Antenna Configuration Guidelines PDF

Ericssonwide Internal
INSTRUCTION 1 (16)
Prepared (also subject responsible if other) No.
KI/ERA/SRB/X Hans Erneborg 1/153 12-CRH 102 19/1 Uen

Approved Checked Date Rev Reference
ERA/FRG/KC Björn Karlsson erabhel 2001-10-17 B
Revision history
Rev Date Description
A 2001-08-31 First release
B 2001-10-xx GSM800 included
Antenna Configuration Guidelines

Guidelines for mounting and separation of base station antennas
for GSM800, GSM900, GSM1800 and GSM1900 and UMTS
Contents
1 Introduction 2
2 General 2
3 Isolation 2
3.1 General 2
3.2 Separation Requirements 3
3.2.1 Directional Antennas, Horizontal Separation 3
3.2.2 Directional Antennas, Vertical Separation 5
3.2.3 Directional Antennas, Combined Vertical/Horizontal Separation 6
3.2.4 Omni Antennas, Horizontal Separation 7
3.2.5 Omni Antennas, Vertical Separation 8
3.2.6 Omni Antennas, Combined Vertical/Horizontal Separation 9
4 Diversity 10
4.1 Brief description of diversity 10
4.2 Methods for Diversity 10
4.3 Guidelines for Polarization Diversity 10
4.4 Guidelines for Space Diversity, Omni and Directional Antennas 11
4.4.1 General 11
4.4.2 Diversity Separation and Antenna Height 11
4.4.3 Horizontal Separation for Space Diversity 12
4.4.4 Vertical Separation for Space Diversity 12
5 Nearby obstacles 12
5.1 Definition 12
5.2 Roof Mounting 12
6 Wall mounted antennas 14
INSTRUCTION 2 (16)

1 Introduction
This document describes requirements on mounting of antennas in order to
achieve specified isolation values as well as separation values for Space
diversity.
The document is an update of Antenna Configuration Guidelines for GSM

systems, LV/R-97:029 Rev B 1997-08-19. The UMTS band is included. The
values given for GSM in this document is still valid.
2 General
There is a range of parameters that have to be considered in an antenna
installation. This document does not include considerations like,
height above ground level,
clearance to avoid shadowing effects from surrounding buildings
other radio propagation criteria
etc.
A key parameter in an antenna installation is the isolation between antennas.

By maintaining a certain isolation value, Intermodulation, blocking, etc, can be
kept under control. Isolation must be specified within a system as well as
between systems. Co-siting with old and new systems must be considered.
Isolation is defined as the attenuation of a signal applied on one antenna

connector and measured on any other antenna connector. It can be
discussed if the losses in the feeder cables should be included in the
measurement. That should be correct in case it is only the RBS Tx power and
Rx sensitivity to consider. As many systems use active parts (Tower Mounted
Amplifiers) close to antennas, it is safer to exclude the feeder loss and see
that as an extra margin. It is also so that the feeder loss varies from site to
site and in some cases can be very low.
Space diversity has been replaced by Polarization diversity in many

applications. The information on required separation for Space diversity is still
in the document. At least it will be needed for sites with omni directional
antennas.
3 Isolation
3.1 General
The required isolation value is 30 dB. It is valid for GSM800, GSM900,

GSM1800 and GSM1900 using RBSs within the RBS2000 family and for
UMTS using RBS3000. The same value is needed also between systems like:
GSM800 and GSM1900

GSM900 and GSM1800
GSM900 and GSM1900
GSM900 and UMTS
GSM1800 and UMTS
INSTRUCTION 3 (16)


A value lower than 30 dB can only be accepted for pure Rx antennas.
The required isolation value must then be converted to a separation distance.

