Cisco Aironet AIR-ANT2460P-R User Manual

Cisco Aironet 6-dBi Patch Antenna
(AIR-ANT2460P-R)

This document outlines the specifications, describes the AIR-ANT2460P 6-dBi patch antenna, and
provides instructions for mounting it. The antenna operates in the 2.4-GHz frequency range and is
designed for use in both indoor and outdoor environments.

The following information is provided in this document.

• Technical Specifications, page 2

• System Requirements, page 3

• Installation Guidelines, page 4

• Installing the Antenna, page 5

• Documentation Feedback, page 8

• Cisco Product Security Overview, page 8

• Obtaining Technical Assistance, page 10

• Obtaining Additional Publications and Information, page 11

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Cisco Systems, Inc., 170 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134-1706 USA

© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Technical Specifications

Technical Specifications

Antenna type Single patch

Operating frequency range 2400 – 2484 MHz

Nominal input impedance 50Ω

2:1 VSWR bandwidth 2400 – 2484 MHz

Peak gain 6.0 dBi

Polarization Linear, vertical

E-plane 3-dB beamwidth 73°

H-plane 3-dB beamwidth 75°

Front-to-back ratio 18 dB

Cross-pol discrimination 15 dB

Cable length and type 36 in. (91.4 cm)

Connector type RP-TNC

Length 4 in. (10.1 cm)

Width 3.6 in. (9.1) cm)

Height 1 in. (2.5 cm)

Operating temperature range –22°F to 158°F

Storage temperature range –40°F to 185°F

UL2043 compliant Yes

Environment Indoor/outdoor

E-Plane Pattern H-Plane Pattern

Times AA-9303 or
equivalent (plenum
rated)

(–30°C to 70°C)

(–40°C – 85°C)

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System Requirements

This antenna is designed for use with Cisco Aironet access points and bridges but can be used with any

2.4-GHz Cisco Aironet radio device that utilizes an RP-TNC connector.

Safety Precautions

Translated versions of the following safety warnings are provided in the Safety Warnings for Cisco
Aironet Antennas, which is available at http://cisco.com.

System Requirements

Warning

Warning

Warning

Warning

This warning symbol means danger. You are in a situation that could cause bodily injury. Before you
work on any equipment, be aware of the hazards involved with electrical circuitry and be familiar
with standard practices for preventing accidents. Use the statement number provided at the end of
each warning to locate its translation in the translated safety warnings that accompanied this device.

Statement 1071

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

In order to comply with RF exposure limits established in the ANSI C95.1 standards, it is recommended
when using a laptop with a PC card client adapter that the adapter’s integrated antenna is positioned
more than 2 inches (5 cm) from your body or nearby persons during extended periods of transmitting
or operating time. If the antenna is positioned less than 2 inches (5 cm) from the user, it is
recommended that the user limit exposure time.

Do not work on the system or connect or disconnect cables during periods of lightning activity.

Statement 1001

Do not locate the antenna near overhead power lines or other electric light or power circuits, or
where it can come into contact with such circuits. When installing the antenna, take extreme care
not to come into contact with such circuits, because they may cause serious injury or death. For
proper installation and grounding of the antenna, please refer to national and local codes (for
example, U.S.:NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, Article 810, Canada: Canadian Electrical Code,
Section 54).

Statement 1052

Statement 254

Each year hundreds of people are killed or injured when attempting to install an antenna. In many of
these cases, the victim was aware of the danger of electrocution, but did not take adequate steps to avoid
the hazard.

For your safety, and to help you achieve a good installation, please read and follow these safety
precautions. They may save your life!

1. If you are installing an antenna for the first time, for your own safety as well as others, seek

professional assistance. Your Cisco sales representative can explain which mounting method to use
for the size and type antenna you are about to install.

2. Select your installation site with safety, as well as performance in mind. Remember: electric power

lines and phone lines look alike. For your safety, assume that any overhead line can kill you.

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Installation Guidelines

3. Call your electric power company. Tell them your plans and ask them to come look at your proposed

installation. This is a small inconvenience considering your life is at stake.

4. Plan your installation carefully and completely before you begin. Successful raising of a mast or

tower is largely a matter of coordination. Each person 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.

5. When installing your antenna, remember:

a. Do not use a metal ladder.

b. Do not work on a wet or windy day.

c. Do dress properly—shoes with rubber soles and heels, rubber gloves, long sleeved shirt or

jacket.

6. If the assembly starts to drop, get away from it and let it fall. Remember, 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 complete an electrical path through the antenna and the installer: you!

7. If any part of the antenna system should come in contact with a power line, don’t touch it or try to

remove it yourself. Call your local power company. They will remove it safely.

8. If an accident should occur with the power lines call for qualified emergency help immediately.

Installation Guidelines

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:

• Mount the antenna to utilize its propagation characteristics. One way to do this is to orient the

antenna vertically and mount it as high as possible.

• 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 must pass through and still maintain adequate coverage. Consider the following before
choosing the location to install your antenna:

–

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.

–

Concrete and wood 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.

–

A chain link fence or wire mesh spaced between 1 and 1 1/2 in. (2.5 and 3.8 cm) acts as a
harmonic reflector that blocks a 2.4-Ghz radio 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 your
antenna is connected to.

• Install the antenna in a vertical orientation to maximize signal propagation.

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