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Reference Manual
00809-0100-4052, Rev AA
Section 6: Wi-Fi Connectivity
April 2015
31
Wi-Fi Connectivity
Section 6 Wi-Fi Connectivity
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 31
Wi-Fi architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 31
6.1 Overview
The Smart Wireless Gateway 1552WU also handles Wi-Fi connections based on IEEE802.11
standard, and it has two radios for this specific connectivity:
2.4GHz radio with three external antennas dedicated for local connection to client units
which are designed to run each of the various Wi-Fi solutions described on the Wireless
Plant Network solutions portfolio
5GHz radio with also three external antennas dedicated for the wireless backhaul.
This section presents an overview of this connectivity for proper usage. It's important to
emphasize that professional services from Emerson or its Local Business Partner are required to
scope, design and commission the solution.
6.2 Wi-Fi architecture
The Smart Wireless Gateway 1552WU must be installed as per the recommendations described
on the Cisco Aironet 1550 Series for Hazardous Locations Installation Guide.
The 1552WU can be configured as a Root Access Point (RAP) as well as a Mesh Access Point
(MAP). These two roles basically describe the Wi-Fi access point behavior considering a network
with several units:
The RAP is normally the first access point of the network and is hardwired (Ethernet
RJ45 port) to the physical network, it can also be a minimum setup for a hot-spot
architecture where the access points won't communicate to each other, but simply
provide a local Wi-Fi coverage for clients accessing the physical network
The MAP role is designed to interconnect multiple access points following a mesh type
topology enhancing the backhaul capabilities.
For all conditions the 1552WU will always require a Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) which is the
responsible to control the Wi-Fi network including routes, data traffic, transmit power control,
etc. whereas the WLC is a mandatory requirement for any 1552WU installation. The Figure 6-1 is
a sample architecture that shows all various connections we can have considering the WLC, MAP
& RAP roles for the access points, and also highlighting the mix of Smart Wireless Gateway
1552WU and Cisco 1550 Series access points.