Choosing the proper location to install your Hub is an important step that will impact how efficiently your devices send information to the Agrimesh software. In other words, finding the right location for the Hub is critical to ensure getting the most out of the Agrimesh sytem. Here are a few guidelines to help find the best place for your Hub depending on the devices in place. The general idea is to have the clearest path possible between the Hub and the devices it communicates with.
emMesh connected devices
A typical installation for a room will use emMesh connected devices. In fact, all physical devices (every Agrimesh green box) are connected using the emMesh technology except for the emBreath and the emBreeze. For such an installation, the Hub should be in range of a few devices. Having more than one device communicate directly to the Hub makes for a safer network and will help sustain the service in case a device close to the Hub came to fail.
Seelow
Although the Seelow has a bigger range because it is on the emMesh network, the environment in which it has to operate restricts the maximum range quite significantly. In fact, the vast majority of the Seelow installations are surrounded by bins made of metal which is less than ideal for any kind of wireless communication. For best results, position the Hub close by a window that is aimed towards the Seelow. Limit physical walls or electrical interference as much as possible between the Hub and the Seelow.
For multiple bins, the communication between the closest bin to the Hub is often the most important. Since other Seelows do communicate through each other and there is usually very little or no interference higher up in the air, the signal is usually good between them.
After a new installation, you may want to go over your Seelow in the Agrimesh Console to make sure the link to the Hub is good.
emBreath and emBreeze
If your have or intend to have some emBreaths or emBreezes in your system, it should be kept in mind that those do not communicate on the emMesh network, meaning they cannot relay information from other devices. It also means they cannot use other devices to relay their information to the Hub.
In order for them to send information directly to the Hub, they should be within a 200 feet distance from one another. For bigger barns, one or more emRelay should be added as an intermediary, increasing the effective range.
Other concerns
There may be local factors to keep in mind. The Hub will need electricity and a wired Internet connection.
To sum up
- Do not place your Hub in an electrical room as those types of device will cause interference
- Position your Hub so that it has a clear sight of at least a few devices
- Metal or concrete walls and electrical fields will impair the communications
- emBreath and emBreeze communicate directly to the Hub and they should be within a distance of 200 feet
- emBreath and emBreeze further than 200 feet from the Hub should use an emRelay to pass on the signal to the Hub
