Cisco Catalyst 9130 Series Access Points Deployment Guide

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Table of contents

• Cisco Catalyst 9130 Series Overview
• Key Features of the Cisco Catalyst 9130 Series
• Key Features of the Cisco Catalyst 9130 Series
• Implementation Options
• Channel Rail Adapter
• Power over Ethernet (PoE)
• Integrated Cisco RF ASIC
• Cisco Catalyst 9130I Internal Antenna System
• Antenna Improvements
• Cisco Catalyst 9130E (External Antenna Models)
• Legacy Antenna Support
• Understanding Self-Identifying Antennas
• Understanding Flexible Radio Allocation
• FRA and Dual 5GHz Operation
• Dual DFS - RF ASIC
• FastLocate - RF ASIC
• WLAN Best Practices
• General Deployment Guidelines
• Antenna Cable Recommendations
• Appendix

This guide is intended for trained and experienced technicians familiar with existing Cisco® Wireless Enterprise Networking product lines and features.

Cisco Catalyst® 9130 Series Access Points deliver end-to-end digitalization with high-performance Wi-Fi 6 capabilities and innovations in RF performance, security, and analytics to accelerate business service deployment by going beyond Wi-Fi.

Resilient: With up to four times the capacity of 802. 11ac access points, you can increase efficiency and achieve cellular-like determinism in harsh environments.

Secure: With built-in security and support for Software-Defined Access (SD-Access), these access points deliver standards-based, enhanced security over open Wi-Fi.

Intelligent: The Cisco Catalyst 9100 portfolio provides unprecedented visibility from mobile devices on the Cisco network with multi-RF support and expanding ecosystem partnerships that are paramount for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, enhancing Cisco DNA Assurance.

Cisco Catalyst 9100 Access Points have built-in security including secure boot, runtime defense, image signing, integrity verification, and hardware attestation. With Wi-Fi 6, the 9100 portfolio delivers reliable wireless to meet the deployment needs of your branch and campus networks.

Next-generation Wi-Fi 6 (802. 11ax) access point with 4x4 Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) and four spatial streams:

8x8:8 Single or Dual 4x4:4 (5 GHz) with Downlink/Uplink Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA)

4x4:4 at 2. 4 GHz with Multi-User MIMO (MU-MIMO) and Downlink/Uplink OFDMA

Cisco DNA Ready

Cisco RF Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) with Next-Generation Cisco CleanAir® and Upgradeable RF Capabilities

Built-in Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radio (Bluetooth 5. 0)

Multigigabit Ethernet (1 Gbps, 2. 5 Gbps, 5 Gbps)

Supports up to 500 Wi-Fi devices

Internal and external antenna options

9130I Operating Temperature: -32° to 122°F (0° to 50°C)

9130E Operating Temperature: -4° to 122°F (-20° to 50°C)

OFDMA and MU-MIMO: Predictable performance for advanced applications and IoT

Excellent security with RF signature capture, rogue detection, and device classification

Container support: Multi-language access points supporting Docker to host IoT applications

Multi-gigabit capable: Multi-gigabit capable: Seamlessly offload network traffic without bottlenecks, delivering high throughput at minimal cost.

Integrated Bluetooth 5. 0: Multi-RF technology for IoT use cases

Internal and external antenna support: Flexible deployment options for different campus types

Multiple input power options from 802. 3af (limited) to 802. 3bt

In addition, the Cisco Catalyst 9100 Access Point supports SD-Access, Cisco's leading enterprise architecture.

Choosing the right access point, models 9130I and 9130E

Cisco Catalyst 9130I with internal antennas and 9130E (requires external antenna) Access Point

Examples of use for 9130I model

Aesthetics (carpeted areas)

No additional antenna costs

Less installation required

May be suitable for locations with high ceilings

Examples of use for 9130E model

Industrial applications requiring higher temperature operation

Need for external or directional antennas (for indoor and outdoor use)

Need for long range or energy concentration

Dual 5GHz (covering different cell areas) directional or omnidirectional

Use of traditional single-band antennas or use of different cells for 2. 4GHz and 5GHz

New Mechanical Design of Cisco Catalyst 9130 Series

The Cisco Catalyst 9100 access points are built from the ground up with a new aerodynamic look and sleek finish to integrate superior RF and next-generation technologies and deliver a best-in-class wireless experience without compromise. While still featuring several high-performance features, the redesigned hardware delivers higher efficiency in a more compact form factor, making visually appealing Wi-Fi deployments commonplace.

Mechanical: 9130I Model

Mechanical: 9130E Model

Note: The 9130 Series is approximately 13% lighter and 25% smaller in volume than the Cisco Aironet® 2800 Series.

Various mounting options are available depending on customer requirements. Brackets are available from Cisco and third-party companies. During the ordering process, you can choose one of two brackets (but not both). Each bracket is a $0 option during configuration. If you do not choose a bracket, the default is AIR-AP-BRACKET-1. The other choice is a universal bracket with part number AIR-AP-BRACKET-2.