The resulted distance depends on frequency, antenna type and type of
mounting. In general, higher frequency requires less spacing (wavelength
dependence). Omni antennas and directional antennas with a wide horizontal
beam width require more spacing compared with narrow beams. Mounting
positions is important. In general, vertically separated antennas provide a
higher isolation for a comparable horizontal spacing. Slant mounting gives
higher isolation than horizontal separation.
It can be noted that the gain of the antennas has only a small impact. That
due to the fact that for 30 dB, the antenna separation is small compared to the
wavelength and by that the antenna interaction is in the near field.
3.2 Separation Requirements
3.2.1 Directional Antennas, Horizontal Separation
Figure 3.1: Horizontal Separation
Requirements: Tx - Tx and Tx - Rx: 30 dB
Horizontal separation: See Table 3.1 below

INSTRUCTION 4 (16)

Table 3.1 Horizontal separation (d in Figure 3.1, centre-to-centre)
Horizontal beam- GSM800/GSM900 GSM1800/ GSM800/GSM900 +

width (deg./-3 dB) GSM1900/UMTS GSM1800/
GSM1900/UMTS
65±10 0.4 m 0.2 m 0.3 m
90±10 1.0 m 0.5 m 0.5 m
105±10 1.5 m 0.7 m 0.7 m
120±10 2.0 m 1.0 m 1.0 m
180±10 5.0 m 2.5 m 2.5 m
The antenna gain has no noticeable influence compared with the radiation in
the 90 degrees direction if the antennas are on the same frontline. That
means that an antenna with a broader beam requires more distance, due to
the fact that the broad-beam antenna has more power radiating in the 90
degrees direction, compared to an antenna with a narrower beam.
Directional antennas on different cells need less separation distance. 20 mm

is enough if the antenna direction deviate 90° or more and the beam width is
90° or less. See Figure 3.2
INSTRUCTION 5 (16)


Figure 3.2: Antennas on different cells
Table 3.1 above is also valid if the antennas are installed as shown in figure
3.3 below.
Figure 3.3: Mounting axis not perpendicular to the main beam direction
3.2.2 Directional Antennas, Vertical Separation
Figure 3.4: Vertical separation
The following is valid for GSM800/GSM900, GSM1800/GSM1900/UMTS MHz

and co-located GSM800/GSM900 + GSM1800/GSM1900/UMTS.

INSTRUCTION 6 (16)


Pre-condition: No influence from tower structure in the forward direction of
the antennas.
Vertical separation: Tx - Tx and Tx - Rx: Minimum 0.2 m (k in figure 3.4)
Additional information. The 30 dB isolation will be achieved for a lower

value than 0.2 m, but for practical reasons the 0.2 m is used. This value is
valid for all types of directional antennas.
3.2.3 Directional Antennas, Combined Vertical/Horizontal Separation
The following is valid for GSM800/GSM900, GSM1800/GSM1900/UMTS and

co-located GSM800/GSM900+GSM1800/GSM1900/UMTS.
Combined separation: Vertical direction: minimum 0.5 m, Horizontal

direction: no limitation.
Additional information: The combined vertical/horizontal separation is

common in systems with two receiver antennas for diversity, if the Rx
antennas are horizontally separated. The required 30 dB isolation will be
achieved if 0.5 m vertical separation, k, is maintained, irrespective of
horizontal separation, d, and irrespective of horizontal and vertical beam-
width. See Figure 3.5.
INSTRUCTION 7 (16)

Figure 3.5: Combined vertical/horizontal separation
3.2.4 Omni Antennas, Horizontal Separation
Figure 3.6: Horizontal separation

INSTRUCTION 8 (16)


Horizontal separation: See Table 3.2 below
Table 3.2 Horizontal separation (d in figure)
Omni antenna GSM800/ GSM1800/ GSM800/GSM900

Gain dBi GSM900 GSM1900/UMTS +
GSM1800/
GSM1900/UMTS
<10 3.0 m 1.5 m 1.0 m
>10 5.0 m 2.5 m 1.0 m
The horizontal distance between a Tx antenna and an Rx antenna or between

two Tx antennas is dependent on the gain of the antennas. The horizontal
separation distance is considerably higher compared to vertical separation, as
the antennas are in the main radiation fields.
3.2.5 Omni Antennas, Vertical Separation
Figure 3.7: Vertical separation

co-located GSM800/GSM900 + GSM1800/GSM1900/UMTS.

