Contec DS540-APDLAP User Manual

3. Setup

FX-DS540-APDL-U

Operating Environment and Radio Waves

When using this product to construct a network, install and operate it considering the radio environment

to optimize the performance.

Is allowed to use radio equipment at the installation location?

In some medical institutions and laboratories, radio-sensitive precision instruments are used and it may

be prohibited to use radio equipment.

Radio waves are attenuated.

Although a radio wave is attenuated naturally as it travels from its transmission source, it may also be

attenuated by an object existing in its way. Major obstacles that attenuate radio waves are as follows:

- Concrete

wall

Metal surfaces in the vicinity of the antenna

Obstacles blocking radio waves include metal walls and walls containing a metal firewall.

Strictly speaking, nearly all objects in the path of the radio waves (such as partitions or people) cause

some attenuation but these do not have a significant impact on network performance.

RSSI (Receive Signal Strength Indication) utility is available as a means of knowing the signal strength

of an incoming radio wave. Placing this product for a greater RSSI value makes the communication state

more stable. If the RSSI value is small and slightly moving the position of the product does not increase

the RSSI value, it indicates radio wave attenuation either to the distance or by an obstacle.

Pay attention to radio interference.

Radio interference means the reception of radio waves in the frequency band used by this network that

are generated by equipment that is not part of the network to which this product belongs. Listed below

are major examples of sources of interfering radio waves generated in general environments excluding

plants and factories:

5GHz (using by IEEE802.11a) or 2.4GHz (using by IEEE802.11b/IEEE802.11g) band wireless

networks that do not comply with IEEE802.11

Using by IEEE802.11b/IEEE802.11g. Ex. microwave ovens, security gates (installed near the

entrances of some department stores and rental shops), copiers which give off the 2.4GHz electric

waves.

Where there is a large metal wall such as in a warehouse, the radio wave generated from the sender is

reflected, resulting in those radio waves reaching the receiver which have taken different routes (thereby

phase-shifted). This has the similar effect as the generation of interfering radio waves, possibly slowing

down data transfer.

Most of the interfering radio wave sources other than wireless networks have local and/or temporary

effects, not so affecting network performance. Rarely, however, the date rate is reduced and, in the

worst case, communication is disabled temporarily. In such cases, change the location of this product

and the channel used for communication. This may solve the problem.