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Cisco.com provides an Outdoor Bridge Range Calculation Utility for both 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz products. This utility
calculates the Fresnel zone and maximum range based upon cable types and lengths, transmitter and receiver
models, and antennas. The utility can be found at:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/wireless/ps458/products_tech_note09186a008009459b.shtml
A 10-dB fade margin is included for 2.4-GHz calculations, while the included 5-dB fade margin for 5-GHz
calculations is sufficient for dependable communications in all weather conditions. The distances given are only
theoretical and should only be used to determine the feasibility of a particular design.
Outdoors, every increase of 6-dB will double the distance. Every decrease of 6-dB will halve the distance. Shorter-
cable runs and higher-gain antennas can make a significant difference to the range. The following links provide
range calculations for the outdoor mesh products:
●
Cisco Aironet 1520 Series:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/partner/products/ps11451/products_implementation_design_guides_list.htm
●
Cisco Aironet 1550 Series:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/partner/products/ps8368/products_implementation_design_guides_list.html
Regulations
North America
Connectors
In 1985, the FCC enacted standards for the commercial use of spread-spectrum technology in the ISM frequency
bands. Spread spectrum is currently allowed in the 900-, 2400-, and 5200- MHz bands.
In 1989, the FCC drafted an amendment governing spread-spectrum systems in the unlicensed ISM band, and
Congress enacted this amendment into law in 1990. This amendment is commonly referred to as the “new rules”
or “’94 rules” because it impacts all spread-spectrum products manufactured after June 23, 1994. Products
manufactured before June 23, 1994, are not affected by the amendment.
The FCC 1994 rules are intended to discourage use of amplifiers, high-gain antennas, or other means
of significantly increasing RF radiation. The rules are further intended to discourage “home brew” systems that are
installed by inexperienced users and that - either accidentally or intentionally - do not comply with FCC regulations
for use in the ISM band.
Both the original rules and the amendments sought to enable multiple RF networks to “coexist” with minimum
impact on one another by exploiting properties of spread-spectrum technology. Fundamentally, the FCC 1994
rules intend to limit RF communications in the ISM band to a well-defined region, while ensuring multiple systems
can operate with minimum impact on one another. These two needs are addressed by limiting the type and gain of
antennas used with a given system, and by requiring a greater degree of RF energy “spreading.”
Antenna Gain and Power Output
FCC regulations specify maximum power output and antenna gain. For the UNII3 band, the FCC limits the
transmitter power to 1 watt or 30 dBm, and the antenna gain of an omnidirectional antenna to 6 dBi. For directional
antennas operating in a point-to-point system, gains of up to 23 dBi are permitted. For antennas with gain higher
than 23 dBi, the transmitter output power must be reduced 1 dB for every 1 dB above 23 dBi increase in the
antenna gain.
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