Deployment Guide
Introduction
Lightcloud Devices communicate wirelessly using a mesh network. In a traditional WiFi network, any device on the network must be within range of one central router in order to work. In a mesh network, on the other hand, most devices are also routers, allowing other devices to “chain” off of them, extending the overall range of the network.
Mesh networks are advantageous in several ways.
Scalability: Lightcloud Devices don’t need to be within direct range of the Gateway. Instead, other AC-powered Devices such as the Controller extend the range of the network. This allows for a much larger network using only one Gateway.
Reliability: Mesh networks are self-healing. If a Device goes offline, traffic can be routed around it via other Devices in the network, without interruption of service. When an offline Device comes back online, it rejoins the network seamlessly.
As with any wireless network, it pays to think ahead and consider some key points to ensure your Lightcloud system works optimally.
General Considerations
Most Lightcloud Devices require constant AC power. Avoid putting Gateways, Controllers, Sensors and other AC-powered Devices downstream of any electrical component that interrupts power, such as a photocell, occupancy sensor or other switching device.
Placing the Gateway
[Overhead diagram showing good location vs bad location]
The Gateway must be placed in a location with reliable cellular service. [Image of Gateway with middle LED highlighted. Label:]
Green: Excellent
Yellow: Acceptable, but move if possible
None: Move Gateway to better location
You can test the Gateway’s cellular reception in different locations by wiring the included power cord to the Gateway and plug it in at different outlets.
[Wiring diagram and/or close-up photo showing wires capped together]
If you’ve identified multiple suitable locations for your Gateway, try to pick one closer to the center of your Lightcloud Site.
The Gateway is designed for permanent AC-powered installation. Once you’ve found a suitable location, remove the power cord and hard-wire the Gateway to a constant power source.
Wireless Networking Considerations
All wireless networking functions by sending messages through the electromagnetic field—the same stuff as light, but not visible. Just as with visible light, it can be bent, reflected or outright stopped. As such, a helpful rule of thumb is: if you can see a straight or reflected line from one Device to another, there’s a good chance it will work.
Do not place the Gateway or any other Lightcloud Devices inside metal enclosures, e.g. inside an electrical panel. Metal enclosures will completely stop wireless transmission.
When possible, avoid placing Lightcloud Devices near common sources of wireless interference, such as microwave ovens, cordless phones, WiFi routers, or large motors, such as in an elevator machine room.
Furthermore, water (in the form of humidity and occupancy by people) will absorb RF signals, reducing effective range. Very humid environments or areas that will be populated by large numbers of people will require reduced distance between Devices.
Environmental Factors and Building Materials
The type of building construction of your site and its layout will have a significant impact on how a Lightcloud network functions.
For the purposes of maintaining a high quality, reliable installation, the maximum indoor wireless range of a Lightcloud device is 100 feet.
Devices with a clear line-of-sight to each other (no obstruction whatsoever) can exceed this limit, but other factors such as radio-frequency interference can still limit that distance.
Effective range is reduced by transmitting through building materials. This table summarizes the impact of common building materials on wireless signals.
NOTE: These are rules of thumb. Many variables will affect your site’s actual performance, such as occupancy with people, humidity, existing RF infrastructure, and more.
Building Material RF Impact
Material & Thickness
Estimated Range Reduction (Feet)
Glass 0.25”
3
Glass 0.5”
5
Lumber 3”
10
Brick 3.5”
15
Masonry Block 8”
25
Brick 7”
30
Concrete 4”
40
Brick 10.5”
45
Masonry Block 16”
45
Coated/Insulated Glass
55
Brick-faced Concrete 7.5”
55
Concrete 8”
80
Reinforced Concrete 3.5”
85
Masonry Block 24”
90
Concrete 12”
95
Notes
Coated/Insulated glass windows often use a thin layer of metal to increase energy efficiency. These windows are likely to block RF.
To calculate the effective range of communication between two Devices, subtract the building material’s loss amount from 100’. If there are multiple materials between Devices, add them up. If a material’s thickness at your site is larger than these examples, multiply them. The result is the maximum suggested distance between those Devices. If this distance is below 10’, it may be necessary to route around that obstruction with other Devices. For example:
Two Devices are separated by a 3.5”-thick brick wall: 100’ - 15’ = 85’. Don’t place these devices farther than 85’ apart.
Two Devices are separated by a 4”-thick concrete wall and glass window: 100’ - 40’ - 3’ = 57’. Don’t place these devices farther than 57’ apart.
Two Devices are separated by two 7” brick walls and a 4”-thick concrete wall: 100’ - 60’ - 40’ = 0’. You will need to introduce additional Devices to route around or through these obstructions.
Installation Considerations
When installing a Lightcloud system in multiple buildings, it is recommended that you use a Lightcloud Gateway for each building. If you cannot, follow these guidelines to deploy a single Gateway for multiple buildings:
Place a Controller on top of each building, AND
Place a Controller outside each building.
This will create at least one clear, line-of-sight pathway between your buildings, as well as establish a secondary path to improve reliability.
[Drawing]
When connecting two buildings via two Controllers, try to align the Controllers: [Preferred Alignment & Avoid Drawing]
When installing a Lightcloud system in both a building AND an adjacent outdoor space, place a Controller on the exterior of the building, facing the outdoor part of the Site.
[Drawing]
Do not place Lightcloud Sensors within 6’ of HVAC vents: this may interfere with occupancy/vacancy detection.
When possible, try to avoid installing Lightcloud Devices in a long line or “chain”, as this makes it susceptible to breaking the signal path of the Devices at the end of the chain:
["Long chain of Devices" drawing"
Ideally, Devices should be able to mesh together with other Devices in order to create redundancy:
["ladder" drawing]
If it is unavoidable to create a chain of Devices, try to place them closer together so that if one Device goes down, the surrounding Devices will still be able to reach each other:
[spacing drawing]
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