Carlson Wireless Technologies RC2-CPE Revised Operator Manual

PRELIMINARY RELEASE

®

*** This is a confidential document. Do not distribute. ***

RuralConnect

TV White Space Radio

Installation & User Guide

Carlson

2700 Foster Avenue, Arcata, CA 95521

Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]

Wireless Technologies, Inc.

www.CarlsonWireless.com

Revised December 2, 2013

PRELIMINARY RELEASE

*** This is a confidential document. Do not distribute. ***

Trademarks

RuralConnect® and the RuralConnect® logo are registered trademarks of Carlson Wireless
Technologies, Inc. Windows® is a registered trademark of the Microsoft Corporation in the
United States and other countries.

Copyright

Copyright© 2013 Carlson Wireless Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No person may
reproduce this manual without explicit permission from Carlson. The information contained in
this publication is the latest available, as of the date printed on each page. Carlson reserves the
right to make changes without notice. Current revisions are available upon request.

Carlson Headquarters: 2700 Foster Avenue, Arcata, CA 95521 USA

Sales Inquiries and Application Support

Please contact the Carlson Sales Department for sales and/or application inquiries. Purchasers
of Carlson products are required to make their own evaluations of product suitability for their
specific application(s). Carlson’s obligations regarding the use and/or application of our products
and/or the use of this manual are limited to the terms set forth in the Standard Terms and
Conditions of Sale for a delivered product.

Technical Support

Training and support are only available for products purchased directly from Carlson; the
purchaser is responsible for technical assistance for all other system components. Carlson
Support is available from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM Pacific Standard Time, excluding weekends and
holidays.

Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Repair and Return

Carlson will replace or repair this product within one year from the date of shipment if it does not
meet published specifications, or if it fails while in service due to a manufacturer’s defect. You
must obtain a return merchandise authorization (RMA) prior to returning equipment to Carlson.
You can request an RMA on our web site at http://www.carlsonwireless.com/support/rma-

request.html.

Safety Warnings

In order to prevent personal injury, property damage, and/or equipment failure, it is essential that
the installer employ appropriate safety measures when testing, installing, or maintaining
RuralConnect® equipment. You are required to review all safety warnings in this manual prior to
testing, installing, and/or maintaining the system.

Qualified Personnel

Professionally trained service technicians are the only personnel qualified to perform the testing
and/or configuration steps outlined in this manual. Technicians are responsible for adhering to
all applicable safety regulations and industry-standard best practices. Carlson does not

Page | 2

PRELIMINARY RELEASE

*** This is a confidential document. Do not distribute. ***

authorize non-qualified personnel to work on equipment without the direct supervision of a
professionally trained service technician.

Proper Handling and Grounding

The electronic components of the RuralConnect® equipment are sensitive to electrostatic
discharge (ESD). In order to prevent potential warranty voiding damage, you must use an
adequately grounded anti-static wrist strap when handling the equipment. It is also important to
avoid the use of conductive tools. In order to prevent electric shock, always disconnect the
remote power source and all cables from the system prior to disconnecting the grounding
connection.

Installation

You must never perform any installation work on a tower, mast, or rooftop during lightning
storms or other inclement weather. Dangerous work of this nature could result in serious injury
and/or death. It is important to adhere to all of the applicable local, state, and federal regulations
pertaining to safety equipment and tower climbing practices.

RF Hazards

Per FCC regulations, RuralConnect® systems must be installed in a manner that ensures a
minimum of 40 centimeters (15.7 inches) separation between the antenna and any person.
Failure to do so could result in a fine and/or personal injury.

