RECEIVER MULTICOUPLER

-Lab #4

Vijith Rakubala (N01085928)

Ontario Graduate Certificate

Humber College

Department of applied technology

North Humber

March 2015

Supervised by: Dr Carl Hassanali

Vijith Rakubala 2015

Receiver Multicoupler

Declaration of Originality

I confirm that the report I am giving in is totally my own work. All the reading sources and
other sources used in this project have been clearly identified acknowledged and Harvard
referenced.

I am sure that my report does not break the Humber college laws on plagiarism. I am aware
of any allegation of plagiarism is endorsed via an Academic Misconduct Hearing, then I may
not get any credit for this module or a stiff penalty may be accepted.

Title: Receiver Multicoupler

Number of Pages: 23

Signature: ……………………… Date: 03/09/2015

Author: Mr Vijith Rakubala

Supervisor: Dr Carl Hassanali

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Acknowledgement

I am highly indebted to Dr Carl Hassanali for his guidance and constant supervision as well as
for providing necessary information regarding all the labs & also for their support in
completing the report.

I would like to express my gratitude towards my parents & member of Humber College for
their kind co-operation and encouragement which help me in completion of this project.

My thanks and appreciations also go to my colleagues Mr Sanjay Kandappan and Mr

Sukhvinder Singh in developing the Labs and people who have willingly helped me out with
their abilities.

Vijith Rakubala

2015

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Receiver Multicoupler

Abstract

In cellular telecommunication, all the calls are being forwards through the base station
hence, it is necessary for all the telecommunication system students to study about the
architecture of a cellular base station (BS). Engineers are expected to know about the losses
in the transmission line and the Device under test (DUT) as well.
In this experiment, all the losses through a cellular Receiver multicoupler has been analysed
while ignoring the losses in the transmission line

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Receiver Multicoupler

Table of Contents
Declaration of Originality ............................................................................................................ i
Acknowledgement ..................................................................................................................... ii
Abstract ..................................................................................................................................... iii
List of Figures ............................................................................................................................ iv
List of Tables .............................................................................................................................. v
List of Equations ......................................................................................................................... v
Chapter 1: Introduction ............................................................................................................. 1
1.1: Aim .................................................................................................................................. 1
1.2: Theory ............................................................................................................................. 1
1.2.1: Insertion Loss ........................................................................................................... 1
1.2.2: Return loss ............................................................................................................... 1
1.2.3: Isolation ................................................................................................................... 2
1.2.4: Receiver Multicoupler.............................................................................................. 2
Chapter 2: Experiment ............................................................................................................... 3
2.1: Material and setup .......................................................................................................... 3
2.2: Procedure........................................................................................................................ 3
2.2.1: Calibration ................................................................................................................ 3
2.2.2: Insertion loss measurement .................................................................................... 4
2.2.3: Return loss measurement........................................................................................ 4
2.2.4: Isolation measurement ............................................................................................ 4
Chapter 3: Results and Analysis ................................................................................................. 5
3.1: Insertion loss results ....................................................................................................... 5
3.2: Return loss results........................................................................................................... 6
3.3: Isolation results ............................................................................................................... 7
Chapter 4: Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 8
Chapter 5: Reference ............................................................................................................... 10
Chapter 6: Appendix ................................................................................................................ 10
6.1: Base Station architecture.............................................................................................. 10
6.2: Scattering parameters .................................................................................................. 11
6.3: Laboratory Schedule ..................................................................................................... 12
6.4: Lab manual .................................................................................................................... 13

List of Figures

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Figure 1: Insertion loss ............................................................................................................... 1

Figure 2: Return loss .................................................................................................................. 1
Figure 3: Cellular Base Station Schematics ................................................................................ 2
Figure 4: Receiver Multicoupler in real environment ................................................................ 2
Figure 5: Receiver Multicoupler Inner look ............................................................................... 2
Figure 6: Calibration for insertion loss ....................................................................................... 3
Figure 7: Insertion loss measurement ....................................................................................... 4
Figure 8: Graph of Insertion loss ................................................................................................ 5
Figure 9: Graph of return loss .................................................................................................... 6
Figure 10: Graph of Isolation ..................................................................................................... 7
Figure 11: Conclusion, All in one................................................................................................ 8
Figure 12: Conclusion, All in one 2 ............................................................................................. 9
Figure 13: Base station architecture ........................................................................................ 10

List of Tables
Table 1: Insertion loss results .................................................................................................... 5
Table 2: Return loss results ........................................................................................................ 6
Table 3: Isolation results ............................................................................................................ 7
Table 4: Conclusion, All in one ................................................................................................... 8

List of Equations
Equation 1: Insertion Loss .......................................................................................................... 1
Equation 2: Return Loss ............................................................................................................. 1

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Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1: Aim

Aim of this experiment is to examine the Insertion loss, Return loss and the isolation loss at
the Receiver Multicoupler.

