The Gen 3 Border Gateway provides two solar panels and can be mounted to either a healthy tree or a stable metal/wooden pole.
The Gen 3 Border Gateway can be deployed using the supplied PoE (Power over Ethernet) to connect to a mains power supply. The solar panels must be connected to the Border Gateway.
The Gen 3 Border Gateway can also be deployed using solar panels only without use of the PoE.
The Border Gateway must be registered before the Border Gateway has been mounted. If this step has not been followed, see Register Border Gateway.
Orientation of Border Gateway and solar panels
The Border Gateway can be oriented to optimize connectivity to the Silvanet Mesh Network, while the solar panels can be oriented towards the sun (as it would be at 12:00 noon).
If a 60 mm (2.3 inch) wooden or metal pole is available, use the provided U-Clamps to attach the Border Gateway and solar panels to the pole.
Prepare U-Clamps: Place the U-Clamps around the pole, through the mounting bracket and hand tighten the bolts to the U-Clamps.
Tighten U-Clamps: After placing the mounting bracket at the correct location on the pole, use the 17 mm wrench to tighten the nuts. Do not use excessive force to prevent damage to the mounting bracket.
Repeat for solar panel brackets: Repeat these steps for the two solar panel mounting brackets. The mounting bracket for the Border Gateway can face the Silvanet Mesh Network while the solar panels can be directed towards the sun at 12:00 noon.
Mount Border Gateway and solar panel to brackets: Clip the Border Gateway and solar panels to the brackets. You can use locks to secure the devices to the brackets.
Attach cables to Border Gateway: Connect the solar panels to the Border Gateway using the supplies cables.
(Optionally) Use PoE to provide power: If a mains power supply is available, connect the PoE Injector to the mains.
If the Border Gateway is attached to tree, the tree must be stable, healthy and and unlikely to be removed. It should survive most typical wind storms.
Find a mounting location at least 3 m above forest floor: 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.
Prepare mounting areas: For the Border Gateway and solar panels, remove any branches and other obstructions at the deployment height. This allows the solar panel to have good irradiation from the sun to charge the device. Carefully remove a small portion of the bark with an axe or chisel where the holes in the tree will be drilled. This allows the gateway to hang vertically on the tree.
Drill two holes 70 mm apart for top loops: With a distance between the holes at 70 mm, drill approximately 6-7 cm (2 1/5 inches) into the tree for the top loops of the mounting brackets. Ensure you do not split the tree or drill on an angle. Use the 10mm drill bit.
Drill a pilot hole
When drilling into a tree, first drill a pilot hole using a small drill bit (1/4 inch / 6mm) then drill the final hole with the 10mm drill bit. Also, ensure you are using a drill bit for wood. This ensures the wood in the tree does not split.
Hammer the top treenails into the tree:
Carefully hammer the treenails through the top loops of the mounting brackets.
Drill the bottom holes: With the mounting brackets attached at the top, carefully drill the bottom two holes using the lower holes as templates. Be careful not to damage the bracket while doing so. Also, use a drill bit with a sufficient length to ensure the holes are at the correct depth.
Hammer the bottom treenails into the tree: Carefully hammer the treenails through the bottom loops into the tree. Check to ensure the mounting bracket is securely attached to the tree and cannot move.
Attach the devices to the mounting brackets: Clip the Border Gateway and solar panels to the brackets. You can use locks to secure the devices to the brackets.
Connect the cables: Connect the solar panels to the Border Gateway using the supplies cables.
(Optionally) Use PoE to provide power: If a mains power supply is available, connect the PoE Injector to the mains.
After mounting the Border Gateway and providing it with a power supply, allow the superconductors to fully charge.
With the Border Gateway mounted and powered, run the Connectivity Test to ensure the Border Gateway connects with the Silvanet Cloud.
See Also
For details, see Border Gateway Connectivity Test.
The Gen 2 Border Gateway provides a single solar panel and can be mounted to either a healthy tree or a stable metal/wooden pole.
The Border Gateway must be registered before the Border Gateway has been mounted. If this step has not been followed, see Register Border Gateway.
The Gen 2 Border Gateway can be deployed using the supplied PoE (Power over Ethernet) to connect to a mains power supply. The solar panel must be connected to the Border Gateway.
The Gen 2 Border Gateway can also be powered using only the solar panel in deployments without access to a mains power supply.
See also
For more information, see Border Gateway deployment scenarios.
If a 60 mm (2.3 inch) wooden or metal pole is available, you can use the provided U-Clamps to attach the Border Gateway to the pole.
