TP-LINK CPE210 (02) PDF DOCUMENT

The package for the TP-LINK CPE210 contains the following items:

• Pharos CPE

• Passive PoE Adapter

• Power Cord

• Pole Mounting Straps

• Mounting Bracket

• Plastic Wall Anchors (Qty. 2)

• Self-tapping Screws (Qty. 2)

• Installation Guide

The LED indicators on the TP-LINK CPE210 provide the following status information:

Wireless Signal Strength LEDs:

• In AP/AP Router Mode: All four LEDs remain solid.

• In Client/Bridge/Repeater/AP Client Router Mode: The more LEDs that are lit, the better the wireless signal strength.

LAN LED:

• On: A device is connected to the port, but there is no activity.

• Flashing: A device is connected to this port, and is active.

POWER LED:

• On: The CPE is powered on.

The panel on the TP-LINK CPE210 contains the following ports and terminals:

• Grounding Terminal: Used for lightning and ESD protection.

• Shielded Ethernet Port LAN (Passive PoE IN): This port is used to connect the Ethernet cable for both data and power.

• RESET: A button to reset the device to factory defaults.

The Passive PoE Adapter has the following functions:

• Remote Reset Button: Press and hold this button for about 8 seconds until the CPE’s wireless signal strength and LAN LEDs flash. This will reset the CPE to its factory settings.

• Power LED: The Power LED is on when the passive PoE adapter is working normally.

Mounting Height

Ensure a clear line of sight between the wireless devices for optimum performance. An elevated location is recommended as obstacles like trees, buildings, and large steel structures will weaken the wireless signal.

Orientation

Install the TP-LINK CPE210 with the front facing the intended signal receiving device. The horizontal beamwidth for the TP-LINK CPE210 is 65°. You can orient the device with the assistance of maps, GPS, and landmarks.

Connecting the CPE and Power Adapter

1. Connect an adequate shielded CAT5e (or above) Ethernet cable (up to 60m) with a ground wire to the LAN (PoE IN) port of the TP-LINK CPE210.

2. Connect the other end of this Ethernet cable to the POE port on the passive PoE adapter.

3. Connect a second Ethernet cable from the LAN port on the passive PoE adapter to your computer, router, or switch.

4. Plug the power cord into the passive PoE adapter and then into a power outlet.

5. Slide to replace the cover of the CPE when all connections are finished.

Mounting the CPE

At the selected site, approximately align the CPE to the direction that you have oriented. Use the included pole mounting straps to secure it.

Mounting the Power Adapter (Optional)

1. To ensure the passive PoE adapter is attached most securely, it is recommended to install the adapter with the Ethernet port facing upward.

2. Drill two holes on the wall and insert the plastic wall anchors into the holes. Secure the mounting bracket to the wall. Make sure the shoulders at the corners of the mounting bracket are on the outside and pointing upward.

3. Attach the passive PoE adapter to the mounting bracket by sliding the adapter in the direction of the arrows until it locks into place.

Proper grounding is extremely important for outdoor devices. There are two methods for grounding the TP-LINK CPE210:

Method 1: Shielded CAT5e Cable

Use a shielded CAT5e (or above) cable with a built-in ground wire for the connection between the CPE and the provided PoE adapter. The PoE adapter must be connected to a grounded 3-wire power outlet. This method can effectively eliminate ESD attacks.

Method 2: Grounding Terminal

If you use a general CAT5e cable for the connection, you must connect the grounding terminal of the CPE to earth ground using a separate grounding cable.

1. Before accessing the PharOS Web Interface, you need to assign a static IP address to your computer. The IP address should be 192.168.0.X (where X is a number between 2 and 253, for example, 192.168.0.10). Set the Subnet mask to 255.255.255.0.

2. Open a web browser on the computer you configured. Type http://192.168.0.254 into the address field and press Enter (Windows) or return (Mac).

3. On the login page, enter ‘admin’ for both the User Name and Password. Read and agree to the terms of use, then click Login.

4. For security, you will be prompted to change the default User Name and Password. Let’s start configuring the CPE. For subsequent logins, use the new username and password you have set.

A wireless bridge is built between two locations. One TP-LINK CPE210 will be configured as an Access Point (AP) and the other as a Client. The AP has a default LAN IP of 192.168.0.254.

Configure the Access Point (AP)

1. Log in to PharOS and go to the Quick Setup page.

2. For Operation Mode, select Access Point and click Next.

3. For LAN Settings, you can keep the default settings and click Next.

4. In Wireless AP Settings:

a. Create a new SSID (Network name) for your wireless network.

b. Select WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK for the Security method and create a PSK Password to protect your AP.

c. Enter the distance between the Access Point and the Client into the Distance Setting field.

d. Select the MAXtream checkbox and click Next.

