Badger Meter ORION Fixed Network User Manual

ORION® Fixed Network Guidelines

OVERVIEW

To help maximize the performance of your ORION Fixed
Network (SE) system, the following installation guidelines
and recommendations are being provided.

Taking a few minutes to review this information prior to
installing your ORION Fixed Network system will guide you
toward a safe and optimal system deployment.

PROPAGATION STUDY AND RECOMMENDED
INSTALLATION ORDER

Badger Meter provides each customer with an
RF propagation study that outlines the expected
performance of the system when the endpoints and
gateway devices are installed according to Badger Meter
installation and operation manuals. The propagation study is
a guideline to help place gateway infrastructure in locations
that will maximize performance.

The Badger Meter RF propagation study is contingent upon
the following installation protocol:

• Pit endpoints are installed through a non-metal lid
and are confirmed by the handheld test equipment
to support two-way communications to and from the
gateway at the time of endpoint installation.

• Remote/indoor endpoints are installed in a location
confirmed by the handheld test equipment to support
two-way communications to and from the gateway at
the time of endpoint installation.

• Gateways are installed in a location that provides the
antennas with a 360 degree view of the service area.
Gateways are required to be mounted as far as possible
from other RF antennas that may interfere with the
performance of the system and out of the direct path
of a directional antenna. Please refer to Badger Meter
installation and user manuals, available at

www.badgermeter.com, for more information on proper

gateway installation.

• When deploying an ORION Fixed Network system in
fixed network mode, Badger Meter recommends that the
gateways be installed before installation of the endpoints.
When gateways are installed first, full system testing
can be completed when the endpoints are deployed
to confirm two-way communication to and from the
gateway. This testing allows utilities to confirm that the
endpoint will successfully transition to a fixed network
mode of operation when requested by the system.

BEFORE STARTING INSTALLATION

Prior to installation, confirm that the installer is qualified,
properly trained, certified and insured.

Installation, mounting and disposal must be done in
accordance with all local, state and federal regulations,
including zoning and permit requirements, and compliance
with applicable industry standards, such as ANSI/TIA/EIA 222
(structural standards for steel antenna towers and antenna
supporting structures) and the National Electrical Code
(NEC). Proper grounding is necessary, and in the case of a
wooden pole, a dedicated copper ground wire should be
used for lightning protection.

ORI-UM-00581-EN-03 (February 2014)

Make sure the proper tools, mounting hardware and proper
length of power cable are available for the deployment.

Installation Data

ORION Fixed Network

GATEWAY LOCATION AND INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS

When selecting a location for a gateway deployment, the following considerations must be addressed before installation.

• How will the gateway be powered?

The gateway requires a power source. Consider the power source when selecting the location.

• How will the data collected by the gateway be sent back to the ReadCenter® Analytics software at the utility?

Cellular networks, LAN (local area network) and proprietary networks are the different backhaul options available.

• Are there other sources of RF in the proposed gateway location? If so, what frequency do they use? What are they
used for? Is there a location far enough away from the other RF devices to avoid potential interference?

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, other 900 MHz transmitters and other 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.

Refer to Badger Meter installation manuals for more information regarding gateway installations.

• How high will the gateway be installed?

Typically, the higher the gateway installation the better for system performance. 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.
Based on previous deployments, there comes a point of diminishing return on performance that can be expected
with additional height, which is somewhere between 100 and 150 feet. Regulatory limitations and requirements may
also apply.

• Will a remote antenna be deployed?

With the ORION Fixed Network II gateway, the TX/RX antennas and/or backhaul antenna can be installed separately from
the gateway transceiver. However, once the antennas have been installed but prior to attaching the antenna assembly
to the gateway enclosure, the professional installer is required to take VSWR readings on the remotely mounted antenna
system and record them.

Other Gateway Installation Considerations

• For optimal reception and transmission, locate the gateway transceiver and antennas in line-of-sight view of the
desired endpoints.

• The gateway transceiver or remotely mounted antennas should be positioned no closer than 25 feet from the
nearest endpoint.

• 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 transceiver antennas inside metal enclosures or inside a building as the antennas cannot
communicate if surrounded by metal.

• Minimum standoff distance of two (2) feet from any structure is required.

• Locations and heights of gateways should match those used in the propagation study.

Page 2 February 2014