System information

73
Chapter 12 ‒ ShowLink™ Network
Coverage with Diagonal Antenna Orientation
Coverage with Facing Antenna Orientation
Very large venues such as stadiums have several unique characteristics that require particular considerations when set-
ting up and operating the ShowLink system.
Stadium characteristics:
• Very long distances from transmitters to Access Points (up to 500 feet at 2.4GHz over a very wide area)
• Transmitter obstruction or shadowing due to users running and huddling within the stadium
• Outdoor locations
• Very large number of people on the field and in seats
• Lack of reflecting surfaces
• Field made of grass/sod/turf
If the transmitter is obstructed or shadowed from the Access Point in any way, stadium venues look somewhat like ‘free
space’ to ShowLink signals in that they lack mechanisms such as ground scattering or reflections from other nearby ob-
jects that can get the transmitter energy to the Access Point over these long distances.
Tip: To maximize coverage, locate additional Access Points within the stadium interior for coverage when the transmitter is off the field.
Recommended practices for Access Point placement to ensure best ShowLink performance
in stadiums
• Locate ShowLink Access Points (AP) well above ground level ( > 20 feet, or 6 meters)
• Use multiple Access Points positioned on opposite sides of the venue and located at the closest point to the center of
the field
• Use remote antennas aimed at the coverage area with vertical polarization/orientation
• Keep RF cable very short (< 2 feet, or 0.6 meters) between Access Points and remote antennas
Below is an example of the recommended locations of ShowLink access points for a typical stadium.
Considerations for Operating ShowLink in Stadium Applications