The radios on outdoor units (bridges) have higher transmit power levels than radios on
indoor units (APs). When you test high-power radios in a link, you must avoid exceeding
the receiver's maximum receive input level. At levels above the normal operating range,
packet error rate (PER) performance is degraded. At even higher levels, the receiver can
be permanently damaged. To avoid receiver damage and PER degradation, you can use one of
the following techniques:
Note
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These distances assume free space path loss and are conservative estimates. Required
separation distances for damage and performance degradation levels in actual deployments
are less if conditions are not non-line-of-sight.
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Reduce the configured transmit power to the minimum level.
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Use directional antennas, and keep them away from each other.
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Cable the radios together using a combination of attenuators, combiners, or
splitters to achieve a total attenuation of at least 60 dB.
For a radiated testbed, the following equation describes the relationships among transmit
power, antenna gain, attenuation, and receiver sensitivity:
txpwr + tx gain + rx gain - [attenuation due to antenna spacing] < max rx input level
Where:
txpwr = Radio transmit power level
tx gain = transmitter antenna gain
rx gain = receiver antenna gain
For a conducted test bed, the following equation describes the relationships among
transmit power, antenna gain, and receiver sensitivity:
txpwr - [attenuation due to coaxial components] < max rx input level
Caution
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Under no circumstances should you connect the antenna port from one AP
to the antenna port of another AP without using an RF attenuator. If you connect antenna
ports, you must not exceed the maximum survivable receive level of 0 dBm. Never exceed 0
dBm, or damage to the AP can occur. Using attenuators, combiners, and splitters having a
total of at least 60 dB of attenuation ensures that the receiver is not damaged and that
PER performance is not degraded.
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