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| An Introduction to Broadband License-Free Wireless Wide-Area Networking | |
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| Differences Between Wired Networks and Wireless Networks | |
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| Wireless Terminology and Evolution | |
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| Broadband | |
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| Wide-Area Network | |
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| History of License-Free Wireless Networking | |
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| Advantages of License-Free Wireless Networks | |
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| Cost Savings | |
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| Fast Deployment Speed | |
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| Network Architecture Flexibility | |
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| Network Independence | |
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| Challenges of License-Free Wireless Networks | |
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| Challenge of Understanding Wireless Fundamentals | |
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| Challenge of Overcoming Real-World Obstacles | |
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| Challenge of Maximizing Available Bandwidth | |
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| Challenge of Working Safely with Wireless | |
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| Review Questions | |
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| Understanding Wireless Fundamentals | |
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| Wireless Propagation | |
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| Wireless Frequency | |
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| Wireless Wavelength | |
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| Attenuation | |
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| Free-Space Waves | |
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| Reflected Waves | |
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| Sky Waves | |
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| Microwave Reflections | |
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| Diffraction | |
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| Weather and Other Atmospheric Effects | |
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| Precipitation | |
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| Wind | |
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| Refraction | |
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| Working with Wireless Power | |
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| Ratios | |
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| Power Ratios | |
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| Wireless Power Ratios | |
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| dBm | |
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| dBm Calculations and Reference Chart | |
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| Antenna Characteristics | |
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| Antenna Directivity | |
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| Antenna Radiation Patterns | |
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| Antenna Gain | |
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| Antenna Spillover | |
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| Antenna Beamwidth | |
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| Obtaining Wireless Line-of-Sight Paths | |
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| Visual LOS Path | |
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| Difference Between Visual and Wireless LOS Paths | |
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| Fresnel Zone | |
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| Wireless Link Budget | |
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| Transmitter Output Power | |
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| Transmitter Antenna System Transmission Line Loss | |
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| Transmitting Antenna Gain | |
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| Free-Space Path Loss | |
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| Receiving Antenna Gain | |
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| Receiver Antenna System Transmission Line Loss | |
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| Receiver Sensitivity Threshold | |
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| Fade Margin | |
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| Doubling the Link Distance | |
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| Tips for Planning Long Wireless Links | |
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| Antenna Height | |
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| Fresnel Zone | |
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| Atmospheric Refraction (k-Factor) | |
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| Link Budget | |
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| Long-Link Strategies | |
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| Review Questions | |
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| Choosing Your Network Architecture | |
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| Point-to-Point Architecture | |
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| Advantages of Point-to-Point Architecture | |
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| Disadvantages of Point-to-Point Architecture | |
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| Examples of When to Use Point-to-Point Architecture | |
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| Point-to-Multipoint Architecture | |
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| Advantages of Point-to-Multipoint Architecture | |
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| Disadvantages of Point-to-Multipoint Architecture | |
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| Examples of When to Use Point-to-Multipoint Architecture | |
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| Cellular Architecture | |
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| Advantages of Cellular Architecture | |
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| Disadvantages of Cellular Architecture | |
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| Examples of When to Use Cellular Architecture | |
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| Mesh Architecture | |
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| Advantages of Mesh Architecture | |
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| Disadvantages of Mesh Architecture | |
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| Examples of When to Use Mesh Architecture | |
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| Selecting the Preliminary Network Architecture | |
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| Map the Locations of End Users | |
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| Evaluate Point-to-Point Architecture | |
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| Group Users by Proximity | |
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| Evaluate Point-to-Multipoint Architecture | |
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| Evaluate Cellular Architecture | |
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| Evaluate Mesh Architecture | |
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| Draft Preliminary Network Architecture | |
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| Confirm Hub Site Availability | |
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| Confirm End User Site Availability | |
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| Confirm Site Usability | |
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| Review Questions | |
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| Performing Site Surveys | |
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| Physical Site Surveys | |
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| Reviewing the Preliminary Network Design | |
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| Contacting Site Management | |
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| Physical Site Survey Preparation | |
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| Locating a Controlled Equipment Environment | |
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| Minimizing the Distance Between the Equipment and the Antenna | |
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| Gaining Access to the Roof | |
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| Routing the Cables | |
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| Surveying the Roof | |
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| Determining Where to Point the Antenna | |
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| Determining Where to Place the Antenna | |
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| Determining Antenna Height | |
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| Selecting the Antenna-Mounting Structure | |
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| Grounding the Antenna System | |
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| Revising the Preliminary Network Design | |
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| Radio Frequency (RF) Site Surveys | |
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| Overview of the RF Site Survey Process | |
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| RF Site Survey Test Equipment | |
