- Point to point microwave link specification, design & project management
Security: Manufacturers are continually improving the security measures which are incorporated into wireless standards to maximise security of information transmitted within the signals.
Potential business users are advised to specify, subject to their organisation’s overall security policy, services and equipment which incorporate the highest levels of security available. Measures such as strong authentication / encryption and the use of firewalls should be standard practice to maximise security of the end-to-end service.
Planning Consent: Most wireless infrastructures require some form of external antenna on the outside of the building. These may fall within existing permitted development planning regulations, but the possible need for full planning permission must be taken into account.
Health & Safety: Research to date has produced no evidence to suggest that the infrastructure used for wireless data communication is putting the health of the general population at risk. Nevertheless, a precautionary approach is recommended and the matter is still under review. Legislation has been enacted at an EU level to ensure that emissions of wireless devices are contained well within safe limits.
Radio Spectrum: A popular choice is bands (such as 2.4 & 5.8GHz) in which permitted short range devices can be operated with minimal regulation and no annual license fees. The problem with these bands is that transmitter power (and therefore effective range) is limited and interference from other users is possible. On the other hand, licensed bands offer the certainty of minimal interference and longer ranges, but the drawbacks of annual license charges and generally more expensive equipment.
Service Reliability: Typical wireless systems are designed to achieve a minimum of 99.99% radio link availability. This figure is calculated from a statistical analysis of weather related factors such as heavy rain. Higher availabilities are generally achieved through increasing the sizes of the aerials used at each end of the link.
Foliage growth, external radio interference, icing of antennas and the probability of equipment failures also have to be taken into account when designing for an overall service reliability figure.
Help with:-
- The definition of your requirements
§ the selection of possible radio sites
§ computer based radio path surveys
§ independent technical expertise
- Procurement process advice
- Drafting a technical procurement specification
- Drafting a maintenance support specification
- Tender analysis & contractor selection
- Systems acceptance testing and quality assurance
- Minimisation of system whole life costs