RF Exposure

The radio described in this manual transmits RF energy. The concentrated energy from the
antenna may pose a health hazard. All antennas used with this radio must be installed to
provide a minimum separation from all persons of 40 cm (15.7 inches). The above separation
distance must be maintained at all times. More information can be obtained from the FCC at the
following website:

http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Engineering_Technology/Documents/bullet

ins/oet65/oet65.pdf

Regulatory Compliance Information

Per Part 15 of the FCC regulations, the RuralConnect® operates within the specified limits of a
Class A digital device. Those limits ensure reasonable protection from harmful interference
when operating the equipment in a commercial setting. This system generates, utilizes, and may
radiate radio frequency energy. Incorrect installation and/or equipment use inconsistent with the
instructions in the manual may result in harmful interference to radio communications. Operation
of this equipment in a residential area may cause harmful interference in which case the user
will be required to correct the interference at his or her expense.

RuralConnect® operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. This device may not cause harmful interference.

2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.

Page | 3

PRELIMINARY RELEASE

*** This is a confidential document. Do not distribute. ***

Additional Information on TV Band Interference Protection

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the rules for TV band devices,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These rules are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. If this equipment does cause harmful interference
to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on,
the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:

1. Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

2. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

3. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.

4. Consult the manufacturer, dealer or an experienced radio/ TV technician for help.

FCC Registration Requirements

Per FCC regulations; you must register your RuralConnect® system with a certified spectrum
database (such as Spectrum Bridge) prior to performing any bench tests and/or completing the
final installation. You will need a Special Temporary Authority (STA) if you are using uncertified
experimental hardware or software.

Compliance and US Regulatory Information
FCC Identifier OPA-RC2
FCC Part 15H 470-608 MHz (TV channels 14-36)
FCC Part 15H 614-698 MHz (TV channels 38-51)

Emission designators
6 MHz channels 6M00F1D

Declaration of Conformity
Manufacturer’s Name: Carlson Wireless Technologies Inc.
Manufacturer’s Address: 2700 Foster Ave, Arcata, CA 95521 USA

Declares that the product:

Product Name: RuralConnect®

Conforms to the following standard(s) or other normative document(s):

EMC:
FCC Part 15.247 subpart H

Page | 4

PRELIMINARY RELEASE

*** This is a confidential document. Do not distribute. ***

Table of Contents

Scope of Manual............................................................................................................. 7

1.1.

1.2. Overview.........................................................................................................................7

2.1. Proper Handling.............................................................................................................. 7

2.2. Grounding.......................................................................................................................8

2.3. Lightning Protection........................................................................................................8

2.4. Cable Recommendations ...............................................................................................8

2.4.1. RF Cables ...............................................................................................................9

2.4.2. Data Cables............................................................................................................. 9

2.5. Recommended Tools .....................................................................................................9

2.6. Before Arrival................................................................................................................10

2.7. Unpacking.....................................................................................................................10

2.8. Spectrum Database Registration.................................................................................. 10

2.9. Bench Testing............................................................................................................... 10

2.9.1. Test Cable Set....................................................................................................... 11

2.9.2. Setting up the Bench ............................................................................................. 11

2.9.3. Getting Started on the OMC ..................................................................................12

2.9.4. Verifying Geographical Coordinates......................................................................13

2.9.5. Verifying Cell Control............................................................................................. 14

2.10. RF Testing with RadioTest........................................................................................15

2.10.1. Minimum System Requirements........................................................................ 15

2.10.2. Download the RadioTest Software ....................................................................15

3.1. Field Installation............................................................................................................15

3.1.1. Professional Installers ........................................................................................... 15

3.1.2. Antenna height and RF exposure warnings ..........................................................15

3.1.3. Installing RuralConnect® CPE units......................................................................15

3.1.4. Installing RuralConnect® Basestation units .......................................................... 16

4.1. Basestation...................................................................................................................16

4.2. CPE (Customer Premise Equipment) ...........................................................................17

5.1. Registration ..................................................................................................................18

5.2. Signing into the OMC....................................................................................................18

5.3. Home Page................................................................................................................... 19

5.4. Operations Panel..........................................................................................................19

5.4.1. System Health .......................................................................................................19

5.4.2. Network Map .........................................................................................................19

5.4.3. Cells ......................................................................................................................20

5.5. Stations.........................................................................................................................20

5.6. Cell Control...................................................................................................................21

