A theoretical and practical skills transfer event
for ield engineers, support engineers and operational managers as applicable
to DVB/TDMA VSAT networks, organized by Africa eDevelopment Research Cen-
tre in association with Comsatpro of South Africa
VSATField Engineering
Training Course
Intensive VSAT Field Engineering
Theory & Background
Network Architecture
• Architecture deined- Star networks
- Mesh networks
• Application references
Network Concepts
• Bandwidth:- MHz vs. Mbps.
- Speed vs. throughput
• Links budget basics:- What?
- Why?
Equipment terminology
• Remote site components:- Antenna, dish?
- BUC, block-up convertor
- LNB, Radio, Modem• Operating Frequencies- Ku-band
- C-band
- Ka-band
Signal Transmission
• DVB• TDMA
Course Outline
Site Survey
• Location & look angles• Infrastructure
Site Build
• Minimum antenna mount
-Requirements Lightning protection
• Cable routing• Peak & poll: Why? What? How?
Test Equipment
Theory & hands-on:• The ield strength meter• The GPS• the compass• what do we measure?• how do we measure?
Service Commissining
• what does it mean?• why is it needed?• how do we do it?• what can go wrong?
Client Communication
• Client communication• Site hand-over
Implementation Practical Training
Complete Installations
• All participants will complete -one complete
installation
• Installations will be done -on an active & operational -network
-All will provide
• suicient time for hands-on -experience
Test Equipment
• Inclinometer• Compass• GPS• Field strength meter-Selection and training
with -respect to PAS1R, PAS10, NSS -7 satellites
Installation
• Physical site installation• Antenna built (1.2m)• Peak & poll• Signal strength monitoring
• Site commissioning with an
operational NOC group
• Commissioning & hand-over
Precision Instruments
for accomplished Engineers
Quality of workmanship,
ield engineering and system
performance are determined by
the skills and expertise of the
engineer but no engineer can
perform precision works without
precision instruments. The course
will also cover the following
instruments:
UnaOhm SBM105C Satellite
Analog Digital Signal Analyser
The SBM105 analyses the quality of satellite receive signals and ofers
all measurements required by digital communication channels.
Is also ofers level measurement of analog signals as well as spectral
analysis of the band.
SMARTTool
Precision level meter for setting and alignment of antenna to
ensure optimum signal strength
and maximum system reliability.
SUUNTO Bearing Compass & Clinometer
The Suunto Tandem is a liquid-illed precision compass and clinometer in one compact
aluminum housing that is easy to use and rugged
enough to protect against impact, corrosion and
water.
GARMIN’s eTrex Personal Navigator
This compact, easy-to-operate GPS is perfect for measuring and recording of location coordinates
with the accuracy required for VSAT network control systems.
Handheld Tools
The perfect set of handheld tools to ensure that
you have the correct tool for every need while at
the same time being lightweight and convenient
to carry under all circumstances. All of which are
supplied in an easy and convenient canvass bag.
Course Designer
Stadler Brits is a Global VSAT Forum (GVF) qualiied instructor/ trainer.
Stadler has had over 17 years experience in Radio Frequency (RF) with a career that commenced in the South Africa Air Force. He has been in the African Market for almost
15 years and worked in numerous countries in Africa doing sales, installation and now engineering design makes me an experienced satellite communications engineer.