Two Types of Mounting Brackets

If you are mounting the AP directly to a ceiling above gridwork, the AIR-AP-BRACKET-1 bracket is flush mounted and has the lowest profile. However, if you are mounting the AP inside an electrical box or other wiring fixture, a National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) enclosure, or on a wall, the AIR-AP-BRACKET-2 is the preferred option. The extra space in this bracket allows for wiring, and the extra holes line up with many common electrical boxes. If the bracket is mounted to the ceiling gridwork, it will be recessed by some ceiling tiles. For this reason, we offer two types of ceiling clips: recessed and flush rail. See the diagram below.

Clips for mounting to ceiling gridwork

AP mounting

If you need to mount the AP to a bracket, do as shown above.

If you attach AP to the channel rail on the ceiling as shown in the figure below, use the optional channel adapter: Air-chnl-adapter. This is two, attached to the ceiling grid clip. See Fig. 8 and 9.

Example of channel rail

Slide Air-Chnl-Adapter (left) to the rail.

AIR-CHL-Adapter (left) attached to the rail clip and installation completed (right)

AP wall installation

If you wish to attach to the wall, the installer needs to understand that the walls may be a physical disorder of the wireless signal. If the wall is an outer wall, or if the purpose is to send a signal with a 18 0-degree pattern, assuming that an external antenna model is used, oriented antenna (often "patch" antenna. (Called)) may be a better choice.

Unless you use the optional right angle mount (available from third parties), avoid AP wall hanging with internal antennas. The internal antenna model is designed to be attached to the ceiling to provide a 36 0-degree coverage.

9115AX, 9117AX, 9120AX, 9130 Series Acceltex Wall Solution

For various types of mounting solutions, we recommend the following thir d-party.

If the wall is hung in a non-ceiling direction, the signal may penetrate the upper and lower floors, an unintended coverage occurs, and when a mobility client (for example, a Wi-Fi phone user) passes the next floor. In addition, unnecessary roaming access may be added.

Points to note when hanging the 9130 series

Change AP color

If you want to change the color of the AP, consider using an Oberon color vinyl tape or color plastic cover instead of the guarantee when painting is not invalidated.

Oberon third party options for changing the color of the AP, adding custom logo, and hiding LEDs

Axeltex vinyl "Skin"

Another thir d-party option is vinyl "skin" as shown in the photo above.

On the ceiling tile

Cisco Catalyst 9130i and 9130E support the installation in the Prenam area (UL-2043). Many customers prefer to install AP so that they cannot see anything on the ceiling for aesthetics. In that case, you can drop the AP and install it on the ceiling. This is also preferred in places where there is a lot of theft, such as a classroom, or where you need to make nothing in the policy ceiling.

If this is absolutely necessary, you can use a thir d-party optional T-Barhanger accessories such as Erico and Cooper. Eriko Caddy 512A, Cooper B-line BA50A, or similar T-bar grid can be used.

For more information

Example of how to hang AP on the ceiling tile

Note: The AP is installed on the tile on the ceiling only if it cannot be installed under the ceiling. In such a installation, check the coverage and performance, as it may reduce the advanced RF function such as audio and location information. Always attach the AP to the center of the tile as much as possible, and avoid places with obstacles.

Install an AP on the ceiling tile: Select a place without obstacles so that the ceiling does not become cluttered.

A place with a lot of vibration

When installing an access point using a "side arm" type mount, or in a place with a lot of vibration, use a padlock or metal pin to prevent the AP out of the bracket and vibrate. I recommend.

Metal pins and padlocks do not deteriorate over time, so they are better than plastic Thailand.

The 9130 series offers flexible power options with a limited 802. 3AF power supply.

Table 1. 9130 series power consumption

PoE power consumption

2. 4GHz radio

802. 3BT (Upoe)

Catalsyt 9130AXE

PoE power consumption

2. 4GHz radio

802. 3BT (Upoe)

Catalyst 9130AXI / 9130AXE

PoE power consumption

2. 4GHz radio

Note: The recommended Ethernet cable is CAT-6 and the maximum distance is 100 meters (328 feet). The power required by a power supply (PSE) depends on the length of the cable and other environmental issues.

Cisco's mult i-gigabit product

Cisco has a lineup of mult i-gigabit products that can easily supply power to these access points.

The RF ASIC, integrated into the Cisco Catalyst 9130 series, improves the wireless RF spectrum and performance for client clients.

The next-generation Wi-Fi 6 access points such as the Cisco Catalyst 9130 series are equipped with a new radio based on Cisco custom design silicon called ASIC (integrated circuit for specific applications). This analytics radio performs all deep RF analysis on RF ASIC, improving access points client service radio performance.

The function of the Cisco RF ASIC (actually two ASIC chips) is to convert the received RF signal into a quadrature signal known as I/Q data and analyze the frequency or frequency range of interest. This I/Q data is then passed to the second ASIC, a dedicated baseband processor, for detailed RF analysis, including fine grained changes in phase and amplitude, and determining the modulation characteristics of the examined signal.

The I/Q data is evaluated by the Spectrum Analysis Engine (SAgE), which is custom designed to identify non-Wi-Fi interference sources with the highest resolution in the simplest and most effective way.

Think of the RF ASIC as a unique piece of hardware that not only houses CleanAir and SAgE, but is more advanced and capable of supporting advanced features in the future with software upgrades.

The initial capabilities of the RF ASIC include all of the CleanAir and SAgE capabilities, plus the ability to sense Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) events to augment the serving radio's DFS analysis. This greatly improves spectrum analysis and provides a "second opinion" on the radio spectrum at all times. This is called Dual DFS. Additionally, the RF ASIC also plays a key role in Cisco's RRM (Radio Resource Management) by providing off-channel analysis.

