Resources

Frequency Considerations:

Wireless performance is greatly effected by noise, NLOS barriers and throughput required. What is the best frequency for your application? That depends on a lot of factors. Higher frequencies, like 2.4 or 5.8Ghz give you greater throughput that might be required for full HD video applications, but don't penetrate NLOS barriers as well. Lower frequencies in the 400Mhz to 900Mhz range give you better NLOS performance but don't offer the same throughput as 2.4 or 5.8Ghz. For deployment of more than 4 wireless nodes on the same network, 2.4 is more recommended than 700 or 900Mhz due to available throughput. If performance is less than stellar on any given frequency, elevating the base station (receiver) antenna to above 10 feet will like double usable wireless range.

Video Quality vs. Wireless Range:

As video quality is increased, wireless throughput is also increased. If desired wireless performance cannot be achieved, lowering the video throughput will yield better performance. In most cases even on 2.4Ghz, performance will be good if the nodes are spaced 500 meters apart even in NLOS conditions. Another option to increase wireless range is to reduce the video frame rate. Reducing frame rate from 30 to 20 fps, still results in usable footage but reduces the throughput required by 30 percent which translates to increased range.

 

Importance of Antennas:

Always use an undamaged antenna on the proper band. They might look similar, but using a 900Mhz antenna on a 2.4Ghz video node will not only dramatically decrease range but might also damage the radio long term. If you would like to increase range, use of directional sector antennas on the base station (receiver) will result in increased wireless performance.

 

User Manuals:

Portable surveillance nodes
Under vehicle surveillance
Firmware upgrades for cameras
HD cameras
SD cameras