Stadium Design and Reference Guide with Meru Networks WLAN

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Stadium Design & Reference GuideOpen, Flexible and In Control

Updated – 9/3/14


Stadium WiFi – Challenges & Opportunities

• Expectations of the “Connected Fan”– Network Access Everywhere– Easy to connect– Speeds comparable to “Starbucks”, with video capabilities– Note: WiFi and associated apps should COMPLIMENT and AUGMENT the game day

experience

• The “Business of Stadium Management”– Engage fans in a way that generates revenue

• Full stadiums• Attendee Analytics• Concession Revenue

– Operate Mission Critical Facilities• Concessions• Tickets• Emergency• Press Operations

– Not in the IT business!!• Ease of Use and intuitive management• Flexible to meet multi-purpose needs (concerts, configurations, etc)• The problem with Wireless is “All the Wires” – AP Location and RF Planning

Balancing the Fan Experience with the Business of Stadium Management


Key Design Considerations for Stadium WiFi

• Devices – Number and Type– Volume of Devices

• Max # of users connected to Wi-Fi• Max # of users actively using Wi-Fi

– Types of Devices• Fan – BYOD (all types, all speeds, 2.4 & 5GHz)• Operations – Scanners, Concessions, Signage,

Communications, Security

• Apps – Complexity & Criticality– Complexity

• Voice? Video? RealTime? Cached?

– Mission/Business Critical• Scanners, POS, Security & Business apps, Press

Access – Booth & Field• Data Capture

– Experience Critical• Login, League, Social Media, Webo Wi-Fi

required?• Suites vs. Season Tickets vs. Fans vs. Visitors?

– NOTE: Wired & Wireless must work in concert to deliver app level performance – Plan for SDN!!

Devices, Applications & RF Design

• RF Design– Location/Location/Location

• In the seat/booth/suite/concourse/escalators• Sidelines/concessions/press box/locker room• Parking lots/mass transit/remote locations• Concerts/Soccer/Special Events• NOTE : Interference is common and dynamic,

plan accordingly

– Right Tool for the Job• Right AP / Right Design / Right Antenna type and

placement


The Meru Advantage802.11ac and Meru

• Single Channel Architecture– Meru’s patented Air Traffic Control RF contention management technology enables

allows Meru to design and deploy pervasive wireless networks on a single channel without the need for complex and difficult to optimize RF power and channel plans.

• 802.11ac – Gigabit Wi-Fi– Powered by Meru’s single channel architecture, only Meru can use 80 Mhz wide

channels to provide the FULL 1.3 Gbps capacity of 802.11ac throughout your entire stadium.

• Network in Control– Meru’s patented Air Traffic Control RF contention management technology coupled with

Meru’s time based Air Time Fairness allows the wireless network infrastructure to optimize client and AP RF performance.

• RF Virtualization– Only Meru “Virtualizes” the wireless Access Point to provide seamless mobility and

roaming across an entire channel layer.

• Channel Layering– Meru’s Single Channel architecture enables Meru to utilize multiple channels (Channel

Layers) not for coverage, but to provide up to 3x the capacity and performance when compared to traditional multi-channel Wi-Fi solutions.


Design Considerations - DevicesUnderstanding and preparing for DENSITY & DIVERSITY

– Volume of Devices : “Density”• Meru supports the highest number of active Wi-Fi devices per AP in

the industry.

• Meru’s unique channel layering capabilities allow you to “build in” consistent performance, even in the highest density areas of your stadium.

• With the ability to support in excess of 80 active clients per radio (160 per AP), Meru can lower the total number of AP’s required.

– Type of Devices : “Diversity”• Meru’s advanced Airtime Fairness technology insures that fans with

the latest in handheld technology have the best possible Wi-Fi experience, but not at the cost of frustrating fans with older, legacy Wi-Fi devices.

• Mission / Business critical devices can take advantage of Meru’s ability to create Application Specific RF layers anywhere or everywhere in the stadium, so that they can always “do their job”!

• Implementing a Meru 802.11ac solution insures you can provide a Wi-Fi infrastructure that will keep your fans coming back for years to come.


Design Considerations - ApplicationsDifferent users, needs and experiences require flexibility and control

– Complexity• Meru manufactures the highest performing 802.11ac access points in the

industry. This provides the freedom to design your WLAN infrastructure to handle the most challenging data, voice, video and real time applications.

• Meru is the only Enterprise grade 802.11ac offering that allows you to deploy 802.11ac with 80 Mhz wide channels pervasively throughout your facility. That’s 1.3 Gbps of Wi-Fi bandwidth for your most challenging application mix.

