Maintaining strong signal quality is essential for the reliability of the Silvanet network, as connectivity strength affects critical features like real-time environmental monitoring and firmware updates. This guide provides a step-by-step workflow to diagnose and resolve signal issues using the Silvanet suite of tools
Identifying Signal Issues
You can monitor the health of your network through the Site Management App and the Deployment App:
Connectivity Strength Metric: View the connectivity status of your devices directly in the Site Dashboard.
Inactive Status: A device may appear "Inactive" if its connectivity strength is poor or if it has entered power-saving mode due to low energy.
Steps to Fix Poor Signal Quality
1. Adjust Mounting Height and Orientation
Increase Height: Mount Gateways and Sensors at least 3 meters. Increasing the height often helps bypass low-level obstructions like bushes or uneven terrain.
Clear Obstructions: Ensure there is a clear line of sight where possible. Physical barriers such as hills, rocks, or dense foliage can significantly hinder transmitting signals.
2. Optimize Device Placement
Relocate Devices: If a device is at the edge of its range, move it closer to the nearest Mesh or Border Gateway.
Stay in the "Blue Zone": Ensure all sensors are positioned within the blue LoRaWAN coverage areas identified in your site plan.
3. Expand the Mesh Network
Add Mesh Gateways: If sensors remain out of range or in "dead zones" caused by topography, installing an additional Mesh Gateway can bridge the gap and strengthen the overall mesh.
Redundancy: Ensure each Mesh Gateway can connect to at least two other gateways to provide alternative signal paths.
4. Verify Gateway Connectivity
Check Border Gateway Uplink: For Border Gateways, ensure they have a clear line of sight for cellular or satellite connectivity.
Hardware Inspection: Check for loose antenna connectors or physical damage that may be degrading performance.
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