Getting Started Guide: Cisco Aironet 1552S Outdoor Mesh Access Points - Cisco
Getting Started Guide: Cisco Aironet 1552S Outdoor Mesh Access Points
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Getting Started Guide
Cisco Aironet 1552S Outdoor Mesh Access Points
INCLUDING LICENSE AND WARRANTY
October 2012
P/N: 78-20281-01
This guide is designed to familiarize yourself with your Cisco Aironet 1552S Outdoor Mesh Access Point and prepare it for use in your wireless network. Due to the complexity and number of product options available, this guide does not provide detailed mounting and configuration instructions. Those instructions can be found in the following documents:
oCisco Mesh Networking Solution Deployment Guide
oCisco Aironet 1550 Series for Hazardous Locations Installation Guide
This access point is sold through Honeywell Process Solutions group () as part of their OneWireless solution. For support for this access point please contact Honeywell via the web at:
or by phone at 1-800-822-7673 (Option 1).
Detailed configuration information can also be found in the Cisco wireless LAN controller documentation for the controller and software release you are using. These and other documents, such as the Cisco Aironet 1552S Data Sheet, are available .
The FCC with its action in ET Docket 96-8 has adopted a safety standard for human exposure to radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic energy emitted by FCC certified equipment. When used with approved Cisco Aironet antennas, Cisco Aironet products meet the uncontrolled environmental limits found in OET-65 and ANSI C95.1, 1991. Proper installation of this radio according to the instructions found in this manual will result in user exposure that is substantially below the FCC recommended limits.
This access point product has been found to be compliant to the requirements set forth in CFR 47 Section 1.1307 addressing RF Exposure from radio frequency devices as defined in Evaluating Compliance with FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields.
Use is permitted with antenna gain not exceeding 4 dBi for 802.11 and 14 dBi for the sensor (802.15.4) radio in the 2.4-GHz band, and 7 dBi in the 5-GHz band, as described in filing, with a minimum separation distance of 20 cm between the antenna and all persons during normal operation.
Only antennas provided by Cisco for use with the product should be installed. The use of any other antennas may cause damage to the access points or violate regulatory emission limits and will not be supported by Cisco.
This declaration is only valid for configurations (combinations of software, firmware and hardware) provided and/or supported by Cisco Systems. The use software or firmware not supported/provided by Cisco Systems may result that the equipment is no longer compliant with the regulatory requirements.
Safety warnings appear throughout this guide in procedures that may harm you if performed incorrectly. A warning symbol precedes each warning statement. The warnings below are general warnings that are applicable to the entire guide. Specific warnings are included in the sections to which they apply.
Translated versions of the safety warnings in this guide are provided in the Safety Warnings for Cisco Aironet 1550 Series Outdoor Mesh Access Points document that accompanies this guide. The translated warnings are also in Appendix A of the Cisco Aironet 1550 Series for Hazardous Locations Installation Guide, which is available .
Warning This warning symbol means danger. You are in a situation that could cause bodily injury. Before you work on any equipment, be aware of the hazards involved with electrical circuitry and be familiar with standard practices for preventing accidents. Use the statement number provided at the end of each warning to locate its translation in the translated safety warnings that accompanied this device. Statement 1071SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
Warning This equipment must be externally grounded using a customer-supplied ground wire before power is applied. Contact the appropriate electrical inspection authority or an electrician if you are uncertain that suitable grounding is available. Statement 366
Warning Read the installation instructions before connecting the system to the power source. Statement 1004
Warning Only trained and qualified personnel should be allowed to install, replace, or service this&equipment. Statement 1030
Warning Ultimate disposal of this product should be handled according to all national laws and regulations. Statement 1040
The Cisco Aironet 1552S Outdoor Mesh Access Point (hereafter called the access point or AP) is a ruggedized outdoor access designed for service in mesh networks in hazardous locations. It contains an ISA100.11a sensor backbone router to communicate with wireless sensors, and the access point radios provide backhaul service to carry sensor data to your network. The 1552S access point leverages 802.11n and 802.15.4 technology with integrated radio and internal/external antennas.
The 1552S outdoor platform consists of Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) WLAN radios and with integrated spectrum intelligence (CleanAir). CleanAir provides full 11n data rates while detecting, locating, classifying and mitigating radio frequency (RF) interference to provide the best client experience possible. CleanAir technology on the outdoor 11n platform mitigates WiFi and non-WiFi interference on 2.4 GHz radios.
The 1552S access point offers multi-band 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz configurations with an option to configure access and backhaul radios. The radios are called 2.4-GHz MIMO radios and 5-GHz MIMO radios. The 2.4-GHz radios are used primarily for local access and the 5-GHz radios for both local access and wireless backhaul in the mesh mode.
The 1552S access point supports the modularity of the 1520 series and allows flexibility in radio configuration. In addition to full interoperability with 802.11n clients, the 1552S access point interoperates with legacy clients and offers enhanced backhaul performance.
The access point is a standalone unit that can be wall or tower mounted. The access point can also operate as a relay node for other access points not directly connected to a wired network. Intelligent wireless routing is provided by the Adaptive Wireless Path Protocol (AWPP). This enables each access point to identify its neighbors and intelligently choose the optimal path to the wired network by calculating the cost of each path in terms of signal strength and the number of hops required to get to a controller.
The access point is configured, monitored, and operated through a Cisco wireless LAN controller (WLC), referred to as a controller in this document. The WLC is described in the appropriate Cisco Wireless LAN Controller Configuration Guide. The Cisco Mesh Networking Solution Deployment Guide describes how to plan and initially configure the Cisco mesh network, which supports wireless point-to-multipoint mesh deployments. The controllers use a browser-based management system, a command-line interface (CLI), or the Cisco Network Control System (NCS) network management system to manage the controller and the associated access points. The access point is compliant with Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) and employs hardware-based Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption between wireless nodes to provide end-to-end security.
