Celona Access Points - Installation Guides

Let's get your Indoor / Outdoor Celona Access Points deployed on your existing infrastructure

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Written by Team Celona
Updated over a week ago

Specifically engineered for indoor and outdoor 4G/5G enterprise use cases and operating environments, Celona Access Points (APs) deliver pervasive extensive coverage, interference-free access, and unmatched wireless performance.

Celona 4G and 5G APs support sub-6 GHz frequency bands between 3.3 GHz โ€“ 4.2 GHz, offering highly deterministic over-the-air RF including up to 1Gbps aggregate throughput and less than 10ms latency. Celona APs are managed, monitored, and easy to deploy through Celona's cloud-based Orchestrator platform as part of a complete private 4G/5G turnkey solution. AP models vary depending on whether the access point will be installed indoors or outdoors and if internal or external antennas are required for optimal cellular signal propagation.

4G Access Point Product Portfolio

AP Model

Industry

Rugged Enclosure

Operating Bands

Radio Tech.

Max Tx Power

Celona AP 11

Quick Start Install Guide and FAQ

Slides and PDF

Outdoor Industrial and Hazardous Environments,

Ports, Parking lots

Yes

b48 (CBRS)

4G

30dBm per port

Celona AP 12

Indoor Industrial with no dust/water exposure, Carpeted enterprises, Retail, Apartment complex

No

b48 (CBRS)

4G

24dBm per port

Celona AP 13

Outdoor Short range, Event venue, Indoor Industrial with dust or water exposure

Yes

b48 (CBRS)

4G

30dBm per port

Celona AP 13E

Outdoor Short range, Event venue, Indoor Industrial with dust/water exposure, Indoor applications with External Directional antennas

Yes

b48 (CBRS)

4G

30dBm per port

5G and Multi-mode Access Point Product Portfolio:

AP Model

Industry

Rugged Enclosure

Operating Bands

Radio Techn.

Max Tx Power

Celona AP 21

Quick Start Install Guide and FAQ

Slides and PDF

Outdoor Industrial and Hazardous Environment, Manufacturing, Logistics,

Transportation,

Ports, Parking lots,

Oil and Gas Mining

Yes

n48, n78H, n77

5G

Up to 37dBm per port

Celona AP 20

Indoor Industrial with dust/water exposure, Manufacturing, Logistics, Carpeted enterprises, Retail, Apartment complex

Yes

n48

4G/5G

24dBm per port

Celona AP 22

Indoor Industrial with dust/water exposure, Manufacturing, Logistics, Carpeted enterprises, Retail, Apartment complex

Yes

n48, n78, n77

5G

24dBm per port

GPS/GNSS Deployment Guidelines:

Time synchronization is essential for maintaining high device throughput and smooth handover performance in private networks. Access Points with GNSS antennas should be installed in locations free from obstructions, ensuring at least 180-degree exposure to the sky for reliable GNSS satellite signal reception. Celona ships outdoor APs with 3-foot GPS cables, recommended for standard installations to maintain accurate timing.

To monitor GPS synchronization status and identify potential network issues, check the Events tab on the main Organization page. Synchronization failures, which can vary from a few times a week to multiple times an hour, signal possible network performance degradation.

GPS Cable Extensions

Access points now support GPS cable extensions up to 150 feet, particularly beneficial for manufacturing or logistics facilities with limited roof access. For these extended cable runs, Celona advises using LMR400 or cables with equivalent specifications. Regarding connectors, N-male to N-male is needed for AP21, while TNC-male to TNC-male should be used for indoor access points and PTP GM.

Determine the existing network infrastructure components

  • Identify Ethernet switch ports for Celona Indoor and/or Outdoor APs

  • Configure Ethernet switch ports for the correct VLANs that provide DHCP for Celona APs

  • Ensure IP routing between Celona APs and Celona Edge appliance

  • Ensure appropriate firewall configuration between Celona APs, Edge, and Orchestrator.

  • Identify local labor law requirements for physical equipment installation and electrical work for indoor and/or outdoor AP installation.

Installing your Celona Indoor APs

Key data points to collect during deployment:

  • Identify a location for the Celona Indoor APs and provide Ethernet cable drop to each location, and if they will be ceiling or wall mounted.

  • Determine if PoE+ or AC power will be used for the Indoor APs.

Note: Celona Indoor 4G APs require 802.3at POE+. Auto-negotiation is currently NOT supported and will require manual configuration on your switch. Refer to your switch vendor documentation for details.

Celona Indoor APs can be wall or ceiling mounted. Brackets included with the access points support both mounting options. Power is provided via the AC power adapter provided with the AP or via 802.3at POE+. The AP will not broadcast until it has received its spectrum configuration from Celona SON (Self-Organized Network). Once turned on, your AP will display the status via its LEDs. Status information for each LED can be reviewed within the Celona Indoor AP Installation Guide.

For more information regarding the architecture, installation, status LEDs, and troubleshooting of the Celona Indoor AP, please refer to the Installation Guide for your model in the AP table above.

Installing your Celona Outdoor APs

Key data points to collect during deployment:

  • Determine if the Celona Outdoor Access Points (AP) will be pole mounted (40-100mm diameter) or wall mounted. Each outdoor AP also includes a GPS antenna to report its geo-location during CBRS spectrum registration.

  • Determine if the mounting location is ready for the Outdoor AP installation; for instance, does the pole exist and have space?

  • Determine the grounding source for the AP and the cabling distance between the grounding source and the AP. As part of the Celona outdoor AP installation, grounding wire (10 gauge, <30ft recommended) and lug are not included.

  • Determine the desired height of its external antennas from ground level.

  • Determine the desired azimuth (direction) the antennas will face.

  • Determine the AP's power source (48V DC or AC power) and the cabling distance between this source and the mounting location. Note that each Celona outdoor AP comes with an AC adapter included.

  • Determine the AP backhaul network connection type: Ethernet CAT6/6a outdoor rated cable, or single-mode fiber 1310nm LC connection

Due to the unique requirements of installing outdoor high-power radio equipment, we strongly suggest working with a professional installer if you do not have in-house expertise. Outdoor installations require consideration of:

  • radio and antenna mounting,

  • wind loading,

  • DC power cabling,

  • weatherproofing,

  • lightning suppression,

  • and comprehensive earthing of all connections, including Ethernet.

You can find more details about its physical installation requirements and best practices in the Installation Guide for your model (See AP table above).

Celona Outdoor APs can be equipped with different antennas that suit your specific coverage requirements. You can find details on the different options via the Celona Outdoor AP Antenna Data Sheet. Each comes with 10ft antenna cables, cold shrink, and surge arrestors to ease installation.

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