Cisco Catalyst 9130I with Cisco RF ASIC chip

9130I Internal Antenna System

The 9130I has one of the most advanced antenna systems available in an access point.

The primary radios are configured by default in this way:

The 5-GHz dedicated radio is connected to a dual-band client antenna at 4dBi.

In 5-GHz 8x8 mode, the four dual-band and four micro antennas are fully utilized, and the 2. 4GHz radio is also active in 4x4 mode using the dual-band antennas.

Unlike previous models, the (exclusive-or) radio, known as the XOR radio, is no longer tied to the 2. 4GHz radio (it is active regardless of the XoR state).

In dual 5-GHz mode, the 8x8 5-GHz radios change state from 8x8 to 4x4 and the secondary 5-GHz radio operates independently with a micro antenna, enabling a true dual micro/macro cell approach.

In addition to the serving radio antenna, there are two antennas:

BLE (IoT) antenna with 2. 5dBi gain

BLE (IoT) antenna with 2. 5dBi gain

● RF ASIC antennas at 2. 4GHz and 5dBi at 5GHz with 4. 5dBi gain

The RF ASIC antenna is connected to a dedicated software definition radio for spectrum analysis and other advanced RF functions. The RF ASIC antenna is designed as a service radio antenna to provide a network view similar to serving radio.

The new antenna design of the Cisco Catalyst 9130 series has been improved from the old AIRONET 4800i, improving the Microcell antenna coverage, enabling a new concept called "meso cell". Mesocell is a hybrid of macrocell and microcell. The innovation of this hardware may improve microcell coverage in the new software release.

Cisco Catalyst 9130i and AIRONET 4800 Series comparison

Cisco Catalyst 9130i antenna pattern, dual band 5 GHz

Cisco Catalyst 9130i antenna pattern, single band 5 GHz

Cisco Catalyst 9130i Antenna pattern, dual band 2. 4 GHz

Cisco Catalyst 9130i Antenna pattern, RF ASIC (AUX dual band)

Cisco Catalyst 9130i antenna pattern, BLE and IoT

9130e antenna connector

Note: The 9130E requires the use of an external antenna system. It is necessary to remove the yellow cover (left side) and attach the appropriate antenna system from the 8-port Dart "Smart" connector. Do not operate this unit without an appropriate antenna.

9130E Antenna connector details

The 9130E uses a smart antenna connector (above figure) and does not have an internal antenna or RP-TNC connector. If you need an old antenna with an RP-TNC connector or an "N" style connector, you can use an adapta cable.

About smart antenna connector (Dart-8)

In the 9130E, there are modes such as dual 5g, 4x4 + 4x4 + (4x4 on 2. 4 GHz), and the traditional RP-TNC single RF connector was no longer practical. Cisco has developed DART-8 to simplify the installation and create a single insertion cable along with the new product line of the self-identification antenna (SIA) equipped with a system that automates provisioning and detection. A special installation model by the house (the product number ends with "-p") is no longer necessary. Customers with existing antennas can be connected to 9130E via DART-8 (smart adapter cable).

The Cisco Catalyst 9130E is designed for use with SIAs terminated with a smart antenna connector (DART-8). Using a DART adapter cable puts the AP into legacy antenna mode. Depending on the adapter used, you can use antennas up to 6 dBi (RP-TNC) or up to 13 dBi (N" style connector).

Cisco AIR-CAB-002-D8-R= RP-TNC connector for traditional antennas up to 6 dBi.

Cisco AIR-CAB-003-D8-N= N" style connector for traditional antennas up to 13 dBi

When using AIR-CAB-002-D8-N=, you can use antennas previously designed for professional use (model numbers ending in "-P") with the 9130E.

Note: The 4-port DART adapter (Cisco part number AIR-CAB-002-DART-R=) used in the Cisco Catalyst 9120AXE is not compatible with the new Cisco Catalyst 9130E Access Point.

About 3-Radio Support for the Cisco Catalyst 9130 Series

9130 Series Default Modes

The Cisco Catalyst 9130 Series can run 5 GHz in 8x8 or dual 5-GHz 4x4 modes.

The default modes for the 9130 Series are 5GHz 8x8 and 2. 4GHz 4x4 modes. This default mode provides the highest throughput per radio and performs better primarily in MU-MIMO client environments. This mode provides better data rates but with less range and better Maximal-Ratio Combining (MRC) as more receivers receive the client.

Dual 5GHz 4x4 Mode

There are times when it may be beneficial to change the operation of the 5GHz radio from 8x8 to two independent 5GHz 4x4 radios. The advantage of dual 5-GHz 4x4 radios is that it allows macro-micro cell operation, allows more clients and provides better performance when there are few Wi-Fi 6 capable clients, or when you need to create two different 5-GHz Wi-Fi coverage cells or change the mode of operation, such as monitoring.

