antenna Installation Guide
FINDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Installing Tsunami MP.11 Hardware
Tsunami outdoor antennas typically are used in combination with Tsunami MP.11 systems. The hardware
installation of these devices is described in the installation guide included with each product.
Configuration and Management
Configuration and management of outdoor wireless links is accomplished with management tools that come
with the Tsunami MP.11 systems. Some examples of management tools are:
º Web-based management
º Telnet
º Wireless Network Manager
Hardware Specifications
Tsunami MP.11 hardware and radio frequency specifications are described in the documentation that comes
with the product. Hardware specifications for the outdoor antennas, the cabling system, and the surge
arrestor are listed in Chapter 4 of this guide.
Additional Files on Your Software CD-ROM
All software CD-ROMs that come with your Tsunami products, include a readme.txt file. This file contains
information about the software version and drivers. You are advised to print and read the readme.txt file
prior to installing your Tsunami products, as it may contain additional information that was not available
when this document was printed.
Other Sources of Information
All documentation listed above can be downloaded from the Proxim support website:
http://support.proxim.com. Visit the website regularly for the latest available information and documentation,
software updates and other Proxim news.
ABOUT THE TSUNAMI MP.11
The Tsunami MP.11 lets you set up a wireless system based upon two basic topologies:
A point-to-point link lets you set up a connection between two locations as an alternative to:
▪Leased lines in building-to-building connections
▪Wired Ethernet backbones between wireless access points in difficult-to-wire environments
If you want to connect more than two buildings, you can set up a single point-to-multipoint network with a single
Base station and multiple Subscriber Units
A link between two locations always consists of a Base Unit and a Subscriber Unit. A Base Unit can, depending
upon its configuration, connect to one or more Subscriber Units; a Subscriber Unit, however, can connect to only
one Base Unit.
Note: Depending upon local radio regulations and legislation, the outdoor antenna solutions described in this
document may not be available in all parts of the world.
About this Book 6

Tsunami MP.11 Antenna Installation Guide
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Read this section carefully before beginning the installation. All of the following requirements should be satisfied
prior to starting installation of your outdoor antennas.
DANGER!
The Tsunami outdoor antennas are intended for mounting on a roof or on the side of a building. Any person not
trained or experienced in this type of work should not attempt this installation. A suitably trained professional
installation technician must install the antenna. The site prerequisites must be checked by a person familiar with
the national electrical code, and with other regulations governing this type of installation.
Outdoor antennas and antenna cables are electrical conductors. Transients or electrostatic discharges that may
occur at the antenna (for example a lightning strike during thunderstorms) may damage your electronic
equipment and cause personal injury or death to persons touching the exposed metal connectors of the antenna
cable.
When installing, disconnecting or replacing one of the cabling components, you must ensure at all times that
each exposed metal connectors of the antenna cabling system are grounded locally during the work.
Do not install this antenna where there is any possibility of contact with high-voltage arc-over from power cables
or service drops to buildings. The antenna, supporting mast or tower must not be close to any power lines
during installation, removal or in the event of part of the system should accidentally fail. Apply a ‘Danger’ label to
a plainly visible area of the antenna support structure.
Do not climb rooftops in wet or windy conditions, during a thunderstorm or when the area at which the
equipment is to be installed is covered with ice or snow.
Do not touch antennas, surge arrestors and antenna cables during a thunderstorm.
The antenna installation location must be at a safe distance from power lines or telephone lines. The safe
distance should be at least twice the height of the antenna mast plus the height of the antenna.
Antennas shall be mounted in such a manner as to minimize the potential for human contact during normal
operation. To avoid the possibility of exceeding the FCC radio frequency exposure limits, human proximity to
the antenna shall not be less than 1.12 meters during normal operation.
The low-loss antenna cable that is to connect the antenna with the surge arrestor must be at least 1 m (3 ft)
away from any high voltage or high current cable.
Check whether the antenna mast and its guy wires or wall bracket are positioned correctly and secured properly
to the roof or walls.
