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1 March 2003
AP-Ant User’s Manual
LIMITED WARRANTY
Young Design, Inc. (YDI) warrants that your device is free of defects in material and
workmanship for a period of one year after initial purchase. YDI will, in this period of time,
repair or replace, any YDI product returned to the factory, freight prepaid.
The YDI warranty covers repairs or replacement (at YDI’s option) of the product only. YDI
is not responsible for the cost of removal, reinstallation, or shipping to the place of repair.
YDI does not extend or modify its warranty period as a result of repair or replacement.
YDI reserves the right to void a warranty and/or make reasonable charges for repair of a
unit if the warranty seal is broken or the unit displays evidence of misuse, abuse, or
tampering.
YDI is not responsible for damage to any other equipment or property, or any other
consequential or incidental damages of any kind, whether based on contract, negligence,
or strict liability. Maximum liability shall not in any case exceed the purchase price of the
unit.
Warranties give you (the buyer) specific legal rights. You may also have other rights that
vary from state to state. This warranty is only extended to purchases made in the United
States of America or its possessions.
FCC NOTICE
This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled
environment when installed as directed. This equipment should be installed and operated with fix-
mounted antennas that are installed such that these antennas will have a minimum of 2 meters of
separation distance between the antenna and all persons during normal operation.
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. 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.
* Note: The manufacturer is not responsible for any radio or TV interference caused by
unauthorized modifications to this equipment. Such modifications could void the user's
authority to operate the equipment.
These products are labeled with one of the following two FCC ID numbers:
FCC ID: NM5-ETH-ANT, NM5-ETH-ANT-LR
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 Overview 1
1.1 Description ....................................................................................................................................1
1.2 AP-Ant Features............................................................................................................................2
1.3 AP-Ant Kit......................................................................................................................................2
Section 2 Installation 4
2.1 Locating the AP-Ant ......................................................................................................................4
2.2 Mounting the AP-Ant .....................................................................................................................4
2.3 DC Power Injector .........................................................................................................................6
2.4 Power Supply ................................................................................................................................6
2.5 Aiming Antenna and Checking Signal Strength............................................................................6
2.6 Hardware Installation ....................................................................................................................6
© 2003 Young Design, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No part or parts of this document may be
reproduced, translated, stored in any electronic retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recorded or otherwise, without the prior written
permission of Young Design, Inc.
Section 1
Overview
1.1 Description
The AP-Ant™ is an 802.11b WiFi™ Access Point (AP) built into an 18 dBi flat panel antenna. It is ideal
for providing maximum coverage over a focused area, such as 802.11b Hot Spots, hotels, airports, office
buildings, apartment complexes, etc. It is easy to install and has all the benefits of a high-gain directional
antenna without the need for fragile RF adapter cables or bulky coax cables. The only connection to the
AP-Ant is a thin, flexible outdoor-rated Ethernet cable! Because the radio is in the antenna, there are no
signal losses since there is no coax cable, as you would have using an access point with an external
antenna. The antenna housing is waterproof and intended to be a pole or wall-mounted outdoor
installation.
The AP-Ant features the functionality of the ORiNOCO™ AP-500 Access Point, including 128-bit WEP
(Wired Equivalent Privacy) and the new Agere WEP-Plus. Its Windows-based SNMP compliant AP
Manager makes it easy to configure your system as well as to centrally control your network.
Two variations of the AP-Ant are available: the standard series AP-Ant with an integral 18 dBi gain flat
panel antenna, and the AP-Ant-LR with the addition of an integrated bi-directional fixed amplifier to boost
range and improve reception.
The AP-Ant kit includes a 50-foot outdoor-rated Ethernet cable with a weatherproof connector (longer
cables are available as on option). By using RJ-45 in-line couplers, you can extend the cable up to 300
feet to connect the AP-Ant to your network. The WLAN device located in the antenna gets its power from
the DC Power Injector which puts DC power onto the Ethernet cable.
Both the AP-Ant and the AP-Ant-LR version operate from a 15 VDC power supply. A 110 VAC adapter is
included with the AP-Ant package, and a 110/220 VAC “laptop-type” adapter can be purchased
separately as an option. The AP-Ant-LR comes already with the 110/220 VAC “laptop-type” adapter.
NOTE: The AP-Ant-LR can operate only with an Ethernet cable up to a maximum length of 100 feet
between the DC Power Injector and the antenna. This is due to the DC resistance of the thin
Ethernet cable which drops the DC voltage to the antenna.