He has attended most satellite equipment vendor courses and most of the satellite engineering courses available in the industry. This includes:
• Radyne Comstream• Paradise Datacom• Gilat – Skystar• HNS – GW series• ViaSat – Linkstar• iDirect- Satellite communication engineering course – University of SurreyLink Budget Engineering - Panamsat
During this period he also developed a VSAT course for the company which he also
presented throughout Afric
More than
students have
attended this
course. 1,000
Contact us
T
– 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
eDevelopment House, Limuru Road, Muthaiga,
Intensive VSAT Field Engineering
www.africanedevelopment.org
INTENSIVE WIFI SYSTEMS ENGINEERING COURSE
WIRELESS TECHNOLOGIES AND STANDARDS
Summarize the basic attributes and advantages of the following WLAN standards and amendments
Identify some of the uses for spread spectrum technologies
Comprehend the differences between, and explain the different types of spread spectrum technologies and how they relate to the IEEE 802.11-2007 standard’s (as amended and including 802.11n-draft2.0) PHY clauses
Define basic characteristics of Wi-Fi technology
o Range,coverage,andcapacity
o Frequencies/channelsused
o Channelreuseandco-location
o Activeandpassivescanning
o Powersavingoperation
o Dataratesandthroughput
o 802.11a o 802.11g
o 802.11no o 802.11b
o WirelessLANs
o WirelessPANs
o Modulation
o Coding
INTENSIVE WIFI SYSTEMSENGINEERING COURSE
o Dynamicrateswitching
o Authenticationandassociation
o Thedistributionsystemandroaming
o Infrastructureandadhocmodes
o BSSID,SSID,BSS,ESS
o ProtectionMechanisms
o WirelessMANs
o WirelessWANs
Identify and apply the concepts which make up the functionality of spread spectrum technology
o Co-location
o ChannelCentersandWidths(allPHYs)
o PrimaryandSecondaryChannels
o OverlappingandNon-OverlappingChannels
o CarrierFrequencies
o Throughputvs.DataRate
o Bandwidth
o CommunicationResilience
o PhysicalCarrierSense(CSMA/CA)
o VirtualCarrierSense(NAV)
RF FUNDAMENTALS
Define the basic units of RF measurements.
o WirelessLANs
o Wireles
o Milliwatt(mW)
o Decibel(dB)
o dBm
o dBisPANs
o WirelessMANs
o WirelessWANs
Define and explain the basic concepts of RF behavior
o Gain
o Loss
o Reflection
o Refraction
o Diffraction
INTENSIVE WIFI SYSTEMSENGINEERING COURSE
o Scattering
o VSWR
o ReturnLoss
o Amplification
o Attenuation
Define and differentiate between the following physical layer wireless technologies
Define concepts which make up the functionality of RF and spread spectrum technology
Identify factors which affect the range and speed of RF transmissions
o Line-of-sightrequirements
o Interference(Babymonitors,spreadspectrumphones,microwaveovens)
o Environmentalfactors
o HR/DSSS
o ERP
o OFDM&HR/DSSSchannels
o Co-locationofHR/DSSSandOFDMsystems
o Adjacent-channelandco-channelinterference
o OFDM
o MIMO
o DelaySpread
o Absorption
o Wavepropagation
o FreeSpacePathLoss
o WLAN/WPANco-existence
o CSMA/CAoperation–halfduplex
Identify RF signal characteristics and the applications of basic RF antenna concepts
o PassiveGain
o Beamwidths
o Simplediversity
o Polarization
Describe the proper locations and methods for installing RF antennas
o Pole/mastmount
o Ceilingmount
o Wallmount
Identify the use of the following WLAN accessories and explain how to select and install them for optimal performance and regulatory domain compliance
o RFcables
o RFconnectors
o LightningArrestorsandgroundingrods
INTENSIVE WIFI SYSTEMSENGINEERING COURSE
Understand and apply the basic components of RF mathematics
o Watt
o Milliwatt
o Decibel(dB)
o dBm
o dBi
o dBd
o SNR
RF MATHEMATICS
o RSSI
o SystemOperatingMargin(SOM)
o FadeMargin
o LinkBudget
o IntentionalRadiator
o EquivalentIsotropicallyRadiatedPower(EIRP)
Identify RF signal characteristics, the applications of basic RF antenna concepts, and the implementation of solutions that require RF antennas
o VisualLOS
o RFLOS
o TheFresnelZone
o Beamwidths
o Azimuth&Elevation
o PassiveGain
o IsotropicRadiator
RF SIGNAL AND ANTENNA CONCEPTS
o Polarization
o SimpleAntennaDiversity
o MIMODiversity
o RadioChains
o SpatialMultiplexing(SM)
o TransmitBeamForming(TxBF)
o MaximalRatioCombining(MRC)
o Wavelength
o Frequency
o Amplitude
o Phase
Explain the applications of physical RF antenna and antenna system types and identify their basic attributes, purpose, and function
o Omni-directional/Dipoleantennas
o Semi-directionalantennas
o Highly-directionantennas
o Sectorizedantennas
Describe the proper locations and methods for installing RF antennas
Identify the use of the following WLAN accessories and explain how to select and install them for optimal performance and regulatory domain compliance.
