MyWebTech Technical Notification #94 - VISTA Communicator Signal Strength - Dated 09/07/23

MyWebTech
Technical Notification #94

Technical Updates Directly
Technical Notification #094


9/7/23



Subject:
VISTA Communicator Signal Strength

Product:

VISTA Series Control Panels



September 7, 2023

Dear Valued Customers:

In order to reduce the potential of a communication
or reconnection failure, Resideo recommends the
installation have at least 2 signal quality bars [L
TE Sig Qual.] or higher. The signal quality can be
viewed on AlarmNet 360 (AN360)
https://services.alarmnet.com/AlarmNet360/

The below image provides an example of the AN360 LT
E Sig Qual. Display.


1. In the event an installation will not maintain a
constant LTE signal quality of 2 bars or higher,
Resideo recommends the following:
a.
Cell signal can possibly be improved by relocating
the device within the premise.
To
find a more suitable mounting location, power the d
evice on battery power and test for better
signal in other locations. This process can also be
helpful to determine if a remotely mounted
antenna can help. It is not recommended to use you
r cell phone to determine signal strength
at a proposed mounting location.
b.
Install an external antenna
. The antennas listed in Table 1 below are compatib
le with your
device, but the connecting adapters vary. Refer to
the communicator details in Table 2 to
confirm if the adapter will need to be ordered sepa
rately for your application. Adapter CELL-
EXT comes included with the antennas but does not f
it all communicators.
Table 1 – Antenna types and usage

Antenna Type
Description and usage
CELL-ANTHB
Blade antenna that mounts directly on th
e communicator.
CELL-ANTSMA Indoor antenna with a 10-foot fixed len
gth cable.
CELL3DB25KT
Weatherproof outdoor antenna
providing

the
greatest

boost in signal. This kit
includes a 25-foot coax cable and mounting bracket.

CELL3DB50KT
Weatherproof outdoor antenna
providing

the
greatest

boost in signal. This kit
includes a 50-foot coax cable and mounting bracket.



c.
Replace with a CAT-M communicator
.

(Refer to Table 2 listing the communicator details.
)
A CAT-M communicator has a different modem type com
pared to the others and connects to
an LTE network dedicated for IOT devices. A CAT-M
communicator will potentially connect to
a different cell tower, channel, or frequency band
that provides an improved signal.
d.
Try a communicator on the opposing carrier.
Try AT&T where Verizon has failed or
Verizon instead of AT&T. Be sure to confirm LTE cel
l coverage is available at the installation
site address for the selected carrier.

e.
Install a dual path communicator with connection to
both IP and Cellular.
Although this
option will not resolve persistent problems with a
cell connection, it does provide a more robust
communication solution with Internet as the primary
path and cellular as a backup. Technical Notification #094


9/7/23


Table 2 – Communicator details
Communicator
model
CAT
-
M

Communicator?

Dual
-
path
communicator?

Antenna adapter part number
LTE
-
XV/LTE
-
XA

No

No

CELL
-
EXT (included with the antennas)

LTE
-
IV/LTE
-
IA

No

Yes

CELL
-
EXT (included with the antennas)

LTEM
-
XV/LTEM
-
XA

Yes

No

CELL
-
EXT (included with the antennas)

LTEM
-
PV/LTEM
-
PA

Yes

Yes

ADPT
-
LTEMP (ordered
separately
)

LTEM
-
PIV/LTEM
-
PIA

Yes

Yes

ADPT
-
LTEMP (ordered
separately
)

LTEM
-
PXV/LTEM
-
PXA

Yes

Yes

ADPT
-
LTEMPX (ordered
separately
)


2. If an installation maintains good signal quality
, but continues to report cell communication
problems, check for the presence of localized femto
cells. These can interfere with the device
connection to the cell tower. Moving the device fu
rther away from the femtocell or use of an
outdoor mounted antenna may help.

Thank you for your continued support of Resideo pro
ducts. If the above options do not mitigate the
issue, please contact Resideo Technical support at
800-222-6525 for further assistance.
Sincerely,


Kevin Piel
Sr. Manager Product Marketing
Resideo Technologies, Inc.