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| How a Spectrum Analyzer Works | |
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| Inspecting Real-World Signals on a Spectrum Analyzer | |
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| RF Site Survey Principles | |
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| RF Site Survey Process | |
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| Documenting RF Site Survey Findings | |
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| No Spectrum Analyzer? Now What? | |
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| RF Criteria Evaluation and Conclusion | |
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| Performing Path Testing or Coverage Testing | |
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| Negotiating a Site Lease | |
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| Lease Rates | |
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| Avoiding Interference | |
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| Access to Equipment | |
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| Insurance Requirements | |
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| Work Requirements | |
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| Tower Site Requirements | |
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| Review Questions | |
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| Selecting Antenna Systems | |
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| Using Antennas to Focus Power and Reduce Interference | |
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| Antenna Building Blocks: Lights, Mirrors, and Lenses | |
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| Antenna Polarization | |
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| Polarization Selection Examples | |
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| Surveying Common Antenna Types | |
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| Omnidirectional Antennas | |
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| Yagi-Uda (Yagi) Antennas | |
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| Corner Reflector Antennas | |
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| Parabolic Reflector Antennas | |
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| Panel Antennas | |
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| Helix Antennas | |
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| Combining Antenna Systems | |
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| Feeding Power to Combined Antenna Systems | |
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| Bidirectional Antenna Systems | |
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| Diversity Antenna Systems | |
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| Isolating Antenna Systems | |
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| Benefiting from Antenna System Isolation | |
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| Vertical Separation Isolation | |
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| Horizontal Separation Isolation | |
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| Cross-Polarization Isolation | |
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| Obstruction Isolation | |
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| Sector Antenna Systems | |
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| Selecting Sector Antennas | |
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| Other Antenna System Components | |
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| Feed Systems | |
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| Feed System Connector Locations and Types | |
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| Antenna-Mounting Hardware | |
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| Antenna Coverings | |
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| Review Questions | |
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| Evaluating and Selecting Wireless Equipment | |
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| Overview of the Equipment Selection Process | |
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| Reviewing Your Wireless Network Needs | |
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| Researching Equipment Features | |
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| Visiting Deployment Sites | |
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| Testing Wireless Equipment in the Lab | |
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| Testing Wireless Equipment Outdoors | |
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| Making Purchase Decisions | |
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| OSI and TCP/IP Reference Models | |
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| Peer Protocols | |
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| Services | |
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| Basic Packet Structure and Frame Types | |
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| Application Layer Functions and Protocols | |
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| Transport Layer Functions and Protocols | |
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| Network Layer Functions and Protocols | |
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| Data Link Layer Functions and Protocols | |
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| Physical Layer Functions and Protocols | |
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| Physical Layer Wired-Interface Features | |
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| Low-Speed Data Ports | |
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| Ethernet Ports | |
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| High-Speed Data Ports | |
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| Voice Interfaces | |
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| Wired-Interface Security Features | |
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| Physical Layer Wireless-Interface Features | |
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| Non Line-of-Sight Features | |
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| Wireless Frequency Bands | |
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| Modulation Types | |
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| Bandwidth and Throughput | |
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| Noise and Interference Reduction Features | |
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| Physical Layer Wireless Security Features | |
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| Miscellaneous Wireless Features | |
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| Data Link Layer Features | |
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| Bridging Features | |
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| MAC Sublayer Features | |
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| Data Link Layer Security Features | |
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| Network Layer Features | |
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| Routing Features | |
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| Bandwidth Management | |
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| Quality of Service (QoS) | |
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| Roaming | |
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| Network Layer Security Features | |
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| Application Layer Features | |
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| Network Design | |
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| Network Management | |
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| Application Layer Security Features | |
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| Major Network Feature Decisions | |
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| Market Versus Equipment Cost | |
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| 802.11b Compatibility--Yes or No? | |
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| Bridged Versus Routed WANs | |
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| Backbone Feature Decisions | |
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| AP Feature Decisions | |
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| CPE Feature Decisions | |
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| Wireless Network Card Decisions | |
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| Mesh Network Feature Decisions | |
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| Wireless Equipment Environmental Decisions | |
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| Wireless Amplifier Feature Decisions | |
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| Compatibility Issues | |
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| Wireless Support Issues | |
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| Review Questions | |
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| Installing Outdoor Wireless Systems | |
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| Preparing for Outdoor Wireless Installations | |
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| Planning | |
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| Collaboration | |
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| Safety Training | |
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| Availability and Use of Proper Tools | |
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| Professional Work Attitude | |
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| Verifying the Installation Documentation | |
