I have many towers with canopy- at the time of taking the network the setup is all using omni antennas. for a broad view, we have other wireless devices in use as well (microtik atheros, waverider, tranzeo). Canopy has been our largest attention for a while. Some towers work fine (well- we only get about 6-8 mi. for SM’s)
The sms we use are connectorized sms with 9.5 stingers. Not only do I find a large difference in my distance, I also know that most probably don’t use omnis with canopy as they are for 60 degree sectors. However, could this cause THAT much of a difference?
We are located in the middle/north of illinois. there are plenty of trees, and hills but I can’t even break 8mi with LOS.
There is a tower specific I wanted to ask about-
We have our omni on top of a water tower (I know) and it is set up pretty much on default settings except it appears to be at 50% downlink but I don’t see how that would effect the signal. Characteristics…
There are high voltage power lines aout 200 yds form the tower - actually, there is an intersection of high voltage power lines about 200 yds form the tower. There are other things up there- but everyone asssures me that they are on 2.4 and not 900. (separation is max at maybe 5ft for each antenna up there). The others don’t report any problems with their system.
Problems that happen (this is at about 1-2 mi. from tower)…
downlink on sm’s are 95-100
Uplink is at 50-80 %
Re-registers are over 1000 per week. (this is the worst one… most around 400 or so)
These re-registers are sparatic between customers- meaning that the neighbor of a non-working sm is working fine. non-working customers are about half of total. there is no geographic or locational consistancy between working and non-working.
I have changed freq and nothing got better.
I did use an sm to do a freq scan and found a spike happening every minute on the next freq down… like it was walking up and down the 900 freq (except for the first and last 3). the stregnth of this signal was only about 70dbm… I woud think it isn’t enough to throw canopy off… plus since not all customers get re-registers, I thought it wouldn’t be that.
All these customers are LOS.
They all have rssi around 1506 , Dbm about -66, and jitter around 1-2 in 2X mode.
from ap system log:
External Hard Reset WatchDog
18:50:31 UT : 02/19/07 : File root.c : Line 940 System Startup
18:50:31 UT : 02/19/07 : File root.c : Line 945 Software Version : CANOPY 7.2.9 Jul 23 2005 01:49:03 AP-DES
18:50:31 UT : 02/19/07 : File root.c : Line 949 Software Boot Version : CANOPYBOOT 3.0
18:50:31 UT : 02/19/07 : File root.c : Line 955 FPGA Version : 070605
18:50:31 UT : 02/19/07 : File root.c : Line 959 FPGA Features : DES Sched
18:50:41 UT : 02/19/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/rfhwsched.c : Line 1449 Acquired GPS Sync Pulse.
18:56:44 UT : 02/19/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 1062 Time set
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 1062 Time set
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 918 System Reset Exception – External Hard Reset
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 940 System Startup
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 945 Software Version : CANOPY 7.2.9 Jul 23 2005 01:49:03 AP-DES
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 949 Software Boot Version : CANOPYBOOT 3.0
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 955 FPGA Version : 070605
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 959 FPGA Features : DES Sched
00:15:52 UT : 01/01/01 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/rfhwsched.c : Line 1449 Acquired GPS Sync Pulse.
21:56:54 UT : 02/20/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 1062 Time set
23:20:00 UT : 02/20/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/rfhwsched.c : Line 1522 Loss of GPS Sync Pulse.
23:20:56 UT : 02/20/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/rfhwsched.c : Line 1449 Acquired GPS Sync Pulse.
23:17:30 UT : 02/21/07 : File httptask.c : Line 733 Reboot from Webpage.
23:17:30 UT : 02/21/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/rfhwsched.c : Line 1522 Loss of GPS Sync Pulse.
23:17:27 UT : 02/21/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 1062 Time set
23:17:27 UT : 02/21/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 918 System Reset Exception – External Hard Reset WatchDog
23:17:27 UT : 02/21/07 : File root.c : Line 940 System Startup
23:17:27 UT : 02/21/07 : File root.c : Line 945 Software Version : CANOPY 7.2.9 Jul 23 2005 01:49:03 AP-DES
23:17:27 UT : 02/21/07 : File root.c : Line 949 Software Boot Version : CANOPYBOOT 3.0
23:17:27 UT : 02/21/07 : File root.c : Line 955 FPGA Version : 070605
23:17:27 UT : 02/21/07 : File root.c : Line 959 FPGA Features : DES Sched
23:17:37 UT : 02/21/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/rfhwsched.c : Line 1449 Acquired GPS Sync Pulse.
