This document describes the Cisco Aironet 4.5-dBi Diversity Omnidirectional Antenna
(AIR-ANT5145V-R), and provides instructions for mounting it. The antenna operates in the 5-GHz
frequency range and is designed for use indoors.
The following information is provided in this document.
• Technical Specifications, page 2
• System Requirements, page 3
• Installation Guidelines, page 3
• Safety Instructions, page 3
• Installing the Antenna, page 4
• Obtaining Documentation and Submitting a Service Request, page 8
Corporate Headquarters:
Cisco Systems, Inc., 170 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134-1706 USA
This antenna is designed for use with Cisco Aironet access points and bridges but can be used with any
5-GHz Cisco Aironet radio device that utilizes reverse polarity Neil Councilman (RP-TNC) connectors.
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 horizontally 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:
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Paper and vinyl walls have very little affect on signal penetration.
System Requirements
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Solid and pre-cast concrete walls limit signal penetration to one or two walls without degrading
coverage.
–
Wood and concrete block walls limit signal penetration to three or four walls.
–
A signal can penetrate five or six walls constructed of drywall or wood.
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A thick metal wall causes signals to reflect off, causing poor penetration.
Safety Instructions
Follow these safety precautions when installing your antenna.
• Plan your installation procedure carefully and completely before you begin.
• If you are installing an antenna for the first time, for your own safety as well as others, seek
professional assistance. Consult your dealer, who can explain which mounting method to use for
the location where you intend to install the antenna.
• Select your installation site with safety, as well as performance, in mind. Remember that electric
power lines and telephone lines look alike. For your safety, assume that any line is an electric power
line until determined otherwise.
• Call your local power company or building maintenance organization if you are unsure about cables
close to your intended mounting location.
• If an accident or emergency occurs with the power lines, call for qualified emergency help
immediately.
• When installing your antenna in any location, do not use a metal ladder. Do dress properly - shoes
with rubber soles and heels, rubber gloves, and a long sleeved shirt or jacket. When drilling
mounting holes, wear safety glasses.
The antenna ships with a mounting bracket and the hardware required to install the antenna on a
suspended ceiling. Two mounting methods are available. You can mount the antenna using standard
suspended ceiling T-rail clips or you can mount the antenna using the clips attached to the antenna
mounting bracket. Figure 1 shows the layout of the detachable mounting bracket configured to use the
suspended ceiling T-rail clips.
Figure 1Mounting Bracket Configured to Use Suspended Ceiling T-rail Clips
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1
2
3
1
2
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1Retaining tabs3Mounting bracket
2T-rail clip fastener
Figure 2 shows how the antenna mounting bracket is attached to a suspend ceiling T-rail using the
Cisco recommends a high-quality, low-loss cable for use with the antenna.
NoteCoaxial cable loses efficiency as the frequency increases, resulting in signal loss. The cable
should be kept as short as possible because cable length also determines the amount of
signal loss (the longer the run, the greater the loss).
The antenna terminates with a RP-TNC plug after a short, 3-ft (0.91-m) cable. The mating connector to
the antenna is an appropriate RP-TNC jack.
Obtaining Documentation and Submitting a Service Request
For information on obtaining documentation, submitting a service request, and gathering additional
information, see the monthly What’s New in Cisco Product Documentation, which also lists all new and
revised Cisco technical documentation, at:
Subscribe to the What’s New in Cisco Product Documentation as a Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feed
and set content to be delivered directly to your desktop using a reader application. The RSS feeds are a free
service and Cisco currently supports RSS Version 2.0.
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