User's Manual

Table Of Contents
Determining Unit Configuration Settings
JUL 2001 Rev 03
115
Determining Unit Configuration Settings
Configuration settings of units should be determined before installation to ensure easy installation and to
reduce installation costs. An information sheet should be prepared for each unit that specifies the basic
configuration settings of that unit.
Unit Name
IP Address
Subnet Mask
Station Type
Station Rank
Center Frequency
Security passwords
Scrambling Code
Acquisition Code
Remote Unit RF Group
You may also specify other settings such as remote distance, IP filtering and throttling.
Calculating a Link Budget
Proper path planning ensures that each end of the RF link receives sufficient signal power to maintain the
desired Bit Error Rate (BER). The effectiveness and reliability of your RF link depends on several factors.
Antenna gain and other characteristics
Distance between antennas and obstructions in the RF path
Location and height of antennas
Length and type of coaxial cable connecting the unit to the antenna
These factors are considered when you calculate your link budget. The calculation indicates, on paper, if your
radio link is feasible over a given distance and path and if your RF link meets regulatory requirements. Link
budgets are typically expressed in decibels (dB).
The following variables are used to calculate the link budget.
Variable Description
System Gain Maximum path loss that the system can support for usable data transmission
EIRP (Effective
Isotropically
Radiated Power)
Power radiating from an antenna taking into account the output power from the
transmitter, connector losses, cable losses and antenna gain
Antenna Gain Gain of the antenna over a dipole (dBd) or theoretical (dBi)
Propagation Loss Signal loss experienced as it travels through the air, expressed in dB