INSTRUCTION 9 (16)


Pre-condition: No influence from tower structure in the forward direction of
the antennas.
Vertical separation: Tx - Tx and Tx - Rx: Minimum 0.2 m (k in figure 3.7)
Additional information. Antennas on the same axis with a separation of 0.2

m will actually have more than 40 dB isolation but 0.2 m is a practical
separation to use. This value is valid for all types of omni directional
antennas, as the near-field radiation in the vertical direction is not dependent
on the gain of the antenna.
3.2.6 Omni Antennas, Combined Vertical/Horizontal Separation
Figure 3.8: Combined Vertical/Horizontal separation

co-located GSM800/GSM900+ GSM1800 or GSM1900 or UMTS.
Combined separation: Vertical direction: minimum 0.5 m, Horizontal

direction: no limitation.
Additional information: The combined vertical/horizontal separation is

common in systems with two receiver antennas for diversity, if the Rx
antennas are horizontally separated. The required 30 dB isolation will be
achieved if 0.5 m vertical separation, k, is maintained, irrespective of
horizontal separation, d, and irrespective of horizontal and vertical beam-
width. See Figure 3.8 above.
INSTRUCTION 10 (16)

4 Diversity
4.1 Brief description of diversity
When diversity for reception is used, the radio signal is received by two
separate antenna arrays within a dual polarized antenna or by two separate
antennas as with space diversity. The output signal from the antennas
normally varies strongly due to fading, but since they have different
polarization or they are separated in space, the variations are not fully
correlated.
When space diversity is used the antennas must be positioned at a certain

minimum distance from each other to give the expected diversity gain. The
diversity gain increases with distance, but the extra gain by exceeding the
recommended values is marginal and for practical reasons the distance is
usually limited. Receiving antennas are usually mounted at the same height
above the ground (horizontal separation). Vertical separation can however be
used, but normally requires a larger separation for the same diversity effect.
Sometimes horizontal and vertical separation is combined.
The height of the antennas above the ground also has an influence on the
signal correlation. The higher above ground the antennas are located, the
longer apart they must be positioned to obtain required space diversity gain.
Polarization diversity already offers a low correlation and the influence of the
antenna height is small.
4.2 Methods for Diversity
The two methods for up-link diversity are:

1. Polarization diversity
2. Space diversity
Polarization diversity is achieved by using two Rx antennas with orthogonal

polarization that gives the wanted un-correlation of the Rx signals. There are
two main antenna designs for dual polarization, slant +-45 degree polarization
and Horizontal/Vertical polarization. The first type, +-45, is today the
dominating type.
Polarization diversity has more or less been overtaking Space diversity today.
4.3 Guidelines for Polarization Diversity
No guidelines are required for mounting of antennas based on Polarization

diversity as long as recommended antenna types are used. The isolation
requirement must of course be fulfilled.
INSTRUCTION 11 (16)


4.4 Guidelines for Space Diversity, Omni and Directional Antennas
4.4.1 General
Guidelines for Space diversity are provided in case of Polarization diversity is

not acceptable. Space diversity is also used on sites with omni directional
antennas as no (real) omnis exists with two polarisations. So-called quasi-
omni with two polarisations is a construction based on four directional
antennas within a common radome. It is not recommended due to its size and
weight.
Situations may occur where the operator prefers space diversity on sector
sites instead of polarization diversity or for sites with Omni directional
antennas. To obtain the required space diversity gain the receiving antennas
in a diversity pair must be positioned at a sufficiently large distance from each
other. In determining this distance the antenna height above the ground must
be considered.
4.4.2 Diversity Separation and Antenna Height
The relationship between the desirable diversity separation and the antenna
height is shown in the figure below:
Figure 4.1: Diversity separation and antenna height
The calculated distance shall be used together with the conditions in the next
paragraph. (If Space diversity is used for UMTS, use the 1800/1900 MHz
value.)
INSTRUCTION 12 (16)


4.4.3 Horizontal Separation for Space Diversity
The horizontal separation between the antennas shall be as stated in Table

4.1 below:
Table 4.1 Horizontal separation for space diversity
Frequency band Minimum Recommended

separation separation
GSM800/GSM900 4m 6m
GSM1800/ 2m 3m
GSM1900/UMTS
To avoid practical difficulties and excessive costs, the diversity separation

may be limited, but a greater distance gives a slightly higher diversity gain
and may be used where practical.
4.4.4 Vertical Separation for Space Diversity
Diversity improvement is also achieved by vertical separation of the antennas.

