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Dipole
F0 (MHz) 30 (Meters) 10.0 3.75 1.87 1.07 0.65 0.38 0.31 0.18 0.15 (Inches) 393.6 147.6 73.8 42.2 25.7 14.8 12.3 6.95 5.9
F0
Source: COMSEARCH
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL ANDREW CORPORATION 3/06
dBc
Effect Of VSWR
Good VSWR is only one component of an efficient antenna.
VSWR 1.00 1.10 1.20 1.30 1.40 1.50 2.00 Return Loss (dB) 26.4 20.8 17.7 15.6 14.0 9.5 Transmission Loss (dB) 0.00 0.01 0.04 0.08 0.12 0.18 0.51 Power Power Reflected (%) Trans. (%) 0.0 0.2 0.8 1.7 2.8 4.0 11.1 100.0 99.8 99.2 98.3 97.2 96.0 88.9
Vertical arrangement of properly phased dipoles allows control of radiation patterns at the horizon as well as above and below the horizon. The more dipoles that are stacked vertically, the flatter the vertical pattern is and the higher the antenna coverage or gain is in the general direction of the horizon.
Single Dipole
Stacking 4 dipoles vertically in line changes the pattern shape (squashes the doughnut) and increases the gain over single dipole. The peak of the horizontal or vertical pattern measures the gain.
The little lobes, illustrated in the lower section, are secondary minor lobes.
Gain
What is it?
Antenna gain is a comparison of the power/field characteristics of a device under test (DUT) to a specified gain standard.
Why is it useful?
Gain can be associated with coverage distance and/or obstacle penetration (buildings, foliage, etc).
How is it measured?
It is measured using data collected from antenna range testing. The reference gain standard must always be specified.
0 dBd
60
-3 dB
+3 dBd
30
-3 dB
+3 dBd
180
-3 dB
+6 dBd
15
-3 dB
+6 dBd
90
-3 dB
7.5
+9 dBd
-3 dB
+9 dBd
45
-3 dB
Antenna Gain
Gain (dBi) = Directivity (dBi) Losses (dB) Losses: Conductor Dielectric Impedance Polarization
Dipole
Patch
Dipoles
Single Dipole
Crossed Dipole
ASP705K
DB589
(and most Sector Arrays)
Series Feed
Corporate Feed
Disadvantages
+2 +1 0 +1 +2 450 455
BEAMTILT
Feed Networks
Cable Microstrip feed line, corporate feeds
Dielectric substrate Air substrate
Air substrate
Metal strip spaced above a groundplane Minimal solder or welded joints Laser cut or punched Air substrate cause minimal loss (~0.1 dB/m at 2 GHz)
932DG65T2E-M
Pattern Simulation
Main Lobe
What is it?
The main lobe is the radiation pattern lobe that contains the majority portion of radiated energy.
Why is it useful?
Shaping of the pattern allows the contained coverage necessary for interference-limited system designs.
How is it measured?
The main lobe is characterized using a number of the measurements which will follow.
Half-Power Beamwidth
Horizontal/Vertical
What is it?
The angular span between the half-power (-3 dB) points measured on the cut of the antennas main lobe radiation pattern.
Why is it useful?
It allows system designers to choose the optimum characteristics for coverage vs. interference requirements.
How is it measured?
It is measured using data collected from antenna range testing.
Front-To-Back Ratio
What is it?
The ratio in dB of the maximum directivity of an antenna to its directivity in a specified rearward direction. Note that on a dual-polarized antenna, it is the sum of co-pol and cross-pol patterns.
Why is it useful?
It characterizes unwanted interference on the backside of the main lobe. The larger the number, the better!
How is it measured?
It is measured using data collected from antenna range testing. F/B Ratio @ 180 degrees F/B Ratio @ 180 degrees 0 dB 25 dB = 25 dB 0 dB 25 dB = 25 dB
Each data sheet shows specific performance. In general, traditional dipole and patch elements will yield 2328 dB while the Directed Dipole style elements will yield 3540 dB.
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL ANDREW CORPORATION 3/06
Sidelobe Level
What is it?
Sidelobe level is a measure of a particular sidelobe or angular group of sidelobes with respect to the main lobe.
Why is it useful?
Sidelobe level or pattern shaping allows the minor lobe energy to be tailored to the antennas intended use. See Null Fill and Upper Sidelobe Suppression.
How is it measured?
