Learn how to register the Silvanet Border Gateway before mounting the device on a tree or pole.
Each Silvanet Mesh Gateway has its own unique Device ID (also referred to as Serial ID). It is provided as a unique text string as well as a QR Code printed on a label attached to each Silvanet device. Use the Deployment app to scan the device's QR Code.
After the Mesh Gateway is registered with the Silvanet Cloud, the device's latitude and longitude is provided to the Silvanet Cloud.
Relocating a Mesh Gateway
If a Mesh Gateway has been relocated, update the latitude and longitude of the device in the Device overview section of the Site Management app.
In the Silvanet Deployment app, select a Site.
In the list of devices that appears select a Mesh Gateway. Alternately, select Show Devices on Map.
On the page that appears, tap Register Device. The blue dot on the map shows your current location.
Finding the deployment location
Note in the figure above the Mesh Gateway is 120 m away from the user. Use this map to move towards the deployment location.
If you tapped Show Devices on Map, the map shows an overview of the Site. Your location is indicated by a blue dot.
Once the deployment location is found, scan the device's QR Code which is attached to the back of the Mesh Gateway. The Silvanet Deployment app automatically fills in the Mesh Gateway's location (latitude and longitude) using the Smartphone's GPS location.
QR Code not scannable?
If the QR Code cannot be scanned, manually enter the Device ID which is found as a text string next to the QR Code.
After a few moments, the Registration successful message appears. The device icon changes from Planned to Deployed. For more information, see Status icons.
After a successful registration, you can now mount the Mesh Gateway to a tree or pole.
See also
For details, see Mount Mesh Gateway.
Start the connectivity test to ensure the Mesh Gateway has connectivity to the Border Gateway or neighboring Mesh Gateways.
Use the Deployment app to begin the Connectivity test. This checks if the Mesh Gateway can connect with any neighboring Mesh Gateways or Border Gateways.
The Mesh Gateway must be registered before the Border Gateway has been mounted. If this step has not been followed, see Register Mesh Gateway.
After mounting the Mesh Gateway, tap Confirm & Start Connectivity Test.
The Deployment app begins to connect with a Border Gateway.
The Mesh Gateway then runs the connectivity test and attempts to connect to another Mesh Gateway or Border Gateway.
If the Mesh Gateway could connect, a success message appears. You can close the dialog and continue deploying the next device or tap Show Device Details.
The Device Details screen appears. You can add additional information in the Notes field such as relevant details about the deployment location.
If the Silvanet Cloud could not reach the Border Gateway, troubleshooting information is provided.
If the Border Gateway could not be reached, the following dialog appears.
Review the information provided in Border Gateway not reachable for troubleshooting information.
If the Mesh Gateway could reach another Mesh Gateway but the signal is too weak, troubleshooting information is provided.
If the Device connectivity is too low, the following dialog appears.
You can close the dialog and after troubleshooting. Tap the Mesh Gateway icon from the map to return to this screen.
Check the following to troubleshoot connectivity:
Check device orientation: Make sure the Mesh Gateway is oriented towards the sun at 12:00 noon (northern/southern hemisphere). After confirming it is oriented in the correct direction, retry the Connectivity Test.
Wait for the device to be charged: If the superconductors in the device discharged during transit or were stored in a box or backpack, it can take some time to charge the superconductors and switch on. Give the device at least a half-day to charge then retry the Connectivity Test.
Find another location: If after confirming the device is oriented properly and is charged, the Mesh Gateway may be deployed too far away from the neighboring gateways. Move the device 60m (200ft) closer to an active gateway using the network map, then restart the Connectivity Test.
After troubleshooting, tap Confirm & Restart Connectivity Test.
Restart Connectivity Test
If you had closed the dialog, the The Device Details screen appears showing the current status of the Test.
Tap the circular arrow to restart the Connectivity Test.
If you have moved the Mesh Gateway to a new location, tap Reset Device to Current Location. If the Mesh Gateway is still in the same location, tap Keep Device Original Location.
If the Silvanet Cloud cannot reach the Mesh Gateway you are deploying, use the same troubleshooting steps as described in Signal too weak from neighboring gateways.
With the Mesh Gateway now connected to the Silvanet Cloud, go ahead and continue mounting the remaining Mesh Gateways in the deployment plan.
Deploy Mesh Gateways to allow extensive deployments of Wildfire sensors using the Silvanet Mesh Network.
Ensure correct range
2 km to 3 km to Border Gateway: Deploy at least one Mesh Gateway at least 2 km to 3 km from a Border Gateway, depending on environmental conditions including topology and type of forest.
2 km to 3 km to other Mesh Gateway(s): 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.
Line of sight: Ensure line of sight to at least one Mesh Gateway.
Maximum 1 km radius from Wildfire Sensors: Place Mesh Gateways in locations that enable them to cover nearby sensors in a radius of approximately 1 km.
Mount Mesh Gateway correctly
Maximum 60.3 mm pole: 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.
Above 3 m on pole or tree: 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 higher for better signal propagation.
Healthy tree: Deploy the Silvanet Mesh Gateway to a healthy tree or to a stable self-standing poles that is unlikely to be moved.
Towards sun (at noon): Mount the Mesh Gateway facing the sun at 12:0 noon (northern or southern hemisphere). To receive maximum sunlight, it is best installed on a pole.
Hillsides: To increase communication, mount on hillsides.
Free of obstructions: 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.
Clear small branches: If installed on a tree, it should not be obstructed by branches. You may need to clear some branches away from the solar panel. Do not cut large branches.
Learn how to mount the Gen 2 Silvanet Mesh Gateway to a pole or a tree.
After a successful Device Registration and Connectivity Test, the Mesh Gateway can be permanently mounted to the tree or pole. The Deployment app provided guidelines for mounting the Mesh Gateway.
Go ahead and mount the Mesh Gateway to a metal or wood pole or on a tree, as described in the following sections.
To attach Mesh Gateways to a metal or wood pole, the maximum dimension of the pole must be 60 mm (2.3 inch). U-Clamps are provided 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. If a metal pole is used, ensure the top of the Mesh Gateway is level with the top of the pole to allow the antenna to free from interference from the metal.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
After mounting the Mesh Gateway and allowing it to fully charge, run the Connectivity Test to ensure the Mesh Gateway connects with either the Border Gateway or another Mesh Gateway.
See also
For details, see Mesh Gateway Connectivity Test.