Scout deployment locations

Dryad recommends visiting the Site prior to planning device locations to make notes about the topology and other features of the Site that might inform where to place Silvanet devices.

If possible, visit the Site and make notes about the natural features such as hills, valleys, rock formations, streams and rivers. Also, note the locations of high human use such as paths or any structures within the site. Use this information when planning deployments.

• Forest variations and density Look for areas of the forest that are lightly or thickly wooded, open areas, bushland and grasslands. Note the density of the trees in various parts of the forest as a thicker forest can have an effect on signal propogation through the forest. Also, take note of how much undergrowth does the forest have and is there evidence of recent unauthorized logging activity which may result in a tree with a deployed device being cut down.

• High human use areas Identify paved roads, lanes, gravel logging roads, hiking trails, woodland paths and other means of traversing through the forest. Where are areas of high human use such as campsites, trailer parks, bridges, power lines or other wooden structures.

• Areas that are difficult or impossible to traverse Note areas that are difficult to hike through to locate deployment positions, such as streams, steep hillsides, ravines, narrow bridges, etc. This may affect the time required to deploy the devices. Note also restricted areas where Silvanet cannot be implemented.

• Power supply availability For Border Gateways, identify locations that could provide a mains power supply. Otherwise, the Border Gateway needs to be powered only from its solar panel.

• Mounting poles Ideally Border Gateways should be mounted on poles, but this is not a requirement. Mesh Gateways can also be mounted on poles, if available.

• Topology Mesh Gateways need line-of-sight to communicate with other Mesh Gateways and Border Gateways. Identify areas of the forest topology that might interfere with line-of-sight such as hills, ravines and hidden areas. This may require mounting the Mesh and Border Gateways higher than the recommended 3 meter to as much as 5 or 6 meters. Mounting a Gateway on a hilltop may also be a solution. In all cases, ensure line-of-sight between Mesh Gateways.