Prepare U-Clamps: Loosely connect the U-Clamps to the Border Gateway, then slide the gateway onto the pole from the top (if possible).
Tighten U-Clamp: Hand-tighten the nuts, then use the 17 mm wrench to tighten the nuts. Do not use excessive force to prevent damage to the Border Gateway.
Attach the antennas: The LoRa antenna is attached to the top connector, LTE antenna on the bottom connector and satellite antenna is on the side.
Attach solar panel: Attach the solar panel to the pole above the Border Gateway. And if used, connect the Ethernet cable to a router.
Run connectivity test: Run a connectivity test to ensure the Border Gateway is connected to the Silvanet Cloud.
If the Border Gateway is to be attached to a tree, ensure the tree is stable and unlikely to be cut.
Fina a mounting location at least 3 m above forest floor: Once a tree has been selected, use a safety strap to hold the ladder to the tree. Then, have an assistant stabilize the ladder, locate a position on the tree that is approximately 3 m above forest floor.
Prepare mounting area: Remove any branches and other obstructions at the deployment height. This allows the solar panel to have good irradiation from the sun to charge the device. Carefully remove a small portion of the bark with an axe or chisel where the holes in the tree will be drilled. This allows the gateway to hang vertically on the tree.
Drill two holes 70 mm apart for top loops: Using a 10 mm drill bit for wood, drill two holes approximately 6-7 cm (2 1/5 inches) into the tree with a distance of 70 mm apart. Ensure you do not split the tree or drill on an angle. We recommend drilling a pilot hole using a small drill bit (1/4 inch / 6mm) then drill the final hole with the 10mm drill bit.
Drill a pilot hole
When drilling into a tree, first drill a pilot hole using a small drill bit (1/4 inch / 6mm) then drill the final hole with the 10mm drill bit. Also, ensure you are using a drill bit for wood. This ensures the wood in the tree does not split.
Hammer the top treenails into the tree: Carefully hammer the treenails through the top loops of the Border Gateway into the holes.
Drill the bottom holes: Carefully drill the bottom two holes using the lower holes as templates. Be careful not to damage the Gateway case while doing so. Also, use a drill bit with a sufficient length to ensure the holes are at the correct depth.
Hammer the bottom treenails into the tree: Carefully hammer the treenails through the bottom loops into the tree. Check to ensure the Border Gateway is securely attached to the tree and cannot move.
Attach the antennas: The LoRa antenna is attached to the top connector, the LTE antenna to the bottom connector and the satellite antenna to the connector on side of the device.
Mount the solar panel: Attach the solar panel to the tree above the Border Gateway. And if used, connect an Ethernet cable from a router. See below.
After installing the Border Gateway, attach the solar panel to the same pole or tree to provide a backup power supply.
The cable from the Border Gateway to the solar panel is pre-connected and is 2 m long.
After attaching the Border Gateway to either a pole or a tree, the solar panel needs to be attached to the same location, preferably above the Border Gateway. Garden wire is used to secure the solar panel to the support structure (tree or pole).
Mount on same tree or pole as Border Gateway: Ensure the solar panel is attached to the same tree or pole used for the Border Gateway.
Oriented towards sun at 12:00 noon (northern/southern hemisphere): Locate the deployment location towards where the sun would be at 12:00 noon. This allows the solar panel to have maximum sunlight irradiation during daylight hours.
Protect cable from accidental damage: Ensure the solar panel cable is placed in such a way that it cannot be damaged by human or animal incidents.
Mount above Border Gateway: If the deployment location is a public area, the minimum height for both the Border Gateway and the solar panel should be at least 3m above the forest floor with the solar panel mounted above the Border Gateway. A higher deployment allows for better connections to Mesh Gateways.
Securely mount the solar panel to pole or tree: Ensure the solar panel is tightly connected to the tree or pole so that it cannot slip or turn during strong winds or other environmental actions.
To mount solar panel to pole or tree:
Cut two equal lengths of provided garden wire, each being twice the circumference of the tree or pole.
With the solar panel is at ground level, insert garden wire through the holes.
Climb the ladder with the panel and place the solar panel on the opposite side of the tree or pole and pull it tight using the top wire, then twist the cable tight. Ensure the panel faces south towards where the sun would be at 12:00 noon.
Follow the same procedure with the lower wire.
Twist the two ends of the cables together and bring the twisted cable within the back of the panel.
Ensure the solar panel is tight against the tree and pole and cannot move.
The following shows a completed Border Gateway and solar panel deployment.
If an Ethernet connection is available, use the PoE Injector to connect to a mains power supply. The Border Gateway provides a sealed RJ45 connector to attach an Ethernet cable to the device.