Follow these steps to unpack the access point:
Step&1 Open the shipping container and carefully remove the contents.
Step&2 Return all packing materials to the shipping container and save it.
Step&3 Check each item for damage. If any item is damaged, notify your authorized Cisco sales representative.
Each access point package contains the following items:
oOne access point
oCisco product documentation and translated safety warnings
oThree liquid-tight adapters (used only for non-hazardous locations: AC or DC power input and Ethernet backhaul)
oTwo-pin DC power connector for 12 VDC power
oGround lug (Panduit PLCD6-10A-L) and screws with lock washers
Depending on what you ordered, the following optional equipment may be part of your shipment:
oThree Dual-Band Omnidirectional Antennas (AIR-ANT2547V-N-HZ=)
oTwo Single-Band Omnidirectional Antennas (AIR-ANT2450V-N-HZ=)
oPole mount kit (AIR-ACCPMK1550=)
oBand installation tool for pole mount kit (AIR-BAND-INS-TL=)
o1000BASELX single-mode Rugged SFP (GLC-LX-SM-RGD=)
o1000BASESX multimode Rugged SFP (GLC-SX-MM-RGD=)
oThird-party lightning arrestors as required by local authorities
There are two powering options for the 1552S AP. The AP can be ordered with either an AC (100-240&V) power input or 24 V DC or 12 V DC power input, depending on the model. The 802.11n MIMO radios operate in the 2.4 GHz and 5&GHz unlicensed spectrum. The exact channels are set by local regulatory agencies. The 802.15.4 ISA100 radio also operates in the 2.4 GHz spectrum. For more information, see
The configurations for the 1552S are:
oAIR-CAP1552SA-x-K9 2.4 GHz b/g/n, 5-GHz a/n MIMO, w/Honeywell ISA100.11a, AC-powered Outdoor Mesh AP
oAIR-CAP1552SD-x-K92.4 GHz b/g/n, 5-GHz a/n MIMO, w/Honeywell ISA100.11a, DC-powered Outdoor Mesh AP
For information on the regulatory domains (shown above as &x&) see
The 1550 series supports the following regulatory domains (shown as &x& in the model numbers):
For the latest details and accurate listing of country homologation, refer to &Table 3. 802.11abgn Mesh Access Points& on the Wireless-LAN-Compliance-Status page at this URL:
The following illustrations show identify the access point connections. Before you begin the installation process, use these illustrations to familiarize yourself with the access point.
Note The illustrations show all available connections for the configuration ordered. Unused connections are capped to ensure the watertight integrity of the access point. Liquid tight connectors are provided for all ports, which can be installed prior to or after deploying the access point.
shows the access point bottom and side connectors for model AIR-CAP1552Sy-x-K9.
shows the access point right side connectors for all models.
Figure&1 Access Point Bottom Connectors
Antenna port 4 (ISA100.11a)
PoE-out port
Antenna port 6 (ISA100.11a)
LEDs (Status, Up Link, RF1, RF2)
AC (1552SA) or 24 VDC (1552SD) power input port and fiber backhaul port
Note Antenna ports 1, 2 and 3 are not shown in . These ports are for the 802.11n radio antennas.
Figure&2 Access Point Left Side Connectors
Console Port
Note The console port is used for temporary console access for initial configuration or troubleshooting only. It cannot remain connected during normal use.
shows the access point DC power connector and ground lug.
Figure&3 Access Point DC Power Connector and Ground Lug (All Models)
12-VDC power port
Bracket mounting hole
Bracket mounting hole
Ground lug location
The 1552 access point 802.11b/g/n radio is used primarily for local access and its 802.11a/g/n radio for wireless backhaul in the mesh.
The 2-GHz b/g/n radio operates in 2.4 GHz ISM band. It supports channels 1-11 in US, 1-13 in Europe, and 1-13 in Japan. It has two transmitters with a maximum total output power of 25dBm for 802.11b/g/n operation. Output power is configurable to 5 levels. It has three receivers that enables maximum-ratio combining (MRC).
The 5-GHz a/n radio operates in the UNII-2 band (5.25 - 5.35 GHz), UNII-2 Extended/ETSI band (5.47 - 5.725 GHz), and the upper ISM band (5.725 - 5.850 GHz). It has two transmitters with a maximum total output power of 26 dBm for UNII-2 and Extended/ETSI bands for the A-domain. The total maximum output power for the upper ISM band is 28 dBm for A-domain. Power settings will change depending on the regulatory domain. Output power is configurable for 5 power levels in 3-dB steps. Its three receivers enables maximum-ratio combining (MRC).
Warning In order to comply with radio frequency (RF) exposure limits, the antennas for this product should be positioned no less than 20 cm from your body or nearby persons. Statement 339
Warning Do not locate the antenna near overhead power lines or other electric light or power circuits, or where it can come into contact with such circuits. When installing the antenna, take extreme care not to come into contact with such circuits, because they may cause serious injury or death. For proper installation and grounding of the antenna, please refer to national and local codes (for example, U.S.:NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, Article 810, Canada: Canadian Electrical Code, Section 54). Statement 1052
Warning Only trained and qualified personnel should be allowed to install, replace, or service this equipment.Statement 1030
To support the 802.11n radio, the 1552S access points are equipped with three N-type radio frequency (RF) connectors (antenna ports 1, 2, and 3) on the top of the unit for external antennas with multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) operation, as shown in . When using the Cisco Aironet AIR-ANT2547V-N-HZ Dual-Band Omnidirectional Antenna, the 2.4- and 5-GHz antennas connect directly to the access point, as shown in . The Cisco dual-band omnidirectional antenna has vertical polarization and 4 dBi gain at 2.4 GHz and 7 dBi gain at 5 GHz.
