Setting up a multi-cell DECT (Poly or Yealink)

The DECT IP multi-cell system is used for connecting multiple DECT base stations to a VoIP PBX. It supports the roaming and handover feature, provides a wider DECT signal coverage, more handsets, and simultaneous calls than the single cell.

This article covers:

Poly

For Poly multi-cell DECT systems, visit their support site for setup guides.

Yealink

Note: This section explains how to set up the Yealink Multi-Cell DECT System and uses W80DM and W80B as the sample. You can also follow this article for the W90DM and W90B.

The following tables lists the certified Yealink base stations:

DeviceDescription

W80DM DECT Manager

At least one

W80B Base Stations

Up to 30 per DECT manager

Handsets (Mobile Devices)

Up to 100 per DECT manager

W90DM DECT Manager

At least one

W90B Base Stations

Up to 60 per DECT manager

Handsets (Mobile Devices)

Up to 250 per DECT manager

The W80DM connects with W80B (Base Station) only by the internal network, so it can always connect and sync to DM, regardless of the distance between the two. The connection between base and base is using the built-in DECT signal, so the handsets can roam and handover under the DECT signal coverage provided by bases.

Power on the W80B

Connect the power and the network using method a or method b.
a. AC Power Option
b. PoE (Power over Ethernet) Option

The following shows the LED status after the W80DM/W80B connects to the power and network:

Base mode optionRoleDECT LEDRole LEDLAN LED

1

Base

Off

Green

Green

2

DM

Off

Orange

Green

Obtain the IP address of W80DM and W80B

There are two ways to get the W80B’s IP address:

Option 1 (recommended): Yealink Discovery Tool

  1. Download and install the Yealink Discovery Tool.
  2. Open Yealink IP Discovery Tool.
  3. Enter the IP segment the W80DM or W80B Base are in. Follow this IP segment format example:
    192.168.[1, 3, 5-10].[2-10, 15-200].
  4. Click Scan to find the IP of W80B and the corresponding MAC address.

For example, to find out the W80Bs under 192.168.0.X, you can enter 192.168.0.[0-254] in the search field and click Scan. All W80Bs including DMs and bases will show up in the list, the you can find the matched IP address of MAC address.

Option 2: DHCP server

  1. Make sure the local network supports the DHCP option.
  2. Use an application or your system to find the W80B IP address.

Connect the W80B base station to W80DM

The entire registration process is divided into 2 phases: discovery and registration.

Make the W80DM discover the W80B

  1. Sign in to the web UI for the W80B base station.
  2. In the left-side navigation menu, click Status then Base Mode.
  3. In the DM IP field, enter in the IP address of W80DM to direct the base to the DM.

Register the W80B to the W80DM

  1. Sign in to the web UI for the W80DM.
  2. In the left-side navigation menu, click Base Station then Base Station Registration, and click the icon in the Operation column.
  3. Configure some related base configurations.
    The base will connect and sync to DM and upgrade the firmware compatible with DM. After the connection is successful, you can find the status is Active and synced in Base Station Settings.
  4. In the registered list, you can click Edit to change the base station settings.

If the base is active and synced, you can also find the status by viewing the DECT LED on the W80B:

Base mode optionRoleDECT LEDRole LEDLAN LED

1

Base

Green

Green

Green

2

DM

Green

Orange

Green

Register handsets on the W80 DM

There are 2 ways to register handsets.

Register handsets manually

  1. Sign in to the web UI for the W80DM.
  2. In the left-side navigation menu, click Handset & Account then Handset Registration.
  3. Click Add Handset.
  4. Click Start Register Handset to set the DM to the Registration Mode.
  5. On the handset, press OK > Settings > Registration > Register Handset.
  6. Select the desired base to register the handset.
    The default pin code for pairing is 0000. After registration succeeded, the handset will display Handset Subscribed.

Use Registration Center to register the handsets in a batch

  1. Sign in to the web UI for the W80DM.
  2. In the left-side navigation menu, click Handset & Account then Handset Registration.
  3. Click Add Handset.
  4. (Optional) Add the handset’s IPUI, and fill the SIP Account information to bind this account to the corresponding handset as soon as the handset registers to the W80DM.
  5. On the W56H/W53 handset, navigate to OK > Status > Handset > IPUI Code to check the IPUI.
  6. Go back to the web UI, click Handset & Account then Registration Center to register the handsets in a batch.

Note: Currently 1 SIP account can only assign to 1 handset, 1 handset can only have 1 SIP account.

Position the base station

Roaming and handover is the most important feature in a multi-cell DECT system. You should test the call quality when DECT signal switches between W80B bases. The handset has the Metering Mode to check the DECT signal strength at any locations that have the base stations nearby.

According to the metering data, you can position the W80B at the best location for signal coverage and synchronization.

Measure the signal strength of the W80B

  1. Register handset to base and use metering mode.
  2. Fix the base as to the preset position.
  3. Dial *1383201# or *1234203# on the handset.
  4. Navigate to Menu > Settings > Telephony > Metering Mode to enable the measuring mode.
  5. Now check the signal on the handset screen.
  6. While in the active call, the information will appear on the top of the screen. You can now check the audio quality and connectivity (if roaming and handover functionality is working properly between base to base).

Meter mode parameter details