Table 2. Examples of Cisco Catalyst 9130 Series Operational Modes and Criteria

5 GHz Radio Role

8x8 Client Serving

Priority operation at 160MHz or 80+80MHz

Higher MU-MIMO Stations

Low channel reuse requirements

More spatial streams (SS) required

4x4 Client Serving

4x4 Client Serving

High client density and capacity requirements

Directional Antenna Unit (Coverage Slicing)

More spatial streams (SS) required

4x4 Client Serving

Low MU-MIMO Stations

Low density, good channel reuse

4x4 RX required for monitoring applications

Cisco Cat alyst 9130 Series Tri-Radio Configuration

Upon initialization (default), the 9130 Series will be in 2. 4-GHz 4x4 and 1x 5-GHz 8x8 mode. Notice that at the radio interface configuration level, the dual radio mode is Auto (disabled). "Auto" indicates that the radio may be assigned by Flexible Radio Assignment (FRA), and "disabled" indicates that it has been assigned as 8x8 mode or has not yet been evaluated by FRA. If FRA assigns dual 5GHz mode, "disabled" will become "enabled". Either way, "Auto" indicates that the radio is in FRA mode and has not been manually overridden. All 8 antennas are assigned to this one interface.

Also, in the interface list, you can see both slots 1 and 2 for the same AP, but slot 2 is greyed out. This is because it cannot be addressed as slot 2 since it is already active as part of the 8x8 mode in slot 1. To enable dual band mode, select Dual Radio Mode -> Enabled. This manually splits the 8x8 into two functioning independent 4x4 radios.

The radio in slot 1 switches to use only 4 antennas. The radio in slot 2 becomes active and also has 4 antenna chains. Each 4x4 radio is now an independent interface that can be assigned different channels and serves two different user groups.

Note: If the admin status of the secondary radio is enabled, you must first disable the admin status of the secondary radio in order to disable dual radio mode. Otherwise, you will get this warning.

In other words, if you manually assign dual 5GHz and then want to manually switch back to 8x8 single radio mode, you must first disable the second 5GHz interface so that it is free to add to the primary radio in slot 1.

Slot 1 and slot 2 are enabled, slot 2 has an independent configuration and is assigned 4 of the 8 available antennas.

Configuring FRA is the same on a tri-radio as it is on any other Cisco FRA-enabled AP. You must select the role of the FRA. "Auto" leaves it to FRA, "Client Serving" means it will serve clients and beacons as the active interface, and "Monitor" simply means it will scan all channels in the 5-GHz band.

The selection of roles determines whether it can be used in both interfaces or only one of the dual radio mode settings. If the dual wireless mode is valid, both interfaces can be assigned by FRA, both of which have an independent role selection. In automatic mode, FRA can choose between client service and monitor (monitor) Interferring to use available 5-GHz interfaces, and the first and second 5-GHz interface. FRA is assigned based on the presence or absence of a channel that does not.

The FRA control may cause the 5-GHz interface to be assigned to the client serving. This occurs when there is no non-interference channel allocated to the dynamic channel assignment (DCA) of the RRM, and is generally due to a depletion of a channel based on wireless measurement (5-GHz interface is too close). To release more channels, check the assigned channel bandwidth. In the case of a channel bandwidth of 80MHz, four channels are consumed for each interface, and in dual 5GHz mode requires eight APs for eight channels. When the channel is reset to 40 MHz, four channels are released for each dual 5-GHz AP, and more interfaces are active without interference.

With the release of the 9130E, we will announce three new antennas equipped with a smart antenna connector. These antennas are new industrial designs designed to enhance access points.

Note: These three antennas fully support 5 GHz in 8x8 mode, 2. 4 GHz in 4x4 mode, and also support BLE/IoT and RF ASIC functions, but because the size of the antenna is small, dual 5 GHz. Does not support. A hig h-profile antenna that adds functions and modes such as dual 5GHz is planned.

C-Ant9101 = Same as the ceiling mounting type non-oriented, Air-Ant2524V4C-R =.

C-Ant9102 = Wall hanging/ Paul mounted non-oriented, the same as Air-Ant2544V4M-R =.

C-Ant9103 = Similar to wall/ pole mount patch, Air-Ant2566D4M-R =.

The above antenna is a single insertion cable, and each antenna has a buil t-in SIA circuit that automates provisioning and detection. In addition, each antenna has an indicator light (LED) that imitates the lights of access points, and the antenna has an "active" status.

If you want to increase the cable length between the C9130AXE and the above antenna, you can use a 3-foot extension cable (Air-Cab003-D8-D8 =). Note that using an extension cable will increase the loss of RF signals in both the TX direction and RX direction.

C-ANT9101= Ceiling Mount Omnidirectional Antenna

The Cisco C-ANT9101 ceiling mount omnidirectional antenna can be mounted in the center of the tile and has a lower profile than a ceiling rail mounted access point (pictured above, next to the antenna on the right). This allows the AP to be mounted above the ceiling tile. C-ANT9201 Antenna Pattern, 2. 4GHz Dual Band

C-ANT9201 Antenna Pattern, 5-GHz Dual Band

C-ANT9201 Antenna Pattern, 5-GHz Single Band

C-ANT9101 Antenna Pattern, 2. 4-GHz RF ASIC/AUX

C-ANT9101 Antenna Pattern, 5-GHz RF ASIC/AUX

C-ANT9101 Antenna Pattern, 2. 4-GHz BLE/IoT

C-ANT9102= Wall/Pole Mount Omnidirectional Antenna

The Cisco C-ANT9102 Wall/Pole Mount Omnidirectional Antenna can be installed in manufacturing, retail, or anywhere you want to mount it on a pole or wall. It is a self-identifying antenna with an active LED that mimics the LED on an access point. The light dome material is Lexan EXL 9330 and is terminated with a smart 8-port DART antenna connector.