To support the 802.15.4 radio, the 1552S access points are equipped with two N-type radio frequency (RF) connectors (antenna ports 4 and 6) on the bottom of the unit for external antennas with diversity inputs, as shown in . When using the Cisco Aironet AIR-ANT2450V-N-HZ Omnidirectional Antenna for Hazardous Locations, the 2.4-GHz antennas connect directly to the access point, as shown in . This Cisco omnidirectional antenna has a vertical polarization and 5dBi gain. In some cases, it is necessary to remotely locate the 802.15.4 antennas. For these deployments, an RF jumper cable is required between the 1552S RF ports and the ports on the antennas. Sector antennas with gain up to 14 dBi are allowed.
Figure&4 Access Point External Antenna Connectors, Ports 4 and 6 - Model AP-CAP1552Sy-x-K9
Antenna port 4 (ISA100.11a)
Antenna port 6 (ISA100.11a)
Figure&5 Access Point External Antenna Connectors, Ports 1, 2 and 3- Model AP-CAP1552Sy-x-K9
Antenna port 3 (WiFi TX/RX)
Antenna port 2 (WiFi RX)
Antenna port 1 (WiFi TX/RX)
Figure&6 Access Point Dual-Band Omnidirectional Antennas-Installed Only on Models AIR-CAP1552Sy-x-K9
Antenna connected to antenna port 1 (Type-N connector) (WiFi TX/RX)
Antenna connected to antenna port 6 (Type-N connector) (ISA100 RX)
Antenna connected to antenna port 2 (Type-N connector) (WiFi RX)
Antenna connected to antenna port 4 (Type-N connector) (ISA100 TX/RX)
Antenna connected to antenna port 3 (Type-N connector) (WiFi TX/RX)
Note The FCC limits the amount of power this device can transmit. Power transmitted is a combination of the amplification of the signal and the antenna gain. The access point has been designed to operate with the Cisco provided antennas.
Integrated Low-Profile Dual-Band 2.4/5 GHz Omni Antenna Array Unit - PID AIR-ANT2547V-N
Antenna element (TX/RX)
Antenna element (RX only)
Antenna element (TX/RX)
Warning Installation of the equipment must comply with local and national electrical codes. Statement 1074
Warning This equipment must be externally grounded using a customer-supplied ground wire before power is applied. Contact the appropriate electrical inspection authority or an electrician if you are uncertain that suitable grounding is available. Statement 366
Warning Do not work on the system or connect or disconnect cables during periods of lightning activity. Statement 1001
The access point supports the following power sources:
oAC power—100 to 240 VAC, 47 to 63 Hz (1552SA only)
o24 VDC power (1552SD only)
o12 VDC power (1552SA and 1552SD)
Warning Connect the unit only to DC power source that complies with the Safety Extra-Low Voltage (SELV) requirements in IEC 60950 based safety standards Statement 1033
The access point can be connected to more than one power source. The access point detects available input sources and switches to the preferred power source using the following prioritization:
For AIR-CAP1552SA-x-K9, the powering priority is the following:
1. 100-240 VAC
For AIR-CAP1552SD-x-K9, the powering priority is the following:
1. 24 VDC (19-30 V range)
Warning This unit might have more than one power supply connection. All connections must be removed to de-energize the unit. Statement 1028
Warning To reduce the risk of fire, use only No. 26 AWG or larger telecommunication line cord. Statement 1023
When the access point is installed outdoors or in a wet or damp location, the AC branch circuit that is powering the access point should be provided with ground fault protection (GFCI), as required by Article 210 of the National Electrical Code (NEC).
Note The liquid-tight adapters must be used on all input/output connections to the access point where the installation is a non-hazardous location (and conduit is not used). These liquid-tight adapters are listed in the .
The access point supports an Ethernet uplink port and a PoE out port (PoE-Out). The access point Ethernet uplink port uses an RJ-45 connector (with weatherproofing) to link the access point to the 10BASE-T, 100BASE-T, or 1000BASE-T network. The Ethernet cable is used to send and receive Ethernet data. The minimum length of this cable must be not less than 10 feet (3 meters).
The access point PoE-Out Ethernet port uses an RJ-45 connector (with weatherproofing) to provide LAN connectivity and IEEE 802.3af power to a peripheral customer device, such as a camera. The Ethernet MAC addresses are printed on a label on the bottom of the access point under the LEDs.
Tip The access point senses the Ethernet and power signals and automatically switches internal circuitry to match the cable connections.
Warning Class 1 laser product. Statement 1008
The factory-orderable fiber option provides a fiber input and output capability. Fiber data is transmitted and received over a single-strand fiber cable, which is connected to the access point using these small-factor pluggable (SFP) modules:
o100BASE-BX10-U fiber Rugged SFP module
o1000BASELX single-mode Rugged SFP module
o1000BASESX multimode Rugged SFP module
Note SFP modules are not hot-swappable.
One fiber connection is available on the 1552S access point. The fiber connection is shared through the same port as the AC or 24 VDC power (shown on ). Client data is passed to the network controller through the fiber connection via a fiber-capable switch. For detailed installation information about the fiber option, see the Cisco Aironet 1550 Series for Hazardous Locations Installation Guide. Configuration information can be found in the controller configuration guide of the controller you are using.
The ISA100.11a standard requires all the devices to be authenticated before joining the network. The Cisco 1552S access point supports authentication key distribution mechanism to the internal Backbone Router (BBR) through the Infrared (IR) port. This mechanism is secure, since it requires the user to be physically located near the device to authenticate it. The key is transmitted to the AP by a provisioning device, typically a handheld Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) with Windows Mobile 5.0 and IR capability.
The authentication keys are generated and managed by the wireless sensor device manager (WDM). The PDA is used to upload the authentication keys from the WDM to the Provisioning Device handheld and to download keys to the BBR using IR media. The keys are encrypted when distributed over the network. Once a key is deployed to a BBR, it is validated by the WDM before the BBR can join the wireless sensor network. Key deployment is a one- that is, the devices can rejoin the network after power down or after any other service interruptions without rekeying the device.
