Application Note: Using Oberon's 1020 Series Indoor/Outdoor WAP Enclosures in Stadiums & other High Density Venues
APPLICATION NOTE
Using Oberon's 1020 Series Indoor/Outdoor
Enclosures in Stadiums and other High
Density Venues
Copyright 2014 Oberon, Inc.
4/30/2014
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Application Note: Using Oberon's 1020 Series Indoor/Outdoor WAP Enclosures in Stadiums & other High Density Venues
Stadiums, sports arenas, concert halls, auditoriums, forums, and other large
public venues are launching Wi-Fi services to provide audience members with
internet access and applications specific to the entertainment. This can include
real time game statistics, video, on-line interactive programs, course content, and
vendor order fulfillment information. Many service providers (SPs) are trying to
offload mobile data traffic to Wi-Fi networks to reduce the burden on their cellular
networks in public venues. Wi-Fi offers a lot more reusable bandwidth (especially
in the 5 GHz band) than the SPs can offer through their cellular bands. In many
cases, Wi-Fi is the only reasonable solution for mobile data services in these
venues due to the density and bandwidth requirements of the users. Design,
integration and installation in these larger facilities creates a unique challenge
due to the overall facility size, shape, and density of users.
WAP Density Requirement
Wi-Fi performance will depend on adequate density of Wi-Fi Access Points, or
WAP density. In the ANSI/TIA-4966 Telecommunications infrastructure for
Education Buildings and Spaces standard, the recommendation for WAP density
is provided in the table.
Number of audience members
Number of WAPs
1- 125
1 WAP for every 25 people, up to 6
WAPs
9
14
18
21
126-200
201-300
301-400
401-500
This high density of WAPs may be difficult to realize in open auditorium and
stadium installations, due to the absence of a suspended ceiling or convenient
walls. WAPs mounted up high will tend to interfere with each other. Many
designers are choosing to use low/ below/ behind seating installations, or other
installation methods where the WAP is closer to floor level than the ceiling. The
advantage is that this increases the number of locations for WAP installation and
can help to cut down on WAP interference. The challenge is to protect the WAP,
and provide for an inexpensive and reasonably aesthetic installation.
Physical Protection
In outdoor stadium installation, the WAP should be protected by an enclosure
designed to meet NEMA 4 standards for protection from weather, liquids and
dust. With such an enclosure the WAP is also protected from high pressure water
spray, and, to some extent, physical tampering. An enclosure designed to
NEMA4 standards may be mounted indoors and outdoors and will protect the
Copyright 2014 Oberon, Inc.
4/30/2014
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Application Note: Using Oberon's 1020 Series Indoor/Outdoor WAP Enclosures in Stadiums & other High Density Venues
WAP from rain, ice, snow, dust, pressure washing and the UV present in
sunlight.
In indoor locations, WAPs mounted under seating or low to the ground should
also be protected by an enclosure designed to protect the WAP from spilled
drinks, and cleaning and washing activities.
WAPs and their associated cabling mounted near or under seats or on the floor
should also be protected from physical damage. The use of rugged
polycarbonate enclosures with sturdy mounting features should be adequate to
protect the WAP from typical physical abuse.
Oberon’s 1020 Series WAP enclosures are designed to satisfy the NEMA 4
requirement and are constructed of a rugged polycarbonate material.
Polycarbonate is very durable, UV resistant, and is virtually transparent to the
wireless signal, so it will have very little impact on the wireless performance
Oberon Model 1024 wireless access point enclosure with hinged, latchable, lockable door.
Copyright 2014 Oberon, Inc.
4/30/2014
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Application Note: Using Oberon's 1020 Series Indoor/Outdoor WAP Enclosures in Stadiums & other High Density Venues
Oberon Model 1020-00 enclosure with screw on cover
Security
Installation of the WAP into an Oberon 1020 series polycarbonate enclosure with
a screw on cover is generally considered adequate to keep audience members
from tampering with the WAP. Enclosures with screw on covers are typically
Copyright 2014 Oberon, Inc.
4/30/2014
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Application Note: Using Oberon's 1020 Series Indoor/Outdoor WAP Enclosures in Stadiums & other High Density Venues
smaller than enclosures with hinges and latches, and so are a better solution for
under seating installations where space is a premium. The enclosure should
have recessed screws in the cover and flush mounting features to keep the WAP
from catching on audience member shoes or clothing. Tamper resistant screws
in the cover will help reduce tampering in environments that are left open to the
public. For locations that require the WAP to be locked in place, select an
enclosure with a hinged door and hasp for a padlock.
