How to deploy Border Gateways

Border Gateways are always on which means they need a reliable power supply and Internet connectivity.

Typical setup

The following shows a typical setup of a Border Gateway which has Internet access via an Ethernet connection to a router. Power supply comes from the PoE injector (1) which obtains its power from a mains supply. The solar panel provides a backup power supply to ensure uninterrupted power to the Border Gateway.

A PoE Injector (Power over Ethernet) is provided with each Border Gateway.

Border Gateway setup with router and solar panel

Note

Cables between the Border Gateway and connectors are 30 cm long. The cable between the connector and solar panel is 2 m long and is pre-connected. If the PoE injector is used, then an Ethernet cable needs to be connected between the PoE and the router and the PoE needs to obtain a mains power supply.

Deployment scenarios

The Border Gateway can also be deployed in locations without mains power and Ethernet connectivity as it can also connect to a mobile network and use its solar panel. In these cases, it can be attached to healthy trees or stable posts that are unlikely to be moved or tampered with. However, the Border Gateway needs to be deployed within range of at least one or more Mesh Gateways.

The possible deployment scenarios in which a Border Gateway can be deployed in a Site are listed below and described in detail in Border Gateway Scenarios.

Deployment example

In the following image, a Border Gateway has been deployed on a structure (most likely a forest hut) in the forest that provides a main power supply while Internet connectivity is provided by a mobile network.

The Border Gateway has been installed clear line of sight to the Mesh Gateway and is less than 1 km away from the Mesh Gateway. Several sensors are within range for direct communication with the Border Gateway.

Deployment overview

Choose the deployment location based on deployment guidelines.
If attaching to a pole, ensure the pole is stable and at or near the GPS coordinates set for the Border Gateway in the Silvanet Deployment app.
If attaching to a tree, locate a healthy tree nearest to the GPS coordinates set for the Border Gateway in the Silvanet Deployment app.
Register the Device ID of the Border Gateway.
Attach the Border Gateway.
Connect the antennas to the Border Gateway.
Attach the solar panel at the same location but above the Border Gateway.
If Ethernet is used, connect the Ethernet (PoE) cable to the Border Gateway

Attach Border Gateway to a healthy tree

The Border Gateway has loops at the top and bottom of the device for attaching it to a tree using treenails. Once the location on the tree has been selected, ensure any branches on the tree need that would obstruct the solar panel and antennas are removed so the solar panel has good irradiation from the sun to charge the device.

Lean the ladder safely against the tree. Have an assistant hold the ladder to ensure it is stable.
Locate the correct height where you will install the Border Gateway (approximately 3m above forest floor).
Locate the deployment location towards where the sun would be at 12:00 noon. This allows the solar panel to have maximum irradiation during daylight hours.
If required, carefully remove a small portion of the bark with an axe where the holes in the tree will be drilled. This allows the gateway to hang vertically on the tree.

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 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 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
Repeat the procedure 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 satellite antenna, the LoRaWAN antenna and the LTE/4G antenna to the Border Gateway. If required, connect the Ethernet cable, as described below.

Silvanet Border Gateway with LoRa, LTE and SWARM antennas
Deploy the solar panel. See below.

Attach Border Gateway to a metal pole

We recommend attaching the Border Gateway to a pole using the provided U-clamps to attach the device. This securely holds the device and can be tightened accordingly without damaging the device. Also, the device does not interfere with a living tree over the lifetime of the Border Gateway.

Note

The diameter of a pole used to support the Border Gateway must not be greater than 60.3 mm. Also, use a 17 mm wrench to attach the M10-nuts to the U-clamps.

To attach the Border Gateway to a pole:

Insert the U-clamp through the top holes of the Border Gateway and around the (maximum 60.3 mm) pole. You may need assistance holding the Border Gateway while doing this.

Border Gateway attached 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 attaching the Border Gateway 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 17 mm 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
Repeat the procedure with the bottom loops of the Border Gateway.
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 below.

Attach Border Gateway to a building or structure

Procedures for deploying Border Gateways to buildings are similar to deploying to poles. However, position the Border Gateway so that it has clear line of sight to at least one Mesh Gateway. Also, install it at least 3 m high on the structure and if possible, higher for better signal propagation.

In all cases, do not let the structure interfere with line of sight to at least one Mesh Gateway.

Deploy 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 2 m long. Crop wire is used to attach the solar panel to a tree or pole.

Note

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.
Locate the deployment location towards where the sun would be at 12:00 noon. This allows the solar panel to have maximum irradiation during daylight hours. 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:

Connect the Ethernet (PoE) cable

If the Border Gateway is to have Internet connectivity through a router, you need to connect the Ethernet (PoE) cable to the connector provided by the Border Gateway.

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 a PoE Adapter which requires a mains power supply.