Best Practice Guide for Maritime Peplink Certified Engineer (mPCE)

Intro

The aim of this manual is to allow partners to select, install and operate Peplink equipment in a maritime environment to get the best out of Peplink's hardware and software offerings. This guide is broken down into three main areas:

1. Selecting the equipment: This session provides information on how to select the best Peplink equipment for the challenging marine environment.
2. Installing the equipment: Topics covered include router and antenna placement, cable types and lengths, and Wi-Fi AP locations for coverage. For example, vessels made of carbon fiber may require more APs than fiberglass yachts.
3. Optimizing the equipment: This session covers services like SpeedFusion, SpeedFusion Cloud (TotalFusion), and SIMCloud, and how to integrate them within the maritime space.

Selecting the equipment

Selecting the right equipment for a maritime installation is a complex process, with each installation presenting unique challenges. Key factors to consider include:

• Clients' needs and expectations
• Available space
• Budget
• Equipment capabilities
• Ongoing operating costs

Managing Client Expectations

Clients have diverse requirements. Some need basic connectivity via affordable cellular plans, for which devices like the Transit DUO, UBR Rugged, or HD2 Dome are recommended. More demanding clients may require more powerful devices such as the MBX HD2, HD4, HD6, or even the EPX. While there's no strict rule linking vessel size to model requirements, a guideline for the luxury yachting industry is provided:

• Up to 40m: Minimum Transit Duo
• 30m to 50m: MBX HD2 or HD4
• 45m to 90m: MBX HD4 or HD6
• 80m+: EPX

It is crucial to understand client expectations. For instance, if a client expects home-like connectivity, a BR1 or Transit DUO might not suffice.

Available Space

Onboard space significantly impacts solution quality. Installations vary; some vessels offer convenient, air-conditioned racks near the mast, while others have limited, potentially non-waterproof spaces, necessitating router placement further from antennas.

Budget

Clients typically have a budget, which must be considered. Offering multiple solution options allows clients to choose one that best meets their requirements.

Equipment Capabilities

Peplink offers a wide product range. Key features influencing model choice include throughput, available WANs, IP rating, Wi-Fi capabilities, SpeedFusion throughput, FusionSIM compatibility, and physical size.

Ongoing Operating Costs

Operating costs are influenced by factors such as vessel location, internet availability, remote support, SpeedFusion usage, warranty, and subscriptions. These must be factored in from the outset.

Installing the equipment

High-standard installation is essential for achieving expected results. Using high-quality components is critical, as a single substandard part can degrade overall system performance, for example, low-quality coaxial cable or low-gain antennas.

• Antenna Cable
• Router Location
• Lightning Protection
• Grounding
• Antenna Location

Antenna Cable

Antenna cables should be as short as possible and use high-quality coaxial cable. Ideally, the router should be located close to the antennas. Running network cables is generally easier than multiple coaxial cables. Long coaxial runs can lead to signal loss, diminishing antenna gain. For example, a 6dBi antenna at 1800MHz with a 30m LMR400 cable would experience approximately 6.2dB of loss.

Different LMR cable types are available:

• LMR2: Newer generation RF coaxial cables, offering greater flexibility, easier installation, and lower cost. Used for antennas on missiles, airplanes, ships, satellites, and communications.
• LMR 200: Outdoor-rated, flexible, low-loss communication coax with 50 Ohm impedance, suitable for short antenna feeder runs and featuring low PIM.
• LMR 240: Similar to LMR 200, outdoor-rated, flexible, low-loss coax with 50 Ohm impedance, designed for short feeder runs for applications like GPS, WLAN, and mobile antennas.
• LMR 400: Flexible 50 Ohm communication coax used for jumper assemblies and short antenna feeder runs. It's suitable for applications requiring periodic or repeated flexing and was designed to replace RG-8 cables.
• LMR 600 “Half-Inch”: Designed for outdoor use, more flexible than air-dielectric and hardline cables for bending and handling, with 50 Ohm impedance.
• LMR 900/1200/1700: Larger cables for medium antenna feeder runs, offering easily routed, flexible, low-loss performance.

¹ Calculated via Coaxial Cable Attenuation & Power Handling Calculator

² Learn more at Understanding Coaxial Cables - The Complete Guide

Router Location

Placing the router near antennas improves signal strength and quality due to shorter cable runs. However, this can make SIM card access difficult. The SIM Injector facilitates remote SIM placement on the router via the local network. Devices supporting FusionSIM in the maritime industry include HD4 MBX, HD1 Dome, HD2 Dome, HD2 Mini, UBR Rugged, and HD2 IP67.

Considerations for router placement near antennas include power source and water ingress. If installing in an area previously without electrical equipment, ensure adequate power sources and protection from water. Some Peplink products address these issues with PoE power and IP ratings (e.g., BR1 IP55, BR1 IP67, HD2 IP67, HD1 Dome, HD2 Dome, HD4 IP67).

Lightning Protection

Lightning is a significant threat, especially for certain vessel types like catamarans. Lightning arresters should be installed between the router and antenna cables, and proper earthing of the router chassis is essential for protection.

Learn more:

• LPI Earthing Calculator
• LDU Basics of Power Surge Protection
• Lightningman Safety Procedures
• Club Marine: When Lightning Strikes
• CBG Systems: Lightning Protection Systems
• EIT: Lightning Surge Protection and Earthing
• Search for "marine lightning protection" on your preferred search engine.

Short note:

• Boats can act as conduits for lightning; equipment protection is essential.
• For metal hull boats, the hull can be used for earthing.
• For fiberglass boats, a brass plate fitted below the waterline on the exterior is needed for earthing.

Grounding

Proper grounding offers two benefits: mitigating lightning effects and improving signal strength. Grounding via the electrical source is often insufficient; equipment should be earthed directly to the hull of a steel vessel. For fiberglass vessels, a metal plate on the hull is required for grounding.