It is always measured with respect to the main lobe in dB.
Null Filling
What is it?
Null filling is an array optimization technique that reduces the null between the lower lobes in the elevation plane.
Why is it useful?
For arrays with a narrow vertical beamwidth (less than 12), null filling significantly improves signal intensity in all coverage targets below the horizon.
How is it measured?
Null fill is easiest explained as the relative dB difference between the peak of the main beam and the depth of the 1st lower null.
Null Filling
Important For Antennas With Narrow Elevation Beamwidths
Transmit Power = 1 W Base Station Antenna Height = 40 m Base Station Antenna Gain = 16 dBd Elevation Beamwidth = 6.5
Distance (km)
Why is it useful?
For arrays with a narrow vertical beamwidth (less than 12), USLS can significantly reduce interference due to multi-path or when the antenna is mechanically downtilted.
How is it measured?
USLS is the relative dB difference between the peak of the main beam peak of the first upper sidelobe.
Orthogonality
What is it?
The ability of an antenna to discriminate between two waves whose polarization difference is 90 degrees.
Why is it useful?
Orthogonal arrays within a single antenna allow for polarization diversity. (As opposed to spacial diversity.)
How is it measured?
The difference between the co-polar pattern and the cross-polar pattern, usually measured in the boresight (the direction of the main signal).
XPol = 20 log ( tan ()) = 0, XPol = - dB = 5, XPol = -21 dB =10, XPol = -15 dB =15, XPol = -11 dB =20, XPol = -9 dB =30, XPol = -5 dB = 40, XPol =-1.5 dB =45, XPol = 0 dB
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL ANDREW CORPORATION 3/06
120
0 -5 -10 -15 -20 -25 -30 -35 -40
Why is it useful?
It is a measure of the ability of a cross-pol array to distinguish between orthogonal waves. The better the CPR, the better the performance of polarization diversity.
Typical
Co-Polarization
How is it measured?
It is measured using data collected from antenna range testing and compares the two plots in dB over the specified angular range. Note: in the rear hemisphere, cross-pol becomes co-pol and vice versa.
120
0 -5 -10 -15 -20 -25 -30 -35 -40
Directed Dipole
120 120
Why is it useful?
For optimum diversity performance, the beams should track as closely as possible. -45 Array +45 Array
How is it measured?
It is measured using data collected from antenna range testing and compares the two plots in dB over the specified angular range.
Beam Squint
What is it?
The amount of pointing error of a given beam referenced to mechanical boresite.
Horizontal Boresight Squint Squint -3 dB /2 +3 dB
Why is it useful?
The beam squint can affect the sector coverage if it is not at mechanical boresite. It can also affect the performance of the polarization diversity style antennas if the two arrays do not have similar patterns.
How is it measured?
It is measured using data collected from antenna range testing.
120 120
Why is it useful?
It is a percentage that allows comparison of various antennas. The better the SPR, the better the interference performance of the system.
How is it measured?
It is mathematically derived from the measured range data.
Desired
300
Undesired
Undesired
60 60
P P
X 100
Desired
300
Roll off at -/+ 60 -10 dB points Horizontal Ant/Ant Isolation Next Sector Ant/Ant Isolation Cone of Silence
-6 dB
74 74
83 83
-16 dB
-12 dB
-35 dB
-18 dB
The Impact
Lower Co-Channel Interference/Better Capacity And Quality
In a three sector site, traditional antennas produce a high degree of imperfect power control or sector overlap. Imperfect sectorization presents opportunities for: Increased softer hand-offs Interfering signals Dropped calls Reduced capacity The rapid roll-off of the lower lobes of the Andrew Directed Dipole antennas create larger, better defined cones of silence behind the array. Much smaller softer hand-off area Dramatic call quality improvement 5%10% capacity enhancement
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL ANDREW CORPORATION 3/06
Qualitatively, excessive overlay also reduces capacity of TDMA and GSM systems.