1.2: Theory

In the cellular Telecommunication system experiments, there are four specific losses to be
measured based. Those are insertion loss, input return, output return and Isolation
1.2.1: Insertion Loss

Insertion loss is generally expresses in telecommunication world as the loss in the signal
power from the insertion of Device under test (DUT). Insertion loss simply known as the
power ratio and represented in Decibels. (Wikipedia, 2015)
If the power transmitted to the DUT before insertion is Pinput and the power transmitted by
the DUT after insertion is Pout, then the insertion loss in dB is given by
Equation 1: Insertion Loss

𝐼𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐿𝑜𝑠𝑠 = 10 log(𝑃𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 ⁄𝑃𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 )

P
Pin
in Pout
DUT

Figure 1: Insertion loss

1.2.2: Return loss

Return power is also known as reflection power. This is normally happen in

telecommunication systems because of impedance mismatch at the load or DUT. It is usually
expressed as a ratio in decibels (dB). (Wikipedia, 2015)
If the power transmitted to the DUT is Ptransmitted and the power reflected from the DUT is
Pref, then the return loss in dB is given by
Equation 2: Return Loss

𝑅𝑒𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠 = 10 log(𝑃𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑚𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑑 ⁄𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑓 )

Pin
DUT

Pref
Figure 2: Return loss

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1.2.3: Isolation

Isolation is generally known as preventing the interference between two devices. Isolation
can be measured by the same technique as insertion loss. In this case we measure the loss
between two adjacent ports.

1.2.4: Receiver Multicoupler

The receiver Multicoupler is one of the main component in Cellular telecommunication

system. This is part of the circuitry in base station. The function of receiver is to take the
signal from duplexer and divide the frequency to separate receivers.
Figure: 3 shows the location of Receiver Multicoupler in the base station system. (Hassanali,
2011). Figure: 4 and 5 shows the actual Receiver Multicoupler from the practical
environment.

Figure 3: Cellular Base Station Schematics

Figure 5: Receiver Multicoupler Inner look Figure 4: Receiver Multicoupler in real environment

In brief The Receiver multi coupler consists of Band pass filter, RF amplifier, and Attenuator
and power divider. Band pass filter filters out the unwanted signals and allows the given
range signals to pass through. RF amplifier amplifies the voice signals and the power divider
separate the frequencies based on power levels.

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Chapter 2: Experiment

2.1: Material and setup

 HP/Agilent network analyser

 Cellular receiver multicoupler
 12V DC power Supply
 Power supply leads
 Coaxial cables
 RF adapters

2.2: Procedure

Experiment details are already given in the lab manual which is attached in Appendix 6.5.
Following are the brief of the procedure

2.2.1: Calibration

Calibration of the equipment are very important in all RF experiments. By the process of
calibration we are ignoring the losses in the equipment such as coax cables, BNC connectors,
and barrel connectors. This calibration has to follow through some procedures.
Initially the frequency range has to be set. In this case it is 800 MHz to 900MHz (Generally
the range of FM signals). Following to
that depending on the measurement
the measurement parameters has to
be set. In this experiment it is S11 or
S22 (Appendix B). These are called
scattering parameters. For insertion
loss S12 or S21 can be used and for
return lost S11 or S22. Finally connect
the coax cables and do the calibration.
Figure 6 shows the calibration set up
for Insertion loss.
The cables are connected through n
type barallel connector for calibration Figure 6: Calibration for insertion loss

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2.2.2: Insertion loss measurement

First stage of this experiment is to measure the insertion loss of receiver multicoupler.
Figure 7 shows the set up that has been done for the experiment. After the calibration of
coaxial cable and the BNC connector as described in section 2.2.1, the network analyser is
set to measure insertion loss at S21. Then one coax cable connected to the antenna /
duplexer port. Second cable is connected at the power receiving port. Power of 10V is
connected for the amplification purpose and the insertion loss from the receiver
multicoupler is taken. In order to make the experiment easier the display scales has been
set to deliver 0 dB reference at the middle of the screen. The markers are set at 824 MHz,
835 MHz, 849 MHz, 869 MHz and 894 MHz

Figure 7: Insertion loss measurement

2.2.3: Return loss measurement

Second stage of this experiment is to measure the return loss of the receiver multicoupler.
This is done in the same way as insertion loss measurement but is case S11 scattering
parameter is used and only one cable is connected to the antenna port or the receiving port.
The measurement has been taken.

2.2.4: Isolation measurement

Final stage of this experiment is to measure the isolation. This is done in the same way as
previous measurements. In this case scattering parameter S21 is used. Coax cables are
connected in between two revering ports.