Antenna Location

Antenna placement is crucial. Units installed in cupboards with factory-supplied antennas may work in port but lose connectivity at sea. Placing antennas high with a 360° unobstructed view of the horizon extends range, potentially beyond 50km / 31 miles.

Cable & Antenna Installation Checklist

Optimizing the equipment

Initial configuration is just the beginning; maximizing equipment benefit onboard requires utilizing all Peplink features, including:

• SpeedFusion
• FusionSIM Cloud
• InControl2
• Notifications

SpeedFusion

SpeedFusion is Peplink's proprietary multi-WAN VPN bonding solution, combining multiple connections into a single, reliable, and fast connection. Cellular connections can be unreliable at sea. SpeedFusion with multiple cellular providers enhances reliability and speed by creating a unified connection.

Learn more from the SpeedFusion and Best Practices Whitepaper: http://download.peplink.com/resources/whitepaper-speedfusion-and-best-practices-2019.pdf

SIM Injector

The SIM Injector (also known as SIMBank) allows remote SIM card placement on compatible routers via the local network. This enables router installation in locations like masts, with the SIM Injector on the router's LAN elsewhere on the vessel, facilitating easy and safe SIM swapping. It's ideal for routers in areas requiring safety equipment or permits. The SIM Injector also provides PoE for compatible devices like HD Dome and HD2 IP67.

FusionSIM Cloud

FusionSIM Cloud enables remote SIM card placement on routers using triggers like geo-fences and data usage. It's not e-SIM technology; a physical SIM is still required, housed in a SIMBank anywhere globally. The router needs an internet connection to connect to FusionSIM Cloud and acquire remote SIMs, which can be via a router's SIM card or another connection like WiMAX. The router does not store SIMs during reboots or if internet connections are lost, as long as an internet connection is available.

A major advantage of FusionSIM is using local SIM cards on vessels traveling internationally without physical SIM delivery. SIM cards can be used on a vessel for a period, then returned to FusionSIM Cloud when no longer needed (e.g., exiting a geo-zone or reaching a data limit) and become immediately available for another FusionSIM-capable device, allowing for rapid reuse.

SIMInjector & FusionSIM Cloud Compatibility

Models compatible with SIM Injector & FusionSIM include:

• HD2 Mini (upcoming HW version)
• HD2 IP67 (HW4+)
• HD2 Dome
• SFE
• SFE CAM
• FlexModule (upcoming HW version)
• HD2 MBX / HD4 MBX / MBX Pro
• UBR LTE
• UBR Rugged

InControl2

InControl2 is Peplink's cloud-based monitoring and control environment, central to ongoing vessel support. Its key features are remote monitoring, access, and bulk configuration.

Remote monitoring allows centralized tracking of multiple devices, including online/offline status, WAN status, data usage, SpeedFusion status, event logs, cellular signal history, device location, and connected clients.

Remote access provides a simple, secure system for onboard management, making configuration changes and troubleshooting efficient and reducing the need for physical site visits. Multiple devices can be configured and modified efficiently, managing firewall rules, outbound policies, VLANs, SpeedFusion connections, captive portals, and Wi-Fi configurations.

Notifications

Notifications provide real-time alerts for preset conditions, such as WAN or SpeedFusion connection monitoring. Alerts can be configured for offline connections, enabling proactive monitoring. Third-party integrations are also possible via APIs with InControl2 or directly with devices using SNMP.

Scenario studies

Scenario A: Sailing Yacht (45 meters)

Install 1:

• Devices: 1x MAX HD4
• Pros: Easy SIM access; Coaxial cables likely pre-installed in mast; High gain antennas mounted on mast.
• Cons: Long antenna runs (+/-30m); Significant signal loss on antenna cable.

Install 2:

• Devices: 2x MAX HD2 DOME, 1x Balance 580
• Pros: Zero signal loss; Easy SIM access if SIMInjector is used.
• Cons: Multiple routers to manage; Requires an additional switch to split HD2 into individual modems; Difficult SIM access if SIMInjector is not used; May require running network cables.

Scenario B: Motor Yacht (55 meters)

Install 1:

• Devices: 1x MAX HD4 MBX in bridge rack
• Pros: Long coaxial cable run to mast; High gain antennas installed on mast; Easy SIM card access.
• Cons: Massive loss on antenna cable (can negate antenna gain); Requires many coaxial cables.

Install 2:

• Devices: 1x MAX HD4 MBX installed within the mast
• Pros: High gain MIMO-omnidirectional antennas; Very little cable loss due to shore coaxial cable run; Single network cable from mast to main rack (typically present); Power may be available within the mast.
• Cons: Power required within the mast (may not always be present); Difficult SIM card access, though manageable with a SIMInjector.

Scenario C: Motor Yacht (95 meters)

Install 1:

• Devices: 2x MAX HD4 installed in the main rack behind the bridge; 4x Omnidirectional antennas; 4x Passive Splitter (1 in, 4 out); 4x 30m coaxial cable run.
• Pros: Easy SIM card access.
• Cons: Long coaxial cable runs; Passive splitters reduce signal strength by 50%; Requires managing two separate routers.

Install 2:

• Devices: 1x EPX installed within the mast; 15x Omnidirectional antennas (mix of MIMO-omnidirectional and ANT-107); Fiber connection between mast and main rack.
• Pros: Very short antenna cable runs; Easy to change modems and antenna configurations as technology advances; Reduced antenna footprint using 4x4 antennas (ANT-107); Fast connection to the main rack, not limited by 1Gbps network connection.
• Cons: Not all antennas are long-range marine antennas; Difficult SIM card access (RemoteSIM features will be introduced with new FlexModules).