Guide LTE Antenna Guide Cisco Integrated Services Router (ISR G2) and Connected Grid Router For All Verizon Wireless 4G Services Revision 3.7 December 2014 © 2014 Cisco and/or its affiliates All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information.
Antenna Guide for ISR and CGR with Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Introduction LTE offers a valuable last mile access option for remote locations, kiosks, temporary sites, vehicle communications and machine-to-machine applications. Benefits of 4G wireless access include reach, mobility, cost (depends on usage and plan) and performance. This document is focused on Cisco ISR LTE performance based on signal quality due to antenna type and placement.
Antenna Guide for ISR and CGR with Verizon Wireless 4G LTE General Guidelines for Antenna Placement, Selection, and Installation There are some common issues for not achieving an LTE connection or for poor LTE performance. These should be checked, and if needed, corrected: 1. The appropriate IOS version is not installed, or the configuration used is affecting data connection. Please see the appropriate deployment guide at www.cisco.
Antenna Guide for ISR and CGR with Verizon Wireless 4G LTE 7. A single antenna is connected, and that antenna connected to the M1/DIV port instead of the M0/MAIN port. An LTE connection will usually not be made. Both antennas should be installed. 8. A single antenna is connected to M0/MAIN port (no antenna connected to M1/DIV port). This will affect downlink performance. Both antennas should be installed. 9. The antennas are not securely tightened.
Antenna Guide for ISR and CGR with Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Signal Strength and Quality: The effect of LTE signal strength and quality on the ISR performance on Verizon Wireless LTE is considerable. A weak or low quality LTE signal degrades throughput by more than 80%, and can reduce the efficiency of an LTE sector (the 120 degree area around a cell tower) that affects the remote site (and likely other devices nearby).
Antenna Guide for ISR and CGR with Verizon Wireless 4G LTE If the output of the “show cellular 0/x/0|0 radio” command is different than above and shows the “Technology Selected” is eHRPD, only RSSI will be provided. This means that the LTE signal received is not present, or the LTE signal was not good and the 3G signal was better and selected for use. The remediation is the same as not getting a “good” LTE signal, but with an additional caveat listed in the Q&A section (LTE reselection).
Antenna Guide for ISR and CGR with Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Choosing more appropriate antennas: This option can help overcome issues such as weak signal due to distance from LTE cell towers, signal loss or noise due to physical location, or signal obstruction. The challenge is the availability of various antennas to test with, as these are optional and purchased separately.
Antenna Guide for ISR and CGR with Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Detailed Guidelines for Antenna Selection, Placement, Installation, and Confirmation This section will be added to over time. Understanding the output of the “show cell x radio” command along with the performance test results can be used to determine if the performance is acceptable.
Antenna Guide for ISR and CGR with Verizon Wireless 4G LTE LTE Site Survey via SMS: Overview 4G wireless and the accompanying network devices provide flexibility and ease of placement for sites, kiosks and machines needing connectivity. However, radio signal quality and strength can differ, even with antennas being positioned differently by a few feet. Adjusting the placement of antennas can make a significant difference in the performance obtained using the 4G LTE network.
Antenna Guide for ISR and CGR with Verizon Wireless 4G LTE LTE Site Survey via SMS: Details This ISR app will respond to 2 different requests. To use the app, a text message is sent to the ISR’s LTE interface Mobile Device Number (phone number, the “MSISDN” as seen from output of “show cell x hardware” command).
Antenna Guide for ISR and CGR with Verizon Wireless 4G LTE LTE Site Survey via SMS: Installation 1) Ensure that the ISR is operational (enabled SIM installed, appropriate IOS version, configured, and LTE and GPS antenna installed with at least one extension cable). a. Guidance for the above is available via the documents located here: www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/interfaces-modules/high-speed-waninterface-cards/products-installation-and-configuration-guides-list.html 2) Download the commandoversms.
Antenna Guide for ISR and CGR with Verizon Wireless 4G LTE LTE Site Survey via SMS: Sample Installation and operation Check IOS version: VZW-SP-MPN-1#sh ver | i IOS Cisco IOS Software, C800 Software (C800-UNIVERSALK9-M), Version 15.3(3)M2, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1) … Copy the script to the ISR: VZW-SP-MPN-1#copy tftp flash: Address or name of remote host []? 172.21.12.3 Source filename []? commandoversms.tcl Destination filename [gps_geofence.tcl]? Accessing tftp://172.21.12.3/gps_geofence.tcl...