C-ANT9102 Antenna Pattern, 2. 4GHz Dual Band

C-ANT9102 Antenna Pattern, 5-GHz Dual Band

C-ANT9102 Antenna Pattern, 5-GHz Single Band

C-ANT9102 Antenna Pattern, 2. 4-GHz RF ASIC/AUX

C-ANT9102 Antenna Pattern, 5-GHz RF ASIC/AUX

C-ANT9102 Antenna Pattern, 2. 4GHz BLE/IoT

C-ANT9103= 6dBi Directional Wall/Pole Mount Antenna

The Cisco C-ANT9103 Wall/Pole Mount Directional Antenna can be installed in manufacturing, retail, or anywhere you want to mount it on a pole or wall. It is a self-identifying antenna with an active LED that mimics the LED on an access point.

C-ANT9103= with optional AP bracket AIR-AP-BRACKET-9=

The optional bracket allows you to mount the AP behind the antenna.

This smart antenna with LED has a right-angle DART connector that allows for an elegant "hidden" AP look.

C-ANT9103 Antenna Pattern, 2. 4-GHz Dual Band

C-ANT9103 Antenna Pattern, 5-GHz Dual Band

C-ANT9103 Antenna Pattern, 5-GHz Single Band

C-ANT9103 Antenna Pattern, 2. 4-GHz RF ASIC/AUX

C-ANT9103 Antenna Pattern, 5GHz RF ASIC/AUX

C-ANT9103 Antenna Pattern, 2. 4-GHz BLE/IoT

External Antennas Supported on Cisco Catalyst 9130E

Table 3. External Antennas

Ceiling Mount Omni Self-Identifying Antenna with Bluetooth, 8 Ports, with DART Connectors.

Pole or Wall Mount Omni Self-Identifying Antenna with Bluetooth, 8 Ports, with DART Connectors.

Pole or wall mounted 75° directional self-identifying antenna with Bluetooth, 8 ports and DART connector.

AIR-ANT2513P4M-N=

Patch antenna, 4 ports, with N connector

Note: Use AIR-CAB003-D8-N= to connect to AP.

AIR-ANT2524V4C-R

Ceiling mount omni antenna, 4 ports, with RP-TNC connector

Note: Use AIR-CAB002-D8-R= to connect to AP.

Use AIR-CAB002-D8-R= to connect to AP.

Ceiling mount omni self-identifying antenna, 4 ports, with RP-TNC connector.

AIR-ANT2544V4M-R

Wall mount omni antenna, 4 ports, with RP-TNC connector.

Note: Use AIR-CAB002-D8-R= to connect to AP.

Use AIR-CAB002-D8-R= to connect to AP.

Wall mount omni self-identifying antenna, 4 ports, with RP-TNC connectors.

AIR-ANT2566D4M-R

60° patch antenna, 4 ports, with RP-TNC connectors. 1

Note: Use AIR-CAB002-D8-R= to connect to AP.

Use AIR-CAB002-D8-R= to connect to AP.

60° patch self-identifying antenna, 4 ports, with RP-TNC connectors

AIR-ANT2566P4W-R=

Directional antenna, 4 ports, with RP-TNC connectors.

Note: Use AIR-CAB002-D8-R= to connect to AP.

Use AIR-CAB002-D8-R= to connect to AP.

Directional self-identifying antenna, 4 ports, with RP-TNC connectors

1 In the US, UNII-1 channels are for indoor use only.

Dual 5GHz Operation and External Antennas

As mentioned above, the AIR-ANT9101, AIR-ANT9102, and AIR-ANT9103 do not support dual 5GHz mode. This is due to the small physical design of these antennas and the lack of sufficient RF isolation for dual 5GHz operation.

Other antennas that support dual 5GHz operation are in development, but the current approach for dual 5GHz is to use the 9130I (internal antenna model) or, if using the 9130E, the smart DART-8 adapter allows many of the current antennas listed in the table above to be used in dual 5GHz mode.

Left: AIR-CAB-002-D8-R= (RP-TNC connector), Right: AIR-CAB-003-D8-R= (RP-TNC connector): AIR-CAB-003-D8-N= (N-type connector)

Let's look at how the DART adapter splits the cable into two groups of four antennas.

DART Adapter and RF Connections

2. 4/5 GHz (Dual Band)

2. 4/5 GHz (Dual Band)

2. 4/5 GHz (Dual Band)

2. 4/5 GHz (Dual Band)

The Cisco DART cable assembly accepts two groups of four antennas. Each connector is labeled.

In dual 5GHz mode, ports A-D are 2. 4GHz and 5GHz (4x4 mode), and ports E-H are the secondary 5GHz radio.

You can use directional antennas to transmit 2. 4GHz or 5GHz in one direction and the secondary 5GHz in a completely different direction.

Using Directional Antennas with the DART Adapter

This external antenna flexibility allows for any combination of micro and macro cells, and the ability to cover different cell areas (indoor/outdoor) as needed, such as one radio in a patient room and another in a hallway. With the DART cable adapter, true RF flexibility is possible.

