Quick Start Guide

Campus Connectivity MP Quick Start Guide
19
Trapeze Networks
Aligning Antennas for Bridge or Mesh Links
If you are installing MP-632 units for wireless bridge or Mesh Services operation, after the units have
been mounted, connected, and the radios are operating, the antennas must be accurately aligned to
ensure optimum performance on the bridge or mesh links.
This alignment process is particularly important for long-range point-to-point links. In a
point-to-multipoint configuration, the Mesh Portal AP uses an omnidirectional or sector antenna,
which does not require alignment, but Mesh APs still need to be correctly aligned with the Mesh
Portal antenna.
❑ Point-to-Point Configurations – In a point-to-point configuration, the alignment process
requires two people at each end of the link. The use of cell phones or two-way radio communication
may help with coordination. To start, you can just point the antennas at each other, using
binoculars or a compass to set the general direction. For accurate alignment, monitor the RSSI’s
LED indicator as you move the antenna horizontally and vertically.
❑ Point-to-Multipoint Configurations – In a point-to-multipoint configuration all Mesh APs must
be aligned with the Mesh Portal antenna. The alignment process is the same as for point-to-point
links, but only the Mesh AP end of the link requires the alignment.
The LEDs are viewed right to left as you look at the back of the MP. The range from 1 to 12 will cover
the signal range to accurately align the antenna. The signal strength LEDs indicate the received
radio signal strength for a particular bridge link. The more LEDs that turn on, the stronger the
signal. (RSSI level 1 should equate to the lowest useful signal). Alternatively, you can monitor the
Receive Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) value directly from the management interface. The higher
the RSSI value, the stronger the signal.
When you move the antenna during alignment, the radio signal from the remote antenna can be seen
to have a strong central main lobe and smaller side lobes. The object of the alignment process is to set
the antenna so that it is receiving the strongest signal from the central main lobe.