5.6.1. Modulation Modes .................................................................................................21

5.7. Station Properties .........................................................................................................22

5.7.1. Basestation Details................................................................................................ 22

5.7.2. CPE Properties/Details..........................................................................................24

6.1. Specifications ...............................................................................................................26

6.2. Warranty .......................................................................................................................27

6.3. Acronyms/Abbreviations...............................................................................................28

6.4. Glossary .......................................................................................................................28

6.5. Useful URLs .................................................................................................................30

Page | 5

PRELIMINARY RELEASE

*** This is a confidential document. Do not distribute. ***

6.6. Manual Revision Notes................................................................................................. 31

Table of Figures

Figure 1: RuralConnect® Base Unit..............................................................................................7

Figure 2: RuralConnect® CPE Unit...............................................................................................7

Figure 3: Bench-Testing Cable Set .............................................................................................11

Figure 4: Basestation with Ethernet cable connected .................................................................11

Figure 5: Basestation Connections .............................................................................................11

Figure 6: POE Injector Connections............................................................................................11

Figure 7: OMC Sign-In ................................................................................................................12

Figure 8: OMC Shortcut Tabs .....................................................................................................12

Figure 9: Station Listing ..............................................................................................................12

Figure 10: Individual Basestation Detail...................................................................................... 12

Figure 11: Messages Listing .......................................................................................................13

Figure 12: Properties Tab ...........................................................................................................13

Figure 13: Latitude/Longitude Settings .......................................................................................13

Figure 14: Cell Control Tab ......................................................................................................... 14

Figure 15: Cell Control - Basestation & CPEs............................................................................. 14

Figure 16: CPE pole mount detail ............................................................................................... 16

Figure 17: Carlson Basestation................................................................................................... 16

Figure 18: Carlson Basestation Rear Panel................................................................................17

Figure 19: Carlson Basestation Ethernet Cable Connections.....................................................17

Figure 20: RuralConnect® CPE.................................................................................................. 17

Figure 21: RuralConnect® CPE Bottom......................................................................................18

Figure 22: OMC Sign-In Screen..................................................................................................18

Figure 23: Home Page - Text Hyperlinks ....................................................................................19

Figure 24: Messages ..................................................................................................................19

Figure 25: Network Map..............................................................................................................19

Figure 26: Filtering Choices ........................................................................................................20

Figure 27: Expanded "Cell" List ..................................................................................................20

Figure 28: Stations Display .........................................................................................................20

Figure 29: Cell Control Display ...................................................................................................21

Figure 30: Modulation Settings ...................................................................................................21

Figure 31: Station Links ..............................................................................................................22

Figure 32: Basestation Details ....................................................................................................22

Figure 33: Channel Allocation.....................................................................................................23

Figure 34: Interface Date/Time Stamps ...................................................................................... 23

Figure 35: Base Registration Details...........................................................................................24

Figure 37: CPE Details ...............................................................................................................24

Figure 39: CPE Channel Allocations........................................................................................... 25

Figure 40: Interfaces Last Reported............................................................................................25

Figure 41: SNR History Graph ....................................................................................................26

Page | 6

PRELIMINARY RELEASE

*** This is a confidential document. Do not distribute. ***

1. Introduction

1.1. Scope of Manual

The purpose of this manual is to provide professional planning and installation personnel with
the appropriate information and procedures required to install and operate the RuralConnect®
TV White Space Broadband Radio and accessory equipment. In order to avoid harm to persons
or damage to the product, please ensure that you have read and understand the safety,
unpacking, and installation sections before proceeding.

1.2. Overview

The RuralConnect® TV White Space
Broadband Radio is designed to utilize
“white space” spectrum in the 470–608
MHz (TV channels 14–36) and 614–698

MHz (TV channels 38–51) frequencies
in order to provide reliable, high speed
broadband for applications where
traditional microwave solutions won’t provide adequate RF
performance.