Once the BBR is authenticated, it joins the sensor network. The PDA can be used to monitor the status of the authenticated device and the handheld displays status such as Discover, Secure, Joined, or Not Joined. Other BBR parameters can be read and set through the PDA. If the BBR is not joining the network, its parameter data can be read by the PDA and used to aid in troubleshooting.
indicates the status of the BBR using the LEDs in the IR window.
Power LED (Green)
ON = BBR Board has power
OFF = BBR Board has no power
Status LED (Green/Yellow)
BLINK GREEN (1 sec. period): Indicates the overall health and status of the BBR Board.
BLINK YELLOW: Indicates that the data is receiving or transmitting data over the IR port.
Comm LED (Green/Yellow)
Indicates Ethernet link activity.
oSTEADY GREEN: The LED is steady when there is a valid Ethernet link but no data activity.
oBLINK GREEN: The LED blinks when there is data activity on the Ethernet link.
oYELLOW: Unsupported communication mode.
The access point is a wireless device designed for wireless client access and point-to-point bridging, point-to-multipoint bridging, and point-to-multipoint mesh wireless connectivity. The access point provides 5-GHz backhaul capability to link with another access point to reach a wired network connection or to provide repeater operations for other access points.
The access point plays two primary radio roles: a root access point (hereafter called a RAP) or a mesh (non-root) access point (hereafter called a MAP), which is the default role of all access points. When the access point has a fiber or wired Ethernet connection to the controller (through a switch), the radio role is called a RAP. In order to be considered a RAP, the access point must be configured as a RAP. A RAP is a parent node to any bridging or mesh network. A controller can support one or more RAPs, each one parenting the same or different wireless networks. There can be more than one RAP for the same mesh network for redundancy. RAPs and MAPs can support wireless clients on the 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz band. Client access on 5-GHz is called universal client access.
When the access point does not have a wired Ethernet connection to the controller (through a switch), the radio role is called a MAP. The MAPs have a wireless connection (through the backhaul interface) to other MAPs and finally to a RAP which has an Ethernet connection through a switch to the controller. MAPs may also have a wired Ethernet connection to a local LAN and serve as a bridge endpoint for that LAN (using a point-to-point or point-to-multipoint bridge connection).
The access point supports wireless backhaul capability using the 5-GHz radio to bridge to another access point to reach a wired network connection to a controller. The access point connected to the wired network is considered a RAP in this configuration. The remote access point is considered a MAP and transfers wireless client traffic to the RAP for transfer to the wired network. Control And Provisioning of Wireless Access Points (CAPWAP) control traffic is also transferred over this bridged link.
The mesh access points can also be configured for point-to-point and point-to-multipoint bridging.
The access point is typically deployed in a mesh network configuration. In a typical mesh deployment, one or more RAPs have a wired network connection through a switch to a controller. Other remote MAPs without wired network connections use the backhaul feature to optimally link to a RAP that is connected to the wired network. In the mesh network, the links between the access points are referred to as the backhaul links.
Intelligent wireless routing is provided by the Adaptive Wireless Path protocol (AWPP). This enables each MAP to identify its neighbors and intelligently choose the optimal path to the RAP with the wired network connection by calculating the cost of each path in terms of signal strength and the number of hops required to get to a controller with signal strength given priority since signal strength determines the data rate available for backhaul.
illustrates a typical mesh configuration using access points.
Figure&7 Typical Mesh Configuration Using Access Points
The Cisco 1552S is a universal and multifunctional outdoor wireless mesh network that supports not only WI-FI devices and applications, but also supports wireless field I/Os and actuators on ISA100.11a protocol.
Along with robust and reliable Cisco Outdoor WI-FI wireless mesh, it also creates parallel Industrial Wireless Automation Network to support field sensors and actuators running on ISA100.11a protocol. Industrial Wireless Traffic (ISA100.11a) is first managed by a Honeywell One Wireless Backbone Router (BBR) inside the 1552S. The backbone router manages and aggregates Industrial Wireless Data and passes it over to the Cisco Wireless Mesh backbone. Cisco Wireless Mesh carries Industrial Wireless Traffic with highest priority (or QoS) with minimal latency and highest reliability and routes it to the Wireless Device Manager, which is part of the Honeywell One Wireless Infrastructure Solution.
Refer to Cisco Documentation for installation, configuration, best practices and troubleshooting guides on .
Refer to Honeywell One Wireless Plant Solution documentation on
for further details.
The following steps describe conceptual process and flow only. Refer to Honeywell's detailed documentation for configuration information.
Step&1 This process assumes that you have Honeywell One wireless setup installed. It includes, but is not limited to, the Honeywell WDM and Honeywell or other compatible ISA100 sensors. The Honeywell WDM should be configured according to Honeywell's documentation.
Step&2 Once you have the WDM and other infrastructure configured according to Honeywell documentation, activate the provisioning device provided by Honeywell in the WDM by connecting to the WDM USB port according Honeywell documentation.
Step&3 Create keys on the WDM and download/transfer them on a handheld device.
Step&4 Launch provisioning application on handheld device. Point this handheld device towards Wrigley AP / Infrared Sensor on Wrigley and press activate button on the Honeywell Provisioning application. Handheld device will transfer / communicate keys to Honeywell BBR and get status if activated successfully.
Step&5 Same process needs to be applied for sensors to be activated and included in Industrial Wireless Sensor Network.
Step&6 All these devices can be Configured and monitored in Honeywell WDM once they are part of wireless network.
The access point is a radio device which is susceptible to common causes of interference that can reduce throughput and range. Follow these basic guidelines to ensure the best possible performance:
oFor information on planning and initially configuring your Cisco mesh network, refer to the Cisco Wireless Mesh Access Points, Design and Deployment Guide, Release 7.0. This document is available
oDo not install the access point in an area where structures, trees, or hills obstruct radio signals to and from the access point.
oYou can install the access point at any height, but best throughput is achieved when the access points are mounted at the same height.
Note To perform path loss calculation and to determine how far apart to install access points, consult an RF planning expert.