– Mission Critical / Business Critical• Understanding what Wi-Fi based applications are essential to your game

day success allows the Meru system to be designed to provide the robust and consistent performance required these systems.

• Meru Connect Guest management solution allows you to personalize experiences (season tickets holders vs. general admission) while also collecting usage data to feed your upstream analytics applications.

– Experience Critical• Understanding what your fans want and where in your stadium they want it

allows you to leverage Meru’s unique technological advantages (single channel, Virtual Cell, channel layering) strategically within your venue to provide you customers with the World Class Wi-Fi experience they expect.


Design Considerations - ApplicationsIncrease your network lifespan and maintain choice with SDN

– Wireless and Wired network infrastructure must work together, regardless of what the future holds• Meru is the first Enterprise grade Wi-Fi manufacturer to receive OpenFlow SDN Certification.

• Meru’s support for SDN extends the life of both your wireless and wired network infrastructures by providing end to end monitoring and control for all of your business critical and fan experience applications even as demand and load on both infrastructures increases over time.

• SDN can enable future applications that drive additional revenue, increase your network security and better manage peak demand on your network resources.


Design Considerations - RF DesignArchitecting a High Performance Stadium Wi-Fi solution with Meru

– Location/Location/Location• Both RF coverage and capacity requirements will vary greatly within a typical stadium:

• Fan seating areas at each level within the bowl typically have both the highest client per radio requirements and the longest distances which the RF signal must travel to reach the fan.

• Sidelines typically will have some of the lowest client per radio requirements, but will have some of the highest priority / most demanding applications running on those clients.

• Luxury suites and press boxes tend to have similar density and demand requirements.• Fan ingress / egress paths, parking lots and mass transit stations typically exhibit brief spikes of very high

user counts of continuously mobile users.

– Right Tool for the Job• For each of the scenarios mentioned above, Meru has the optimum selection of Access Points, antennas and

wireless infrastructure design & configuration flexibility to deliver the right solution for each challenge.• For example:

• Bleacher seating areas may require higher gain, direction panel antennas to get the RF to the fans where lower bowl box seat areas may afford the opportunity to mount AP’s within fan walkway handrail structures.

MERU PROPRIETARY INFORMATION. © Copyright 2014. Meru Networks, Inc. All rights reserved.MERU PROPRIETARY INFORMATION. © Copyright 2014. Meru Networks, Inc. All rights reserved.

Meru Product Portfolio

9

Access Points Controllers Applications

MC4200500 APs5,000 clients10-GbE

MC3200200 APs2,000 clients

MC60005,000 APs50,000 clients200Gbps+10-GbE

MC155050 APs1,000 clients

VirtualController

AP8222x2:2 MIMO1.2 Gbps

AP1000 Series2x2:2 MIMO600 Mbps

AP3323x3:3 MIMO900 Mbps

AP8323x3:3 MIMO2.6 Gbps

E(z)RF NMS, SAM

Spectrum Manager

Meru ConnectGuest Connect &Smart Connect

ApplianceSA 250/A2000

Open Cloud

Virtual ApplianceVMWare

CloudAP122Wall-plate2x2:2 MIMO1.2 Gbps


Meru Stadium Solution WLAN Architecture

• This solution example utilizes multiple Meru MC4200 controllers assigned to specific zones within the stadium.

• This zone based approach helps in balancing the client load across the entire infrastructure.

• Redundancy is provided by a 5th controller acting as a centralized N+1 backup controller. Meru has the design flexibility to utilize L3 fail over at the AP level as well.

Example


MeruAssure Game Day Support

• Game Day Support Services includes the following: – Direct Access to an assigned Senior Technical Support Engineer– On-site Technical Support Resources for significant events– Assigned Service Account Manager– Three (3) On-site Pro-active Network Assessment and Health Check

engagements• Opening Day Tune Up (1 month to 1 week prior to season home opener)• Mid-season Tune Up (extended road trip or All-Star /Bye week break)• Post Season – Playoff Preparation

– Access to Meru Networks' Customer Support Portal, including Product Documentation, searchable KnowledgeBase, Best Practices Guides and more

– Monthly Service and Support Reports– Preferred Access to Meru Networks Professional Services

• Customized Support options: – Partner with local, experienced Meru VAR for onsite break fix needs– Live, real time Meru Remote Support for smaller events

The Right Resources at the Right Time


Why Meru WLAN for your Stadium?

