Mesh Wide Area Networks (MWAN) AP7181 Frequently Asked Questions
Wireless Network Solutions
MWAN AP 7181 FAQ
The AP 7181 is one of the highest performing multi-radio outdoor 802.11n access points in the market today. It offers superior network capacity with a maximum data rate of 300 Mbps, Motorola’s exclusive integrated ADEPT (ADvanced Element Panel Technology) antenna system and coupled with a complete portfolio of indoor and outdoor access points, cameras, software tools and applications the needs of cities and businesses can be met for years to come. Q) What are the key differentiators of the AP 7181? The Motorola AP 7181: • Is one of the highest capacity outdoor WiFi mesh networks available in the industry, offering 300 Mbps connections between nodes. • Offers the integrated ADEPT (ADvanced Element Panel Technology) Antenna System, which increases client throughput and ensures consistent coverage with no self-shadowing or notching. • Incorporates high performance radios, specifically developed by Motorola to maintain full power and high data rates. • Is supported by Motorola’s best-in-class One Point Wireless Suite of planning, deployment, and security and management solutions. • Is part of Motorola’s comprehensive portfolio of indoor and outdoor wireless access points, vehicular modems, cameras, VoIP phones, software tools and applications, providing customers with an end-to-end solution from a trusted partner. Q) How does the AP 7181 achieve such high capacity? The AP 7181 features new standard based 802.11n radios specifically developed by Motorola to operate at maximum power at high data rates. The high capacity is achieved through a number of elements. First, the AP 7181 is a dual radio device that uses 802.11n 3x3:2. This means that there are 3 transmitters and 3 receivers per radio. Additionally, there are 2 spatially diverse data streams. This enables the 7181 to achieve a data rate up to 300 Mbps. Q) Why doesn’t the AP 7181 have stick antennas? Most wireless 802.11 a/b/g access points transmit using vertical dipole antennas (sticks). These antennas use only vertically polarized transmissions, effectively limiting the access point to a single spatial stream. The AP 7181, uses Motorola’s exclusive ADEPT (ADvanced Element Panel Technology) antenna system, which incorporates both horizontally and vertically polarized antennas for every radio. This allows the antenna system to deliver higher data rates and greater range compared to other systems. Having dual polarization panels enhances performance throughout the coverage area and helps ensure multiple data streams can be sent and received by clients and between nodes. Also, OMNI sticks produce a “self shadowing” coverage pattern, where nearby antennas shade or “notch” the desired OMNI-directional antenna pattern and lead to unpredictable coverage holes. The innovative engineering and seamless coverage delivered by ADEPT technology eliminates holes or gaps.
Q) How does the AP 7181 handle interference in an outdoor environment? The AP 7181 has a feature called Dynamic Interference Avoidance. This feature of the AP 7181 enhances 802.11n’s MRC (Maximal Ratio Combining) capabilities for superior receiver sensitivity. The AP 7181 not only combines all three chains as per the MRC but, the AP 7181 enhances the 802.11n standard by also using the MRC to combine both the vertical and horizontal polarized receive signals of each antenna panel as well as the individual antenna panels themselves. The combination of all these receivers maximizes overall receiver sensitivity for each chain, a polarized receiver signal and a direction via an antenna panel. If interference is received on one chain, the AP 7181 will maximize the receiver on the other chains, resulting in better RF sensitivity. If vertically polarized interference is received, the AP 7181 will maximize the receivers on all horizontally polarized panels. If interference is received on a particular panel antenna, the AP 7181 will maximize the receiver capabilities on the remaining panels. This allows the AP 7181 to mitigate interference whether it originates on a particular stream, a direction or polarization. Q) Is the AP 7181 compatible with the MWAN 4300 product series? Motorola offers mesh compatibility between the AP 7181 and MWAN (Mesh Wide Area Network) 4300 products. This allows an outdoor network to deploy a mix of AP 7181s and MWAN 4300s. This enables 802.11 a/b/g clients to roam between 4300s and 7181s with 802.11n clients connecting to the 7181. Q) Is the AP 7181 backwards compatible to 802.11a/b/g clients? Yes, the AP 7181 will not only support 802.11n based clients, but it will also support legacy 802.11a/b/g clients as well. In fact, with the innovation of the ADEPT Antenna system in combination with the 802.11n standard, 802.11 a/b/g client performance will be improved when compared to an all 802.11a/b/g network. Q) Can I use the VMM 4300 in an AP 7181 network for mobility? For vehicular mobility requirements, the VMM (Vehicle Mounted Modem) 4300 will provide connectivity to vehicles and metro-rail trains that are within the coverage area of this mixed network. This will enable mobile connectivity while traveling up to 80 mph. Q) Can I use the AP 7181 to extend wireless coverage from an indoor network to the outdoors? A common use case is indoor to outdoor wireless connectivity. For example, a warehouse has deployed the indoor 802.11n AP-7131s for their indoor clients. They would like to extend wireless connectivity outdoors to the parking lots. This can be achieved by attaching an AP 7181 via Ethernet to the indoor network, and then extending the coverage outdoors. Q) Will a client moving from the indoors to the outdoors have seamless connectivity? By deploying AP 7181s outdoors, the network coverage can then be extended from the indoors to the outdoors. By designing the network to have common elements such as the same IP address, SSID and security, a client can move seamlessly indoor to outdoors and visa versa. Q) Is a network management system available for the AP 7181? The AP 7181 is supported by Motorola’s One Point Wireless Manager. One Point Wireless Manager offers complete network management, with a Google Maps interface and monitoring of all indoor and outdoor Motorola wireless broadband network equipment in a single application and is visible on a single computer screen. One Point Wireless Manager makes it easy to manage the complexities of a multi-layer wireless network by clearly showing performance metrics, network relationships and locations of all wireless equipment.
Q) Are their any tools available to design an AP 7181 network? Yes, BroadbandPlanner will have full design support for the AP 7181. This tool replaces the previous design tool, MeshPlanner. This new powerful network design software helps to propose, design, deploy and measure wireless network solutions that include MWAN and Point-toMultipoint products. This tool enables easy optimization of network designs with views that show optimal equipment placement, signal strength heat maps, optimal urban-canyon remote access point locations and terrain obstruction path profiles. Q) Where can I get more information? • More information on the AP 7181 can be located on the internal WNS Sales Rack site at http://compass.mot.com/web/wnssales. • The AP 7181 external product page is located at the following link: AP 7181 Webpage
Motorola Wireless Network Solutions Motorola delivers seamless connectivity that puts real-time information in the hands of users, giving customers the agility they need to grow their business or better protect and serve the public. Working seamlessly together with its world-class devices, Motorola's unrivaled wireless network solutions include indoor WLAN, outdoor wireless mesh, point-to-multipoint, point-to-point networks and voice over WLAN solutions. Combined with powerful software for wireless network design, security, management and troubleshooting, Motorola's solutions deliver trusted networking and anywhere access to organizations across the globe.
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