User's Manual

Exalt Communications Inc.
EX-2.4i Installation and Maintenance Manual
Page 24
MAN-002400, Revision 001
2005-12-01
needed to allow for ease of connection to the radio’s RF connector. A properly specified 90-
degree connector can often eliminate this need. Or an installation with space accommodated
around the radio for a gentle bend radius of the transmission line can also accommodate a direct
connection. In all cases, be certain that the transmission line is not providing any pulling force
onto the RF connector of the radio. Transmission lines can be very stiff, and can damage the
connector if not dressed properly. Also, follow the transmission line manufacturer’s instructions
for proper cable securing devices.
4.4 Antenna Alignment
Antennas must be installed at both ends of the planned link to commence precision alignment.
Antennas are typically aligned using the radio hardware to aid in the precision alignment
process. However, there are many very useful tools available to aid in this process, inclusive of
devices that are specifically designed solely for the purpose of aligning antennas. Some examples
of these devices are:
• XL Microwave Path Align-R
• Teletronics 17-402
Using these devices can be extremely advantageous compared to using the radio, as they employ
many unique facilities to aid in this process. In addition, using these tools makes it possible to
align the antennas before the radio equipment is delivered on site. However, many installers
routinely use the radios as the means for antenna alignment, and they have much success with
this method as well.
The radio includes four facilities to aid in antenna alignment:
• Received Signal Level (RSL) voltage port
o The RSL port voltage is inversely proportional and numerically calibrated to the
received signal level. The voltage will rise as the antennas are less in alignment,
and fall as antennas are more in alignment. The voltage measurement corresponds
to the received signal level in measurements of dBm (a negative number for RSL
measurements). For example, an RSL of -60dBm yields an RSL voltage
measurement of 0.60V; an RSL of -45dBm measures 0.45V.
• Built-in alignment beeper
• LED flashing mode
• Web interface
• Scrolling CLI display through serial port
• Scrolling CLI display through Telnet access
Aligning the antennas using the radio can be accommodated in a number of ways:
• Radio near/at antenna location