iCOMPEL Wi-Fi Module

Adds 802.11a/b/g/n wireless capabilities to an iCOMPEL™ player.

Great for areas where wired signage connections aren’t possible.

Also use for redundant wired/wireless links to screens.

802.11n provides the bandwidth to transport HD media more reliably.

Simple to configure, manage using tab in iCOMPEL graphical user interface.

Easy to integrate into an existing WLAN’s access point infrastructure.

Includes wireless card and dual-band antennas (installed by Black Box only).

64-, 128-, and 152-bit WEP encryption and 802.1x authentication.

Looking at setting up digital signage in areas not easily reached by conventional network cabling?

Or are you simply seeking a way to back up wired player links to ensure continuous signage uptime?

Then go wireless by adding this iCOMPEL Wi-Fi Module to a new or an existing iCOMPEL player*.

With Wi-Fi capabilities enabled, you can distribute bandwidth-intensive iCOMPEL content to players in applications where wired LAN connections aren’t possible or practical. It can also save you the cost and time of having to build out your existing wired LAN network to reach screens.

Typical deployment.
If you’re like most customers, you will likely connect a standard (non-Wi-Fi-enabled) iCOMPEL publisher to a wireless network switch in a server room or wiring closet and then use an existing WLAN’s access points to communicate with Wi-Fi-enabled iCOMPEL subscribers at the network edge.

But to establish redundancy, you’ll want to use both wired network and wireless connections from your iCOMPEL publisher(s) to your iCOMPEL subscriber(s).

For reliable transmission of data-heavy multimedia files, the module uses an 802.11a/b/g/n chipset with its 802.11n dipole antennas receiving signals in the 5-GHz band.

Ideal applications:
• Signage in historic buildings where cables would be unsightly.
• Temporary signage deployments (in lobbies or seasonal rooms).
• Buildings with ornate marble, brick, or similarly finished surfaces.
• Always-on signage applications where redundancy is a must-have.
• Retail end-cap displays or islands not easily reached by cabling.
• Any display application where cable runs would create a hazard.
• Trade show or conference hall signage (including rental and staging setups).
• Any signage that needs to be rapidly deployed without disrupting nearby operations.

Easy to configure and manage.
Tabs in the iCOMPEL software interface enable you to configure your Wi-Fi network security settings and easily integrate the unit into existing WLAN and/or wired LAN networks.

Using the iCOMPEL GUI, you can:
• See visible networks and which ones you’re currently subscribing to, as well as enable or disable wired or wireless networks.
• Assign priority to networks, choosing the wired network, for instance, as the preferred path while using Wi-Fi as its backup.
• Choose either DHCP or static IP settings for your wireless networks.
• Under the Test tab, test for network connectivity (using ping, trace route, and DNS lookup tests).
• If your DHCP server supports DNS host name entries, assign unique names to iCOMPEL units.
• Set network security for WPA-PSK or WEP protocols.
• Discover access point IP addresses.

Also, you can see your wireless Ethernet settings, SSID, and what bit rate you’re getting, which is very important for signage communications. You can see if the rate is acceptable for communicating back to your wired network and if it’s sufficient enough for signage content extension.

Similarly important, the iCOMPEL user interface shows you signal strength. WLAN access points may operate on different frequencies, and you can identify if signal problems are occurring when transferring data between the access points.

* Module can be ordered factory-installed in a new iCOMPEL player or as a retrofit for an existing iCOMPEL player. For information on the latter option, please contact Tech Support or your Digital Signage Success Manager.