How LTE AP Management Works

You can power on the Ruckus LTE APs using an AC adapter (included in the box) or a PoE+ switch/injector. Plug an RJ-45 cable with reliable Internet connectivity into the AP. For more information on installation and setup, refer to the Quick Setup Guide included in the AP box and also available on Ruckus' support portal.

LTE APs are designed to seek an IP address from an external DHCP server on the LAN where the AP is plugged in. Manual IP configuration is not available for LTE APs.

After obtaining an IP address successfully, an LTE AP sends connection requests to the following services:

  1. Ruckus LTE AP Management (EMS)

  2. Network—Evolved Packet Core (EPC)

  3. Spectrum Allocation Service (SAS)

  4. Timing Source (Alternate timing source equipment, GPS or another AP with Timing information—Timing Master AP)

Note: IP connectivity to EMS, EPC, SAS and the timing source (PTP timing phase and frequency lock) is a must for an AP to provide LTE service. A disruption to any of these connections may lead to an LTE AP service outage.

You can configure an AP to complete the following actions:

  • Obtain its timing information from the GPS satellites and then assume the role of a Master PTP source for other APs in the network.

  • Assume a PTP slave role and obtain its timing information from another AP that is the designated Master (that is reachable by IP address) for that venue.

In the current release, each venue can have up to a maximum of 6 APs configured as the Timing Master source. The network configuration allows up to 32 APs to obtain their timing information (timing slaves) per Master AP. There can also be multiple APs with timing source set as GPS satellites.

For an AP to obtain timing via a GPS signal connection and/or function as a master timing source, place the AP such that it has direct line-of-sight with open sky or as close to the outside facing windows or doors as possible. Certain glass types prevent GPS synchronization despite line-of-sight. Use an external GPS source in such situations. Passive GPS antenna support only for Q710 & Q410 via the sma connector available. Q910 is an outdoor model and it does not have an external antenna connector.

After the timing information is obtained and the LTE AP is connected to EPC Network via S1 connection and has a valid grant from SAS to transmit LTE signal, it provides LTE service to all clients that are using valid SIM cards for this LTE network.