Azimuth and Elevation Radiation Patterns
Mounting on a Vertical Surface
Connecting the Antenna to the Access Point
Communications, Services, and Additional Information
First Published: July 07, 2020
Last Updated: October 13, 2020
This document describes the Cisco Catalyst 2.4 GHz and 5/6 GHz Dual-Band Polarization-Diverse Omnidirectional Antenna (C-ANT9102=), and provides electrical specifications and mounting instructions.
The antenna is an octal DART port, polarization-diverse omnidirectional antenna that operates over the 2.4 GHz band and extended 5 GHz band (up to 7.125 GHz), and IoT. It has 8 RF paths and 16 digital lines. It also has an LED. The antenna ships with an articulating mount for use on flat surfaces and masts, and is adjustable in both horizontal and vertical planes.
The antenna is designed for use in indoor and outdoor environments with an approved Cisco Catalyst series access point that requires four dual-band (2.4/5/6 GHz) and four 5/6 GHz antennas. The antenna also includes circuitry to enable self-identification of the antenna by the access points.
The following information is provided in this document:
■Azimuth and Elevation Radiation Patterns
■Connecting the Antenna to the Access Point
The figures below show the azimuth plane patterns and elevation plane patterns for each element in the antenna.
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This antenna is designed for indoor and outdoor use with any Cisco Catalyst 91xx Series access point with an octal DART port.
For your safety, read and follow these safety precautions.
1. Before you install an antenna, contact your Cisco account representative to explain which mounting method to use for the size and type of antenna that you are about to install.
2. Find someone to help you—installing an antenna is often a two-person job.
3. Select your installation site with safety, as well as performance, in mind. Remember that electric power lines and phone lines look alike. For your safety, assume that any overhead line can kill you.
4. Contact your electric power company. Tell them your plans and ask them to come look at your proposed installation.
5. Plan your installation carefully and completely before you begin. Each person involved in an installation should be assigned to a specific task, and should know what to do and when to do it. One person should be in charge of the operation to issue instructions and watch for signs of trouble.
6. When installing your antenna, follow these guidelines:
b. Do not work on a wet or windy day.
c. Do dress properly—wear shoes with rubber soles and heels, rubber gloves, and a long-sleeved shirt or jacket.
7. If the assembly starts to drop, move away from it and let it fall. Because the antenna, mast, cable, and metal guy wires are all excellent conductors of electrical current, even the slightest touch of any of these parts to a power line completes an electrical path through the antenna and the installer.
8. If any part of the antenna system should come in contact with a power line, do not touch it or try to remove it yourself. Call your local power company to have it removed safely.
9. If an accident should occur with the power lines, call for qualified emergency help immediately.
Antennas transmit and receive radio signals which 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:
■Install the antenna vertically and mount it with the cables pointing towards the ground.
■Keep the antenna away from metal obstructions such as heating and air-conditioning ducts, large ceiling trusses, building superstructures, and major power cabling runs. If necessary, use a rigid conduit to lower the antenna away from these obstructions.
■The density of the materials used in a building’s construction determines the number of walls the signal can pass through and still maintain adequate signal strength. Consider the following before choosing the location for your antenna:
–Signals penetrate paper and vinyl walls with little change to signal strength.
–Signals penetrate only one or two solid and pre-cast concrete walls without degrading signal strength.
–Signals penetrate three or four concrete and wood block walls without degrading signal strength.
–Signals penetrate five or six walls constructed of drywall or wood without degrading signal strength.
–Signals will likely reflect off a thick metal wall and may not penetrate it at all.
–Signals will likely reflect off a chain link fence or wire mesh spaced between 1 and 1 1/2 in. (2.5 and 3.8 cm). The fence acts as a harmonic reflector that blocks the signal.
■Install the antenna away from microwave ovens and 2-GHz cordless phones. These products can cause signal interference because they operate in the same frequency range as the device to which your antenna is connected.
The antenna should be mounted clear of any obstructions to the sides of the radiating elements. Generally, the higher an antenna is above the floor, the better it performs. If possible, find a mounting place directly above your wireless device to ensure the lead-in cable can be as short as possible.
For instructions to mount the antenna, go to the below sections:
You can install the antenna on any flat vertical surface, on a pole, or on an indoor hard ceiling (not to be used with recessed ceiling systems). All hardware for mounting the antenna on a wall or ceiling is provided. If you intend to install your antenna on another surface, you must provide the appropriate hardware.
A mounting installation kit is included with the antenna and consists of the following hardware:
■Two 5/16-18 x 15/8-in. SS HHC screws
■Two 5/16-in. SS split-lock washers
■Two 57mm-82mm worm-gear hose clamp
You may need the following tools and equipment, which are not provided.
Follow these steps to mount your antenna on a vertical surface like a wall.
Once the antenna is secured on the wall, you can adjust the azimuth and elevation.
You can mount the C-ANT9102= outdoors. While mounting the antenna outdoors, you must ensure that the antenna cables exit from the bottom to prevent any water intrusion. The antenna DART plug is not outdoor rated and must be protected from outdoor elements.
To mount the antenna on a ceiling, follow these steps:
The antenna can be mounted on a mast rather than on a wall using the two worm-gear hose clamps provided.
To mount the antenna on a mast, follow these steps:
Once the antenna is secured on the mast, you can adjust the azimuth and elevation.
The C-ANT9102= has an 8-port DART connector which is connected to the octal DART port on the access point.
The C-ANT9102= includes circuitry to enable self-identification of the antenna by the Cisco Catalyst 91xx Series access points. The C-ANT9102= antenna has a built-in EEPROM that can be read by the AP to automatically configure the antenna type and gain in the wireless controller.
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