Deploy Mesh Gateways
Deploy Mesh Gateways to act as range extenders which allows widespread deployment of Wildfire sensors using the Silvanet Mesh Network.
Prerequisites
One Mesh Gateway needs to be within range of the Border Gateway.
Deploy the Silvanet Mesh Gateway to a healthy tree or to a stable self-standing poles that is unlikely to be moved.
Deploy at least 3 m high on the structure and, if possible, higher for better signal propagation.
The Mesh Gateway has a large built-in solar panel to provide for the Mesh Gateway's increased power requirements. However, the solar panel needs an unobstructed area to obtain sufficient sunlight to charge the device. You may need to clear some branches away from the solar panel.
If attaching the Mesh Gateway to a tree, locate a healthy tree nearest to the GPS coordinates set for the Mesh Gateway in the Silvanet Deployment app. Use treenails to attach the Mesh Gateway to trees.
Guidelines
| Item | Guideline |
|---|---|
Range | The range of a Mesh Gateway to other Mesh Gateways and Border Gateway is approximately 2 km to 3 km. The actual range may vary depending on environmental conditions. Install at least one Mesh Gateways at least 2 km to 3 km from a Border Gateway, depending on environmental conditions including topology and type of forest. |
Distance to sensors | Maximum 1 km radius from sensors. Place Mesh Gateways in locations that enable them to cover nearby sensors in a radius of approximately 1 km. |
Location | If possible, install Mesh Gateways on a hillside or sunny location. If installed on a tree, it should not be covered by branches. To receive maximum sunlight, it is best installed on a pole. |
Deployment Height | 3m above forest floor. To protect the Mesh Gateway from human or animal interference and to give a better line of sight to other Getaways within range, install the device at least 3 meters above the forest floor, or even higher depending on topology. |
Obstructions | Ensure the tree does not have branches that obstruct clear line of site to other Mesh or Border Gateways. (Do not cut them but find another location without the branches.) |
Orientation | The Mesh Gateway needs to be installed facing the sun at 12:00 noon (northern or southern hemisphere). Use a compass to identify true South (in the northern hemisphere) or true North (in the southern hemisphere). This maximizes the amount of light that hits the solar panel. |
U-Clamps are provide to attach the Mesh Gateway a (maximum) 60.3 mm metal pole that is at least 3 m high above the forest floor. Use a 17 mm wrench to attach the provided M10-nuts to the U-Bolt Clamps. Additionally, the device does not interfere with a living tree over the lifetime of the Mesh Gateway.
Procedures overview
Locate the planned deployment location using the Silvanet Deployment app.
Scan the QR Code of the Border Gateway to register the device.
Attach the Mesh Gateway to a pole or tree.
Attach the LoRa antenna to the Mesh Gateway.
Attach Mesh Gateways to poles
if a 60 mm (2.3 inch) wooden or metal pole is available, you can use the provided U-Clamps to attach the Mesh Gateway to the pole.
Loosely attach the U-Clamps to the Mesh Gateway, then slide the Mesh Gateway onto the pole from the top, if possible.
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.
Maximizing radio transmissions
Ensure the pole is not interfering with radio transmission. Ensure the top of the Mesh Gateway is level with the top of the pole.
Hand-tighten the nuts on the U-clamps, then use the 17 mm wrench to tighten the nuts. Do not use excessive force to prevent damage to the Border Gateway. Ensure the Mesh Gateway is securely connected to the pole and cannot move.
Attach the LoRaWAN antenna to the Mesh Gateway.
Attach Mesh Gateways to trees
If the Mesh Gateway is to be attached to a tree, ensure the tree is stable and unlikely to be cut.
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 and facing the sun (at 12:00 noon).
Remove any branches that might interfere with maximum sunlight irradiation.
If required, carefully remove a small portion of the bark with an axe where the holes for the treenails will be drilled. This allows the Mesh Gateway to hang vertically on the tree.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Carefully hammer the treenails through the bottom loops into the holes. Do not damage the device.
Attach the LoRaWAN antenna to the Mesh Gateway.
To maximize the radio connection of the Mesh Gateway, the antenna should have at least a finger-width distance from the trunk.
Check to ensure the Mesh Gateway is securely connected to the tree and does not move.
Run a connectivity test to ensure the Mesh Gateway is connected to at least two Mesh Gateways, according to the prepared Connectivity plan.
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