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 2
1 1 2 1 1 2 2 3 2
1 1 3 2 1 3 3 2 3
Ratings: 1 = Always important 2 = Sometimes important 3 = Seldom important
Squint Rolloff past the 3 dB points Front-to-back ratio Cross-pol beam tracking Elevation Beam Beam tracking vs. frequency Upper sidelobe suppression Lower null fill Cross-pol beam tracking
1 2 1 1 2
1 2 2 2 1
3 3 3 3 1
Ratings: 1 = Always important 2 = Sometimes important 3 = Seldom important
System Issues
Choosing sector antennas Downtiltelectrical vs. mechanical RET optimization Passive intermodulation (PIM) Return loss through coax Pattern distortion Antenna isolation
3 x 120 Antennas
120 Horizontal Overlay Pattern
57
3 dB
Examples
VPol, Low Band DB874H120 DB878H120
3 x 90 Antennas
90 Horizontal Overlay Pattern
43
Examples
XPol VPol Low Band DB854DG90 DB842H90 DB856DG90 DB844H90 DB858DG90 DB848G90 High Band DB932DG90 DB948G85 UMWD-09014B DB950G85 UMWD-09016 DB980F90 DB982F90
5 dB
3 x 65 Antennas
65 Horizontal Overlay Pattern
24
Examples
XPol VPol Low Band DB854DG65 DB842H65 DB856DG65 DB844H65 DB858DG65 DB848H65 CTSDG-066513 CTSDG-066515 CTSDG-066516
6 dB
High Band UMWD-06513 PCS-06509 UMWDP-06516 PCS-06512 UMWD-06517 PCS-06514 DB982F65 PCS-06515
Beam Downtilt
In urban areas, service and frequency utilization are frequently improved by directing maximum radiation power at an area below the horizon. This technique . . . Improves coverage of open areas close to the base station. Allows more effective penetration of nearby buildings, particular high-traffic lower levels and garages. Permits the use of adjacent frequencies in the same general region.
Electrical/Mechanical Downtilt
Mechanical downtilt lowers main beam, raises back lobe. Electrical downtilt lowers main beam and lowers back lobe. A combination of equal electrical and mechanical downtilts lowers main beam and brings back lobe onto the horizon!
Mechanical
Electrical
Correct bracket calibration assumes a plumb mounting pipe! Check antenna with a digital level.
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL ANDREW CORPORATION 3/06
Mechanical Downtilt
Pattern AnalogyRotating A Disk
Mechanical tilt causes . . . Beam peak to tilt below horizon Back lobe to tilt above horizon At 90, no tilt
Elevation Pattern
Azimuth Pattern
Mechanical Tilt 0 4 6 8 10
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL ANDREW CORPORATION 3/06
0 Mechanical Downtilt
Quiz What is the vertical beamwidth of a 4-element array?
85
7 Mechanical Downtilt
93
15 Mechanical Downtilt
123
20 Mechanical Downtilt
Horizontal 3 dB Bandwidth Undefined
W av e Fron t
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL ANDREW CORPORATION 3/06
Electrical Downtilt
Pattern AnalogyForming A Cone Out Of A Disk
Electrical tilt causes . . . Beam peak to tilt below horizon Back lobe to tilt above horizon At 90, tilt below horizon All the pattern tilts
Azimuth Pattern 0 4 6 8 10
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL ANDREW CORPORATION 3/06
340 330 320 310 300 290 280 270 260 250 240 230 220 210 200
350
10
340 330 320 310 300 290 280 270 260 250 240 230 220 210 200
350
10
190
180
170
190
180
170
160
Local PC
ATMS ATC200-LITE
Portable Controller
Local PC
ANMS
Remote Locations Network Server
ATC200-1000
Rack Mount Controller
Intermod Interference
Where?