Check whether the grounding system for the antenna mast, the Tsunami MP.11a hardware, and the surge
arrestor have been installed. The grounding system must comply with the requirements as described in
“Grounding the Antenna.”
Always consult a qualified electrician if you are in doubt as to whether the antenna mast, the surge arrestor, and
Tsunami MP.11a hardware are properly grounded.
The antenna cable between the antenna and the surge arrestor must be grounded at all times. If the cable is
disconnected at one end for some reason (for example, to replace the surge arrestor), you must ensure that the
exposed metal connector of the cable is grounded locally during the work.
About this Book 7

Tsunami MP.11 Antenna Installation Guide
Chapter 1. Preparing for Installation
PLANNING ANTENNA INSTALLATION
Plan the day for your outdoor antenna installation carefully. Do not install the antenna in wet or windy
conditions, during a thunderstorm, or when the area in which the equipment is to be installed is covered with ice
or snow.
The grounding system for the antenna mast, Tsunami MP.11 hardware, and surge arrestor should be installed
before the cable from the antenna is connected to the surge arrestor. This protects your system against
lightning strikes during installation.
Familiarize yourself with the antenna and the antenna-specific mounting instructions prior to climbing any roof or
ladder. Installing and testing all equipment before beginning the actual rooftop installation helps you determine
whether all required equipment and items are available and are functioning properly.
To verify the equipment prior to installation, first follow the guidelines described in the documentation that comes
with the Tsunami MP.11a.
INSTALLATION PROCESS OVERVIEW
The installation process can be summarized in the following steps:
1. Verify that the support structure for the antenna has been connected to the grounding system. If this is not
the case, you should do so now.
2. Connect the exposed metal connectors of the low-loss antenna cable to the grounding system.
3. Mount the antenna to the support structure, following the guidelines as described for your antenna.
4. Connect the antenna cable to the antenna.
5. Route the antenna cable to the surge arrestor that has been installed indoors.
6. Connect the antenna cable to the surge arrestor.
7. Attach the surge arrestor to the N-type male connector pigtail hanging from the cable opening in the
Tsunami MP.11. For the outdoor MP.11, connect the surge arrestor to the external antenna connection of
the BSU.
8. Run the Link Test diagnostics of the management tools that come with the Tsunami MP.11 to aim the
antenna and verify optimal placement.
Note: For the outdoor MP.11, you can use the Antenna Alignment Display utility. See “Aligning the
Antenna” on page 17.
9. Once the antenna is correctly positioned, and you have verified the installation works properly, secure all
cables and use weatherproofing tape to seal all outdoor connectors.
Note: When you must remove or relocate the antenna, follow the Safety Precautions at the beginning of
this chapter and follow the steps listed above in exactly the reverse order.
Chapter 1. Preparing for Installation 8

Tsunami MP.11 Antenna Installation Guide
SITE PREREQUISITES
Review all requirements outlined in this chapter before starting the installation procedure. Prior to climbing on
the roof or any other area where you intend to install the outdoor antenna, you are advised to:
▪Verify that you have arranged all safety measures for outdoor installation or rooftop installation
▪Verify that you have all equipment and tools required to install the outdoor antennas
▪Install and verify proper operation of the equipment
INSTALLATION
The following items are required on each end of the wireless link:
▪A Tsunami MP.11 Base Station (outdoor MP.11) or a Tsunami MP.11 Base Station and Subscriber Unit
(indoor MP.11)
▪A low-loss antenna cable to connect the indoor installation to the surge arrestor (optional)
▪A surge arrestor to protect your sensitive Tsunami MP.11 equipment from static discharge and transients
▪A low-loss antenna cable to connect the surge arrestor to the outdoor antenna
▪Female-female converter connector (optional)
▪Two outdoor antennas
▪A grounding system, as described in “Grounding the Antenna” on page 16.
