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Installing Border Gateways

Install Border Gateways to either metal poles or trees and with a reliable power supply and Internet connectivity.

Demonstration of installing a Border Gateway to a pole

Steps

  1. Ensure you have reviewed the topic Silvanet Border Gateway.

  2. Once the planned location is found, Scan the QR Code of the Border Gateway to register the Device ID with Silvanet Cloud.

  3. Attach the Border Gateway to a pole (recommended) or to a tree.

  4. Attach the antennas.

  5. Attach the Solar Panel to the same pole or tree.

  6. If a router is available for use, connect the Border Gateway to Ethernet over PoE.

Attaching Border Gateway to pole

  1. Loosely connect the U-Clamps to the Border Gateway, then slide the gateway onto the pole from the top (if possible).

  2. Hand-tighten the nuts, then use the 17 mm wrench to tighten the nuts. Do not use excessive force to prevent damage to the Border Gateway.

    Attaching Border Gateway using a clamp

    Border Gateway at top of a pole

  3. Attach the antennas: LoRa antenna on the top connector; LTE antenna on the bottom connector; satellite antenna is on the side.

  4. Attach the solar panel to the pole. And if used, connect the Ethernet cable.

  5. Run a connectivity test to ensure the Border Gateway is connected to the Silvanet Cloud. See Run connectivity test.

Attaching Border Gateway to a tree

  1. Once a tree has been selected, use a safety strap to hold the ladder to the tree, then with an assistant stabilizing the ladder at the bottom. Locate a position on the tree that is approximately 3 m above forest floor.

  2. Ensure any obstructions at the deployment height, such as branches, are removed. This allows the solar panel to have good irradiation from the sun to charge the device. Carefully remove a small portion of the bark with an axe or chisel where the holes in the tree will be drilled. This allows the gateway to hang vertically on the tree.

    Border Gateway clear bark

    Clear a small area of bark

  3. With a distance between the holes at 70 mm, drill approximately 6-7 cm (2 1/5 inches) into the tree for the top loops. Ensure you do not split the tree or drill on an angle. Use the 10mm drill bit.

    Drill a pilot hole first

    When drilling into a tree, first drill a pilot hole using a small drill bit (1/4 inch / 6mm) then drill the final hole with the 10mm drill bit. Also, ensure you are using a drill bit for wood. This ensures the wood in the tree does not split.

    Drill two holes spaced 70 mm apart

    Drill two holes space 70 mm apart

  4. Carefully hammer the treenails through the top loops of the Border Gateway into the holes.

    Border Gateway attached at the top

    Border Gateway attached at the top

  5. Carefully drill the bottom two holes using the lower holes as templates. Be careful not to damage the Gateway case while doing so. Also, use a drill bit with a sufficient length to ensure the holes are at the correct depth.

  6. Carefully hammer the treenails through the bottom loops into the tree. Check to ensure the Border Gateway is securely attached to the tree and can not move.

  7. Attach the antennas: LoRa antenna on the top connector; LTE antenna on the bottom connector; satellite antenna is on the side.

    Distance from tree

    The antennas should have at least a finger-width distance from the trunk. Also, ensure the satellite antenna and other cables are freely hanging away from the tree.

  8. Attach the solar panel to the pole. And if used, connect the Ethernet cable.

  9. Run a connectivity test to ensure the Border Gateway is connected to the Silvanet Cloud. See Run connectivity test.