F1 Tx F1 Rx F3
RECEIVER-PRODUCED
F3 Tx F1 Rx F3
F2
F2
TRANSMITTER-PRODUCED
Tx F2
Tx F2
F1 Tx1 F2 Tx2 F3
ELSEWHERE
Rx F3 Tx1 Tx2
F1 F2 C O M B DUP Rx3
F3
RF PATH-PRODUCED
PCS A-Band
Product Frequencies, Two-Signal IM
FIM = nF1 mF2 Example: F1 = 1945 MHz; F2 = 1930 MHz
n
1 2 1 2 3 2
m
1 1 2 2 2 3
Product Order
Second Third Third Fourth Fifth Fifth
Product Formulae
1F1 + 1F2 1F1 1F2 2F1 + 1F2 *2F1 1F2 2F2 + 1F1 *2F2 1F1 2F1 + 2F2 2F1 2F2 3F1 + 2F2 *3F1 2F2 3F2 + 2F1 *3F2 2F1
Two-Signal IM
Odd-Order Difference Products
Example: F1 = 1945 MHz; F2 = 1930 MHz F = F1 - F2 = 15 F2 1930 F F F2 F 2F F2 2F F F1 + F 2F F1 + 2F F1 1945
5th
3rd
F2
F1
3rd
5th
Third Order: F1 + F; F2 - F Fifth Order: F1 + 2F; F2 - 2F Seventh Order:: F1 + 3F; F2 - 3F Higher than the highest lower than the lowest none in-between
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL ANDREW CORPORATION 3/06
PCS Duplexed IM
Band
A
Tx Frequency
19301945
Rx Frequency
18501865
Any Rx Band
=3*Tx(low)-2*Tx(high)=1900
19501965
18701885
11th
7th
=6*Tx(low)-5*Tx(high)=1875
=4*Tx(low)-3*Tx(high)=1905
19751990
18951910
11th
11th
=6*Tx(low)-5*Tx(high)=1900
=6*Tx(low)-5*Tx(high)=1900
A Band IM
11th 1855 9th 1870 7th 1885 5th 1900 3rd 1915 1930 1945
1850
1870
1890
1910
1930
1950
1970
1990
Unlicensed 20 MHz
1860
1880
1900
1920
1940
1960
1980
Channel Bandwidth Block (MHz) Frequencies C 30 18951910, 19751990 C1 15 1902.51910, 1982.51990 C2 15 18951902.5, 19751982.5 C3 10 18951900, 19751980 C4 10 19001905, 19801985 C5 10 19051910, 19851990
A & F Band IM
3rd 1895 1935 1975
1850
1870
1890
1910
1930
1950
1970
1990
Unlicensed 20 MHz
1860
1880
1900
1920
1940
1960
1980
Channel Bandwidth Block (MHz) Frequencies C 30 18951910, 19751990 C1 15 1902.51910, 1982.51990 C2 15 18951902.5, 1975-1982.5 C3 10 18951900, 19751980 C4 10 19001905, 19801985 C5 10 19051910, 19851990
Causes Of IMD
Current disruption:
- Loosely contacting surfaces - Non-conductive oxide layers between contact surfaces
850.00 Max. VSWR 1.33 1.07 1.29 1.07 1.29 1.07 1.11 1.07 1.07 1.07 1.29 1.07 Cable Type / Cable Cable Return Component Length (m) Length (ft) Loss (dB) Loss 16.98 LDF5-50A LDF4-50A LDF4-50A 29.42 2 1.22 4.00 17.95 0.20 29.42 2 1.22 4.00 17.95 0.20 29.42 2.00 1.22 4.00 LDF5-50A 25.66 1 53.34 175.00 29.42 2 1.22 4.00 29.42 0.20 29.42 2.00 1.22 4.00 17.95 0.20 LDF4-50A 29.42 2.00 1.83 6.00 Estimated System Reflection: Estimated System VSWR: Estimated System Return Loss (dB): Maximum System Reflection: Maximum System VSWR: Maximum System Return Loss (dB): Total Insertion Loss (dB):
Return Loss to VSWR converter
Version 1.8 05-Oct-04 Insertion Loss (dB) 0.08 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.12 0.1068 1.24 19.4 0.1904 1.47 14.4 2.21
Feet to meters converter
System Component Antenna or Load Top Jumper Tower Mounted Amp TMA Jumper Top Diplexer Diplexer Jumper Main Feed Line Surge Jumper Surge Suppressor Diplexer/Duplexer Jumper Bottom Diplexer/Duplexer Bottom Jumper
Reflections at input 0.0852 0.0207 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0507 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0338
1 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 1
1 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 1
Jumper Cable Types: FSJ4-50B FSJ4-50B 1/2 inch Low Density Foam LDF4-50A LDF4-50A
Main Feedline Cable Types: LDF5-50A 1 1/4 inch Low Density Foam LDF6-50 1 5/8 inch Low Density Foam LDF7-50A 7/8 inch Flexible Feeder Foam VXL5-50 1 1/4 inch Flexible Feeder Foam VXL6-50 1 5/8 inch Flexible Feeder Foam VXL7-50
7/8 inch Low Density Foam 7/8 inch Andrew Virtual Air 1 5/8 inch Andrew Virtual Air
No
AVA5-50 AVA7-50
VSWR 1.0829
feet 4.00
meters 1.22
Pattern Distortions
Conductive (metallic) obstruction in the path of transmit and/or receive antennas may distort antenna radiation patterns in a way that causes systems coverage problems and degradation of communications services. A few basic precautions will prevent pattern distortions.