o Pole/mastmount
o Ceilingmount
o Wallmount
o Amplifiers
o Attenuators
o LightningArrestors
o MountingSystems
o GroundingRods/Wires
o Towers,SafetyEquipment,andConcerns
o RFCables
o RFConnectors
o RFSignalSplitters
Understand and describe the requirements to gather information prior to the site survey and do reporting after the site survey
o Gatheringbusinessrequirements
o Interviewingmanagersandusers
o Definingphysicalanddatasecurityrequirements
o Gatheringsite-specificdocumentation
o Documentingexistingnetworkcharacteristics
o Identifyinginfrastructureconnectivityandpower
requirements
o UnderstandingRFcoveragerequirements
o Clientconnectivityrequirements
INTENSIVE WIFI SYSTEMSENGINEERING COURSESITE SURVEYING
o Antennauseconsiderations
o Understandingdatacapacityandclientdensity
requirements
o VoWiFiconsiderationsfordelayandjitter
o Clientconnectivityrequirements
o Antennauseconsiderations
o Aestheticsrequirements
o Trackingsystemconsiderations
o WIPSsensorconsiderations
o MultipleChannelArchitecture(MCA) o SingleChannelArchitecture(SCA)
o Activesurveys o Passivesurveys
o Advantagesanddisadvantagesofeachsitesurveymethodology
o Identifying,locating,andassessingnearbyWLANs
Define and differentiate between the following WLAN system architectures and understand site survey concepts related to each architecture. Identify and explain best practices for access point placement and density.
Define the need for and the use of a manual site survey tool and differentiate between the following manual site survey types
Differentiate between manual and predictive site surveys
Define the need for and use of a protocol analyzer in a manual site survey as it relates to the following
Differentiate between site surveys involving networks with and without a mesh access layer
o Definetheneedforanduseofaspectrumanalyzerinamanualsitesurvey
o Identificationandlocationofinterferencesources
o DifferentiationofWi-Fiandnon-Wi-Fiinterferencesources
Identify limitations on hardware placement
o AreaswhereAPsorantennascannotbeplaced
o AreasbeyondEthernetdistancelimitations
INTENSIVE WIFI SYSTEMSENGINEERING COURSE
Understand industry best practices for optimal use of directional and omni-directional antennas in site surveys
Explain the technical aspects involved in performing manual and predictive RF site surveys. (These happen as part of the RF site survey)
Describe site survey reporting and follow-up procedures for manual and predictive RF site surveys. (These happen after the RF site survey)
Identify the equipment, applications, and system features involved in performing predictive site surveys
o LocatingandidentifyingRFinterferencesources
o DefiningAPandantennatypestobeused
o DefiningAPandantennaplacementlocations
o Reportingmethodology
o Customerreportingrequirements
o Predictiveanalysis/simulationapplications(alsocalledRFplanningandmanagementtools)
o IntegratedpredictivesitesurveyfeaturesofWLANcontrollers
o Sitesurveyverificationtoolsand/orapplications
o Indoorsitesurveysversusoutdoorsitesurveys
o DefiningAPoutputpowerandchannelassignments
o Definingco-channelandadjacent-channelinterference
o Testingapplicationsforproperoperation
o Hardwarerecommendationsandbillsofmaterial
o Applicationanalysisforcapacityandcoverageverification
Identify the equipment, applications, and methodologies involved in performing manual site surveys
o Sitesurveyhardwarekits
o Spectrumanalyzers
o Protocolanalyzers
o Activesitesurveytoolsand/orapplications
o Passivesitesurveytoolsand/orapplications
o VoWiFisitesurveybestpractices(dBboundaries,
antennause,balancedlinks)
o Manufacturer’sclientutilities
Identify the equipment, applications, and methodologies involved in self-managing RF technologies
