Things to Keep in Mind Before Getting Started
Performance Expectations: By aligning the high-gain directional antenna with precision, the SOCA system helps maximize the router’s performance. However, overall speed and reliability will still depend on the strength and quality of the cellular signal available at your location.
Component Placement: When choosing a location for the SOCA rotator, controller, and router, take cable lengths into consideration. The bundle includes a 50 ft Power/Comm cable to connect the SOCA rotator to the controller, and about 40 ft of coax cable segments to connect the XPOL panel antenna to the controller. A 3 ft coax jumper cable connects the controller to the router. Be sure to select locations that allow cables to comfortably reach their connection points without strain.
Step-by-Step Installation
Step 1: Set Up Teltonika RUTM50 5G Router
1.1) Use the SIM needle to open the SIM 1 tray and insert an active SIM card from your preferred carrier. It supports Mini SIM (2FF) size cards. If your carrier provides you with a Micro or Nano SIM card, use the included SIM card adapter.
NOTE:
A SIM card is not included in the bundle. They must be obtained from your desired cellular provider(s) with a data plan that meets your needs.
1.2) Attach two cellular antennas to the “Mobile” ports and two WiFi antennas to the “WiFi ports”. The outdoor mounted XPOL panel antenna will connect to the remaining two “Mobile” ports later.
5G/4G LTE Antennas
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WiFi Antennas
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1.3) Place the router where you want it to live, keeping in mind the cable lengths from the SOCA rotator and outdoor antenna. Plug the power supply to the router and wall outlet.
1.4) Connect a computer to the router via Ethernet or WiFi to finalize initial setup. Open your web browser and enter 192.168.1.1 to access the admin portal. The username is admin and the password can be found on the device label. Set a new admin portal password and follow the Setup Wizard to set up the router’s main operational parameters.
Suggestion:
Record your router's 2.4 GHz SSID and password, as well as your router's admin and password details, as they will be needed later.
Step 2: Mount SOCA Rotator
2.1) Keeping in mind that a 50 ft Power/Comm cable will need to be routed inside from the SOCA rotator to the controller, carefully choose the mounting location of the rotator. It can be mounted to a mounting pole or existing mast with a diameter of 1” to 2.25” to ensure a secure fit.
2.2) Use the v-bolt nuts to loosely attach the v-bolts with clamps to the rotator. Remove the clamps from the v-bolts if mounting to a pole with a diameter of 1.5” to 2.25”.
2.3) Slide the rotator down onto the mounting pole. It should sit one to two inches below the top of the mounting pole. Securely tighten the v-bolt nuts.
2.4) Attach the rotator pole by aligning the notch in the rotator pole with the tab on the rotator. Secure it with the rotator pole screws.
2.5) Connect the Power/Comm cable to the M12 connector located on the bottom of the rotator.
Step 3: Mount XPOL Panel Antenna & Install Lightning Surge Protector
3.1) Secure the XPOL panel antenna to the rotator pole using the provided antenna mounting hardware.
3.2 ) The antenna has two ports. Connect the 6 ft coax cable to one port, then attach the lightning surge protector, followed by the 30 ft coax cable.
Note:
Don't forget to ground the lighting surge protector using a solid copper grounding wire (sold separately).
3.3) For 2x2 MIMO functionality, connect the 40 ft coax cable to the second antenna port.
Step 4: Route Cables Indoors
4.1) Affix the antenna’s coax cable to the rotator pole by placing the cable clip just above the rotator pole screws.
4.2) Zip tie the coax and Power/Comm cables to the mounting pole for clean cable management. Make sure to leave some coax cable slack (about 6”) below the clip to accommodate 360° antenna rotation.
4.3) Run cables inside toward the controller and router. This could be done through gooseneck pipes, attic vents, server risers, conduits, or drilling a new entry hole if needed.
Tip:
We recommend adding a drip loop before the cables enter your building and weatherproofing all outdoor connections.
Step 5: Set Up SOCA Controller
5.1) Place the controller close to the router.
5.2) Connect the Power/Comm cable to the “ROTATOR” port and the coax cable with the lightning surge protector to the “ANTENNA IN” port.
5.3) Use the 3 ft cable to connect the controller to the router. Attach one end to the controller’s “CABLE OUT” port, and the other to one of the router’s “MOBILE” antenna ports. Connect the 40 ft cable to the remaining “MOBILE” port on the router. Ensure all cables are securely connected before proceeding.
5.4) Connect the power adapter to the “12V DC IN” port and plug it into a wall outlet. When the controller powers on, LED 1 will briefly flash yellow while performing a system check. Once LED 1 is solid yellow, proceed to the Cellular Path app to finalize SOCA setup and aim the antenna.
Step 6: Finalize SOCA System Setup Through App
6.1) Download the free Cellular Path app, available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
6.2) Open the app and create an account. Allow Cellular Path to find Bluetooth devices if permission pops up.
6.3) Assign a location to the system. This is especially useful for integrators, managed service providers, and multi-property owners managing multiple SOCA deployments. Once filled in, tap “Create Location”.
6.4) Use the drop-down menus to select the Cellular Path product and cellular router model you’ll be using. Confirm the router is installed and operational, meaning that it’s powered on, configured, and has an active SIM card. Tap “Continue”.
6.5) In the next two screens, confirm that the external hardware and internal hardware have been installed and continue. Don’t worry about downloading the install guides, as all external and internet hardware setup instructions have been covered in the previous steps.
6.6) For the initial setup, your device needs to connect to the controller via Bluetooth. Ensure the Bluetooth setting is toggled on and search for SOCA. Select your detected device. The app will generate a Bluetooth pin. Copy it, tap “Connect Now”, and paste it in the next screen when prompted. Select “Pair Now” and wait a few seconds while your device pairs with the controller. Once connected successfully, tap “Continue”.
6.7) Establishing a wireless connection between the SOCA and the Teltonika RUTM50 5G Router’s WiFi. Select the router's 2.4 GHz network and enter the WiFi password you created in step 1. When prompted, enter the router’s administrator credentials. This will allow the system to identify the SIM card(s) in use to read the cellular network for alignment optimization.
6.8) Verify the SOCA’s location by granting location access. When managing multiple SOCA deployments, this helps account users easily see where all devices are located from the web portal. It’s an extra layer of organization.
Name your SOCA system and tap “Save & Finish”. Allow Cellular Path to find devices on local networks when permission pops up. When provisioning is complete, you're ready to run a scan.
6.9) By default, the SOCA is programmed to perform a 12-point, 360° scan. If using a wide-beam directional antenna, you can adjust the number of scan positions before starting by tapping the gear icon. When ready, tap “Start Scan”.
During the scan, the antenna will rotate and measure signal strength and quality at each position. This process can take up to 10 minutes.
When complete, the SOCA will place the antenna in the best position identified, and the app will provide detailed RF metrics for every position. You can tap the dropdown arrow on each position and view RSRP, RSRQ, RSSI, and SINR readings at the band level for carriers in use.
If desired, you can change the antenna position by taping “Move Here”. The SOCA rotator will automatically reposition the antenna.
Once alignment is complete, your router will receive the best possible cell signal available for optimal performance.
Note:
For remote recalibration, scans can be initiated directly from the app or through the web portal. Simply select your system location and start a new scan. The SOCA controller must remain connected to the router’s WiFi network for remote recalibration to function properly.