Tsunami MP.11 Hardware
The following three types of hardware devices are used for setting up a wireless link with the indoor MP.11:
▪Tsunami MP.11 Base Station Unit (BSU)
▪Tsunami MP.11 Subscriber Unit (SU)
▪Tsunami MP.11 Residential Subscriber Unit (RSU)
For these indoor radios, the antenna cable is connected to the connector pigtail extending from the MP.11a
radio.
The outdoor MP.11’s Subscriber Unit contains an integrated antenna; only the outdoor MP.11 Base Station Unit
has an external antenna connection, as shown in the following illustration.
Chapter 1. Preparing for Installation 9

Tsunami MP.11 Antenna Installation Guide
Cable Setup for the Outdoor Antenna
The following figure shows an overview of the cable setup for the outdoor antenna. When the MP.11 is not
mounted close to where the antenna cable enters the building (where the surge arrestor must be mounted), an
additional cable between the MP.11 and the surge arrestor is required, plus a female-female converter
connector. If the MP.11 is mounted close to the surge arrestor, the MP.11 can be connected directly to the surge
arrestor.
connect to N-type
male connector
pigtail extending
from MP.11a unit
Figure 1. Cable Setup for Antenna Installation
Note: The exception to the rule is the indoor MP.11 RSU when the window antenna is installed in an indoor
location. This installation does not require the use of a surge arrestor. The antenna can be connected
directly to the MP.11.
Indoor MP.11 Hardware Placement
The electronics (power supply and radio) are designed for indoor mounting and operation.
The ideal location must satisfy the following requirements:
▪The location provides a connection to a grounding type AC wall outlet (100-240 VAC), using the standard
power cord supplied with the unit. (Alternative power can be provided through Power over Ethernet.)
▪The ground of the AC wall outlet must be connected to the same grounding system as the surge arrestor
and antenna mast (see “Grounding the Antenna” on page 16).
▪The location must allow for easy disconnection of the Tsunami MP.11 hardware from the AC wall outlet.
▪The location provides a connection to the network backbone (an Ethernet LAN cable that is connected to a
hub, bridge, or directly into a patch panel)
▪The location is as close as possible to the point at which the antenna cable is to enter the building (see
“Placement of the Surge Arrestor” on page 11).
▪The ideal location has a temperature of 0–55º C and a maximum relative humidity (non-condensing) of 95%.
CAUTION! The Tsunami MP.11 hardware, the surge arrestor, and the antenna mast must be
connected to the same grounding system.
Chapter 1. Preparing for Installation 10

Tsunami MP.11 Antenna Installation Guide
Cable System
CAUTION! The location of the indoor Tsunami MP.11 radio and power supply must be indoors at all
times to protect the unit from extreme weather conditions, excessive heat and humidity,
and to keep the unit free from vibration and dust. The antenna and surge arrestor can be
placed outdoors.
Prior to mounting the Tsunami MP.11, you are advised to calculate carefully:
▪The distance between the intended location of your Tsunami MP.11 and the location of the antenna mast
▪The height of the antenna on the mast
If the low-loss antenna cable is not long enough to cover this distance you can select either another cable length
from the Proxim Systems low-loss cable offering, or another location that satisfies the requirements listed
previously to mount your Tsunami MP.11.
Because the length of the antenna cable can affect the actual range of your outdoor antenna installation, Proxim
recommends selecting another location.
WARNING! You must not change the length of the low-loss antenna cable to a length shorter than
allowed by the radio’s certifications. Shortening the cable voids the Proxim Corporation
warranty and can conflict with radio certifications or approvals.
Installing the Tsunami MP.11 hardware is described in Tsunami MP.11/a Installation and Management manual as
well as the Tsunami MP.11/a Quick Install Guide, which come on the Tsunami MP.11 product CD.
Surge Arrestor Placement
The surge arrestor is an indispensable part of your outdoor antenna installation. It protects your sensitive
electronic equipment from transients or electro-static discharges at the antenna.