5. Verify your settings and click Finish to complete the configuration.

Configure the Client

1. Log in to PharOS and go to the Quick Setup page.

2. For Operation Mode, select Client and click Next.

3. For LAN Settings, change the IP Address to 192.168.0.X (where X is between 2 and 253, e.g., 192.168.0.2), ensuring it’s on the same subnet as the Access Point. Click Next.

4. In Wireless Client Settings:

a. Click Survey and select the SSID of the Access Point you just configured from the AP list, then click Connect.

b. Select WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK from the Security option, enter the same PSK password and distance value of the Access Point, then click Next.

5. Verify your settings and click Finish to complete the configuration.

To get the best wireless performance, you can use the Antenna Alignment tool.

1. Log in to the PharOS interface of the TP-LINK CPE210.

2. Click Antenna Alignment from the drop-down list on the upper-right corner.

3. To use the audible indicator, check the box for Alignment Beep.

4. Physically adjust your antenna until the sound frequency turns to the lowest. The lower the sound frequency, the stronger the signal strength.

HARDWARE FEATURES

WIRELESS FEATURES

Note:

1. Estimation is based on copper grounding cable and shielded CAT5e cable with ground wire.

2. Beamwidth values may vary throughout operating frequency.

3. Please use the included PoE adapter.

With the TP-LINK CPE210 powered on, you can reset the device using one of two methods:

Method 1: Via the RESET Button on the CPE

Press and hold the RESET button on the CPE device for about 8 seconds until the wireless signal strength and LAN LEDs flash.

Method 2: Via the Remote Reset Button on the Passive PoE Adapter

Press and hold the Remote Reset button on the Passive PoE Adapter for about 8 seconds until the CPE’s LEDs of wireless signal strength and LAN flash.

To maximize the received signal strength, installers need to minimize the effect of out-of-phase signals caused by obstacles between the transmitter and receiver. The Fresnel Zone is a method to calculate this path. The radius of the Fresnel Zone at any point should be clear of obstacles.

The formula for the Fresnel zone radius (r) is:

r = √((d₁ * d₂) / (d₁ + d₂)) * (c / f))

where,

• r = Fresnel zone radius in meters

• c = 3×10⁸ m/s, speed of light

• f = operating frequency of the devices in Hz (e.g., 2.4 GHz is 2,400,000,000 Hz)

• d₁ & d₂ = the distances from the obstacle to each of the devices in meters

The minimum mounting height (H) of the CPE must be greater than the height of the obstacle (h) plus a portion of the Fresnel radius. A common practice is to ensure at least 60% of the Fresnel Zone is clear, which means the mounting height should be:

H > h + r * (1 – 40%)

For example, assume d₁ is 2 km, d₂ is 8 km, and f is 2.4 GHz, then r would be 14.142 m. Considering a toleration of 40%, the allowable radius would be 8.485 m. If an obstacle at that point (h) is 10 m tall, then the result of the minimum mounting height (H) based on this point would be 18.485 m. You should similarly calculate the results based on all points where there are obstacles, and the maximum value would be the final required mounting height.

Pharos MAXtream is a proprietary protocol developed by TP-Link based on Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA). It is designed to improve performance in wireless networks.

The MAXtream technology has the following advantages:

• Eliminates hidden node collisions and improves channel efficiency.

• Lower latency, higher throughput, larger network capacity and more stability.

• Improves the QoS for video, voice and sound data stream.

By dividing the timing of transmission into different time slots, MAXtream allows Pharos devices to transmit in rapid succession, one after another, each using its own time slot. This greatly reduces the chance of collision.

Please note that Pharos MAXtream is a non-standard Wi-Fi protocol that is only compatible with TP-Link’s Pharos series products. You will not be able to connect other Wi-Fi devices to an AP with MAXtream enabled.

1. Log in to PharOS, click Spectrum Analysis in the tools drop-down list. A window will pop up to remind you that all wireless connections will be lost during spectrum analysis. Click Yes to continue to the Spectrum Analysis page.

2. Click Start. The Pharos will begin to analyze the power of the frequencies. Observe the curves for a period of time, and then click Stop.

3. When analyzing the graph, note that the relatively low and continuous part of the average curve indicates less radio noise. When choosing a channel/frequency, you should avoid the spectrum with large radio noise. For example, if the spectrum shows a large amount of noise around 5700 MHz but is low and flat around 5560 MHz, the recommended channel/frequency would be 112/5560 MHz.

• Keep the device away from fire or hot environments. DO NOT immerse in water or any other liquid.

• Do not attempt to disassemble, repair, or modify the device.

• Do not use a damaged charger or USB cable to charge the device.

• Do not use any other chargers than those recommended.

• Do not use the device where wireless devices are not allowed.

• Adapter shall be installed near the equipment and shall be easily accessible.

• Adapter should be used indoors where the ambient temperature is lower than or equal to 40 °C.

• Use only power supplies which are provided by the manufacturer and in the original packing of this product.

Please read and follow the above safety information when operating the device. We cannot guarantee that no accidents or damage will occur due to improper use of the device. Please use this product with care and operate at your own risk.