Badger Meter ORION AMR/AMI Hardware Solutions for Gas Utilities - Manual (Page 36)

ORION® Fixed Network (SE) II Network Gateway Transceiver
Installation Considerations
To help maximize the performance of the ORION fixed network system, the following installation guidelines and
recommendations should be considered when selecting mounting locations for gateways .
The utility is responsible for properly positioning the gateway . For optimal reception and transmission, locate the gateway
transceiver and antennas in line-of-sight view of the desired endpoints .
• Avoid installing the gateway or remotely mounted antennas next to or between objects such as tall buildings,
towers, bridges, highway overpasses or signs that obstruct line of sight with the endpoints .
• Avoid installing the gateway or remotely mounted antennas near RF transmitters or other sources of RF radiation
including high-power in band and near-power sources such as pagers, cellular 900 MHz transmitters and
communications transmitters . Other potential sources of RF radiation include power line transformers, neon or
fluorescent signs, RADAR transmitters and SCADA systems . If the gateway is to be located near other RF radiators, a
minimum distance of 100 feet horizontal separation and 10 feet vertical separation must be maintained between the
gateway and the source of RF radiation .
• Mount the gateway as high as possible above average terrain, within the limits of the 300-foot power cable, and
maintain a 360 degree view of the horizon .
• Minimum standoff distance of two (2) feet from any structure is required .
• The gateway transceiver or remotely mounted antennas should be positioned no closer than 25 feet from the
nearest endpoint .
• Avoid installing the gateway transceiver antennas inside metal enclosures or inside of a building as the antennas
cannot communicate if surrounded by metal .
Required Tntenna Tests
Once the antennas have been installed, but prior to attaching the antenna assembly to the gateway enclosure, the
installation contractor must take a VSWR reading on the remotely mounted antenna system . The actual measurement should
be recorded and provided to Badger Meter as part of the installation information for each gateway .
• For the TX/RX antennas, the VSWR meter should be set to 915 MHz .
• For the backhaul antenna, the VSWR meter should be set to 900 MHz .
• VSWR measurement 1:1…2:1 (for example, 1 .2:1, 1 .5:1 or 1 .9:1) is acceptable .
Any objects that come into contact with the antenna during this test will affect the outcome of the VSWR measurement .
In order to properly make this measurement, the antenna must be located in free space (holding the antenna by the cable
below the Type N connection is acceptable), away from any metallic objects .
NOTE: N All installation cables and devices (for example, lightning arrestor) must be included for the VSWR measurement .
Report the VSWR reading to Badger Meter for each installation using the ORION Fixed Network II Gateway Installation Form .
The three-page form starts on page 43 .
Page 36 March 2014