Pattern Distortions
Side Of Building Mountisng
Building
30
105
60 880 MHz
270
90
240
Antenna
150
300
60
270
90
0
3'
-10 dB Point
240
120
Antenna
Building Corner
210 180
150
300
60
270
90
0
' 3
-6 dB Point
240
120
Antenna
Building Corner
210 180
150
300
60
270
90
-3 dB Point
' 3
Building Corner
240
Antenna
90 Horizontal Pattern
No Obstacle
0 330 300
+15 +10 +5 0 -5 -10
30 880 MHz
60
270
90
240
Antenna
150
90 Horizontal Pattern
0.51 Diameter Obstacle @ 0
0 330 300 30
60
880 MHz
270
90
0 12
240
Antenna
150
90 Horizontal Pattern
0.51 Diameter Obstacle @ 45
0 330 300 30
60
880 MHz
270
90
45 8
240
Antenna
150
90 Horizontal Pattern
0.51 Diameter Obstacle @ 60
0 330 300 30
60
880 MHz
270
90
60 6
240
Antenna
150
90 Horizontal Pattern
0.51 Diameter Obstacle @ 80
0 330 300 30
60
880 MHz
270
90 80 3
240
Antenna
150
General Rule
Area That Needs To Be Free Of Obstructions (> 0.51)
Maximum Gain
> 12 WL
3 dB Point (45)
8 W L
6 dB Point (60)
>
W >6
WL
> 3 WL
60
50
Isolation in dB
40
z MH 00 20
z MH 0 85
z MH 0 45
z MH 0 16
z MH 5
z MH 0
30
20
10
1 (.) 03 (30.48)
2 (0.61)
3 (0.91)
5 (1.52)
10 (3.05)
20 (.) 61
30 (9.14)
50 (15.24)
100
The values indicated by these curves are approximate because of coupling which exists between the antenna and transmission line. Curves are based on the use of half-wave dipole antennas. The curves will also provide acceptable results for gain type antennas. If values (1) the spacing is measured between the physical center of the tower antennas and it (2) one antenna is mounted directly above the other, with no horizontal offset collinear). No correction factor is required for the antenna gains.
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL ANDREW CORPORATION 3/06
70
Isolation in dB
60
z MH 00 20 Hz 50 M 8 z MH 450
z MH 150 Hz 70 M Hz 50 M z H 30 M
50
40
30
20
10 (3.05) (304.8)
20 (.) 61
30 (9.14)
50 (15.24)
100 (30.48)
200 (60.96)
300 (91.44)
500 (152.4)
1000
Curves are based on the use of half-wave dipole antennas. The curves will also provide acceptable results for gain type antennas if (1) the indicated isolation is reduced by the sum of the antenna gains and (2) the spacing between the gain antennas is at least 50 ft. (15.24 m) (approximately the far field).
Pattern Distortions
d D d = D x tan tan 1 = 0.01745 for 0 < < 10 : tan = x tan 1 tan = Note: tan 10 = 0.1763 10 x 0.01745 = 0.1745
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL ANDREW CORPORATION 3/06
Relative to Maximum Gain
-3dB point below boresight. -6dB point 1.35 x below boresight. -10 dB point 1.7x below boresight.
FIBERGLASS PANEL
DIM A
Horizontal Aperture
DIM A
70
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
10
11
12
90
60 300
0 330 30
102
60
300
270
-55 -50 -45 -40 -35 -30 -25 -20
90
270
-55 -50 -45 -40 -35 -30 -25 -20
90
240
120
240
120
210
150 0 330 30
210
150
180
180
No Fiberglass
300
68
60
3" to Fiberglass
270
-50 -45 -40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15
90
240
120
210
150
180
1.5" to Fiberglass
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL ANDREW CORPORATION 3/06
77
60 300
0 330 30
112
60
300
270
-50 -45 -40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15
90
270
-50 -45 -40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15
90
240
120
240
120
210
150
210
150
180
180 0 330 30
4" to Fiberglass
300
108
60
6" to Fiberglass
270
-50 -45 -40 -35 -30 -25 -20 -15
90
240
120
210
150
180
9" to Fiberglass
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL ANDREW CORPORATION 3/06