User's Guide

• Other BreadCrumb devices that are placed too closely together.

• Other RF devices such as microwave devices, cordless phone base stations, radio transmitters, other

wireless networks, jamming devices, etc.

• Metal surfaces such as fences and building can cause radio waves to be reflected, causing multipath

interference.

Caution

Plan the BreadCrumb Wireless Network to minimize the effects of RF interference.

4.3.5 Placement of Mesh Components

The placement of BreadCrumb devices has a major impact on maximum effective range, and therefore

network performance. The components must be elevated above the surrounding terrain to allow for ade-

quate wave propagation. A device placed directly on the ground has a significantly reduced effective

range. Elevating a device above the ground dramatically increases the maximum effective range. Rajant

recommends elevating the components a minimum of 6 ft. above the surrounding surface.

4.4 Deployment Guidelines and Methodology

This section addresses the actual on-site deployment of the mesh. While by no means an exhaustive trea-

tise, it is intended as a good source of guidelines and methodology for the successful deployment of a

mesh in the field.

4.4.1 Deployment Guidelines

Follow these guidelines when deploying the mesh:

1. Placement of BreadCrumbs

a. Elevate the BreadCrumbs whenever possible.

1. Directly on the ground, the maximum distance between any two BreadCrumbs is approxi-

mately 300 ft. Also, the maximum distance between a wireless client and the nearest

BreadCrumb is approximately 300 ft.

2. Rajant recommends elevating each BreadCrumb a minimum of 6 ft. above the surrounding

terrain for maximum range. Elevating the BreadCrumbs, as little as 14 inches, has proven

to increase the range out to approximately 600 ft.

2. Distance

a. If you cannot elevate the BreadCrumbs, they can only be approximately 300 ft. apart. Also, any

wireless clients can be no farther than approximately 300 ft. from a BreadCrumb.

3. Line of sight

a. Obstructions to line-of-sight block/absorb/deflect the wireless network’s radio waves, resulting

in poor network performance or total loss of network connectivity.

b. When placing the BreadCrumbs, scan the area for LOS obstructions. Envision the BreadCrumb’s

radio waves as a light beam. Look for obstructions that would result in shadows in the light

beam, they will most likely weaken or block the BreadCrumb’s radio waves.

4. Weather

a. Light precipitation will reduce the range and performance of the BreadCrumb and wireless cli-

ents.

b. Heavy precipitation or fog will most likely result in extremely reduced range and frequent or to-

tal loss of network connectivity.

4.4.2 Deployment Methodology

The steps detailed in this section should assist you in successfully deploying the mesh.

1. Scan the terrain on which the mesh will be deployed.

a. Determine the initial distances between BreadCrumb devices. Refer to Rajant Troubleshooting

Range User Guide for more information.