Mesh Gateway guidelines
Deployed Mesh Gateways require access to good solar irradiation and located where Wildfire Sensors have a reliable connections to the Silvanet Mesh Network.
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Deployed Mesh Gateways require access to good solar irradiation and located where Wildfire Sensors have a reliable connections to the Silvanet Mesh Network.
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Mesh Gateways allows data from distant Wildfire Sensors to be received by a Border Gateway which is typically deployed where it has good wired or wireless connectivity.
After using the Planning tool, the GPS locations of each Mesh Gateway is determined by adding Mesh Gateways (Connectivity zones) to ensure a minimum of 95% network coverage. For example, in the Planning tool tutorial, the location of one of the Mesh Gateways was determined as shown.
In the Exported Summary document shows the planned location. The forest worker can use this file to deploy the Border Gateway in the Site.
The location of the Mesh Gateway should meet the following minimum conditions:
Line-of-sight to Border Gateway or Mesh Gateway: Whether the Mesh Gateway is installed on a tree or pole, it needs a line-of-sight to at least one other Mesh Gateway (or Border Gateway if within range).
Access to sufficient sunlight: To ensure the Mesh Gateway's solar panel has sufficient daylight to charge the Gateway's supercapacitors.
Mounted in an elevated location: To maximize range, install the Mesh Gateway in a location than is higher than the surrounding area, if possible. If not, the Mesh Gateway can be installed at 5 m on a pole or 10 m on a tower.
Ensure the correct ratio of sensors per Mesh Gateway, which is maximum 100 sensors to each Mesh Gateway. See Sensor ratios.
2 km to 3 km to Border Gateways: The range of Mesh Gateways to Border Gateway is approximately 2 km to 3 km. Deploy at least one Mesh Gateway at least 2 km to 3 km from a Border Gateway. The distance is dependent on topology and type of forest.
2 km to 3 km to other Mesh Gateways: Each Mesh Gateway can be up to 3 km from other Mesh Gateways, depending on the topology and height at which the device has been deployed on a tree. Actual range my depend on environmental conditions.
Ensure connectivity between two Mesh Gateways: Ensure each Mesh Gateway has connectivity to two other Mesh Gateways, or one Mesh Gateway if no other is within range.
Line-of-sight: Ensure the Mesh Gateway has line-of-sight to at least one other Mesh Gateway.
Maximum 1 km radius from Wildfire Sensors: Place Mesh Gateways in locations that enable them to cover nearby Wildfire Sensors in a radius of approximately 1 km.
When the Mesh Gateway is mounted on a pole, the Border Gateway does not interfere with a living tree over the lifetime of the Border Gateway.
Use a stable metal or wooden pole: If the Mesh Gateway is mounted to a metal or wood pole, ensure it is stable and is unlikely to be moved. Use the provided U-Clamps to securely attach the mounting bracket to the pole.
60.3 mm pole diameter: The diameter of a pole must not be greater than 60.3 mm. A 17 mm wrench is used to attach the M10-nuts to the U-Clamps.
Mount at least 3 m high on pole or tree: Mount the Border Gateway at least 3 m high on the pole or tree and, if possible, higher for better signal propagation. Options in the Planning tool include 3 m standard, 5 m pole or 10 m tower.
Use only healthy trees: When mounted on a tree, ensure it is healthy and unlikely to be removed.
Clear away obstructions:
The Mesh Gateway's solar panel needs an unobstructed area to obtain sufficient sunlight to charge the Gateway's superconductors.
If the Mesh Gateway is installed on a tree, the solar panel should not be covered by branches.
Clear small branches away from the solar panel. Do not cut large branches, however.
Mount facing 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.
Select a location with direct sunlight (such as a hillside) and keep it free from branches that obscure direct sunlight.
Mount on a hillside, if possible: To increase connectivity, mount the Mesh Gateway on a hillside.
In the following example, a message from a Wildfire Sensor has several routes to the Border Gateway. This ensures reliability in the network.
See also
For more information, see Silvanet Mesh Gateways.