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Chapter 3: Results and Analysis

3.1: Insertion loss results

Table 1 was obtained according to the description of the insertion loss measurement. Figure
8n shows the graphical representation of the data. It can be clearly seen that the insertion
loos is higher between 825 MHz and 852 MHz. Chapter 1 describes the theory of Insertion
loss. Higher the insertion loss High efficient transmission occurs. From this graphical
representation we can conclude that the high efficient pass band range for the band pass
filter is 825 MHz to 852 MHz

Frequency (MHz) Insertion loss (dB)

824 -50
835 -9
849 -4
869 -80
894 -80

Table 1: Insertion loss results

Insertion loss
0
820 830 840 850 860 870 880 890 900
-10
-20
Insertion Loss (dB)

-30
-40
-50
-60
-70
-80
-90
Frequency (MHz)

Figure 8: Graph of Insertion loss

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3.2: Return loss results

Table 2 contains the result for the return loss measurement. Figure 9 shows the graphical
representation of the obtained data. From chapter one is clear that lower the return loss
Higher the successful transmission, in other words small portion of the signals are returning
back. This graph also shows that with the range of 825 MHz and 852 MHz the loss is
significantly low.

Frequency (MHz) Return loss (dB)

824 -1.3
835 -11.9
849 -15
869 -1.34
894 -1.1
Table 2: Return loss results

Return loss
0
820 830 840 850 860 870 880 890 900
-2

-4
Return Loss (dB)

-6

-8

-10

-12

-14

-16
Frequency (MHz)

Figure 9: Graph of return loss

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3.3: Isolation results

Table 3 and Figure 10 describes the data obtained from the isolation measurement. Both
results shows lower values. From Chapter one lower the isolation loss lower the
interference. This is fairly same in all range of frequency as per the result

Frequency (MHz) Isolation (dB)

824 -32.1
835 -32.9
849 -33
869 -36
894 -47
Table 3: Isolation results

Isolation
0
-5 820 830 840 850 860 870 880 890 900

-10
-15
Isolation (dB)

-20
-25
-30
-35
-40
-45
-50
Frequency (dB)

Figure 10: Graph of Isolation

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Chapter 4: Conclusion

All the results from the three stages of this experiment are given in Table 4. Figure 11 and
12 shows the graphical representation of all the data in one graph. The highlighted area in
Figure 13 shows the pass band of receiver multicoupler. Insertion loss in that range of
835MHz to 850MHz is close to zero. This scenario gives a bigger picture that the most of the
power is transmitted through the device under test (Receiver Multicoupler). This figure also
shows the return n loss. The return loss is in varies between -11dB to -16dB in the pass
band range. Lower return loss means that lower power is getting reflected back towards the
transmitter. The insertion loss is remain same throughout the range at -33dB. This means
that there are less interference between adjacent ports or I other words it can be ignored
To conclude, we can say that the receiver multicoupler pass band is between 825 MHz and
852 MHz. Also this is the suitable frequency range that the device is functioning high
efficiently with higher insertion loos and lower return loss

Frequency (MHz) Insertion Loss (dB) Return Loss (dB) Isolation (dB)
824 -50 -1.3 -32.1
835 -9 -11.9 -32.9
849 -4 -15 -33
869 -80 -1.34 -36
894 -80 -1.1 -47
Table 4: Conclusion, All in one

Figure 11: Conclusion, All in one

Insertion loss & Retuen Loss

0
-10 820 830 840 850 860 870 880 890 900
-20
-30
Loss (Db)

-40
-50
-60
-70
-80
-90
Frequency (MHz)

Insertion Loss (Db) Return Loss (Db)

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Insertion loss, Retuen Loss & Isolation

0
820 830 840 850 860 870 880 890 900
-10

-20

-30
Loss (Db)

-40

-50

-60

-70

-80

-90
Frequency (MHz)

Insertion Loss (Db) Return Loss (Db) Isolation (Db)

Figure 12: Conclusion, All in one 2

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Chapter 5: Reference
(n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.sigcon.com/Pubs/news/6_03.htm.
Hassanali, C. (2011). LAB #4 – RECEIVER MULTICOUPLER. Etobicoke: Humber Institute of
Technology & Advanced Learning.
Wikipedia. (2015, February 6). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insertion_loss
Wikipedia. (2015, february 7). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Return_loss

Chapter 6: Appendix

6.1: Base Station architecture

Base Station

Duplexer

Rx Multicoupler TX Combiner

Receiver

Transmitter
Figure 13: Base station architecture

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6.2: Scattering parameters

(https://www.sigcon.com/Pubs/news/6_03.htm, n.d.)

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6.3: Laboratory Schedule

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6.4: Lab manual

(Hassanali, 2011)

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