The syst
Domain Equalization (SC-FDE) to provide protection against
signal fading caused by multipath interference (phase-shifting)
while offering a robust clean transmit spectrum. Reflections
from trees, buildings and hills are inevitable for long range
wireless links. These reflections arrive at slightly different
times, causing deep fading across the channels used by white
space systems. Without equalization, this fading causes
performance; even for links between devices that are
theoretically in range. SC-FDE allows more flexible installations
where obstructions and foliage are known factors. Combined with a proprietary adaptive
equalization system, SC-FDE allows the system to correct for multipath fading. This ensures
reliable connections even in mountainous, forested, and/or built-up areas where strong signal
reflections are common.

In the U.S., t
fully compliant with FCC Part 15H regulations.

Our international models ensure worldwide compatibility, regardless of the TV broadcast
technology in use. International users must ensure compliance with their regulatory authorities.
For export only, international models are available in both 6 MHz and 8 MHz versions.

em uses state of the art Single Carrier Frequency

poor

Figure 2: RuralConnect® CPE Unit

he RuralConnect® is only available with a 6 MHz channel bandwidth. The system is

2. Pre-test and System Planning

2.1. Proper Handling

You must follow precautionary measures when handling RuralConnect® devices. Improper
handling of your equipment may cause damage and void your warranty. The electronic

Page | 7

PRELIMINARY RELEASE

*** This is a confidential document. Do not distribute. ***

components of the RuralConnect® equipment are sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD).
Use adequate ESD protection, such as an anti-static wrist strap, whenever handling the
equipment. It is also important to avoid the use of conductive tools.

2.2. Grounding

A ground is a low impedance electrical connection to the earth utilized for energy dissipation.
Grounding the RuralConnect® is very important for safety reasons, as well as protecting the
system from damage due to lightning and/or static charge build up. Since lightning strikes and
surges are high-current and high-frequency events; short, straight ground wires (not coiled or
looped) must be used. Choose the largest diameter ground wire your ground connectors will
accept for good electrical conductivity. We recommended a #8 gauge copper wire or larger.

Utility company grounds, grounding rods, well casings, and cold water pipes constructed of
continuous metal are strongly recommended. A note of caution: sometimes repaired and/or
extended metal cold-water pipes include PVC sections hidden behind drywall. PVC will disrupt
conductivity and render the pipe unacceptable as a ground. Conductivity is often poor in desert
areas, so multiple ground rods may be required (preferably bonded together to make a suitable
connection). The impedance of your grounding should never exceed 5 Ohms. Carlson
recommends maintaining a ground with less than 3 Ohms. Undesirable grounds include, but are
not limited to, sprinkler pipes, PVC pipes, conduit, and buried wire. Never use an unverified
ground.

In order to prevent electric shock, always disconnect the remote power source and all cables
from the system prior to removing the grounding connection.

2.3. Lightning Protection

Poorly grounded lightning protection is the same as having no protection at all!

Lightning is one of the most dangerous, yet most common, natural hazards for a RuralConnect®
system. It is absolutely essential to install and maintain adequate lightning protection for your
equipment. Verified ground connections are imperative for lightning protection to work correctly.

Primary lightning protection is located outside the enclosure. Install primary lightning protection
with a good ground on all RF and/or data connections that have even a moderate outdoor line
build-out. Best practices dictate all lines entering or exiting a building need protection. You must
use protection on both ends of the cables between buildings! Contact your sales representative
for detailed specifications and usage information for the primary lightning protection solutions
available from Carlson.

In areas with frequent lighting activity, augmenting the client station install with a nearby
lightning rod is strongly recommended. Lightning can be unpredictably strike, might miss the
antenna mast altogether, and make contact with underlying wiring/cabling instead. Lightning
discharges into the lowest impedance path to ground, i.e. earth. In many cases this will be the
master ground in the primary AC panel, unless nearby grounding is installed.

2.4. Cable Recommendations

Use of proper high-quality cabling is important to ensure the best performance for your
RuralConnect® system. Carlson extensively researched and tested cabling before selecting
those offered for RuralConnect® customers. It is recommended that you use only Carlson
approved cables. Discuss your cabling options with your Carlson Sales Representative.

