Cisco Aironet 4.5-dBi Low Profile Omnidirectional Antenna (AIR-ANT5145V-R)
Installing the Antenna Using T-Rail Clips
Installing the Antenna Using Attached Mounting Clips
Obtaining Documentation and Submitting a Service Request
This document describes the Cisco Aironet 4.5-dBi Diversity Omnidirectional Antenna (AIR-ANT5145V-R), and provides instructions for mounting it. The antenna operates in the 5-GHz frequency range and is designed for use indoors.
This antenna is designed for use with Cisco Aironet access points and bridges but can be used with any 5-GHz Cisco Aironet radio device that utilizes reverse polarity Neil Councilman (RP-TNC) connectors.
Because the antenna transmits and receives radio signals, they are susceptible to RF obstructions and common sources of interference that can reduce throughput and range of the device to which they are connected. Follow these guidelines to ensure the best possible performance:
– Paper and vinyl walls have very little affect on signal penetration.
– Solid and pre-cast concrete walls limit signal penetration to one or two walls without degrading coverage.
– Wood and concrete block walls limit signal penetration to three or four walls.
– A signal can penetrate five or six walls constructed of drywall or wood.
– A thick metal wall causes signals to reflect off, causing poor penetration.
Follow these safety precautions when installing your antenna.
The antenna ships with a mounting bracket and the hardware required to install the antenna on a suspended ceiling. Two mounting methods are available. You can mount the antenna using standard suspended ceiling T-rail clips or you can mount the antenna using the clips attached to the antenna mounting bracket. Figure 1 shows the layout of the detachable mounting bracket configured to use the suspended ceiling T-rail clips.
Figure 1 Mounting Bracket Configured to Use Suspended Ceiling T-rail Clips
Figure 2 shows how the antenna mounting bracket is attached to a suspend ceiling T-rail using the attached clips.
Figure 2 Antenna Mounting Bracket Attached Mounting Clip Location
To install the antenna, you will need the following tools and equipment.
Follow these steps to install the antenna using the T-rail clips. It may be helpful to refer to before you begin.
Step 1 Choose a location in which to install the antenna.
Step 2 Remove the adjacent ceiling panels on each side of the T-rail on which the antenna is to be installed.
Note The panels must be removed so you can attach the antenna’s cables to the cables coming from the device using the antenna. Removing the pane lets you support to the ceiling T-rail when you snap the antenna in place on the mounting bracket.
Step 3 Attach the T-rail clips to the ceiling T-rail.
Step 4 Verify that the distance between the t-rail studs is 3.125-in (80 mm).
Step 5 Use a screwdriver to tighten the T-rail clip stud to the T-rail.
Step 6 Slip a plastic spacer onto the stud of each T-rail clip. Make sure the spacer legs are positioned against the T-rail. See Figure 1 for details.
Step 7 Position the mounting bracket into the T-rail clip studs.
Step 8 Start a T-rail nut on each stud.
Step 9 Tighten each T-rail nut wrench tight.
Step 10 Use the mounting bracket to determine and mark where to drill the antenna cable access hole in the ceiling panel.
Step 11 Drill a 3/4 in. (20 mm) hole at each mark.
Step 12 Position the antenna over the mounting bracket and feed each cable through its respective access hole.
Step 13 Grasp the ceiling T-rail as closely as possible to the mounting bracket while aligning the antenna with the retaining tabs.
Step 14 Snap the antenna over the retaining tabs.
Step 15 Connect the antenna cables.
Step 16 Replace the ceiling panels.
Figure 3 T-rail Clip Installation Details
Follow these steps to install the antenna on a suspended ceiling using the mounting clips attached to the antenna mounting bracket.
Note You cannot mount the antenna on suspended ceiling having recessed tiles. The clips are designed to be used on a ceiling having flush mounted tiles.
Step 1 If the T-rail clips are fastened to the antenna mounting bracket, remove them.
Step 2 Choose a location in which to install the antenna.
Step 3 Remove the adjacent ceiling panels on each side of the T-rail on which the antenna is to be installed.
Note The panels must be removed so you can attach the antenna’s cables to the cables coming from the device using the antenna. Removing the pane lets you support to the ceiling T-rail when you snap the antenna in place on the mounting bracket.
Step 4 Snap the antenna over the retaining tabs on the mounting bracket
Step 5 Align the mounting clips with the edge of the ceiling T-rail where you want to mount the antenna.
Step 6 Grasp the ceiling T-rail as closely as possible to the mounting bracket while pushing the clips securely onto the rail.
Step 7 Connect the antenna cables.
Step 8 Replace the ceiling panels.
Figure 4 Attached Clip Mounting Details
Cisco recommends a high-quality, low-loss cable for use with the antenna.
Note Coaxial cable loses efficiency as the frequency increases, resulting in signal loss. The cable should be kept as short as possible because cable length also determines the amount of signal loss (the longer the run, the greater the loss).
The antenna terminates with a RP-TNC plug after a short, 3-ft (0.91-m) cable. The mating connector to the antenna is an appropriate RP-TNC jack.
For information on obtaining documentation, using the Cisco Bug Search Tool (BST), submitting a service request, and gathering additional information, see What’s New in Cisco Product Documentation at: http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/general/whatsnew/whatsnew.html.
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