Antenna Guide for ISR and CGR with Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Find the phone number (MDN) for the ISR (This is done during initial setup, copy the number down for subsequent use) VZW-SP-MPN-1#sh cell 0 hardware Modem Firmware Version = SWI9600M_03.05.10.
Antenna Guide for ISR and CGR with Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Below is an example of the “survey” command sent via SMS. Note that the text includes a comment ignored by the ISR, but helpful to someone installing (“placement A”). … * All phone numbers and public IP addresses have been hidden Before beginning a survey test, check the “WWAN” LED to ensure it is green and solid. This means the LTE interface is operational. This LED is on the LTE eHWIC, GRWIC or C819G-4G. (#2 in the LTE eHWIC image below).
Antenna Guide for ISR and CGR with Verizon Wireless 4G LTE ISR Status via SMS: Overview This function of the ISR app provides a way to query the ISR for status. Any ISR “show” command can be sent. Examples include displaying: - The IP routing table (show ip route) - The state and stats for any ISR interface (show interface) - Log messages pertaining to a specific event or interface (e.g. show log | i Cellular) - The ISR configuration, or a specific portion (e.g.
Antenna Guide for ISR and CGR with Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Below is an example of a display command (show cell radio) and a portion of the replies. Below is a single text response example (show ip interface including “Cell”). The final display example shows the running configuration for the LTE interface. © 2014 Cisco and/or its affiliates All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information.
Antenna Guide for ISR and CGR with Verizon Wireless 4G LTE LTE Antenna Frequently Asked Questions Q) My customer has a 3G card with existing antennas and antenna cables. Can they reuse the antennas and cables? A) The 3G antennas (grey) cannot be reused. If the cable is an “LMR” (low-loss) Cisco antenna cable, such as Cisco 3G-CAB-LMR240 ULL it can be used with a 4G antenna.
Antenna Guide for ISR and CGR with Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Q) What antennas and cables are available for the LTE eHWIC? A) The table below lists the currently available eHWIC antennas. There are 3 outdoor antennas from the GRWIC that can also be used (see next Q&A). This table is from the link above. Cisco Part Number 4G-LTEANTM-D Maximum Gain and Frequency Ranges Description Indoor 4G dipole omnidirectional 2 dBi Notes Multiband dipole antenna.
Antenna Guide for ISR and CGR with Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Q) What antennas and cables are available for the LTE GRWIC (CGR-2010 router)? A) The table below lists the currently available GRWIC antennas. The 2 outdoor antennas from the GRWIC can also be used for the eHWIC (ISR). Item Specification ANT-4G-DP-INTNC Description • Dipole, swivel-mount, indoor • Note: requires stand and integrated 15 ft.
Antenna Guide for ISR and CGR with Verizon Wireless 4G LTE ANT-4G-PNLOUT-N Description – Outdoor Use • Available in Q2 CY2012 • Flat panel antenna • Outdoor ANT-4G-SR-OUTTNC Description – Outdoor Use • Available Q2 CY2012 • Low-profile outdoor saucer antenna Item Specification CAB-L400-20TNC-N 20 ft, LMR-400 cable with a TNC male and N female connector CAB-L400-50TNC-N 50 ft, LMR-400 cable with a TNC male and N female connector The LTE eHWIC and GRWIC both have female TNC connectors for antennas.
Antenna Guide for ISR and CGR with Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Q) Is there an example of what cables to order and how they connect for outdoor antennas? A) Yes www.cisco.com/en/US/partner/docs/routers/connectedgrid/antennas/installing/Overview.
Antenna Guide for ISR and CGR with Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Q) My connection is showing 3G and it won’t return to 4G/LTE. Why? A) The radio access technology (RAT) chosen by an LTE device is based on 3GPP specification and the radio signal reception of the device’s LTE modem. The RAT value can be seen from the ISR “show cell x radio” enable-mode command. LTE 3G-to-4G reselection requires the connection to be dormant for 7-10 seconds in the Verizon LTE network. For a mobile phone, return to LTE is feasible.
