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How to deploy Mesh Gateways

Mesh Gateways are deployed to healthy trees or to a self-standing stable poles that are unlikely to be moved or tampered with.

See also

Refer to Mesh Gateway Deployment Guidelines before proceeding with the deployment.

Deployment overview

The Silvanet Mesh Gateway acts as a range extender to allow widespread deployments of Silvanet Sensors using a mesh network.

  • Choose between deploying the Mesh Gateway on a tree or attached to a 60.3 mm diameter pole.

  • Attach the Mesh Gateway on both top and bottom to ensure stability.

  • If attaching to a pole, ensure the pole is stable and at or near the GPS coordinates set for the Mesh Gateway in the Silvanet Deployment app.

  • If attaching to a tree, locate a healthy tree nearest to the GPS coordinates set for the Mesh Gateway in the Silvanet Deployment app.

  • Register the Device ID of the Mesh Gateway.

  • Deploy (attach) the Mesh Gateway according to Mesh Gateway deployment guidelines.

  • Attach the LoraWAN mesh antenna to the top of the Mesh Gateway.

Attach Mesh Gateway to a metal pole

We recommend attaching Mesh Gateways to stable poles that are at least 3 m high above the forest floor. U-clamps are provide to attach the Mesh Gateway. This securely holds the device and can be tightened accordingly without damaging the device. Additionally, the device does not interfere with a living tree over the lifetime of the Mesh Gateway.

Info

The diameter of a pole must be maximum 60.3 mm. Use a 17 mm wrench to attach the provided M10-nuts to the U-clamps.

  1. Arrange the U-clamp around the pole and through the pre-drilled holes of the Mesh Gateway.

    Mesh Gateway arrange U-clamp

    Arrange clamps around pole

  2. Ensure the Gateway is oriented properly (facing the sun at 12:00 noon) with the antenna connector facing upwards. You may need assistance holding the Mesh Gateway.

    Note

    To maximize the radio contact, ensure the top of the Mesh Gateway is level with the top of the pole (as shown below).

    Mesh Gateway top of pole

    Mesh Gateway antenna is above top of pole

  3. Hand-tighten the nuts on the U-clamp, then use the 17 mm wrench to tighten the nuts (do not use excessive force to prevent damage to the Border Gateway).

  4. Attach the bottom end of the Mesh Gateway using a second U-clamp.

  5. Attach the LoRaWAN antenna to the Mesh Gateway.

    Mesh Gateway deployed on pole

    Mesh Gateway deployed on pole

  6. Ensure the Mesh Gateway is securely connected to the pole and cannot move.

Attach Mesh Gateway to a healthy tree

Use treenails to attach the Mesh Gateway to trees. The Silvanet Mesh Gateway has two loops at the top and two at the bottom for the treenails.

  1. Lean the ladder safely against the tree, making sure it is stable. Have an assistant hold the ladder, if possible.

  2. Locate the correct height on the tree (about 3m above the forest floor) and facing the sun (at 12:00 noon). Remove any branches that might interfere with maximum sunlight irradiation.

  3. If required, carefully remove a small portion of the bark with an axe where the holes for the treenails will be drilled. The Mesh Gateway needs to hang vertically on the tree.

    Mesh Gateway remove bark

    Remove small area of bark at the install location

  4. 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.

    Note

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

    Drill two holes spaced 70 mm apart

    Drill two holes space 70 mm apart

    Note

    If you plan on drilling the bottom holes before attaching the Mesh Gateway to the tree, you can use the Mesh Gateway as a template to locate the positions to drill the bottom holes.

  5. Hammer the treenails through the top loops of the Mesh Gateway into the drilled holes. Be careful not to damage the device while doing so. You may need an assistant to support the Mesh Gateway while hammering the treenails into the tree.

    Mesh Gateway attached at the top

    Mesh Gateway attached at the top

  6. With the Mesh Gateway attached to the tree at the top, drill through the bottom loops of the device approximately 6-7 cm into the tree. Do not damage the Mesh Gateway while drilling through the loops.

    Drill the bottom two holes

    Drill the bottom two holes

  7. Carefully hammer the treenails through the bottom loops into the holes so as not to damage the device.

  8. Attach the LoRaWAN antenna to the Mesh Gateway.

    Note

    To maximize the radio connection of the Mesh Gateway, the antenna should have at least a finger-width distance from the trunk.

    Distance away from tree

    Finger width distance from tree

  9. Check to ensure the Mesh Gateway is securely connected to the tree and does not move.

    Mesh Gateway deployed and 2 cm away from tree

    Mesh Gateway deployed 2 cm away from the tree

    Completed deployment

    Completed deployment