For optimal protection, the surge arrestor must be installed at a location that satisfies the following requirements:
▪A location as close to the location where the antenna cable will enter the building (see “Hardware
Placement” on page 10).
▪The location allows for easy disconnection of the surge arrestor from the cable connected to the unit.
▪The location provides a connection to the same grounding system as the Tsunami MP.11 hardware and the
outdoor antenna mast (as described in “Grounding the Antenna” on page 16).
Antenna Cable Route
The antenna cable must be connected from the antenna through the surge arrestor to the pigtail connector of
the MP.11 unit or to the external antenna connection of the outdoor MP.11 Base Station. To plan the route of the
antenna cable, consider the following:
▪Does the cable route require drilling through a wall or ceiling?
▪Do you have a building plan of the desired location showing other cabling routes like electricity, telephone or
networking?
▪Does the type of building materials require special drilling tools?
The cable should not be installed into tight positions, as bending or applying excessive force to the connectors
can damage the antenna cable. Always allow the cable to bend naturally around corners. The recommended
bend radius is at least 100 mm (4 in) or more for the low-loss cable of 10 mm (0.4 in) and
15 mm (0.6 in) diameter.
The cable must be secured along the complete distance between attachment points. No part of the antenna
cable should be allowed to hang free. This is particularly important for outdoor cable parts.
Chapter 1. Preparing for Installation 11

Tsunami MP.11 Antenna Installation Guide
CAUTION!
▪The antenna cable and cable connectors are not designed to withstand excessive force:
º Do not use the connectors as ‘cable grips’ to pull cable through raceways or conduits.
º Do not use the cable connector to support the weight of the cable during or after installation.
º Do not use any tool to tighten the connectors.
▪Always seal the connectors using weatherproofing tape.
▪Avoid any water or moisture entering the cable as that impacts the performance of the wireless link.
▪Prior to sealing the outdoor connectors and permanently securing the cable to the wall with cable
ties and wall hooks, you may want to verify whether the installation and all components functions
properly.
OUTDOOR INSTALLATION
The outdoor installation of the link (point-to-point or point-to-multipoint) requires the following:
▪An antenna
▪A low-loss antenna cable (available in three lengths)
▪Antenna mast or wall bracket for the antenna
▪A grounding system that meets the requirements described in “Grounding the Antenna” on page 16
▪Waterproofing of all connections
Note: All outdoor cable connectors must be sealed with weatherproofing stretch tape to make the coax
connectors permanently waterproof. See “Sealing the Cable Connectors” on page 16.
DANGER! For your own safety, the antenna mast and the grounding system should be installed only
by experienced installation professionals who are familiar with local building and safety
codes and with the national electrical codes.
Read carefully the instructions described in “Grounding the Antenna” and verify that your
installation complies with the appropriate regulations and codes before installing the
antenna.
Placing the Antenna
To achieve maximum performance of your wireless outdoor link, the outdoor antenna must have clear line-of-
sight to the antenna of the other Tsunami MP.11 unit. Although the radio signal can work well without line-of-sight
in urban environments, in which the signal is transported by reflection instead of being direct, the best results
are achieved in line-of-sight conditions.
Line-of-sight can be defined as:
▪No obstacles in the direct path between the antennas (antenna beam)
▪No obstacles within a defined zone around the antenna beam
You should be aware that the shape of an antenna beam is not straight and narrow like a laser beam. The
antenna beam, also known as Fresnel2Zone, is rather “bulged” in the middle, such as, 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. The width as distance from the direct antenna beam is approximately 6 m (21 ft) in the middle of the
wireless link for a distance of 6.5 Km (4 mi) and a frequency of 5.8 GHz. This width also is the required
clearance of the antenna beam from obstacles in its path, to avoid loss of radio signal.
2Pronounced as ‘Fray-Nell’
Chapter 1. Preparing for Installation 12

Tsunami MP.11 Antenna Installation Guide
When any significant part of this zone is obstructed, a portion of the radio energy is lost, resulting in reduced
performance. Reduced performance also can occur when obstacles close to the antenna beam cause signal
reflections or noise that interfere with the radio signal.