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| Installing Tower-Mounted Antenna Systems | |
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| Working in High-RF Environments | |
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| Tower Equipment-Mounting Scenarios | |
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| Installing Rooftop-Mounted Antenna Systems | |
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| Building the Roof-Mounted Antenna Base | |
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| Installing the Antenna | |
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| Waterproofing the Connections and the Equipment | |
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| Attaching the Guy Wires | |
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| Raising the Antenna and Mast | |
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| Running the Cabling | |
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| Grounding and Lightning Protection | |
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| Installing the Wireless Equipment | |
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| Testing Wireless Systems | |
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| Testing Point-to-Point Wireless Links | |
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| Testing Point-to-Multipoint Wireless Links | |
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| Documenting the Test Results | |
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| Review Questions | |
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| Solving Noise and Interference Problems | |
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| Understanding SNR | |
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| Maximizing the Signal Level | |
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| Minimizing the Noise and Interference Level | |
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| Minimizing Noise from Your DSSS Network | |
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| Minimizing Noise from Your FHSS Network | |
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| Minimizing Noise from Other Networks | |
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| Minimizing Noise from Out-of-Band Transmitters | |
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| Signal-to-Noise Variations over Time | |
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| Using Direction-Finding Techniques to Locate Noise Sources | |
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| Monitoring Network Performance | |
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| Documenting Noise-Reduction Results | |
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| Minimizing Interference to Licensed Wireless Systems | |
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| Review Questions | |
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| Providing Broadband Wireless Internet Access | |
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| Planning for WISP Success | |
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| Obtaining ISP and WISP Experience | |
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| Serving Niche Markets | |
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| Differentiating Between Bandwidth and Throughput | |
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| Pricing Your Service Offerings | |
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| Overselling Throughput | |
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| Committing to High-Reliability Service | |
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| Preplanning the Installation Process | |
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| Designing Reliable Networks | |
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| Selecting Low-Noise AP Locations | |
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| Planning for Emergencies | |
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| Learning to Spell Decibels | |
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| Using Licensed Backhauls | |
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| Deploying Stable Networks | |
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| Wireless Site Surveys | |
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| Standardizing Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) | |
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| Avoiding Needless Equipment Mixing | |
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| Meeting the Customer at the Ethernet | |
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| Measuring Fade Margin | |
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| Allowing AP Test Time | |
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| Managing Network Throughput | |
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| Minimizing Lost Throughput | |
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| Reusing Frequencies Successfully | |
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| Allocating Throughput Per Customer | |
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| Determining Network Capacity | |
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| Keeping Some Throughput in Reserve | |
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| Enhancing Network Security | |
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| Coexisting with Other Wireless Networks | |
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| Cooperating with Competitors | |
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| Interference from Other WISPs | |
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| Interference with Amateur Radio Operations | |
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| Living with the FCC | |
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| Observing FCC Power Limits | |
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| FCC Equipment Certification | |
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| Responding to FCC Inquiries | |
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| Lobbying the FCC | |
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| Anticipating Emerging Trends | |
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| CPE Equipment Cost Reductions | |
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| 802.11 Creep | |
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| 802.11b and Cellular Service Integration | |
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| Other Trends | |
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| Avoiding Black Holes | |
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| NLOS Equipment Performance | |
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| Receiver Performance Near High-Power Transmitters | |
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| Commercial Tower Companies | |
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| Changes to Government Licensing Regulations | |
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| Review Questions | |
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| Wireless Standards Summary | |
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| Wireless Hardware, Software, and Service Provider Organizations | |
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| Wireless Hardware | |
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| Low-Cost 802.11b Access Point Hardware | |
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| Wireless Hotspot Hardware | |
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| Free Space Optical Hardware | |
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| Security Hardware and Software | |
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| Antenna Systems | |
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| Coaxial Cable | |
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| Towers and Antenna Mounting Hardware | |
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| Lightning-Protection Equipment | |
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| Grounding Equipment | |
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| Test Equipment | |
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| Peripheral Equipment Distributors | |
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| Wireless Software | |
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| Access Point Software | |
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| Bandwidth Management Software | |
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| Wireless Link Planning Software | |
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| Utility Software | |
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| Site Survey Software | |
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| Services | |
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| Consulting | |
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| Training | |
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| Suggested Books for Further Reading | |
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| Online Magazines | |
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| WISP Industry Organizations | |
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| E-Mail Lists | |
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| FCC Rules and Regulations | |
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| Wireless Standards | |
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| Locating a WISP | |
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| Community Networks and Wireless User Groups | |
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| Answers to Chapter Review Questions | |
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| Index | |