Cisco recommends that you perform a site survey before installing the equipment. A site survey reveals problems that can be resolved before the network is operational. Because 802.11a/b/g/n operates in an unlicensed spectrum, there may be sources of interference from other 802.11a wireless devices (especially in multi-tenant buildings) that could degrade your 802.11 signals. A site survey can determine if such interference exists at the time of deployment.
A proper site survey involves temporarily setting up mesh links and taking measurements to determine whether your antenna calculations are accurate. Determine the correct locations and antenna types before you drill holes and route cables and mounting equipment.
Tip When power is not readily available during a site survey, use an unrestricted power supply (UPS) to temporarily power the mesh link.
Consider the following operating and environmental conditions when performing a site survey:
oHow far is your wireless link?
oHas a previous site survey been conducted?
oDo you have a clear Fresnel zone between the access points or radio line of sight?
oWhat is the minimum acceptable data rate within the link?
oDo you have the correct antenna (if more than one antenna is being offered)?
oDo you have access to both of the mesh site locations?
oDo you have the proper permits, if required?
oAre you following the proper safety procedures and practices?
oHave you configured the access points before you go onsite? It is always easier to resolve configurations or device problems first.
oDo you have the proper tools and equipment to complete your survey?
The radios on outdoor units (bridges) have higher transmit power levels than radios on indoor units (access points). When you test radios in a link, you must avoid exceeding the maximum receive input level of the receiver. At levels higher than the normal the operating range and packet error rate (PER) performance of the receiver is degraded. At even higher levels, the receiver can be permanently damaged.
To avoid receiver damage and PER degradation, you can use one of the following techniques:
oSeparate the omnidirectional antennas by at least 2 ft (0.6 m) to avoid receiver damage or by at least 25 ft (7.6 m) to avoid PER degradation.
oReduce the configured transmit power to the minimum level.
oCable the radios together using a combination of attenuators, combiners, or splitters to achieve a total attenuation of at least 60 dB.
For a radiated test bed, the following equation describes the relationships among transmit power, antenna gain, attenuation, and receiver sensitivity:
txpwr + tx antenna gain + rx ant gain - [attenuation due to antenna spacing] & max rx
input level
txpwr = Radio transmit power level
tx gain = transmitter antenna gain
rx gain = receiver antenna gain
For a conducted test bed, the following equation describes the relationships among transmit power, antenna gain, and receiver sensitivity:
txpwr - [attenuation due to coaxial RF Attenuator components] & max rx input level
Under no circumstances should you connect the antenna port from one access point to the antenna port of another access point without using an RF attenuator. If you connect antenna ports you must not exceed the maximum survivable receive level of 0 dBm. Never exceed 0 dBm or damage to the access point can occur. Using attenuators, combiners, and splitters having a total of at least 60 dB of attenuation ensures that the receiver is not damaged and PER performance is not degraded.
Warning Read the installation instructions before connecting the system to the power source. Statement 1004
Before you begin the installation process:
oBecome familiar with the procedures for mounting the access point.
oBecome familiar with the access point connections (, , and ).
oVerify that the switch you are using to connect the controller is configured properly.
Note For additional installation, mounting and safety information for the outdoor mesh access point, see the Cisco Aironet 1550 Series for Hazardous Locations Installation Guide, which is available , and Safety Warnings for Cisco Aironet 1520 Series Outdoor Mesh Access Points, which accompanies this guide.
Warning Do not operate the unit near unshielded blasting caps or in an explosive environment unless the device has been modified to be especially qualified for such use. Statement 364
The access point is deployed on Layer 3 networks. Layer 3 is the default mode for a newly configured wireless LAN controller. This guide assumes that you will be deploying your access point on a Layer 3 network and a DHCP server is available.
Before deploying the access point, make sure the controller to which the access point will associate is properly configured by performing the following operations:
oMake sure that the wireless LAN controller is set to Layer 3 mode
oVerify the wireless LAN controller software version
oRecord the access point BVI MAC address
oEnter the access point BVI MAC address to the wireless LAN controller filter list
Follow these steps to verify that the wireless LAN controller mode is set to Layer 3:
Step&1 Open your web-browser and enter the IP address of your wireless LAN controller. Be sure to precede the IP address with https://. A login screen appears.
Step&2 Enter your username and password. The default case-sensitive username and password are admin and admin. The Summary page appears.
Step&3 From the top menu bar, click CONTROLLER. The Controller General page appears.
Step&4 Verify that the CAPWAP Transport Mode is set to Layer 3. If it is not, change it to Layer 3 and click Apply.
Step&5 Save any changes you made.
Step&6 From the menu bar, click MONITOR to return to the Monitor Summary page.
On the Summary page, you can verify the software version that the wireless LAN controller is running. If a version update is necessary, refer to the appropriate controller configuration documentation.
Use a text file to record the MAC address of all the access points you intend to deploy in your network. Having a file of access point MAC addresses will be of considerable value for future testing. While you are compiling the list, you might want to change the name of the access point to something you can easily remember. The name can contain up to 32 characters. The following example, fisher_street:ea:co contains the last four HEX characters of the access point MAC address.
The wireless LAN controller maintains an access point authorization MAC address list and responds to discovery requests from access points on that list. To add the access point MAC address (or MAC addresses) to the Wireless LAN controller filter list, follow these steps:
Step&1 If you are not logged onto the wireless LAN controller, log on now. The Summary page appears.
Step&2 On the menu bar, click SECURITY. The Security RADIUS Authentication Server page appears.
Step&3 Under AAA in the left frame, click MAC Filtering. The Security MAC Filtering page appears.
Step&4 Click New. The MAC Filters New page appears.
Step&5 Enter the MAC address of the access point in the MAC Address field. You can also use the config macfilter add command to add a MAC filter entry to the controller.
Step&6 Select a WLAN ID or Any WLAN from the WLAN ID pop-up menu.