The following figure 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
For optimal performance, you must ensure that the type and placement of the antennas leave sufficient
clearance of the Fresnel Zone at the maximum width of the bulge, which is typically at the mid-point between the
antennas.
Figure 2. Potential Obstacles for a Directional Antenna
To minimize the influence of obstacles, signal interference, or reflections, note the following:
▪Mount the antenna as high as possible above the “ground” to allow maximum clearance:
º In open areas, “ground” is the actual surface of the earth.
º In dense urban areas, “ground” is to be interpreted as the height of the highest obstacle in the signal
path between the two antenna sites.
▪Avoid trees in the signal path to avoid signal absorption due to seasonal changes (leaves or ice).
▪Install the antenna at least 2 m (6 ft) away from all other antennas.
Other situations, in which reflections of the radio signal may cause interference, are environments in which large
reflecting surfaces exist in parallel or partly perpendicular to the antenna beam.
Chapter 1. Preparing for Installation 13

Tsunami MP.11 Antenna Installation Guide
Environments with large reflective surfaces include:
▪Mirror-glass buildings
▪Crowded parking lots
▪Water surface or moist earth and moist vegetation
▪Above ground power and telephone lines
Note: The use of reflective surfaces can be used to improve a link, especially if the direct line-of-sight is
impaired or absent.
Weather conditions such as rain or snow usually do not have much impact on the performance of your Tsunami
MP.11 product, provided you have sealed all cable connectors with weatherproofing tape.
Seasonal influence on signal propagation can occur in the following situations:
▪A marginal communications quality in late fall (with no leaves on the trees in the signal path) might fail in the
summer
▪In winter, a wireless link can fail when the antenna is exposed to ice buildup, or when the antenna elements
are covered with snow
Radio paths over water or extremely flat ground may require optimization of antenna height at one end. This is
due to in-phase or out-of-phase reflections. Adjustment of antenna height by 1 to 3 meters may move the signal
from a null to a peak.
Long distance links may be obstructed by earth curvature, so the antenna height requirements must not only
take the height of obstructions and Fresnel Zone into account, but also earth bulge. The earth bulge is
approximately 5 m (16.4 ft) at a link distance of 16 Km (10 mi).
In these cases consult your supplier to take appropriate steps to maintain or optimize wireless link performance.
Mounting the Antenna
As the mounting procedures for the various antennas differ from one another, consult the documentation you
received from the antenna manufacturer for mounting procedures.
Proxim Corporation offers multiple antennas to set up a wireless link.
When mounting multiple antennas on a single mast, use the following methods to minimize the influence of
cross-talk interference between the antennas:
▪Place your antennas as far apart as you can
▪Alternate the mounting of directional antennas for vertical and horizontal polarization
There are two frequently used methods to erect an antenna mast:
Tripod Mount
The tripod mount is used primarily on peaked and flat roofs. The antenna mast must be secured to the roof
using 3 or 4 guy wires equally spaced around the mast. When the height of the antenna mast is more than 3
meters (10 ft), you should use at least three guy wires for each 3-meter (10-foot) section of the mast.
Wall (Side) Mount
A wall (side) mount allows for mounting an antenna (mast) on the side of a building or on the side of an
elevator penthouse. This provides a convenient mounting location when the roof overhang is not excessive
or when the location is high enough to provide a clear line-of-sight.
Chapter 1. Preparing for Installation 14

Tsunami MP.11 Antenna Installation Guide
In most situations mounting an antenna directly to the wall does not let you align the antenna properly with
the corresponding antenna at the opposite end of your wireless link. As poor alignment typically results in
poor performance, Proxim recommends always mounting the antennas to a mast. An exception to this rule
is the wide-angle window antenna that can be mounted on a window or wall facing the nearest Base Station
with line of sight.
