Question

Long-range access points setup help

Asked by: 11ods

Hello,

Is it possible to set up an access point which covers Km's of area? For example a small town?
What sort of antennas and harware is necessry to go about doing this?
Where can I buy it?

I understand that buildings and trees interfear with the signal - is it possible to set up an antenna on high ground to avoid this? (perhaps on a tall building itself?)

From my understanding this is what Wimax will be able to offer. Is it possible to get any Wimax equiptment?

Any information and detail would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance

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Asked On
2005-10-02 at 09:43:26ID21581199
Tags

range

,

long

,

set

,

up

Topics

Miscellaneous Networking

,

Wireless Local Area Network

,

802.11 Wireless Access Points

Participating Experts
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Comments
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Answers

 

by: IanThPosted on 2005-10-02 at 10:11:51ID: 15002313

 

by: IanThPosted on 2005-10-02 at 10:14:06ID: 15002323

 

by: rakoczyPosted on 2005-10-02 at 10:16:53ID: 15002332

Yes it is definitively possible. You can use a standard wireless router for this if you like and the area of coverage is determined by the type of antenna you purchase.

You need a wireless accesspoint with detachable antennas. Most WLAN AP's I know of have this. If you cannot find one on your own, go to www.trendnet.com. TEW-411BRP is usable.

This link covers antennas http://www.wifi-link.com/product.php?class1_id=1&class2_id=4. The Hz of the signal type you choose is also important. 2.4GHz will need reach double the distance of 5GHz equipment using the same effect. For instance, if a 2.4GHz 15Db antenna reaches 1km, then a 5GHz 15db antenna will reach 0.5 kilometers.

The degrees of the antenna (flat panel) tells you what area it will cover. A omni antenna radiates the signal 360 degrees and will cover all directions, but a shorter distance. Flat panel antennas sends the signal straight forward in a limited area and will reach longer. You also get antennas that sends a spot signal, and this will be useful for your recievers on the other end. They can use a spot antenna and direct it straight at your flat panel antenna and recieve the signal.

The more the Db on the antenna the stronger it is. Also consider that the distance between your wireless unit and the antenna should be as short as possible. With that I mean the cable. If the cable is longer than approx 1 meter, you will loose more of the signal  in the cable than what you will gain with the large antenna.

Check out this link http://www.wifi-link.com/document.php it has alot of the information you ask for. They also have low-loss cables on this site. I suggest you read up on this and then come back with renewed knowledge and new questions :)

hope this helps. Good luck!

Rakoczy

 

by: rakoczyPosted on 2005-10-02 at 10:19:23ID: 15002337

Oh I forgot to add that the 2,4 GHz signal is far better then it comes to penetrating obstacles on its way, but is still prone to more noise because of its shortage of channels ( 3 non-overlappable. Channel 1, 6 and 13). The 5GHz networks will be more prone to obstacles but since it has more non-overlappable channels it will be tougher when it comes to noise.

rakoczy

 

by: 11odsPosted on 2005-10-02 at 13:21:42ID: 15002908

Amazing news!
glad to see this is all workable.

I'm reading up on all the information right now.

The devices used to pick up the signal are 802.11b.
 Would they be complient with 802.11n or g or any other later version?
 If not, does 802.11b have a certain limitations when dealing with distances?

Many thanks!

 

by: publicPosted on 2005-10-02 at 13:53:28ID: 15003022

If you expect pcmcia size devices inside buildings to work forget it.
Each client will need an outdoor antenna.
Depending on geography and vegetation there will be some blind spots even with outdoor antennas.

 

by: wparrottPosted on 2005-10-02 at 17:33:31ID: 15003583

I work with a local ISP who provides wireless internet service. There are lots of challenges to providing reliable service, none of which have cheap solutions. Take a look at these vendors, who provide equipment designed specifically to provide the type of distance you are talking about:

http://www.alvarion-usa.com/RunTime/UsaHomePage.asp

http://motorola.canopywireless.com/

http://www.proxim.com/products/bwa/multipoint/

I've used products from all three of these vendors to provide broadband access for the school division I work for.


Hope this helps,

William

 

by: rakoczyPosted on 2005-10-03 at 01:19:25ID: 15004864

802.11b is the 2..4GHz network. It is the signal that will travel the furthes but also the band (the selection of frequencies in the 802.11b standard) that is most prone for disturbances and noise from other equipment.

I dont know what .11n is, but your signal will not work with pure .11g equipment. For that you need a .11g antenna. g is the 5Ghz network. ALOT of .11g equipment (net work cards) also has .11b modules on them, and then they will be able to recieve the signal.

It is also true that ALL clients/recievers will need outdoor antennas as well. They will be able to *recieve* the signal, but with their small antennas they will not be able to send anything back to you. However a cigarette pack sized antenna is often sufficient for  distances up to 2 km if you have a short cable length between the antenna and the WLAN box, and if it is a clear view without obstacles. Oh, and this is for the clients we are talking now, not your antenna.

rakoczy

 

by: rakoczyPosted on 2005-10-03 at 01:24:44ID: 15004882

With 802.11g 'antenna' I also meant to include equipment...

rakoczy

 

by: IanThPosted on 2005-10-03 at 04:30:30ID: 15005508

802.11g in not in 5Ghz
802.11g is in 2.4Ghz as is 802.11b
802.11a was in 5Ghz

 

by: rakoczyPosted on 2005-10-04 at 00:09:37ID: 15011985

Thank you for the correction. g is a boost up of the 2.4GHz network but still with the same channel limitation.

Sorry for the erronous information.

rakoczy

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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