However, it is important to keep the 4x4 antennas apart from each other to avoid degradation. Using directional antennas or proper spacing (minimum 2m) when using omnidirectional antennas helps. Below are some general ideas on isolation.

Creating RF Isolation

Mount antennas as far apart as possible and follow the isolation guidelines in the FRA and Dual 5-GHz Operation sections below.

The Cisco Catalyst 9130 Series Access Points have a Flexible Radio Assignment (FRA) feature. The AP is a tri-band radio with a dedicated flexible 8x8 5-GHz radio that can be split into two separate 4x4 radios if needed (the access point supports two different 5-GHz 4x4 radios that can be configured independently to serve clients).

Unlike previous Cisco products that disable the 2. 4-GHz radio when going into dual 5-GHz mode, the 9130 Series Access Point also activates the dedicated 2. 4-GHz radio (regardless of the 5-GHz status) and shares the four primary dual-band antennas (ports A-D) with the 5-GHz radio, allowing 2. 4-GHz 4x4 operation to function simultaneously.

When operating in dual 5-GHz mode, the primary antenna ports A-D operate in dual-band mode, supporting both 2. 4GHz and 5GHz simultaneously.

The management of the dual 5GHz cell is one of the most important aspects for FRA. The dual 5-GHz AP has two operating modes:

Macro/Micro: A smaller cell inside a larger cell, providing twice the capacity within the boundaries of a single cell.

Macro/Macro: A separate 5GHz dual cell, providing twice the coverage of a traditional dual-band AP. Macro/macro mode is only supported on the 9120AXE and 9130E (because they use external antennas).

Macro/Micro mode is an applicable use case for the Cisco Catalyst 9130I model, whose internal antennas are designed to support cell-in-a-cell deployments. For this to be effective, a lot of design has gone into isolating the two cells, starting with the silicon and ending with antenna polarization and frequency isolation.

FRA and DCA enforce a number of configuration requirements when operating in dual 5GHz macro/micro:

Minimum 100MHz channel separation (frequency diversity)

Micro cell power is limited to a minimum.

Use the same Service Set Identifier (SSID) in each cell.

The macro/micro cell architecture is attractive because it solves the problem of having one large cell with very diverse client experiences. Clients closer to the AP will use higher data rates and enjoy a higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) than clients at the edge of the cell. Macro/micro mode allows different clients to be separated in the cells where they can be best served, saving airtime by increasing overall efficiency.

Macro and Micro Cells

Key Points

Creating micro and macro cells using the dual 5GHz capable Cisco Catalyst 9130I allows them to operate just like two independent 5GHz access points with all the features and benefits of Wi-Fi 6.

When the 9130I is operating in dual 5-GHz mode, clients get the same airtime, lower channel utilization, faster client connection data rates, and fewer retries.

Single 5-GHz Channel vs. Dual 5-GHz Channel

Left: Single channel model - channel 36 utilization is 60 percent.

Right: Dual channel model - channel 36 drops to 20 percent, channel 108 is at 24 percent.

In the figure above, the single channel cell on the left, channel 36, has a channel utilization of 60 percent. To make matters worse, client connection speeds are uneven, with closer clients connecting much faster than farther away clients.

In the dual channel model on the right, the improvement of using two channels is clear. This results in significantly fewer contentions and retries, resulting in a much better user experience.

Note: This feature was first introduced on the Aironet 2800 and 3800 Series and was awarded Cisco's Pioneer Award for Engineering Design Innovation in 2017. This mode, combined with Wi-Fi 6 features that help with latency and small packets, has a huge advantage in reducing channel utilization.

Key Points: With dual 5 GHz, users experience faster throughput, fewer retries, and a better Wi-Fi experience with faster data rates and less channel utilization.

CleanAir Spectrum Analysis with Cisco RF ASICs

Cisco CleanAir technology is a custom hardware and software solution.

To overcome the visibility limitations inherent in standard Wi-Fi chipsets, Cisco developed an integrated solution with patented chips and software specifically designed to analyze and classify all RF activity. (This technology has been granted more than 25 patents to date.)

Essentially, Cisco has taken the technology behind the Cisco Spectrum Expert analysis tool and integrated it directly into the infrastructure, including deep integration with dedicated software-defined radios (SDRs) and custom RF ASICs. This is a significant development and a clear sign that wireless has moved from a "nice to have" to "business critical" in the enterprise.

The custom solution starts with the Cisco SAgE hardware core, which is integrated directly into the Cisco RF ASIC custom silicon. The SAgE core performs highly computationally intensive processing, such as high-resolution Fast Fourier Transforms (FFTs) and pulse detection processing. (The SAgE core has a very granular spectrum resolution of 78. 125kHz (4x that of the closest competitive solution and 64x that of most chipsets).)

The RF ASIC provides the AP with an advanced and comprehensive interference analysis, detection, and mitigation system. Essentially, the SAgE core does basic level spectrum analysis processing that is too processing intensive to handle in real-time software or on the serving radio.

Benefit: Comprehensive RF analysis and spectrum insight not found in any competitive product clearly identifies interference on a dedicated SDR (separate from the client serving radio) so that it does not impact the AP's client serving performance.