23:18:46 UT : 02/21/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 1062 Time set
13:53:57 UT : 02/23/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/rfhwsched.c : Line 1522 Loss of GPS Sync Pulse.
13:54:50 UT : 02/23/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/rfhwsched.c : Line 1449 Acquired GPS Sync Pulse.
14:14:18 UT : 02/23/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/rfhwsched.c : Line 1522 Loss of GPS Sync Pulse.
14:15:10 UT : 02/23/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/rfhwsched.c : Line 1449 Acquired GPS Sync Pulse.
14:52:20 UT : 02/23/07 : File httptask.c : Line 733 Reboot from Webpage.
14:52:20 UT : 02/23/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/rfhwsched.c : Line 1522 Loss of GPS Sync Pulse.
14:51:45 UT : 02/23/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 1062 Time set
14:51:45 UT : 02/23/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 918 System Reset Exception – External Hard Reset WatchDog
14:51:45 UT : 02/23/07 : File root.c : Line 940 System Startup
14:51:45 UT : 02/23/07 : File root.c : Line 945 Software Version : CANOPY 7.2.9 Jul 23 2005 01:49:03 AP-DES
14:51:45 UT : 02/23/07 : File root.c : Line 949 Software Boot Version : CANOPYBOOT 3.0
14:51:45 UT : 02/23/07 : File root.c : Line 955 FPGA Version : 070605
14:51:45 UT : 02/23/07 : File root.c : Line 959 FPGA Features : DES Sched
14:51:56 UT : 02/23/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/rfhwsched.c : Line 1449 Acquired GPS Sync Pulse.
14:53:36 UT : 02/23/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 1062 Time set
02:08:03 UT : 02/25/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/rfhwsched.c : Line 1522 Loss of GPS Sync Pulse.
02:08:57 UT : 02/25/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/rfhwsched.c : Line 1449 Acquired GPS Sync Pulse.
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 1062 Time set
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 918 System Reset Exception – External Hard Reset
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 940 System Startup
FROM SM’s Log:
External Hard Reset
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 940 System Startup
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 945 Software Version : CANOPY 7.2.9 Jul 23 2005 01:49:03 SM-DES
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 949 Software Boot Version : CANOPYBOOT 3.0
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 955 FPGA Version : 020205
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 959 FPGA Features : DES
00:03:31 UT : 01/01/01 : File altboot.c : Line 1468 Selecting FPGA: DES_70605_S40B.rbf index: 2
00:04:28 UT : 01/01/01 : File httptask.c : Line 733 Reboot from Webpage.
00:01:01 UT : 01/01/01 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 1062 Time set
00:01:01 UT : 01/01/01 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 918 System Reset Exception – External Hard Reset WatchDog
00:01:01 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 940 System Startup
00:01:01 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 945 Software Version : CANOPY 7.2.9 Jul 23 2005 01:49:03 SM-DES
00:01:01 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 949 Software Boot Version : CANOPYBOOT 3.0
00:01:01 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 955 FPGA Version : 070605
00:01:01 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 959 FPGA Features : DES Sched
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 1062 Time set
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 918 System Reset Exception – External Hard Reset
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 940 System Startup
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 945 Software Version : CANOPY 7.2.9 Jul 23 2005 01:49:03 SM-DES
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 949 Software Boot Version : CANOPYBOOT 3.0
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 955 FPGA Version : 070605
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 959 FPGA Features : DES Sched
20:18:13 UT : 02/02/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 1062 Time set
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 1062 Time set
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 918 System Reset Exception – External Hard Reset
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 940 System Startup
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 945 Software Version : CANOPY 7.2.9 Jul 23 2005 01:49:03 SM-DES
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 949 Software Boot Version : CANOPYBOOT 3.0
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 955 FPGA Version : 070605
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 959 FPGA Features : DES Sched
21:00:37 UT : 02/02/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 1062 Time set
22:41:36 UT : 02/07/07 : File httptask.c : Line 733 Reboot from Webpage.