For the same improvement as for the horizontal separation, the vertical
separation should be approximately 5 times the horizontal value. This is valid
for medium and large cells. For small cells in built up areas, a lower value can
be acceptable, in extreme cases down to the same value as for horizontal
separation. In other words, 4-6 m (GSM800/GSM900) or 2-3 m
(GSM1800/GSM1900/UMTS) vertical separation can be sufficient for very
small cells.
5 Nearby obstacles
5.1 Definition
“Nearby obstacles” are defined in this document as reflecting or shadowing

materials that can obstruct the beam in a negative way. Only obstacles within
30 m distance are considered, in reality the building if the antennas are to be
installed on the roof of a building. Obstacles further away, e.g. surrounding
buildings close to the base station, can also act as reflecting or shadowing
obstacles but are not considered in this document.
5.2 Roof Mounting
The dominating obstacle is the roof itself. It is possible that the antenna beam
will be distorted, if the antenna is too close to the roof. In other words, the
antenna must be installed at a minimum height above the roof or other
obstacles, see Figure 5.1 below.
INSTRUCTION 13 (16)

Figure 5.1: Height of antenna above roof
A practical planning rule is to keep the first Fresnel zone free. For
GSM800/GSM900 the minimum recommended height above the roof is given
by Table 5.1. For GSM1800/GSM1900/UMTS the minimum height is given by
Table 5.1. These values are valid irrespective of antenna tilt.
Table 5.1: Height of antenna above roof
Frequency Distance (d) to Height (h) above

obstacle edge roof (obstacle)
0-1 m 0.5 m (Note)
1-10 m 2m
GSM800/GSM900
10-30 m 3m
>30m 3.5 m
0-2 m 0.5 m (Note)

GSM1800/
2-10 m 1 m (Note)
GSM1900/UMTS
>10 m 2m
Note: If possible, use 2 m as the minimum height if there is a risk that people
can walk close to the antenna.
INSTRUCTION 14 (16)

6 Wall mounted antennas

Directional antennas can be installed on a wall, if considerations are taken
with respect to the direction of the antennas. The ideal forward direction is
when the antenna is perpendicular to the wall. See Figure 6.1. If the front-to-
back ratio of the antenna is good, say better than 20 dB for the ”45° backward
direction, there is a low risk for distortion of the beam due to reflections.
Figure 6.1: Ideal direction (perpendicular to the wall)
It is also important that the cell sector is free. A safety margin of 15° should
also be added on both sides of the sector borderlines. If this sector, ” 75° for a
standard 120° cell, is free and if the horizontal beam width is 105° or less,
relative to the -3 dB-points, there is no risk for shadowing effects and beam
distortion due to reflections.
INSTRUCTION 15 (16)

Figure 6.2: Accepted deviation
For most of the wall-mounted applications, the forward direction deviates from
the perpendicular direction. The maximum acceptable deviation is 15° for a
standard 120° cell. See Figure 6.2. If the antenna is close to a corner of the
wall and if the antenna is mounted at a certain distance from the wall, then
more than 15° can be acceptable as long as the cell sector including the
safety margin is free from the wall. See Figure 6.3.
INSTRUCTION 16 (16)

Figure 6.3: Antenna close to corner

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Ericssonwide Internal

KI/ERA/SRB/X Hans Erneborg 1/153 12-CRH 102 19/1 Uen

ERA/FRG/KC Björn Karlsson erabhel 2001-10-17 B