o AutomatedRFresourcemanagement
Identify deployment scenarios for common WLAN network types / Identify technology roles for which WLAN technology is appropriate and describe implementation of WLAN technology in those roles
o SmallOffice/HomeOffice(SOHO)
o Extensionofexistingnetworksintoremotelocations
o Building-to-buildingconnectivity
o Publicwirelesshotspots
o Mobileoffice,classroom,industrial,andhealthcare
APPLICATIONS, SUPPORT AND TROUBLESHOOTING
o Municipalandlaw-enforcementconnectivity
o Corporatedataaccessandend-usermobility
o Last-miledatadelivery–WirelessISP
o Transportationnetworks(trains,planes,automobiles)
INTENSIVE WIFI SYSTEMSENGINEERING COURSE
Recognize common problems associated with wireless networks and their symptoms, and identify steps to isolate and troubleshoot the problem. Given a problem situation, interpret the symptoms and the most likely cause. Problems may include:
o Decreasedthroughput
o Intermittentornoconnectivity
o Weaksignalstrength
o Deviceupgrades
o Co-channelandadjacent-channelinterference
o RFNoiseandnoisefloor
o NarrowbandandwidebandRFinterference
o Multipath(inSISOandMIMOenvironments)
o Hiddennodes
o Near/Far
o Weather
Identify procedures to optimize wireless networks in specific situations.
o Infrastructurehardwareselectionandplacement
o Identifying,locating,andremovingsourcesofinterference
o Clientload-balancing
o Analyzinginfrastructurecapacityandutilization
o Multipathandhiddennodes
Identify the purpose, features, and functions of the following wireless network components and describe how to install, configure, secure, and manage them. Choose the appropriate installation or configuration steps in a given scenario.
•AccessPoints
oLightweight
oAutonomous
oMesh
HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
•WirelessLANRouters
•WirelessBridges
•WirelessRepeaters
•WLANController/Switch
oDistributedAPconnectivity
oDirectAPconnectivity
oLayer-2andLayer-3APconnectivity
•PoweroverEthernet(PoE)Devices
oMidspan
oEndpoint
Identify the purpose, features, and functions of and the appropriate installation or configuration steps for the following types of antennas.
o Omni-directional/dipole
o Semi-directional
o Highly-directional
INTENSIVE WIFI SYSTEMSENGINEERING COURSE
Identify and describe the strengths, weaknesses, appropriate uses, and implementation of the following IEEE 802.11 security-related items:
• LegacySecurityMechanisms
• WEPCipherSuite
• OpenSystemAuthentication
• SharedKeyAuthentication
• MACFiltering
• SSIDHiding
• ModernSecurityMechanisms
• WPA-/WPA2-Enterprise
NETWORK SECURITY
• WPA-/WPA2-Personal
• Wi-FiProtectedSetup(WPS)
• TKIPandCCMPCipherSuites
• 802.1X/EAPFramework
• PresharedKey(PSK)/PassphraseAuthentication
• AdditionalMechanisms
• SecureDeviceManagementProtocols(HTTPS,SNMPv3,SSH2)
• RoleBasedAccessControl(RBAC)
Describe, explain, and illustrate the appropriate applications for the following wireless security solutions
• WirelessIntrusionProtectionSystem(WIPS)
• SecurityMonitoring,Containment,andReporting
• PerformanceMonitoringandReporting
• TroubleshootingandAnalysis
• ProtocolandSpectrumAnalyzers
• SecurityandPerformanceMonitoring
• TroubleshootingandAnalysis
Describe the following General Security Policy elements
Describe the following Functional Security Policy elements
• ApplicableAudience
• RiskAssessment
• ImpactAnalysis
• SecurityAuditing
• PolicyEnforcement
• Monitoring,Response,andReporting
• AssetManagement
• DesignandImplementationBestPractices
• SmallOffice/HomeOffice(SOHO)
• Small&MediumBusiness(SMB)
• Enterprise
• PasswordPolicy
• AcceptableUse&AbusePolicy
• TrainingRequirements
• PhysicalSecurit
• SocialEngineering