CleanAir clearly identifies interference using a dedicated radio and custom silicon.

The RF ASIC and CleanAir chipset enhance DFS signal decisions, strengthen DFS, and reduce DFS false alarms so the AP can stay on DFS channels more robustly. In addition, the dedicated radio participates in Cisco's RRM for interference mitigation and optimal channel selection.

The DFS event (detected by the Wi-Fi chipset) is compared to the RF ASIC to ensure it is indeed a genuine DFS event.

The RF ASIC is much more advanced than the DFS detection used by the Wi-Fi chipset and acts as a "second set of eyes" on the spectrum. As a dedicated SDR, the RF ASIC will be further enhanced with new features as future software upgrades are released.

Cisco Connected Mobile Experiences (CMX) FastLocate technology enables rapid location updates for connected Wi-Fi clients. It uses Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) from data packets and probe frames, if available, to calculate location. This technology is available for both centrally switched WLANs and Cisco FlexConnect® (locally switched WLANs).

Benefits: The Cisco Catalyst 9130 Series with RF ASIC monitoring radio enhances location by enabling access points on different client channels to use RF ASIC to listen for probes and data packets of interested Wi-Fi clients, regardless of the channel.

The RF ASIC radio can track Wi-Fi clients regardless of the channel they are served on.

Manufacturing, Warehouses, Factories

Warehouse installations are often challenging due to very high ceilings and cluttered with materials stored in the warehouse. When doing a coverage check (site survey), always check the coverage in a "full inventory" condition. The RF coverage can change depending on what is stored in the warehouse, making it less uniform. Also, place the AP as close to the users as possible and lower the antennas if possible. If the AP is 30 feet up in the air, the signal has to reach 30 feet at best. If you are setting up aisle coverage, use a directional (patch) antenna on the wall to shoot down the aisle, or a low gain omni-directional antenna (such as a dipole) or an integrated antenna unit on the ceiling.

You can also mount the AP low using pipe or electrical box mounting techniques. See the example below.

AP Mounting in a Warehouse Environment

(External dipole "e" series or internal antenna "i" series can be used)

If you are mounting the AP to the end of a pipe or conduit box, use the universal bracket Cisco AIR-AP-BRACKET-2. Conduit and adapters can be purchased at most electronics stores or home repair centers.

Mounting the AP to a Conduit Box (Ceiling T-Bar or Conduit)

If you use the Cisco Catalyst 9130 series in places where you need to wipe out access points with chemicals, such as clean rooms and hospitals, use sterilizers that can be used immediately, such as STERIS SPOR-KLENZ. I recommend it. Unlike some access points, there is no ventilation hole in the 9130 series, so wiping is possible. Plastic has been tested with this sterilization.

In a medical environment where the ceiling is metal or tiles cannot be used, you can use Oberon and Axeltex metal enclosure.

Oberon's metal enclosure protects and fixes AP in a clean room.

Stadium and harsh environment

If you want to install AP in a harsh environment that is likely to be exposed to the weather, such as a sports area, stadium, open garden, or a freezer in the warehouse, we recommend using a NEMA type enclosure.

Note: Depending on the access point, outdoors may not be authenticated by NEMA enclosure. This is different around the world. For example, some regulatory organizations allow APs indoors such as freezers and gardens, but they may prohibit outdoor use, although they are allowed to use AP outdoor NEMA enclosure. This seems to be different depending on the meteorological radar of each country and the compliance on UNII-1. Check with the Cisco account team or a communication regulation organization that is jurisd by your area.

Acceltex 12x10x6 NEMA enclosure example

NEMA type enclosure and other accessory thir d-party sources include:

When using a NEMA type enclosure, make sure that the cable from the bottom of the enclosure so that rain or moisture does not flow into the enclosure through the cable. In addition, the color of the enclosure may affect the high heat. For example, a black enclosure is much hotter in the sun than a white enclosure. You may also want to use a pressure vent to prevent the accumulation of moisture.

See the following URL deployment guide:

Installation in intermediate wiring frame (IDF) closet (telecommunications or other electrical equipment)

If you are installing an AP near other electrical or communications equipment, keep all wiring and metal away from the antenna and do not install the antenna near power lines. Do not run electrical or Ethernet wiring within the near field (6-15 inches) of the antenna. APs are best installed as close to the users as possible or where practical, so avoid installing them in electrical closets. If you must run antenna cables out of such closets, you may need to use plenum rated cable (consult your local fire/safety regulations on this).

Here is a URL for understanding interference:

Installation in and around elevators

Elevator coverage may be achieved by placing APs on each floor in the near field of the elevator, usually near the elevator doors. It is important to check the coverage inside the elevator, as elevator doors are often metal and shafts are often concrete or contain other materials that degrade Wi-Fi coverage. Such coverage may be difficult, but is often possible, especially if the elevator only has a few floors.

High-rise elevators create roaming issues as clients cycle quickly through many APs. Some companies that do in-elevator advertising install patch antennas on the floor inside the shaft and patch antennas (or actual APs) on the bottom of the elevator car, while others use ground-fault coaxial cable on the side of the shaft.

Installing Wi-Fi equipment inside elevator cars or shafts must comply with local regulations. It is often prohibited for safety reasons or by building owners or local fire departments. It is also dangerous work, so only elevator repairmen or contractors experienced in this type of work should be in such places. If an external antenna is required, again, place and use the 9130E model.