Antenna Mast Requirements
To accommodate the antennas, the antenna mast must satisfy the following requirements:
▪The construction of the mast must consist of sturdy, weatherproof, and non-corrosive material (for example,
galvanized or stainless steel construction pipe).
▪Typical diameter of the mast should be between 35 mm (1.4 in) and 41 mm (1.6 in). Depending upon the
type of antenna you intend to install, other diameters also may be possible.
▪The height of the antenna mast must be sufficient to allow the antenna to be installed at least 1.5 m (5 ft)
above the peak of the roof. If the roof is of metal, the height of the antenna should be at least 3 m (10 ft)
above the roof.
▪The mast or wall bracket must be free from any substance that may prevent a good electrical connection
with the antenna (for example, paint).
Connecting the Antenna Cable
Once the antenna is properly installed, you can connect the antenna to the MP.11 by way of the surge arrestor:
1. Connect the antenna cable to the antenna.
2. Secure the antenna cable to the mast so that the cable connectors do not support the full weight of the
cable.
3. Connect the opposite end of the antenna cable to the surge arrestor.
CAUTION! To avoid damage to the antenna cable and connectors, refrain from using tools to
tighten the cable connectors.
4. Prior to securing the cable along its complete length, run the Link Test diagnostics of the management tools
that comes with Tsunami MP.11 to analyze wireless performance and optimal placement of the outdoor
antenna. Using this tool is described in the documentation that comes with the Tsunami MP.11 and also can
be downloaded from the Proxim support website at http://support.proxim.com .
5. If required, adjust the direction of the antenna.
6. Once the installation has been fully tested, tighten the nuts of the antenna to “lock” the antenna into its
position.
CAUTION! Avoid over-tightening of the connector, and nuts and screws used to mount the
antenna, to prevent damage to your antenna and Tsunami MP.11 hardware.
7. Secure the cable along its complete length with cable ties or electrical tape to relieve strain on the antenna
connector properly. No part of the cable should be allowed to hang free. This is especially important for
those parts that are routed outside the building.
8. Proceed as described in the next section to weatherproof all outdoor coax connectors.
Chapter 1. Preparing for Installation 15

Tsunami MP.11 Antenna Installation Guide
Sealing the Cable Connectors
Most problems associated with wireless outdoor installations are related to degrading performance due to
corrosion of the antenna cable and cable connectors. To avoid this type of problem, you must always seal the
cable connectors that are located outdoors using the weatherproofing tape provided.
You are advised to seal the connectors only after you have verified optimal alignment of the antennas using the
Link Test as described in the documentation that comes with the Tsunami MP.11. Doing so lets you adjust
antenna placement and cable routing without removing the tape.
To weatherproof the connectors:
1. Prepare the cable and connectors so that they are free from dust, dirt and grease.
2. Attach the tip of the weatherproofing tape to the cable just above the connector. Holding the tape in its
position, now stretch the tape and wind it half-overlapped around the cable and connectors to form a void-
free joint. The degree of stretch may vary in different sections of the joint, as long as the overlaps
accomplish a void-free application.
3. To protect the weatherproofing stretch tape from the effects of Ultra-Violet (UV) radiation (for example, from
direct sunlight), you should protect the joint with two half-overlapped layers of any vinyl plastic electrical
tape. Alternatively, you can apply silicone sealer to protect the weatherproofing tape from sunlight, rain and
other weather conditions.
Grounding the Antenna
Direct grounding of the antenna mast, Tsunami MP.11 hardware and surge arrestor is extremely important.
Note: A safety grounding system is necessary to protect your Tsunami MP.11 hardware from lightning strikes
and the build-up of static electricity.
WARNING! The antenna mast, Tsunami MP.11 hardware, and surge arrestor must be connected to the
same ground, using an equi-potential bonding conductor.
A good electrical connection should be made to one or more ground rods, using at least a
10AWG ground wire and non-corrosive hardware.
The grounding system must comply with the National Electrical Code and safety standards
that apply in your country. Always check with a qualified electrician if you are in doubt
whether your Tsunami MP.11a hardware installation is properly grounded.
