Topology

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Wireless Configuration

Point-to-Point

This provides the best performance with respect to interference as the antenna at either end of the link is designed to provide a narrow beamwidth and hence the noise received by the antenna is minimized. The throughput figure is dedicated to the single link and as such is maximum for this topology. This design simply links one location with another.

Point-to-MultiPoint

This topology allows a number of Client devices to connect with a single MultiPoint Access Point device. The antenna of the Client units will be the narrow beamwidth type identical to the Point-to-Point units described above. At the Access Point the antenna tends to be one with a wider beamwidth as the Client units that want to connect must fall inside this beamwdth coverage. Care must be taken when selecting the antenna as a wider beamwidth offers a greater chance of increased interference and typically less gain. Throughput in a Point-to-MultiPoint system is equally shared amongst the connected Clients so the individual data rate that needs to be supported at each Client point is critical.

Drop-and-Repeat

This topology could also be referred to as a relay point or a linear system. The design is very useful for circumventing immovable objects (such as buildings) or for increasing link distances. There is no set rule for the number of relay points in a linear system but the system can only be as good as the weakest link. Netwave dual radio units are an ideal choice for relay points due to their high throughput and ease of configuration.

Redundant Ring

As the names suggests this system, built out of a number of two or more dual radio Netwave units, provides a redundant path or ring. This makes the system ideal for safety critical applications where redundancy must be built in.

Hybrid

Most wireless designs tend to be made up of a number of different topologies. Every system is different and as such every design will be different.