AIRPORT WIRELESS INTEGRATED

                                       CONNECTIVITY SYSTEM (AWICS)

Designing an AWICS system is necessary to ensure minimal investment while providing maximum ROI.  AWICS has sufficient bandwidth to allow many different radio bands to co-exist on the fiber.  Mentor Radio's first step towards that end is to connect wireless LAN/Internet known as Wi-Fi.  This will allow expanding capability over time as the fiber network expands.

AWICS can connect to any sized network.  There are a few issues regarding what hardware is required based upon which configuration to install. AWICS's unit of growth is called a NODE.  AWICS allows customers to expand their systems by adding nodes.  Each node consists of one base unit, one remote unit and the fiber optic cable that connects between them.  The connection of a new node to an existing system may require a few extra components at the base unit, depending whether a wireless router or a access point is being connected.

A small network is one in which there is a single connection point to the internet, such as a cable modem or a DSL modem.  Usually the modem is connected to a single router. The router has cabled connections to each PC. Of course, the router could be either a wired or wireless router.  The wireless router may be configured for use with or without security enabled.  For non-trivial data access, it is highly recommended to enable security.  When connecting to a small network like this, you only need a low cost wireless router.  It should support 802.11a,b or g.  This connection will require a circulator to connect to the AWICS's base unit also.

A large network is defined as a network infrastructure where a large number of users are needing to access data simultaneously. Many of these large systems use wired networks. These networks can be configured to connect outside wireless networks using what is known as an access point.  Network administrators can determine if their networks require using Access Point units or if they can connect using a simple wireless router.   AWICS allows connecting 1-N Access Points for any size network.  Connecting AWICS to an Access Point unit does not require connecting a circulator.  Each Access Point unit may be connected to 1-N number of base units/remote unit node pairs.

FEATURES

• - Connect to any size network

• - Remote unit uses < 2watts of power

• - Connect up to 10 base units into a single network

• - Each fiber length up to 1.8 miles. Adding in-line base unit can extend  length indefinitely

SPECIFICATIONS

Base Unit
Power Required	10-14 VDC or 115VAC with optional wall mount power transformer. (Part number: 802005)
Fiber Connector Required	Type LC
Remote Unit
Power Required	10-14 VDC.  To use AC power use optional wall mount power transformer. (Part number: 802005)
Fiber Connector Required	Type LC
Frequency	2.4GHz
Power	<1 watt

ACCESSORIES

Mentor Radio offers a wide assortment of accessories to provide a complete installation solution.

Splitters and Circulators are available for connecting the base unit to your existing network.

Coax cables to connect router/access points to base units/splitters and circulators.

Wi-Fi antennas.

Solar Panels for making remote units self powered to minimize installation expense.  Available in several sizes and power ranges to provide optimum choice between cost and utilization.

Batteries are available in several sizes to allow for a wide range of expected weather conditions where there is insufficient daylight to charge the battery.

For remote installations there are two power options available.

• For indoor use, use AWICS-BU to operate from 12VDC power and AWICS-BU-XF for 115VAC. 

• Outdoor use, use part number AWICS-RUO to operate from DC or Solar (with battery backup) or part number AWICS-RUO-XF to operate from 115VAC.

• Solar panel should be selected based upon geographic location.  (NOTE: Amount of power produced by solar panels is dependant upon many variables. Geographic location of installation, orientation of panel installation relative to surroundings and other factors can have a significant impact upon power realized from any solar powered installation.)