Chapter 1. Preparing for Installation 16

Tsunami MP.11 Antenna Installation Guide
Aligning the Antenna
For optimal performance of your wireless link, make sure the antennas are properly aligned (facing one another
“eye-to-eye”). Antenna alignment is a process to physically align the antenna of the radio receiver or the
transmitter to have the best possible radio link established between them. The antenna alignment process
usually is performed during installation and after major repairs.
To align the antennas:
▪Use a pair of binoculars or a map of the area and a compass to point the antennas to one another.
▪Use the Antenna Alignment Display feature (AAD) to display a measurement of signal quality at the CLI
and serial ports.
▪You also can use the Link Test option of the management tools that come with the Tsunami MP.11 to
analyze the radio link quality.
Antenna Alignment Display Feature (Outdoor MP.11 Only)
Antenna alignment is a process to physically align the antenna of the radio receiver or the transmitter to have
the best possible radio link established between them. The antenna alignment process usually is performed
during installation and after major repairs.
The outdoor MP.11 has an audible antenna alignment tool that can be activated by plugging in the supplied
serial dongle (supplied with every Base Station) or by issuing the CLI command for antenna alignment. The CLI
command causes both audible and numerical feedback as the CLI shows the running SNR values twice a
second.
The output from the beeper for antenna alignment consists of short beeps with a variable interval. The interval
changes with the SNR level to assist in correctly aligning the antenna. An increase in signal level is indicated by
a shorter interval between beeps; a reduction in signal level results in beeps further apart.
To allow for precise antenna alignment, small changes in SNR result in large changes in the beep period. The
alignment process averages the SNR, which is represented by an average length beep. When a higher SNR is
received, the beep period is made shorter, dependent upon the difference to the average. A lower SNR results
in a longer period between beeps.
The first five steps are represented by a large change and all following steps are a small change. This acts as if
a magnifying glass is centered around the average SNR and the values next to the average are significantly
different.
Chapter 1. Preparing for Installation 17

Tsunami MP.11 Antenna Installation Guide
When the antenna is aimed, the beep can easily be heard if the SNR is rising (shorter period, higher frequency)
or falling (longer period). When the position of the antenna has been changed, the SNR averaging settles at the
new value and the beeping returns to the average length so the antenna can again be aimed towards rising
SNR.
Aiming is complete if moving in any direction results in a falling SNR value, which can be heard as longer
periods between beeps.
Notes:
▪Antenna alignment for the Base Station is useful only for a point-to-point link.
▪The range of the average SNR must be limited to values from 0 to 48. Anything over 48 is capped at 48.
▪AAD is automatically disabled 30 minutes after it is enabled to remove the load of extra messages on the
wireless interface. The default telnet timeout is 900 seconds (15 minutes). If AAD must run for the entire 30
minutes, change the default telnet timeout value greater than 30 minutes (greater than 1800 seconds). This
restriction is for telnet connections only and not for the serial interface. The serial interface never times out.
Antenna Alignment Commands
set aad enable local
Enables display of the local SNR. Local SNR is the SNR measured by the receiver at the near end.
set aad enable remote
Enables display of the remote SNR. Remote SNR is the SNR as measured by the receiver at the far end.
set aad enable average
Enables display of the average SNR. The average SNR is the average of the local and remote SNR.
set aad disable
Disables Antenna Alignment Display (Ctrl-C also disables AAD).
Link Test
You also can use the Link Test option of the management tools that come with the Tsunami MP.11 to analyze
the radio link quality. The Link Test option lets you display the radio signal strength in relation to the noise in the
signal path. If required, you can interactively optimize the antenna alignment with the Link Test, by making small
modifications in the antenna orientation.
The “AudioTune” tool can be used to read out loud the Link Test values, allowing direct feedback when aligning
the antenna. Run the Link Test diagnostics of the management tools that come with the Tsunami MP.11 with the
Signal and Noise fields selected.
