
Linking Multiple Base Stations
Users have several options when linking, or connecting, multiple
BTR-240 base stations together. This can be accomplished by a
digital connection (via Ethernet) or analog connection (via 2-wire
or 4-wire). Each type of link has tradeoffs regarding capacity,
latency, and audio quality.
When deploying multiple 2.4GHz 802.11 access points, such as
the BTR-240 base stations, there are interference considerations
that must be taken into account to ensure that users obtain the
optimal performance.
The interference between multiple access points on the same RF
channel is called co-channel interference (CCI) and the
interference between multiple access points on different RF
channels is called adjacent channel interference (ACI). These
types of interference are discussed in further detail in Section 10
“RF Channels and Interference” of this manual. To avoid the
effects of RF interference with multiple access points, however, a
specific deployment strategy, called a cell-type architecture, is
required to ensure optimal performance.
Cell-Type Architecture
A cell-type architecture is a deployment strategy where the
BTR-240 base station provides wireless coverage for it’s own
co-located beltpacks only. The coverage area is the area around
the access point in which the receiver can receive and decode the
data packets with minimal error rates. The Clear Channel
Assessment (CCA) area is the area around the access point in
which the error rate of a receiver is high (out of range) but the
receiver can still “sense” the environment and detect if the
channel is busy before transmitting a signal.
In a cell-type architecture, the coverage areas from multiple base
stations should not overlap. When coverage areas do overlap,
there will be interference. Interference also exists even if the base
stations are operating on “non-overlapping” RF channels if the
base stations are in very close proximity to each other (e.g., rack
equipment).
Figure 7-7 is an example of a good cell-type deployment strategy
where the coverage areas from multiple base stations do not
overlap. Figure 7-8 shows an example of poor cell-type
deployment where the coverage areas from multiple base stations
do overlap which will cause interference.
There are many factors that affect the amount of interference that
a BTR-240 will be subject to. These include:
•
Channel Spacing and Utilization
•
Separation Distance and Antenna Gain
•
Type of Environment
Channel Spacing and Utilization
Many channels, overlapping and non-overlapping, can co-exist
without noticeable interference if channel utilization, or amount
of channel activity, is minimal. For example, a BTR-240 with 8
wireless full-duplex TR-240s is operating at maximum channel
utilization. A second BTR-240 operating on an adjacent channel
may cause no interference if there are no TR-240s associated with
it. If the second BTR-240 acquires 2 wireless full-duplex
TR-240s, then there may be significant interference.
When deploying a BTR-240 in the presence of other BTR-240s
and/or other Wi-Fi access points, it is necessary to select the RF
channel that will have the least amount of energy. The ClearScan
algorithm will scan nearby access points and automatically select
the channel with the least activity and least amount of RF energy.
NOTE: When using multiple BTR-240s in close proximity,
users should always operate them on different
non-overlapping channels.
7-5
TALKTALK
CHANNELCHANNEL
SELECTSELECT
11
22
VOLUMEVOLUME
BTR-240
POWERPOWER
menumenu
setset
AuxOut:1&2GAuxOut:1&2G
AuxIn:1&2LAuxIn:1&2L
RF Ch: 6 2W:1&2RF Ch: 6 2W:1&2
Assoc: 0 4W:1&2Assoc: 0 4W:1&2
TALKTALK
CHANNELCHANNEL
SELECTSELECT
11
22
VOLUMEVOLUME
BTR-240
POWERPOWER
menumenu
setset
AuxOut:1&2GAuxOut:1&2G
AuxIn:1&2LAuxIn:1&2L
RF Ch: 6 2W:1&2RF Ch: 6 2W:1&2
Assoc: 0 4W:1&2Assoc: 0 4W:1&2
Figure 7-7
Example of Good Cell-Type Deployment
TALKTALK
CHANNELCHANNEL
SELECTSELECT
11
22
VOLUMEVOLUME
BTR-240
POWERPOWER
menumenu
setset
AuxOut:1&2GAuxOut:1&2G
AuxIn:1&2LAuxIn:1&2L
RF Ch: 6 2W:1&2RF Ch: 6 2W:1&2
Assoc: 0 4W:1&2Assoc: 0 4W:1&2
TALKTALK
CHANNELCHANNEL
SELECTSELECT
11
22
VOLUMEVOLUME
BTR-240
POWERPOWER
menumenu
setset
AuxOut:1&2GAuxOut:1&2G
AuxIn:1&2LAuxIn:1&2L
RF Ch: 6 2W:1&2RF Ch: 6 2W:1&2
Assoc: 0 4W:1&2Assoc: 0 4W:1&2
Figure 7-8
Example of Poor Cell-Type Deployment
TALKTALK
CHANNELCHANNEL
SELECTSELECT
11
22
VOLUMEVOLUME
BTR-240
POWERPOWER
menumenu
setset
AuxOut:1&2GAuxOut:1&2G
AuxIn:1&2LAuxIn:1&2L
RF Ch: 6 2W:1&2RF Ch: 6 2W:1&2
Assoc: 0 4W:1&2Assoc: 0 4W:1&2
Coverage
Area
CCA
Area
Figure 7-6
BTR-240 Coverage and CCA Areas
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