Step&7 Enter a description (32 characters maximum) of the access point in the Description field.
Step&8 Choose an interface from the Interface Name pop-up menu.
Step&9 Click Apply.
Step&10 Repeat this process to add other access points to the list.
Note You can also use the controller CLI command config macfilter add to add a MAC filter entry on the controller.
Step&11 On the menu bar, click Monitor to return to the Monitor Summary page.
To verify that your access point is associated to the wireless LAN controller, perform these steps:
Step&1 Log into your controller web interface (https) using a web browser.
Step&2 Click Wireless and verify that your access point MAC address is listed under Ethernet MAC.
Step&3 Log out of the controller and close your web browser.
To use a DHCP server in a Layer 3 mesh network, make sure the wireless LAN controller is in Layer 3 mode. You must also configure DHCP option 43 on the DHCP server. After the controller is restarted, the access point receives IP addresses from the DHCP server.
You can use DHCP Option 43 to provide a list of controller IP addresses to the access points, enabling each access point to find and join a controller. This section contains a DHCP Option 43 configuration example on a Microsoft Windows 2003 Enterprise DHCP server for use with Cisco Aironet lightweight access points.
Additional information about Microsoft DHCP Option 43 is available
at the following URL:
DHCP Option 43 server implementation information for Cisco IOS is available
at the following URL:
Note In DHCP Option 43, you should use the IP address of the controller management interface.
Note DHCP Option 43 is limited to one access point type per DHCP pool. You must configure a separate DHCP pool for each access point type.
Cisco Aironet 1000 and
and 1510) series access points use a comma-separated string format for DHCP Option 43. Other Cisco Aironet access points use the type-length-value (TLV) format for DHCP Option 43. DHCP servers must be programmed to return the option based on the DHCP Vendor Class Identifier (VCI) string (DHCP Option 60) of the access point. The VCI strings for Cisco access points capable of operating in lightweight mode are listed in :
Table&2 Lightweight Access Point VCI Strings
Cisco Aironet 1000 Series
Airespace.AP1200
Cisco Aironet 1100 Series
Cisco AP c1100
Cisco Aironet 1130 Series
Cisco AP c1130
Cisco Aironet 1200 Series
Cisco AP c1200
Cisco Aironet 1240 Series
Cisco AP c1240
Cisco Aironet 1250 Series
Cisco AP c1250
Cisco Aironet 1300 Series
Cisco AP c1300
Cisco Aironet 1500 Series
Cisco AP c1500
Cisco AP.OAP1500 , Cisco AP.LAP15102, or
Cisco AP.LAP15052
Airespace.AP12003
Cisco Aironet 1520 Series
Cisco AP c1520
Cisco Aironet 1550 Series
Cisco AP c1550
The format of the TLV block for , , , 1520, and 1552 access points are listed below:
oType: 0xf1 (decimal 241)
oLength: Number of controller IP addresses * 4
oValue: List of WLC management interfaces
To configure DHCP Option 43 for Cisco , and 1550 series access points in the embedded Cisco IOS DHCP server, follow these steps:
Step&1 Enter configuration mode at the Cisco IOS CLI.
Step&2 Create the DHCP pool, including the necessary parameters such as default router and name server. The commands used to create a DHCP pool are as follows:
ip dhcp pool pool name
network IP Network Netmask
default-router Default router
dns-server DNS Server
pool name is the name of the DHCP pool, such as AP1000.
IP Network is the network IP address where the controller resides, such as
Netmask is the subnet mask, such as 255.255.255.0
Default router is the IP address of the default router, such as 10.0.0.1
DNS Server is the IP address of the DNS server, such as 10.0.10.2
Step&3 Add the Option 60 line using the following syntax:
option 60 ascii &VCI string&
For the VCI string, use the value from . The quotation marks must be included.
Step&4 Add the option 43 line using the following syntax:
option 43 ascii &Comma Separated IP Address List&
For example, if you are configuring Option 43 for Cisco , or 1550 series access points using the controller IP addresses 10.126.126.2 and 10.127.127.2, add the following line to the DHCP pool in the Cisco IOS CLI:
option 43 ascii &10.126.126.2,10.127.127.2&
The quotation marks must be included.
To configure DHCP Option 43 for Cisco , , , 1520, and 1550 series access points in the embedded Cisco IOS DHCP server, follow these steps:
Step&1 Enter configuration mode at the Cisco IOS CLI.
Step&2 Create the DHCP pool, including the necessary parameters such as default router and name server. The commands used to create a DHCP pool are as follows:
ip dhcp pool pool name
network IP Network Netmask
default-router Default router
dns-server DNS Server
pool name is the name of the DHCP pool, such as AP1550.
IP Network is the network IP address where the controller resides, such as
Netmask is the subnet mask, such as 255.255.255.0
Default router is the IP address of the default router, such as 10.0.0.1
DNS Server is the IP address of the DNS server, such as 10.0.10.2
Step&3 Add the Option 60 line using the following syntax:
option 60 ascii &VCI string&
For the VCI string, use the value from . The quotation marks must be included.
Step&4 Add the option 43 line using the following syntax:
option 43 hex hex string
The hex string is assembled by concatenating the TLV values shown below:
Type + Length + Value
Type is always f1(hex). Length is the number of controller management IP addresses times 4 in hex. Value is the IP address of the controller listed sequentially in hex.
For example, suppose that there are two controllers with management interface IP addresses, 10.126.126.2 and 10.127.127.2. The type is f1(hex). The length is 2 * 4 = 8 = 08 (hex). The IP addresses translate to 0a7e7e02 and 0a7f7f02. Assembling the string then yields fe020a7f7f02. The resulting Cisco IOS command added to the DHCP scope is listed below:
option 43 hex fe020a7f7f02
This section provides declarations of conformity and regulatory information for Cisco Aironet 1552S Access Points.