22:40:24 UT : 02/07/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 1062 Time set
22:40:24 UT : 02/07/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 918 System Reset Exception – External Hard Reset WatchDog
22:40:24 UT : 02/07/07 : File root.c : Line 940 System Startup
22:40:24 UT : 02/07/07 : File root.c : Line 945 Software Version : CANOPY 7.2.9 Jul 23 2005 01:49:03 SM-DES
22:40:24 UT : 02/07/07 : File root.c : Line 949 Software Boot Version : CANOPYBOOT 3.0
22:40:24 UT : 02/07/07 : File root.c : Line 955 FPGA Version : 070605
22:40:24 UT : 02/07/07 : File root.c : Line 959 FPGA Features : DES Sched
22:42:19 UT : 02/07/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 1062 Time set
23:17:42 UT : 02/21/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 1062 Time set
23:19:13 UT : 02/21/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 1062 Time set
14:06:55 UT : 02/22/07 : File httptask.c : Line 733 Reboot from Webpage.
14:06:35 UT : 02/22/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 1062 Time set
14:06:35 UT : 02/22/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 918 System Reset Exception – External Hard Reset WatchDog
14:06:35 UT : 02/22/07 : File root.c : Line 940 System Startup
14:06:35 UT : 02/22/07 : File root.c : Line 945 Software Version : CANOPY 7.2.9 Jul 23 2005 01:49:03 SM-DES
14:06:35 UT : 02/22/07 : File root.c : Line 949 Software Boot Version : CANOPYBOOT 3.0
14:06:35 UT : 02/22/07 : File root.c : Line 955 FPGA Version : 070605
14:06:35 UT : 02/22/07 : File root.c : Line 959 FPGA Features : DES Sched
14:07:38 UT : 02/22/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 1062 Time set
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 1062 Time set
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 918 System Reset Exception – External Hard Reset
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 940 System Startup
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 945 Software Version : CANOPY 7.2.9 Jul 23 2005 01:49:03 SM-DES
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 949 Software Boot Version : CANOPYBOOT 3.0
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 955 FPGA Version : 070605
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File root.c : Line 959 FPGA Features : DES Sched
17:37:20 UT : 02/22/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 1062 Time set
14:51:57 UT : 02/23/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 1062 Time set
15:02:58 UT : 02/23/07 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 1062 Time set
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 1062 Time set
00:00:00 UT : 01/01/01 : File C:/ISIPPC/pssppc.250/bsps/devices/whisp/syslog.c : Line 918 System Reset Exception –
I have hardware scheduling enabled… don’t really know which is better for that… I can’t think of anything else to mention…
All the other towers do ok (other than the 8 mi limit) **Is it nessesary to use downtilt and why would it be? (if using sectors)…
so any help would be awsome and greatly appreciated. thanks!
OH, the timming is off a CMM GPS.
Luke
Assuming the following are true:
- There are no other Canopy 900MHz AP’s other than yours within 10 miles
- Any other 900MHz AP within 10 miles are sync’d with GPS
- Any other 900MHa Canopy AP is configured identically to the other
- There are no other 900MHz AP’s from any other manufacturer in the area
- You have done a full spectrum analysis of 900Mz band and it’s fairly clear
Distance will vary depending on antenna height, terrain, noise floor, power level, and antenna gain. A 900 AP on an Omni (I’ll assume it’s a 9dB Horizontally Polarized antenna) combined with a 900SM on a 9.5dB stinger will get you about 8 miles so you are right in there.
I would recommend 13dB yagi antennas which will give you +3.5dB of gain. This would be like getting more than double the power from the SM. In addition, the yagi is a very directional antenna and helps mitigate interference from the side and back of the customers location.
Local customer interference can include cordless phones (any frequency) baby monitors, wireless video links, etc. These can be random and as a result very difficult to locate.
Power lines are a killer for 900MHz. Depending on the angle at which the customer is pointing at the AP they may get an acceptable signal, or nothing.
Some configuration suggestions:
- Confirm you are using all Horizontally Polarized Omni’s and SM antennas
- Confirm power levels from SM’s are balanced at the AP. Search for topics regarding balancing SM power levels
- Turn off 2X rate at the SM’s. Enable only for business customers, and only if they are close enough to maintain a 2X link
- Switch all AP’s to 75%
- Confirm all Canopy AP’s have same DL%, Control Slots, Max Distance
- Upgrade all AP’s and SM’s to 7.3.6 (hold on going to 8.x until you get all this worked out.)
If you have sectors, depending on the gain of the antenna, downtilt requirements will vary from 0 degrees and down. Too much downtilt and you lose alot of potential distance, not enough and you overshoot closer customers. The lower the antenna, the less downtilt you will need.
Hope all this helps.