Access Point Antenna Placement

The Cisco Catalyst 9130I access point has an advanced antenna system, but it is important to place the AP correctly.

Coverage is optimized for ceiling installations and radiates omnidirectionally.

General Design Guidelines Recommended Access Point Spacing

If you have a Wi-Fi device such as AP and use another AP on another channel, we recommend that you release the AP interval of about 6 feet (2 meters). Avoid placing AP and different AP antennas together, as performance may decrease. The recommended distance is based on the assumption that both devices work in a licens e-free band and do not send RF energy exceeding 23 DB (that is, 200 MW). If you use higher power, release the distance.

If there is another device to send, especially if they are operating in the same frequency band, for example, the legacy AP to be hopped, or other devices that operate at the frequency close to the AP frequency (2. 4GHz band or 5GHz band) If you have), you need to consider moving or separating devices as rationally as possible. After doing this, test both devices at the same time in a high load, check for interference, and evaluate each system individually to confirm that degree if deteriorated.

In order to comply with FCC, EU, and EFTA RF exposure restrictions, the antenna must be installed at least 7. 9 inches (20 cm) from all people. See the Installation Guide for the Compatible Declaration.

Mix different models and type access points

The Cisco Catalyst 9130 series is a very advanced access point that supports its own functions, such as highly 5 GHz and highly RF detection using dual 5 GHz and Cisco custom RF ASIC silicon in addition to Wi-Fi 6 functions.

For this reason, the 9130 series may be called "salt and pepper" approach because it can make spectral decisions that are not made at other access points, such as dual DFS detection, but the access point model is mixed. It is not recommended to let it.

For this reason, if the type of AP is mixed, a similar access point will be grouped (for example, an Aironet 3800 series on a floor, a Cisco Catalyst 9130 series on another floor) and will not be mixed. I recommend it.

The guidelines for setting access points are shown below.

Always try to place APs as close to users as possible for best performance. Be aware of the environment (for example, hospitals have metal doors and when the doors close the coverage can change). Avoid mounting APs or antennas near metal objects.

When using 2. 4GHz frequency, the same 1, 6, 11 channel scheme is used as the 5GHz channel scheme. Avoid putting all APs on the same channel and reuse channels whenever possible.

Cisco RRM, FRA and other features can help automate the process.

Identify high usage clients and check coverage for them. For example, PDAs and Wi-Fi phones may not have the same coverage as notebooks and tablets.

Check coverage using the worst performing client you plan to deploy.

Site surveys are highly recommended, but a limited site survey (coverage check) may be sufficient for small venues if the design is done at half power and Cisco RRM is deployed. If it is a very challenging environment such as train connections, oil and gas sites, large hospitals, etc., Cisco has an Advanced Services team. Contact your Cisco account team for more information.

Example Channel Coverage Model Non-overlapping Channel Spacing

Keep antenna cables as short as practical or possible. Cisco offers low loss (LL) and ultra-low loss (ULL) cables with the same characteristics as Times Microwave LMR-400 and LMR-600.

Cisco cables have the part number AIR-CAB followed by the length. For example, a 20-foot LL cable with RP-TNC connectors is Cisco AIR-CAB-020LL-R. These black, heavy cables are not plenum rated and are primarily for outdoor use or manufacturing areas.

Cisco Cables with RP-TNC Connectors

When drilling holes for the cables, consider the size of the connector (usually a 5/8-inch drill bit for the RP-TNC above). Other connectors such as N" style and DART are larger in size.

Wi-Fi 6 Installation and Site Survey Considerations

What's currently installed? Now is the time to assess your WLAN needs.

Before refreshing to Wi-Fi 6, you should review your existing WLAN issues and identify any new location, BLE, or IoT requirements.

On e-t o-one replacement assumes that AP is installed in the best place to achieve the current coverage and density goals.

Are there any problems with coverage that you are currently not dealing with?

Is there a place where the installation is insufficient or the most optimal installation?

Ideally, at least 802. 3AT (30W PoE) can be used.

Wi-Fi 6 may be useful for relieving poor design, but there is nothing better to install right at first.

There are many tools for modeling and running a site survey. Cisco has recently added a function to import Cisco AP and antenna model into their applications and model BLE.

EKAHAU offers a site survey and WLAN planner software.

When conducting an active survey for placement, it is always best to have equipment planning for placement. Having a planned actual model is not always possible at the time of planning. Cisco has paid a lot of efforts so that the RF reception range of the RF of the new model is closely consistent with the previous AP model, reducing the cost of AP planning and exchange. The same is true for the Cisco Catalyst 9130 series. The figure below shows the Cisco Catalyst 9120AX series and Aironet 3802i with the same channel and power. Survey using alternative AP is suitable for creating a component table (BOM) or updating the existing installation. Important coverage must always be measured using the same model to ensure the result.

Comparison of the Cisco Catalyst 9120AX series measured in the air and the AIRONET 3802i coverage pattern

Note: The cell size shown above also applies to the Cisco Catalyst 9130 series.

If the building is not wiring for Ethernet and it is necessary to supply power from the battery to the Cisco Catalyst 9130 series access point, AccelteX offers a available battery pack.