Open the Ethernet connector by unscrewing the cap.
Disassemble the Ethernet connector, including the end cap, sealing ring and housing.
Lead the Ethernet cable through the end cap, sealing ring and housing.
Connect the Ethernet cable into the Ethernet socket in the connector.
Reassemble the connector. Carefully seat the sealing rings in the housing without damaging the barbs, then screw the end cap on the housing and screw the housing to the connector.
Connect the supplied Ethernet cable to the PoE and then connect an Ethernet cable (not supplied) from the PoE to an available router.
Plug in the PoE to a mains power supply using the provided power cable.
Let superconductors charge: After mounting the Border Gateway and providing it with a power supply, allow the superconductors to fully charge.
Run connectivity test: With the Border Gateway mounted and powered, run the Connectivity Test to ensure the Border Gateway connects with the Silvanet Cloud.
See Also
For details, see Border Gateway Connectivity Test.
Before mounting the Border Gateway, register the Device ID using the Deployment app to provide its GPS location with the Silvanet Cloud.
Device ID
Each Silvanet Border 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 the Border Gateway.
To register the Border Gateway's Device ID, scan the QR Code (for Gen 2) or use NFC (for Gen 3).
In the Silvanet Deployment app, select a Site.
In the list of devices that appears, select a Border Gateway. Alternately, select Show Devices on Map.
On the map that appears, tap Register Device. The blue dot on the map shows your current location.
Finding the deployment location
In the figure above, the Border 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 maps shows on overview of your Site. Your location is indicated by a blue dot.
Once the deployment location is found, register the Device ID.
Use the Deployment app to scan the device's QR Code, which is attached to the back of the Border Gateway.
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.
The Deployment app automatically fills in the Gateway's latitude and longitude using the Smartphone's GPS location.
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 Device Registration, the Border Gateway can be permanently mounted to the tree or pole. The Deployment app provided guidelines for mounting the Border Gateway.
Mount the Border Gateway to a metal or wood pole or on a tree, as described in the following sections. Afterwards, mount the solar panel(s). Alternately, use the PoE Injector to provide power from mains, if available.
Relocating a Border Gateway
For more information, see Relocate a Silvanet Sensor or Gateway.
Run a connectivity test to ensure the Border Gateway connects with the Silvanet Cloud.
Use the to begin the Connectivity test to determines if the Border Gateway can connect with the Silvanet Cloud.
After mounting the Border Gateway, tap Confirm & Start Connectivity Test.
The Silvanet Cloud attempts to reach the Border Gateway. A popup dialog appears over the map with a progress indicator. This popup can be minimized by selecting Collapse Pop-Up.
If the Silvanet Cloud could reach the Border Gateway, a Connectivity Test successful message appears. Tap Show Device Details or Close to dismiss the popup dialog.
If you have tapped Show Device Details, the following screen appears. You can add additional information in the Notes field.
After making changes, close the Device details screen. The changes are then updated in the Silvanet Cloud.
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.
Check the following to troubleshoot connectivity:
Power supply: Check the power supply. Is the PoE correctly connected to mains power source? Is the solar panel correctly connected to Border Gateway, correctly oriented towards the sun (at noon), and no obstructions in front of the solar panel.
Border Gateway not fully charged: Wait for the Border Gateway to be fully charged. If the device has not had sufficient time to charge its superconductors, wait until it has been fully charged.
Border Gateway has no connection to a mobile network: It is possible the planned location for the Border Gateway does not have connectivity to a mobile network. In this case, the device needs to be relocated to a location where it has connectivity.
You can close the dialog after troubleshooting. To return to this screen, tap the Border Gateway icon on the map.
After troubleshooting, tap Confirm & Restart Connectivity Test.
If you had closed the dialog, 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 Border Gateway to a new location, tap Reset Device to Current Location. If the Border Gateway is still in the same location, tap Keep Device Original Location.
After restarting the Connectivity Test, the Silvanet Cloud attempts to reach the Border Gateway. If successful, the Connectivity Test successful message appears.
Tap Close to dismiss the dialog or tap Show Device Details.
With the Border Gateway now connected to the Silvanet Cloud, Mesh Gateways can now be deployed based on the deployment plan.
Deploy Mesh Gateways
For details, see .
Before mounting the Border Gateway, register the Device ID using the Deployment app to provide its GPS location with the Silvanet Cloud.
The Border Gateway provides a single solar panel and can be mounted to either a healthy tree or a stable metal/wooden pole.
The Gen 3 Border Gateway provides two solar panels and can be mounted to either a healthy tree or a stable metal/wooden pole.
