Deploying Border Gateways

The Silvanet Border Gateway can be located at the edge of the forest border (recommended) on a tree or a pole. It can also be deployed on a fence, cabin roof or any other type of building. It can be installed using treenails, U-clamps or crop wires. It also needs to be deployed within range of one or more Mesh Gateways.

Guidelines

Whether the Border Gateway is installed on a tree or a pole, it needs a clear line of sight to communicate via wireless mobile networks or satellite communication. We recommend providing the device with access to Ethernet connectivity. When deployed near public areas, we recommend deploying the device at least 3 meters above ground level.

Important

Ensure you read Border Gateway Guidelines for more information about planning deployments of the Border Gateway.

The Border Gateway can obtain power from a mains power source, from PoE (Power over Ethernet) or from its solar panel. To provide for a fall-back power supply if a loss of power occurs, it uses the solar panel but it needs direct sunlight to maximize sunlight irradiation. Instructions for installing the solar panel are provided in a later section below.

Note

The cable between the solar panel and the Border Gateway is pre-connected. However, the Ethernet cable needs to be connected to the device.

Entering the Border Gateway ID in the Deployment app

Procedures for entering the Border Gateway ID are the same as for the Mesh Gateway ID.

Deploying on a tree

The Border Gateway has loops at the top and bottom of the device for deploying on trees using treenails. Any branches on the tree need to be removed so the solar panel has good irradiation from the sun to charge the device.

To attach the Border Gateway on a tree:

Lean the ladder safely against the tree, making sure it is stable and cannot fall while climbing the ladder. Have an assistant hold the ladder.
Locate the correct height where you will install the Border Gateway (approximately 3m above forest floor).
The solar panel needs to be installed in a direction where the sun would be at 12:00 noon.
If required, carefully remove a small portion of the bark with an axe where the two holes in the tree will be drilled.

Clear a small area of bark
Drill the top holes using the 10mm drill bit approximately 6–7 cm into the tree. The distance between the holes must be 70 mm.

Tip

When drilling into a hardwood tree, start with a smaller drill bit then drill to the final size with the 10mm drill bit. Also, ensure you are using a drill bit for wood, not for steel or concrete.

Drill two holes space 70 mm apart
Carefully hammer the treenails through the top loops of the Border Gateway into the holes. You may need a second worker to support the Border Gateway while hammering the treenails into the tree.

Border Gateway attached at the top
Continue with the bottom loops. Carefully hammer the treenails through the bottom loops into the tree.

Note

The Border Gateway loops can be used as a template to drill the lower holes. Be careful not to damage the Gateway case and use a drill with a sufficient length.

Important

To maximize the radio connection of the Border Gateway, the antennas should have at least a finger-width distance from the trunk. Also, ensure the SWARM antenna and other cables are freely hanging away from the tree.

Finger width distance from tree
Check to ensure the Border Gateway is securely deployed to the tree and does not move.
Attach the SWARM antenna, the LoRaWAN antenna and the LTE/4G antenna to the Border Gateway. If required, connect the Ethernet cable, as described below.

Border Gateway deployed on a tree
Deploy the solar panel. See next section.

Deploying on a pole

If the Border Gateway is to be deployed on a pole, use the U-clamps to attach the device to the pole. You will need a 17 mm wrench to tighten the M10-nuts of the clamps. The maximum pole-diameter must be no larger than 60.3 mm.

To deploy the Border Gateway on a pole:

Insert the U-clamp through the top holes of the Border Gateway and around the pole. You may need assistance holding the Border Gateway while doing this.

Border Gateway to a pole using a clamp
Ensure the Gateway is oriented properly with the antenna connector facing upwards. The cable connectors need to be facing downwards.

Note

To maximize the radio contact when deploying the Border Gateway on to a pole, put the Gateway on top of the pole, so the antenna is above the top of the pole.
Hand-tighten the nuts on the U-clamp, then use the 17mm wrench to tighten the nuts without excessive force to prevent damage to the Border Gateway.

Attaching a Border Gateway to a pole using a clamp
Continue with the bottom loops of the Border Gateway as done with the top loops.
Ensure the Border Gateway is securely connected to the pole and cannot move.
Attach the antennas to the Border Gateway. Connect the Ethernet cable, as described below, if required.

Border Gateway deployed on a pole in a forest

Border Gateway deployed on a pole outside the forest
Deploy the solar panel. See instructions below.

Deploying the solar panel

Once the Border Gateway has been attached to a pole or tree, attach the solar panel to the same tree or pole, if possible. The cable from the Border Gateway to the solar panel is pre-connected and is 2m long.

Crop wire is used to attach the solar panel to a tree or pole.

Tip

We recommend deploying the Border Gateway and the solar panel on the same tree or a pole. If the solar panel is deployed on a different tree or pole, take care that the cable cannot become damaged by others using the forest or paths.

Follow these guidelines for deploying the solar panel:

If the solar panel is attached independent of the Border Gateway, it cannot be more than 2 m away, ideally closer.

Position the solar panel so that it is facing towards the sun (at 12:00 noon) to maximize sunlight irradiation.

Ensure the solar panel cable is placed in such a way that it cannot be damaged by human or animal incidents.

If the deployment location is a public area, we recommend the minimum height for both the Border Gateway and the solar panel to be 3m above the forest floor.

Check also to make sure the solar panel is tightly connected to the tree or pole so that it cannot slip or turn during strong winds or other environmental actions.

The following shows the solar panel attached to a tree using crop wire:

The following shows a completed Border Gateway and solar panel deployment attached to a tree using treenails:

Connecting the Ethernet (PoE) cable

The Border Gateway provides a sealed RJ45 connector to attach an Ethernet cable to the device. The Ethernet connection can provide a continuous power supply to the Border Gateway through the PoE Adapter which requires a mains power supply.