Page | 8

PRELIMINARY RELEASE

*** This is a confidential document. Do not distribute. ***

2.4.1. RF Cables

Carlson carries professional-grade RF coax cables that provide greater durability and less
attenuation/loss than those readily available. We offer and recommend well-insulated 75-Ohm
broadband coaxial cable with gas-injected foam polyethylene insulation. For short jumper
connections, use 18 AWG RG-6/U cables with a solid .040” bare copper conductor. For longer
runs, use 14 AWG RG-11 cables with a .064” bare copper conductor.

Only use cables with 100% solid copper center conductors. Lower-quality copper-clad
conductors have decreased performance and can lead to failures.

75-Ohm cabling used for RuralConnect® installation cannot exceed 150-feet (45.72 meters).
Terminate all coax cables with weather-sealed 75-Ohm F-type compression connectors with
PVC jackets. Do not use crimp-type connectors

Avoid cable bends as much as possible; do not put more than a 90-degree bend in any cable
run.

.

2.4.2. Data Cables

Network performance is greatly affected by the quality of the data cabling used. Carlson carries
and recommends shielded, grounded, outdoor Category-5 or higher twisted pair cable.

2.5. Recommended Tools

These are the tools needed to set up a RuralConnect® system. Make sure you have them
handy to ensure a seamless installation.

 ESD gear
 Wrench set (Standard)
 Socket set (Standard)
 Screwdriver set (Phillips and Standard)
 Multimeter/multitester
 Wire cutters
 Wire strippers
 Vapor wrap
 Electrical tape

You will need an IBM PC-compatible computer (or equivalent virtual machine) equipped with the
following:

 Microsoft Windows 7 or greater
 Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5
 At least 512 Megabytes (MB) of RAM
 Keyboard and mouse (or other compatible pointing device)
 Display adapter and monitor (1024x768 or higher resolution)
 100/1000 Mbps Ethernet network adapter
 Pre-Installation

Page | 9

PRELIMINARY RELEASE

*** This is a confidential document. Do not distribute. ***

2.6. Before Arrival

Users operate the RuralConnect® system from the Online Management Center, or OMC. After
placing your order, and prior to receiving the equipment, you will need to have a registered OMC
user account.

If you do not have an OMC account, visit http://omc.neul.com
You may wish to have multiple accounts for your employees. Send your new username(s) to
Carlson Support, at [e-mail]

Carlson will assign each account to a user group for your company, along with your desired set
of permissions for each user/group.

.

and click “register a new account”.

Please note: You will not be able to properly test or configure your RuralConnect radios until you
have a registered OMC account.

2.7. Unpacking

Before opening package(s), inspect them and report any damage to the shipping carrier. Per
shipping insurance agreements, the shipping carrier is responsible for any damage to the
equipment. Unpack and compare the contents against the packing slip and inspect everything
for damage. Report any missing or damaged components to your Carlson Customer Service
Representative.

2.8. Spectrum Database Registration

Unless registered with a Certified TVWS Database Administrator, it is necessary to apply for a
Special Temporary Authority (STA) before conducting any over-the-air testing. If the fixed TVBD
is moved to another location or if its stored coordinates become altered, the operator shall re­establish the device’s registration with the database based on the device’s new coordinates.
Follow this link to apply for an STA:

https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/forms/STANotificationPage.cfm

Note: Prior to powering your radios and conducting tests, you must have a list/map of allowable
channels specific to the Basestation and CPE locations. Use the online Spectrum Bridge Show

My White Spaces tool to get a list of channel available in your areas.

2.9. Bench Testing

Prior to deploying your
RuralConnect® units, it is
important to become familiar
with their operation and
verify their functionality. The
following section provides
detailed instructions
required for a complete
bench test. Please contact
Carlson Support if you
require further information
and/or assistance with that
process.

Page | 10