• Delight Fans with High Capacity Wi-Fi– Meru offers one of the highest capacity access points, capable of supporting 1.35

Gbps wireless traffic. Meru’s patented channel-layering technology delivers more than twice the capacity of traditional Wi-Fi solutions, ensuring that fans experience reliable connectivity even during sold-out events. Concert coming? Simply add more AP’s to extend the experience to the field

• Reduce Deployment Complexity and Costs– Meru’s patented RF virtualization technology can cut the cost of planning and

deploying Wi-Fi infrastructure in half. Comprehensive management and proactive troubleshooting tools enable IT to detect and fix connectivity issues before fans notice them, greatly reducing the ongoing IT burden and improving fan satisfaction.

• Ensure Operational Efficiency – Event venues can leverage the same Meru infrastructure to deploy applications

such as mobile ticketing and communications to increase staff productivity and lower costs.

• Know more about your Network– Meru provides superior control and visibility of your network, with the ability to

manage performance and spot trouble in real time before it affects fans or operations. Meru intelligent solutions such as E(z)RF are in use in large stadiums and public venues every day, helping IT professionals make the right decisions to drive their business higher.

• And, know more about your fans– With MeruConnect, policy control, access control, and customer information

management have never been easier. Efficiently manage the different types of users on the network. Assign special rights, privileges, and service levels automatically and transparently. Create upsell opportunities for loyal fans and newcomers alike.

Flexible, Proven and Powerful


Why Meru for your WLAN Partner

• OPEN– First to receive OpenFlow SDN Conformance for WiFi– Wired side agnostic, Focused on App Optimization– CHOICE and rapid deployment, not vendor lock-in

• AGILE– Mobility is dynamic by definition, the network needs to be as well– Meru offers the most flexible set of wireless tools in the market,

giving you multiple architectures to address any need– NETWORK is in control, not the device

• PROVEN– 10,000 customers, 13 years of designing for “Hard WiFi”– Networks from 1 AP to 20,000– We are experts in RF and WiFi – our Partners drive solutions– We stand behind what we sell, how we sell it and who we sell it with


Meru Stadium Success Stories

MERU PROPRIETARY INFORMATION. © Copyright 2014. Meru Networks, Inc. All rights reserved.

COVERAGE EXAMPLES


Lower Bowl Coverage example

Requirement:

-Provide dual channel layer coverage in both 2.4Ghz & 5Ghz spectrum for Lower Bowl fan seating area.

-AP and antenna placement must utilize overhead structure from next level seating.

Solution:

-Utilize mid gain (6 / 7 dbi) directional panel antennas.

-Mount AP & antennas on the underside of next level seating structure.

Initial AP Placement Design


Lower Bowl Coverage example

-Model proposed solution using state of the art RF predictive modeling tools.

-Validate initial implementation with real time RF survey tools.

Predictive RF Coverage Analysis


Lower Bowl Coverage exampleAP’s and Directional Antennas installed


Concourse Coverage exampleInitial AP placement design

Requirement:

-Provide single channel layer coverage in both 2.4Ghz & 5Ghz spectrum for fan concourse area.

-AP and antenna placement must utilize overhead structure from next level seating.

Solution:

-Utilize a combination of mid gain (6 / 6 dbi) external omni antennas & AP integrated omni antennas. Specific combination based on exact mounting location and adjacent structures.

-Mount AP & antennas on the underside of next level seating structure.


Concourse Coverage examplePredictive RF Coverage Analysis




Concourse Coverage exampleAP’s and Omni Antennas installed


Upper Bowl Coverage exampleInitial AP placement design

Requirement:

-Provide dual channel layer coverage in both 2.4Ghz & 5Ghz spectrums for Upper Bowl fan seating area.

-AP and antenna placement must utilize overhead structure from roof overhang and top of stadium structure.

Solution:

-Utilize mid gain (6 / 7 dbi) directional panel antennas.

-Mount AP & antennas on the underside of roof overhang and available top of stadium structure.


Upper Bowl Coverage examplePredictive RF Coverage Analysis




Upper Bowl Coverage exampleAP’s and Directional Antennas installed


Concession Area Coverage exampleInitial AP placement design

Requirement:

-Provide dual channel layer coverage in both 2.4Ghz & 5Ghz spectrums for fan concession area.

-AP and antenna placement must utilize the top of the “bar back” for the food and beverage service location.

Solution:

-Utilize stock 2 / 3 dbi dipole antennas connected directly to Meru AP and mounted in an “RF transparent” enclosure.

-Mount AP inside enclosure and mount enclosure to “bar back”.


Concession Area Coverage examplePredictive RF Coverage Analysis




Concession Area Coverage exampleAP’s with internal antennas installed

Date post:	10-Dec-2014
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Stadium Design and Reference Guide with Meru Networks WLAN

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