Connectivity

Follow the below steps to enhance mobile connectivity.

Plan for the Gateway

The ChargePoint Gateway is required for all CPF32 installations. It consists of a mobile modem for wide area networking and built-in Wi-FiClosed Wireless Fidelity for local communications to and from each CPF32 charging station. The Gateway should be located where mobile signal levels are optimal for 3G and must be located within a line-of-sight view of 45 m to as many as nine (9) CPF32 charging stations. Each CPF32 charging station has built-in Wi-FiClosed Wireless Fidelity capability to communicate via the Gateway for ChargePoint networking services.

The Gateway is a UL Class 2 equipment and requires less than four watts of power (33 mA@120 V or 19 mA@208 V). ChargePoint recommends hardwire electrical termination to the power source for the Gateway.

Refer to the datasheet, installation guide and mounting template for additional information. These are available at ChargePoint Product Reference Documentation.

Mobile Connectivity

The Gateway includes a 3G mobile modem (with 2G backup) for wide area networking. It supports these bands:

  • UMTS/HSPA/3G/WCDMA Band: 800/850/900/1900/2100 MHz.

  • 2G/GSM/GPRS Band: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz.

The Gateway should be located where mobile signal levels are optimal for 3G. A consistently strong mobile signal is required before station owners can activate the charging stations.

Do not rely on mobile phone applications to measure mobile signals when conducting site surveys. Use a mobile signal detection device (such as an Snyper-LTEClosed Long Term Evolution+ Spectrum (EU) by Siretta) to take signal strength readings at the exact proposed Gateway location. Take mobile readings at the exact location of each proposed Gateway location. Ensure the RSSI is -85 dBm or better, with -70 dBm or better preferred.

These numbers are all negative, so -70 dBm is excellent signal strength and -113 dBm is little to no signal.

For reference, RSSI Signal Strength ratings are shown here:

RSSI

Signal Strength

Greater than -70 dBm

Excellent

-70 dBm to -85 dBm

Acceptable

-86 dBm to -113 dBm

Contact mobile provider for repeater installation

If the signal strength is closer to -85 dBm, verify that the ECIO value is -10 or better.

If the RSSI signal is below -85 dBm, ChargePoint recommends contacting your telecommunication company to request a mobile repeater. If you have a provider for company mobile phones, consult them first. A 3G (or 4G that is backwards compatible to 3G and 2G) repeater can improve the mobile signal for the Gateway, as well as for employees and customers that are on that network in the area.

To future-proof your site, ChargePoint recommends measuring RSRP to ensure that the site is covered for future use of 4G/LTEClosed Long Term Evolution. An RSRP of -90 or better with an RSRQ of -10 or better ensures that any future equipment will also work at this location.

Consult your ChargePoint account manager for additional guidance. ChargePoint O&M partners can validate acceptable mobile signal strength at the site using a mobile strength reader.

Wi-Fi Connectivity

Wi-FiClosed Wireless Fidelity connectivity is used to allow the Gateway to communicate with each individual charging station. Each station must be within 30 m of a Gateway. Each station must also have a direct line-of- sight view of the Gateway. Wi-FiClosed Wireless Fidelity signal cannot pass easily through common obstructions such as:

  • Walls

  • Columns

  • Metal cabinets

Wi-FiClosed Wireless Fidelity signal can also be disrupted by electromagnetic interference (EMIClosed Electromagnetic Interference). This includes:

  • Other systems operating on 2.4 Ghz

  • Other wireless access points

Additionally, mounting the Gateway on the wall is preferred to ceiling mounting to provide the broadest coverage.