AIR-CAP1552SA-A-K9AIR-CAP1552SD-A-K9
FCC ID: LDK102074P (also contains LDK102078P)
Manufacturer:
Cisco Systems, Inc.170 West Tasman DriveSan Jose, CA USA
This device complies with Part 15 rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
3. This device may not cause harmful interference, and
4. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits of a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a residential environment. This equipment generates, uses, and radiates radio frequency energy, and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur. If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to correct the interference by one of the following measures:
oReorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
oIncrease separation between the equipment and receiver.
oConnect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from which the receiver is connected.
oConsult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician.
The Part 15 radio device operates on a non-interference basis with other devices operating at this frequency when using the integrated antennas. Any changes or modification to the product (including the use of non-Cisco antennas specified for this model) provided not expressly approved by Cisco could void the user's authority to operate this device.
To meet regulatory restrictions, the access point must be professionally installed.
This is a Class B product based on the standard of the Voluntary Control Council for Interference from Information Technology Equipment (VCCI). If this is used near a radio or television receiver in a domestic environment, it may cause radio interference. Install and use the equipment according to the instruction manual.
This section provides guidelines for avoiding interference when operating Cisco Aironet access points in Japan. These guidelines are provided in both Japanese and English.
This equipment operates in the same frequency bandwidth as industrial, scientific, and medical devices such as microwave ovens and mobile object identification (RF-ID) systems (licensed premises radio stations and unlicensed specified low-power radio stations) used in factory production lines.
1. Before using this equipment, make sure that no premises radio stations or specified low-power radio stations of RF-ID are used in the vicinity.
2. If this equipment causes RF interference to a premises radio station of RF-ID, promptly change the frequency or s contact the number below and ask for recommendations on avoiding radio interference, such as setting partitions.
3. If this equipment causes RF interference to a specified low-power radio station of RF-ID, contact the number below.
Contact Number: 03-
When installing the product, please use the provided or designated connection cables/power cables/AC adaptors. Using any other cables/adaptors could cause a malfunction or a fire. Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law prohibits the use of UL-certified cables (that have the &UL& shown on the code) for any other electrical devices than products designated by CISCO. The use of cables that are certified by Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law (that have &PSE& shown on the code) is not limited to CISCO-designated products.
AIR-CAP1552SA-A-K9AIR-CAP1552SD-A-K9
IC: P (also contains IC:&P)
This Class B Digital apparatus meets all the requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
Cet appareil numerique de la classe B respecte les exigences du Reglement sur le material broilleur du Canada.
This device complies with Class B Limits of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Cisco Aironet Access Points are certified to the requirements of RSS-210. The use of this device in a system operating either partially or completely outdoors may require the user to obtain a license for the system according to the Canadian regulations. For further information, contact your local Industry Canada office.
This device has been designed to operate with antennas having a maximum gain of 4 dBi for 802.11 and 14 dBi for the sensor (802.15.4) radio in the 2.4 GHz band and 7 dBi in the 5 GHz band. Antennas having a gain greater than 6 dB are strictly prohibited for use with this device. The required antenna impedance is 50 ohms.
To reduce potential radio interference to other users, the antenna type and its gain should be so chosen that the equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) is not more than that permitted for successful communication.
AIR-CAP1552SA-E-K9
AIR-CAP1552SD-E-K9
The following standards were applied:
EMC—EMC-EN 301.489-1 v1.8.1; EN 301.489-17 v2.1.1
Health & Safety—EN05; EN 5
Radio—EN 300 328 v 1.7.1; EN 301.893 v 1.5.1
The conformity assessment procedure referred to in Article 10.4 and Annex III of Directive 1999/5/EC has been followed.
This device also conforms to the EMC requirements of the Medical Devices Directive 93/42/EEC.
Note This equipment is intended to be used in all EU and EFTA countries. Outdoor use may be restricted to certain frequencies and/or may require a license for operation. For more details, contact Cisco Corporate Compliance.
The product carries the CE Mark:
This section contains information on compliance with guidelines related to RF exposure.
The Cisco products are designed to comply with the following national and international standards on Human Exposure to Radio Frequencies:
oUS 47 Code of Federal Regulations Part 2 Subpart J
oAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI) / Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers / IEEE C 95.1 (99)
oInternational Commission on Non Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) 98
oMinistry of Health (Canada) Safety Code 6. Limits on Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Fields in the range from 3kHz to 300 GHz
oAustralia Radiation Protection Standard
To ensure compliance with various national and international Electromagnetic Field (EMF) standards, the system should only be operated with Cisco approved antennas and accessories.
The 1550 series device includes a radio transmitter and receiver. It is designed not to exceed the limits for exposure to radio waves (radio frequency electromagnetic fields) recommended by international guidelines. The guidelines were developed by an independent scientific organization (ICNIRP) and include a substantial safety margin designed to ensure the safety of all persons, regardless of age and health.
As such the systems are designed to be operated as to avoid contact with the antennas by the end user. It is recommended to set the system in a location where the antennas can remain at least a minimum distance as specified from the user in accordance to the regulatory guidelines which are designed to reduce the overall exposure of the user or operator.
Separation Distance
0.79 mW/cm2
17.79 cm (7 inches)
1.00 mW/cm2
The World Health Organization has stated that present scientific information does not indicate the need for any special precautions for the use of wireless devices. They recommend that if you are interested in further reducing your exposure then you can easily do so by reorienting antennas away from the user or placing he antennas at a greater separation distance then recommended.
The 1550 series device includes a radio transmitter and receiver. It is designed not to exceed the limits for exposure to radio waves (radio frequency electromagnetic fields) as referenced in FCC Part 1.1310. The guidelines are based on IEEE ANSI C 95.1 (92) and include a substantial safety margin designed to ensure the safety of all persons, regardless of age and health.
As such the systems are designed to be operated as to avoid contact with the antennas by the end user. It is recommended to set the system in a location where the antennas can remain at least a minimum distance as specified from the user in accordance to the regulatory guidelines which are designed to reduce the overall exposure of the user or operator.
