Basic Antenna Definitions and Applications

Beamwidth
- Defined by 3dB power points on both vertical and horizontal planes.
- Usually affects the physical size of the antenna.
Gain
- Defined as the power output relative to an isotropic antenna (Gain 0dB or
Dipole antenna (Gain !.!dB.
Front-to-Back Ratio
- Defined as the a"ount of power in #ront direction relative to Bac$ direction.
- Usually appro%i"ately !0-!&dB.
Polarization
- 'lectro"a(netic wave consists of both an ' #ield and ) #ield.
- *olarisation usually refers to the direction of the 'lectric field relative to the
intended direction of use for the antenna.
Downtilt
- Downtilt is re+uired to focus "a%.power where si(nal is desired (,overa(e.
- Downtilt is re+uired to prevent interference to other covera(e areas (-nterference.
Downtilt For Coverage
.ite / .ite B
#i(ure 0. 1ero Downtilt between two nei(hbourin( sites.
.ite / 2ain Bea"
.ite B 2ain Bea"
.ite / .ite B
Desi(n ,ell Boundary
usin( Bore .i(ht.
#i(ure !. Downtilt when usin( 3#U and ,ell Boundary defined by Bore .i(ht.


.ite / -3dB *oint
.ite B -3dB *oint
.ite / .ite B
Desi(n ,ell Boundary
usin( -3dB *oint.
#i(ure 3. Downtilt when usin( .3#U and ,ell Boundary defined by -3dB point.
Determination of Mechanical Downtilt
4he followin( (uideline can be used in deter"inin( the initial downtilt to be applied for a site in the
Desi(n phase. ,alculation of the an(le to the ,ell Boundary should be based on basic tri(ono"etry
theory.
5et d be the 4otal Downtilt re+uired as per the Desi(n.
5et " be the 4otal 2echanical downtilt re+uired.
5et e be the 'lectrical Downtilt of the antenna.
5et -3dB be the an(le to the upper -3dB point.
5et h be the antenna hei(ht.
5et d be the distance to the ,ell Boundary.

h
d

d
h 6 )ei(ht
d 6 Distance
#i(ure 7 ,alculation of 3e+uired 2echanical Downtilt.
Desi(n ,ell Boundary should be located at an(le d (iven by8
d 6 tan
-0
(h/d
#or an initial Desi(n the -3dB an(le should be the ,ell Boundary and hence the 4otal 2echanical
Downtilt re+uired is (iven by
" 6 d - e 9 -3dB
Downtilt for nterference
#irst Upper 5obe
2ain bea"
#irst :ull
/ntenna ;ertical
*attern
#i(ure &. 1ero Downtilt between 4wo :ei(hbourin( sites.
#irst Upper 5obe
2ain bea"
#irst :ull
/ntenna ;ertical
*attern
#i(ure <. -"ple"entin( 2a%i"u" Downtilt for -nterference.
#irst Upper 5obe
2ain bea"
#irst :ull
/ntenna ;ertical
*attern
#i(ure =. >ver -"ple"entin( Downtilt.
F!rther Considerations
4he (eneral (uidelines above consider only the ideal situation with flat terrain and no obstructions. -t
is the responsibility of the 3# Desi(n 'n(ineer to consider all other e%ternal factors prior to selectin(
an opti"al desi(n downtilt.

>ri(inal Desi(n Boundary
3evised Boundary -
3evised Boundary --
#i(ure ?. Downtilts deter"ination needs to consider natural and uneven terrain for"ations