Helium - Indoor Small Cell Install Guide
This installation guide is specific for setting up the MosoLabs Indoor Small Cell for the Helium network.
Installation Steps
Step 1 – Preparation
Step 2 – Location
Step 3 – GPS
Step 4 – Ethernet Cable
Step 5 – Power
Step 6 – Status Check
Step 7 – Radio Check
Step 1 - Preparation
Before you install your small cell, it is recommended that you unbox your small cell and become familiar with the kit contents. Your MosoLabs indoor small cell kit contains the items listed below. We recommend unboxing your small cell and becoming familiar with the kit contents prior to installation.
IMPORTANT: Before you install your MosoLabs small cell, you will need to setup your FreedomFi AGW. IMPORTANT: Before you install your MosoLabs small cell, you will need to setup your gateway. The instructions for this can be found here:
FreedomFi Gateway: https://freedomfi.com/freedomfi-gateway-setup-guide/
Bobcat Bobber 500: Bobber 500 – Bobcat Knowledge Center (zendesk.com)
Make sure to complete setup your Gateway before installing your small cell.
Step 2 - Location
When you are ready to mount your small cell, you must first select the best location. The clearer the view your small cell has to thearea you want to cover, the better your results will be. Trying to transmit orreceive through obstructions such as walls (especially with lots of metal inthem), trees, etc. will decrease performance. CBRS operates at a much higherfrequency than LoRa which enables higher speeds and larger data transmissions,but it has less range as a result. Positioning your small cell so it covers areas with high traffic will increase your earnings potential.
Your MosoLabs small cell MUST be mounted indoors. It cannot be installed outdoors per FCC regulations. It will perform best if mounted to the ceiling or to a wall and can provide coverage indoors and outdoors depending on the mounting location and building materials.
Ceiling Mount: This is recommended if you are trying to cover a large indoor area. Mount your small cell as centrally as possible on the ceiling.
Wall Mount: This is recommended if you are trying to cover more vertical area (i.e. multiple floors). Remember, wireless signals do not travel well through walls and metal. Positioning your small cell so its signals can get through open areas will give the best results.
Once you have selected a location, proceed to the next step.
Step 3 - GPS
Your MosoLabs CBRS small cell uses GPS for network timing data and asserting its location when requesting approval to transmit from the FCC-regulated Spectrum Access System (SAS). You will need to place your small cell somewhere that allows you to run the GPS antenna to a position with good GPS reception (i.e. near a window).
Connect the GPS Antenna to the GPS port on the back of the small cell.
Move the antenna to a location with good GPS signal (ideally near a window). It must have a clear view of the sky for best performance. The small cell needs GPS lock to work properly.
Step 4 - Ethernet Cable
Once you have your small cell and GPS antenna positioned, connect the provided ethernet cable from the “eNB1” port on the back of your FreedomFi AGW to the “WAN” port on your MosoLabs small cell.
(NOTE: the color of the provided ethernet cable may differ from the pictures below)
Step 5 - Power On the Small Cell
Now you are ready to power on your small cell. Make sure your FreedomFi AGW is setup completely, connected to the internet, and powered on, then plug the MosoLabs small cell power supply into a 120V outlet and connect the barrel jack to the power port on the back of your small cell. The status LEDs should illuminate as the device boots up.
Step 6 - Status Check
Your small cell has four indicator LEDs on the front.
Note: When first booting up your device it may take several hours for the LTE LED to turn solid blue. This is due to the time it takes for the small cell to register with the SAS (Spectrum Access Server) and receive approval to transmit at its installed location. Some locations have restrictions due to prioritized users (such as the Navy). You can find out more here: https://support.google.com/sas/answer/9539490?hl=en&ref_topic=9455755
Step 7 - Radio Check
There are two different checks you can do to verify your radio is online and transmitting. The first is to use an unlocked phone with a FreedomFi/Helium SIM in it. FreedomFi has additional information on this test here: https://freedomfi.com/freedomfi-mobile-device-connection-guide/
The second is to log into your gateway's webpage. You can access this from a computer that is attached to the same network as your gateway using the following URLs:
FreedomFi Gateway: http://freedomfi-gateway.local/
Bobcat Bobber 500: bobber-gateway.local
Be sure to click on the “Radio Dashboard” tab to see the status of your MosoLabs small cell.
Either of these mechanisms will show you if your radio is up and running. Of course, you can also use your Helium App to check your status and MOBILE earnings.
If you need help or have any additional questions, please reach out to us at support@mosolabs.com