1. Plan

A successful WiFi deployment starts with a detailed plan phase.

This phase begins with gathering initial specifications such as WiFi coverage, number of clients, types of devices and defining critical business applications.

Services available in the "Plan Phase" are WiFi consultancy, network and WiFi surveys.

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2. Design

Combining the initial customer specification and information gathered during planning we can start the consultative detailed design phase.

Coverage, capacity, applications, security are just some of the key elements taken into consideration for our designs while capturing the future aspirations of the network.

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3. Integrate

Experience is the key element to success when installing and integrating wireless networks and with nearly 15 years’ experience there isn't a lesson we haven’t learnt.

Our engineers are extensively trained in physical installations, working at height, health and safety and they have active involvement in continually improving our processes. We have performed installations across Europe in the most complex of environments from manufacturing plants, warehousing, corporate offices, high streets and shopping malls.

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4. Optimise

Validate the installed WiFi network against specifications and refine configurations for optimum performance.

Optimising ensures what was detailed in the planning and design phases have been delivered on. Taking the results from a validation survey and fine tuning adjustment as required.

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5. Maintain

Upon successful project completion it is time to maintain.

Maintenance ensures the ongoing performance and support required by networks. Maintenance services are tailored to each specific network and customer need.

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Wärtsilä 10Gbps Connectivity Case Study

15 March 2021

Wärtsilä UK Ltd operate in the marine and energy markets with products and solutions as well as services for the shipping and power generation markets.

The Problem

Wärtsilä (Leicester) had recently taken on a new building within the same estate as one of their existing workshops. They required 10Gbps connectivity between the two buildings across 300 meters to extend the LAN to their new building. The connectivity would also need to provide high availability, reliability and also come with remote monitoring & reporting. The two buildings had line of sight to each other. Because of the high speeds and high availability, WiFi based radio backhaul links were ruled out. In addition, within the buildings two businesses operated. Each business required separate network links. It was also not suitable for any radio links to be mounted directly onto the side of the buildings.

The Solution

A wireless backhaul solution was the best option for Wärtsilä. For this project, DigitalAir advised and implemented wireless technology from the manufacturer Siklu. Siklu are the best in class for licence free mmW wireless backhaul solutions. The radios would operate in the licence free 60GHz & 80GHz spectrums. The specific hardware installed was Siklu 8010fx, Siklu 2200fx and Siklu MPL 400. For the separate network an EH-2200 would be installed. The MPL 400 would be installed as a backup link to meet the high availability requirement. The Siklu 8010 & 2200 operate in the 80GHz space and MPL 400 in the 60GHz.required cable routes & mounting locations.

For the remote monitoring of the wireless links, a reporting solution DigitalAir use for their customers was chosen.

To install the radio links, a scissor lift was used for the internal mounting and a Z45 for the accessing the external positions. An SJ66 cherry picker which provided 272kg capacity in the basket was also used. All three links were co-located, but the channels were separated to remove the need for multiple poles and therefore reducing the cost to customer.

To provide the stable mounting for the radios, DigitalAir created custom stainless-steel mounting platforms that were fixed to the steel structures of the building.

The mounts were installed above roof height to ensure a clear line of sight path for the links. This required cherry pickers to be used onsite, installed by our working at heights trained engineers.

DigitalAir is a certified SAFE contractor and all their engineers are IPAF and working on roofs certified.

DigitalAir was also commissioned for the structured cabling requirement performed with Cat6e.

To compliment the solution and provide ongoing reassurance for the link service, Wärtsilä took out a fully supported DigitalAir gold agreement.