Spectrum Considerations
WAPs mounted outdoors are permitted by the FCC to operate over a restricted
range of frequencies, relative to indoor mounted WAPS. Some manufacturers
WAPs have special hardware or software settings designed specifically for
outdoor applications. Consult with the WAP manufacturer’s users manual for
restrictions on frequency usage in outdoor installations.
Aesthetics
In many of these public venues, aesthetics is paramount, especially in historic
auditoriums, concert halls, and some sporting arenas. Ideally, the WAP and
associated cabling and mounting hardware can be blended into the environment.
Oberon’s 1020 Series indoor/outdoor WAP enclosures are compact, and
minimize exposure of associated cabling and hardware. The Model 1020 is
designed for WAPs with integrated antennas, and is the most compact
indoor/outdoor WAP enclosure available. The Model 1024 is designed for WAPs
with connectors and detachable or external antennas, and is the most compact
enclosure for WAPs with external antennas.
Unlike standard industrial NEMA 4X boxes, Oberon’s 1020 and 1024 are
designed with concealed hinges and smaller seems, so they are more
appropriate for public venues. These enclosures can be painted to match the
environment. Most paints are relatively transparent to wireless signals (avoid
using metalized paint). The enclosure may be painted without voiding the WAP
warranty.
Thermal Considerations
When mounting active (powered) equipment such as WAPs and DAS access
units inside enclosures, the temperature within the enclosure increases over the
ambient temperature, due to the heat dissipation of the equipment inside the
enclosure. In general, WAPs consume less than 13 Watts of power, so there is
not a lot of heat generated. However, within these smaller enclosures, there is a
tangible temperature rise, so the operational temperature range of the WAP
Copyright 2014 Oberon, Inc.
4/30/2014
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Application Note: Using Oberon's 1020 Series Indoor/Outdoor WAP Enclosures in Stadiums & other High Density Venues
should be de-rated by the temperature rise expected. (See Oberon’s App Note
Calculating Temperature Rise in Enclosures).
Recommended De-rating
Based on measurements and calculations described in the App Note above,
Oberon recommends de-rating the access point manufacturer’s operating
temperature range by the following amounts, for the respective NEMA
enclosures (these are worst case, 12 W power dissipation de-ratings. Typical
power dissipation will be one half of 12 W). This is for any standards based, PoE
powered (or equivalent) wireless access point.
Enclosure Model
1020-00
1024-00
1026-16148
De-rate Maximum Operating Temperature by
11º C
7.5º C
6º C
Sun loading and other external factors may also de-rate the operating range
even further. Access points (whether in an enclosure or not) placed in direct
sunlight may get very hot. This will reduce the service lifespan of the WAP or
may cause outright failure. Access points and their enclosure should be
protected from direct sun to avoid overheating. This can be done by installing the
WAP under an awning, on the north side (in nothern hemisphere) of a structure
or in a sun shroud, such as Oberon’s sun shroud for wireless access points
Antennas
Oberon offers indoor/outdoor antennas which are designed to mount directly onto
the enclosure body. These antennas are rugged, gasketed, and UV stabilized, so
they are suitable for outdoor duty. See Oberon’s 34-DMDUAL dual band
antenna, and 34-BMANT-24 and 34 BMANT-5 single band antennas at www.
Oberonwireless.com.
If “rubber duck” dipole antennas are attached directly to the enclosure, the best
performance outdoors will be achieved with the antennas at a 45 degree angle.
MIMO antennas work best indoors where the antenna is able to receive multiple
wavefronts due to reflections. Outdoors, the antennas due not receive the
reflection as they do indoors. By mounting the antennas at 45 degrees, as shown
in the figure, the received signal diversity is increased, which can help
performance in the outdoor environment.
Make sure externally mounted antennas are at least several inches away from
metal structures or poles. Externally mounted antennas must be UV stabilized to
avoid deterioration from direct exposure from sunlight. If non-UV stabilized
Copyright 2014 Oberon, Inc.
4/30/2014
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Application Note: Using Oberon's 1020 Series Indoor/Outdoor WAP Enclosures in Stadiums & other High Density Venues
antennas are used, it may be acceptable to mount the antennas beneath an
awing or other location where direct exposure to sunlight is minimal, as shown in
the figure.
Installation and Accessories
Oberon’s indoor/outdoor polycarbonate enclosures can be easily drilled for
connector and cable openings. When these openings are properly filled, the
enclosure retains its NEMA 4 capability. See Oberon’s accessories at
www.Oberonwireless.com. This includes bulkhead connectors, antennas,
cordgrips.
Copyright 2014 Oberon, Inc.
4/30/2014
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