The device has been tested and found compliant with the applicable regulations as part of the radio certification process.
Separation Distance
0.79 mW/cm2
17.79 cm (7 inches)
1.00 mW/cm2
The US Food and Drug Administration has stated that present scientific information does not indicate the need for any special precautions for the use of wireless devices. The FCC recommends that if you are interested in further reducing your exposure then you can easily do so by reorienting antennas away from the user or placing the antennas at a greater separation distance then recommended or lowering the transmitter power output.
The 1550 series device includes a radio transmitter and receiver. It is designed not to exceed the limits for exposure to radio waves (radio frequency electromagnetic fields) as referenced in Health Canada Safety Code 6. The guidelines include a substantial safety margin designed into the limit to ensure the safety of all persons, regardless of age and health.
As such the systems are designed to be operated as to avoid contact with the antennas by the end user. It is recommended to set the system in a location where the antennas can remain at least a minimum distance as specified from the user in accordance to the regulatory guidelines which are designed to reduce the overall exposure of the user or operator.
Separation Distance
0.79 mW/cm2
17.79 cm (7 inches)
1.00 mW/cm2
Health Canada states that present scientific information does not indicate the need for any special precautions for the use of wireless devices. They recommend that if you are interested in further reducing your exposure you can easily do so by reorienting antennas away from the user, placing the antennas at a greater separation distance than recommended, or lowering the transmitter power output.
You can find additional information on the subject at the following links:
oCisco Systems Spread Spectrum Radios and RF Safety white paper at this URL:
oFCC Bulletin 56: Questions and Answers about Biological Effects and Potential Hazards of Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields
oFCC Bulletin 65: Evaluating Compliance with the FCC guidelines for Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields
oFCC Bulletin 65C (01-01): Evaluating Compliance with the FCC guidelines for Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields: Additional Information for Evaluating Compliance for Mobile and Portable Devices with FCC limits for Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Emission
You can obtain additional information from the following organizations:
oWorld Health Organization Internal Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection at this URL:
oUnited Kingdom, National Radiological Protection Board at this URL:
oCellular Telecommunications Association at this URL:
oThe Mobile Manufacturers Forum at this URL:
This section provides administrative rules for operating Cisco Aironet access points in Taiwan. The rules for all access points are provided in both Chinese and English.
Administrative Rules for Low-power Radio-Frequency Devices
Article 12
For those low-power radio-frequency devices that have already received a type-approval, companies, business units or users should not change its frequencies, increase its power or change its original features and functions.
Article 14
The operation of the low-power radio-frequency devices is subject to the conditions that no harmful interference is caused to aviation safety and auth and if interference is caused, the user must stop operating the device immediately and can't re-operate it until the harmful interference is clear.
The authorized radio station means a radio-communication service operating in accordance with the Communication Act.
The operation of the low-power radio-frequency devices is subject to the interference caused by the operation of an authorized radio station, by another intentional or unintentional radiator, by industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) equipment, or by an incidental radiator.
Low-power Radio-frequency Devices Technical Specifications
Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure
The U-NII devices shall accept any interference from legal communications and shall not interfere the legal communications. If interference is caused, the user must stop operating the device immediately and can't re-operate it until the harmful interference is clear.
Manufacturers of U-NII devices are responsible for ensuring frequency stability such that an emission is maintained within the band of operation under all conditions of normal operation as specified in the user manual.
This section contains special information for operation of Cisco Aironet access points in Brazil.
AIR-CAP1552SA-N-K9
AIR-CAP1552SD-N-K9
Este equipamento opera em car&ter secund&rio, isto &, n&o tem direito a prote&&o contra interfer&ncia prejudicial, mesmo de esta&&es do mesmo tipo, e n&o pode causar interfer&ncia a sistemas operando em car&ter prim&rio.
This equipment operates on a secondary basis and consequently must accept harmful interference, including interference from stations of the same kind. This equipment may not cause harmful interference to systems operating on a primary basis.
All the Declaration of Conformity statements related to this product can be found at the following location:
There are special terms applicable to your hardware warranty and various services that you can use during the warranty period. Your formal Warranty Statement, including the warranties and license agreements applicable to Cisco software, is available . Follow these steps to access and download the Cisco Information Packet and your warranty and license agreements .
1. Launch your browser, and go to this URL:
The Warranties and License Agreements page appears.
2. To read the Cisco Information Packet, follow these steps:
a. Click the Information Packet Number field, and make sure that the part number 78- is highlighted.
b. Select the language in which you would like to read the document.
c. Click Go.
The Cisco Limited Warranty and Software License page from the Information Packet appears.
d. Read the document online, or click the PDF icon to download and print the document in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF).
Note You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print PDF files. You can download the reader from the Adobe website:
3. To read translated and localized warranty information about your product, follow these steps:
a. Enter this part number in the Warranty Document Number field:
b. Select the language in which you would like to view the document.
c. Click Go.
The Cisco warranty page appears.
d. Read the document online, or click the PDF icon to download and print the document in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF).
For support for this access point, please contact Honeywell via the web at:
or by phone at 1-800-822-7673 (Option 1).
The following are special terms applicable to your hardware warranty.
Duration of Hardware Warranty
Ninety (90) Days
Replacement, Repair, or Refund Policy for Hardware
Cisco or its service center will use commercially reasonable efforts to ship a replacement part within ten (10) working days after receipt of a Return Materials Authorization (RMA) request. Actual delivery times can vary, depending on the customer location.
Cisco reserves the right to refund the purchase price as its exclusive warranty remedy.
To Receive a Return Materials Authorization (RMA) Number
Contact the company from whom you purchased the product. If you purchased the product directly from Cisco, contact your Cisco Sales and Service Representative.
Complete the information below, and keep it for your reference.
Company product purchased from
Company telephone number
Product model number
Product serial number
Maintenance contract number
Cisco and the Cisco Logo are trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Cisco's trademarks can be found at . Third party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company. (1005R)
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