FreedomFi Outdoor CBRS Small Cell

Plug-and-Play Setup Guide

Prerequisites: This guide assumes that your FreedomFi gateway is already set up and is running. FreedomFi gateway software is updated to 1.9.0 or later.

Initial Connectivity Setup
To start, we will be placing the Outdoor small cell inside near a window and next to your network gear to confirm a set of preliminary checks. This validates that things are working before the outdoor small cell is deployed to its permanent location where it may be difficult to access.
Step 1 – Connect POE+ Injector

Connect the included POE+ Injector to a wall socket or a UPS. Extension cords(especially daisy-chained) are not recommended.

Step 2 – Connect Ethernet cable to POE+ Injector
  • Connect the ethernet cable to the port labeled LAN on the POE + Injector
Step 3 – Connect the Ethernet cable to the Gateway
  • Connect the other end of the ethernet cable to the port labeled eNB1 the FreedomFi Gateway
Step 4 – Connect POE+ Cable to the POE+ Injector
  • Connect an outdoor-rated ethernet cable to the port labeled “POE” on the POE+ injector. The length of this cable should be long enough to reach the permanent location where you want to deploy the small cell. This will be the only cable that you need to route outside.

NOTE: Ethernet cables must be 330ft/100m or less in total length.

Here is an example: Outdoor Rated Cable
Step 5 – Connect POE+ cable to the Outdoor Small Cell
  • Open the waterproof door on the Outdoor small cell by unscrewing 3 screws.
  • Connect the other end of the outdoor rated ethernet cable to the Outdoor small cell.
  • For now, don't worry about the location of the outdoor small cell. We will be moving the outdoor small cell to a permanent location at a later point, but we want to connect the cable inside to make sure things are working.
Step 6 – Verify Connectivity status

Visit the small cell dashboard using:http://freedomfi-gateway.local

  • If all goes well, you should see the following in the small cell dashboard. Spectrum Status will be “trying” and On Air will be OFF until the small cell registration is submitted and approved.
Outdoor Small Cell Install and Registration

Location Selection

To start, make sure you select a good place for the Outdoor small cell. Obstructions will decrease coverage. CBRS signals have less range than LoRa. Similar to Wi-Fi they can be weakened or blocked by obstacles like walls, trees, and buildings. To capture the most data you can, you want your small cell to point towards a populated area, a place with a lot of people and phones e.g. a park, a playground, an outdoor cafe/coffee shop.

Outdoor small cells MUST be mounted at least 6 meters (20 feet) above ground level for safety and to comply with regulations. This often means on a roof, or near the roof line of a building. Roof mounting examples for a home or small business:

Requirements: The outdoor small cell will require installation CPI approval before it can go on air and allow users to connect. The CPI process requires the following:

  • Outdoor small cell installation height must be >6m above average terrain, i.e. pole, roof, water tower, barn, silo, etc.
  • Installation parameters must be shared with FreedomFi to get CPI approval
  • Height with 2 to 4 photos to document accuracy
  • Azimuth angle with 1 photo to document accuracy
  • Elevation angle with 1 photo to document accuracy
  • Disclaimer: Installing an outdoor small cell requires working at heights of at least 20ft off the ground. If you are not comfortable with such work or are not able to perform this work safely, please consult a professional.

NOTE: How to get and submit this information along with sample photos will be covered in the small cell registration section below.

Small Cell Registration

To enable the outdoor small cell, you’ll need to complete the CPI flow and get approval. The process starts with registering the small cell location.

To register the outdoor small cell, you’ll need the following information along with photos to prove it.

  • Height
  • Azimuth Angle
  • Elevation Angle
  • Street Address of installation
Step 7 – Recording Height

You will be required to submit the height of the installation and a photo to verify it.
Here are some ideas on how to get the height:

  • Ask a contractor or building manager about the height of your roof.
  • Get the height of the home/building by looking at it in Google Earth Pro.
    Please follow the steps here.
  • Use a tape measure and measure the height directly from the top of your roof

Take a photo that shows the radio and the ground. Sample Verification photo:

Step 8 – Recording Azimuth Angle
Azimuth is a fancy name for the compass direction in which the center of the antenna is pointing. NOAA has a free website that uses any phone accelerometer + compass to find azimuth.
Steps to collect this photo:
  • Navigate to the NOAA website to get a compass up NOAA Mobile Magnetic Declination Calculator
  • Choose the “Compass” option in the lower-left corner
  • Place the phone on top of the small cell, so the TOP of the phone (the part that goes to your ear on a phone call) is pointing in the same direction as the antenna.
  • Take a picture of the compass direction

The sample picture is showing azimuth angle of 109 degree.

Step 9 – Recording Elevation Angle

The elevation angle is a fancy name for “is it pointing up or down from level.” The reference point is the middle of the antenna. You can again use a free app on your phone to find this value:

  • iOS: use the built-in “Measure” app, choose the “level” function at the bottom
  • Android: use the free “Clinometer” app from the Play store

Steps to collect this photo:

  • Open one of the two apps named above
  • Place the phone on top of the small cell. All certified outdoor cells all have a flat portion of the top surface that is perpendicular to the front of the antenna and will hold a phone.
  • Take a picture of the elevation angle

The sample image is showing 2.9 degrees of down-tilt elevation angle using Android Clinometer.

Step 10– Register small cell
Now that you have the small cell information and photos, you will need to submit them for CPI approval. Access the small cell dashboard by pointing your web browser to http://freedomfi-gateway.local from a device on the same network as the FreedomFi Gateway.
  • Click on small cell Dashboard
  • If you have more than one small cell connected, make sure the serial number matches the small cell you are trying to register.
  • Click Register small cell in the bottom left corner
  • Follow the wizard to fill out the form and add photos
  • Submit the information
  • Wait for Approval
You will be notified by email with the status of your submission within 3 days.
Step 11 –Verify small cell is Online

Once you get the CPI approval notification, your small cell should be ready to go.
To check, navigate to the small cell Dashboard and verify that the registration status is approved, and the statuses are all Green.

Step 12 –Connect a mobile device to the Radio

Follow the steps in this guide to test connectivity to the FreedomFi Small Cell. FreedomFi SIM cards can be purchased here.

Stuck? 

CONTACT SUPPORT
Appendix - Troubleshooting Small Cell Status
To access the local dashboard, point your web browser to http://freedomfi-gateway.local from a device on the same network as the FreedomFi Gateway.
Click on Radio Dashboard.
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