• 18 dBi gain flat panel directional antenna with built-in Access Point
• Optional integrated bi-directional amplifier for increased transmit power and receive signal
sensitivity for longer range (-LR model)
• Sturdy steel wall/mast tilt-bracket mount
• Outdoor Ethernet cable with weatherproof antenna connector (50 feet standard)
• Cat 5 DC Power Injector
• DC Power adapter for 110 VAC (110/220 VAC for the –LR model, which can also be purchased
separately for the standard model as an option)
• CD-ROM with configuration software and documentation
The latest software and User’s Manuals can also be found at:
http://www.ydi.com/support/downloads.php, and
http://www.ydi.com/support/documents.php.
Figure 1.1 (a) – AP-Ant, 50-ft Ethernet cable, DC Power Injector, and 110 VAC Adapter
Section 2
Installation
Safety Warning
NOTE: It is strongly recommended that you configure and test the unit prior to deploying it in the
field. Set up a “mini-network” that resembles your actual configuration as close as possible.
By using such a mock-up, troubleshooting potential problems will be much easier than if you
already installed the equipment in the field. Read through this entire Section 2 to understand
how to install the hardware. To configure the AP-Ant, read Section 3.
When installed outdoors, it is very important that the round connector plugged on the antenna be properly
waterproofed. Ensure that a high quality all-weather resistant electrical tape and/or other water sealant
method, such as Permagum or equivalent, is utilized. Silicon sealants are not recommended since
they are hard to work with, do not ensure a 100% waterproofing of the connectors and are difficult to
remove, if ever necessary.
CAUTION: Operating the AP-Ant-LR version with more than 15 VDC will damage it. Operating it with
less than 15 VDC will cause improper operation.
Another test that can be performed involves using a laptop computer, a YDI Sapphire or Diamond WLAN
card, and the Wireless Client Manager program that comes with it. Insert the WLAN card in the laptop
computer, install the program, and run it. The Advanced -> Link Test screen of the Wireless Client
Manager program shows signal strength levels. Walk around the desired coverage areas with the laptop
computer and record the signal levels. This way you can build a map of the areas that have good
coverage.
For details about how to set up, configure, and use the Wireless Client Manager program, please refer to
the User Manual of the product.
1. If you are going to install the antenna on a mast or pipe, use the brackets and screws to mount
the flat panel antenna to a pole with a maximum diameter of up to 1 3/4 inches.
2. Ensuring that there is no DC power applied to the DC Power Injector, plug the 6-pin N-male round
connector of the outdoor Ethernet cable provided into the rear jack of the flat panel antenna,
aligning the notch on the connector with the tab on the jack as shown on Figure 2.3. Then turn
the round locking nut clockwise as you push in until it securely fastens onto the jack. Please
verify that the round connector is properly plugged into the rear jack of the antenna prior
to connecting DC power because it is possible to push it in the wrong way if enough force is
used. If DC power is applied and the connector is not properly plugged, damage to the electronics
of the unit or the connector itself may occur which will not be covered by the factory warranty.
3. Attach the other end of the outdoor Ethernet cable provided to the Cat 5 DC Power Injector at
port RJ-45 labeled “To ANT.”
4. Connect the Ethernet cable labeled “To PC or ROUTER” from the Cat 5 DC Power Injector to
your router, switch or hub. If you connect to a computer or PC, a cross-over cable or adapter will
be needed.
5. Plug the AC Adapter into an AC outlet and connect it to the “DC Power” jack on the Cat 5 DC
Power Injector.
7. Configure the AP-Ant using the AP Manager software. (See Section 3 for detailed information.)
Section 3
The AP Manager
3.1 Installation
The Windows-based AP Manager software can be installed on a PC or workstation running Windows
98/ME, 2000, NT, or XP. This software has a GUI (Graphical User Interface), which makes it easy to use.
The program allows you to locally or remotely perform the following procedures:
Please note that the computer or workstation where the AP Manager will be
installed must be on the same subnet as your AP-Ant units in order to
properly configure and monitor them.
CAUTION
Note: Prior to installing a newer version of the AP Manager program, you will need to remove any
older versions. (See Section 3.2, Removing the Program).
Windows Installation – To install the AP Manager in Windows, perform the following steps:
1. Insert the YDI CD-ROM included in the AP-Ant kit into the appropriate drive of your computer.
Using your Windows Explorer open the contents of the CD-ROM drive and select the following
directory: \Management\AP Manager\AP_mgr.
2. Run the Set Up program. Simply follow the instructions in the center of the screen, and they will
guide you through the entire process.
3. All detailed documentation about how to set up, configure, and use the AP Manager is in the
Manager Suite User’s Guide (UG_MGR) which can be found on the CD-ROM in the directory
\Manuals\ORINOCO.
The latest software and User’s Manuals can also be found at:
http://www.ydi.com/support/downloads.php, and
http://www.ydi.com/support/documents.php.