CBRS Configuration Guide

This document describes the following steps:

The Tarana CBRS Base Node (BN) and Remote Node (RN) require installation by a CPI (Certified Professional Installer) as defined in Section 96.39 and 96.45 of FCC part 96 requirements. The RN is classified as a Category B CBSD (Citizen Broadband Radio Device), which requires the following information be recorded and uploaded as part of the installation process per section 96.45.

In order to operate a CBRS network, the following steps must be performed within TCS:

If it doesn’t already exist, a user account must be created in TCS for each CPI. For CBRS installations, the CPI should edit their user profile in TCS to include their CPI-ID and upload their CPI certificate and CPI certificate password. The CPI certificate is a .p12 file.

Figure 1: Editing a TCS user profile

Figure 2: Configure a TCS user as a CPI

Note: Take care that you enter the CPI-ID number in the CPI-ID field and not the CPI certificate number. For example, note the similarities between a Google .p12 file name and the related CPI-ID:

GOOG-000365_2295819 (name of .p12 file)

GOOG-000365 (CPI-ID)

Important: When installing a CPI certificate in TCS under a CPI user, the first and last name associated with the user account must match the name the certificate is assigned to. Only then can the same CPI user and certificate can be re-used under a different operator using the same credentials. At no time can the same CPI ID and certificate be associated with different user names for different operators.

Selection of a SAS is mandatory for CBRS operation. The FCC OR-ID and SAS fields must be configured for CBRS installations within TCS before BN or RN installation. These parameters are part of the operator profile under Network Configuration. Edit the Operator page with the correct ID and SAS.

Figure 3: Configure Operator Parameters for CBRS

Note: The FCC OR-ID is assigned to customers by the Spectrum Access System provider.

The following steps enumerate CBRS-specific instructions for a BN installation:

For complete and the most up to date BN installation manual, including CBRS-specific instructions, see https://www.taranawireless.com/bn_manual.

During the initial configuration, access the BN’s web UI from the out of band management port using the default IP address and login information:

Step 2. Click on Installation Parameters.

Figure 5: Installation Parameters button

Step 3. Verify the latitude, longitude, and tilt (received from the GPS unit on the BN) and the height and azimuth. The height should be measured above ground level (AGL) in meters.

Figure 6: BN-specific installation parameters

Step 4. Enter your CPI-ID and click Confirm.

Note: Check that the number entered is your CPI-ID and not your CPI certificate number.

Figure 7: Enter CPI ID in the installation parameters

From the BN’s Device page in TCS, click on the CBRS button in the green device summary card.

Figure 8: BN device page summary card with CBRS button

This will open a CBRS summary page. Here, you can verify that the BN has been assigned spectrum. In the example below, the dark green indicates that the spectrum has been granted and authorized by the SAS and the time until the grant expires is noted. Light green would indicate that the spectrum had been granted but not authorized. 

Note: If spectrum has not been authorized, the radios will be muted until the SAS provides authorization. If the grant never changes to authorized, contact your SAS for more information about why the grant has not been authorized.

Figure 9: CBRS summary page showing an authorized spectrum grant

Note: Assigned frequencies and maximum EIRP are determined by the SAS. For more information about why certain values are assigned, contact your SAS.

The following steps enumerate CBRS-specific instructions for an RN installation:

For complete and the most up to date RN installation manual, including CBRS-specific instructions, see https://www.taranawireless.com/rn_manual.

After physically installing the RN on site, access the RN’s web UI using the default IP address and login information:

Step 1. Under Setup, carefully verify and enter the geography and orientation parameters described below.

For CBRS RNs, all five of these parameters are required.

Note: The latitude, longitude, and azimuth can manually be entered here or from the RN’s Device page in TCS, but the tilt and height can only be configured from the RN’s web UI.

Figure 10: RN web UI with installation parameters

After Submit Changes is clicked an Installation Parameters pop-up will appear. Verify the installation parameters are correct, then enter your CPI ID and click Confirm.

Note: Check that the number entered is your CPI-ID and not your CPI certificate number.

Figure 11: CPI ID installation parameter

Note: For CBRS units, the GPS coordinates, tilt, height (AGL), and azimuth must be configured and verified by a CPI upon installation. Until this is done, the RN will be connected to the BN in restricted mode and will not pass data or be visible in TCS.

From the RN’s Device page in TCS, click on the CBRS button in the green device summary card.

Figure 12: RN device summary card with CBRS button

This will open a CBRS summary page. Here, you can verify that the BN has been assigned spectrum. In the example below, the dark green indicates that the spectrum has been granted and authorized by the SAS and the time until the grant expires is noted. Light green would indicate that the spectrum had been granted but not authorized. 

Note: If spectrum has not been authorized, the radios will be muted until the SAS provides authorization. If the grant never changes to authorized, contact your SAS for more information about why the grant has not been authorized.

Figure 13: CBRS summary page showing an authorized spectrum grant

Note: Assigned frequencies and maximum EIRP are determined by the SAS. For more information about why certain values are assigned, contact your SAS.