You can download AudioTune from http://www.computron-usa.com/wireless_utilities.htm.
Alternatively, consult a professional Antenna Installation Service to optimize the antenna alignment.
Antenna Polarization
Tsunami outdoor antennas are standard mounted for vertical polarization.
In some cases, you might consider mounting the antenna for horizontal polarization. For example, to minimize
the influence of cross-talk between antennas when:
▪You plan to mount multiple directional antennas to the same mast.
▪Your wireless link receives interference from a vertically polarized neighboring installation.
Mounting for horizontal polarization is not supported for omni-directional grid antennas.
Chapter 1. Preparing for Installation 18

Tsunami MP.11 Antenna Installation Guide
Note: For optimal wireless link performance, you must always verify that the antenna polarization on both
ends of the wireless link is the same. Consult the corresponding instruction appendixes for changing
the antenna polarization.
Antenna Cable Routing
The antenna cable must be routed and fixed in such a way that installation technicians have a clear passage
area.
All connectors that are located outdoors must have a weatherproof seal. You are advised to seal connectors
only after you have completed the final radio tests.
BEFORE CLIMBING THE ROOF...
Before you start the installation, check whether you have all the required components to set up an outdoor
wireless link.
For each side of a wireless outdoor wireless link you need:
▪One or two low-loss antenna cables
▪A female-female converter N-connector in case you want to use two antenna cables
▪Tools and material to mount the antenna
▪Tape or wraps to attach the antenna cable, for example to the mast
▪Grounding material such as cable and connector
If an item is missing or damaged during shipment, inform your supplier.
Chapter 1. Preparing for Installation 19

Tsunami MP.11 Antenna Installation Guide
Chapter 2. Determining Range and Clearance
When you read about wireless outdoor products, you often encounter the terms output power of the radio and
gain of the antenna equipment as measures for the strength of the transmitted signal.
▪Output power of radio equipment often depends upon maximum limits defined by local radio regulations;
consequently, output power is, by definition, not the way to enhance wireless performance.
▪High gain antennas are larger in size than low gain antennas, and are characterized by a narrow focus of
the antenna beam. These two characteristics make it more difficult to aim the antennas and adjust antenna
alignment to optimize the performance of the wireless point-to-point link.
The Tsunami outdoor solution is based upon the following principles:
▪Output power and antenna gain that comply with the maximum limits defined by local governing bodies
concerning radio transmissions.
▪Enhanced radio sensitivity for optimal receive quality of radio signals transmitted by remote antennas.
DETERMINING THE OUTDOOR RANGE
The range of your outdoor antenna installation is closely related to a number of different factors. To let you
determine the range of the Tsunami MP.11 antenna system in your situation, we have defined the following
formula:
Range = Maximum Range x Cable Factor x Clearance Factor
where:
Maximum Range Identifies the theoretical maximum that could be achieved under optimal
circumstances using the available Tsunami MP.11 products according to their
specifications and in compliance with local radio regulations. This value can be read
from Table 1 on page 22 or Table 2 on page 23, according to the country in which the
antenna system is to be installed.
Cable Factor Identifies a correction value (in percentage) that compensates for additional cable
losses related to the type of cables used at both ends of the wireless link. The Cable
Factor value can be read from Table 4 on page 26.
Clearance Factor Identifies a correction value (in percentage) that should be used in case the signal
path of your wireless link does not provide the minimum clearance as listed in the
Maximum Range table. The Clearance Factor can be read from Figure 6 on page 28.
Note: You also can use a calculation sheet provided by Proxim to generate an estimate of link distance and
reliability.
An example of using this formula is described in “Examples” on page 31. This formula should be used only as a
rule-of-thumb to assess the possible range that could be achieved in your situation, or to select the type and
height of the antenna installations. Always perform on-site measurements to validate the results from the range
calculation. To perform these measurements, you can use the Link Test option of the management tools that
come with the Tsunami MP.11 product.
Chapter 2. Determining Range and Clearance 20