White Paper

Technical Keys to Successful

Network Modernization:
Weight and Wind Load
Ensure you achieve your modernization goals
by focusing on key areas
Philip Sorrells, Dale Heath, Chris Stockman, Lou Meyer

www.commscope.com
Contents

Introduction 3
Four technical keys 3
Weight and wind load 4
Antennas consideration 5
Fiber connectivity 6
Structural support 6

A quick history lesson 7

Why structural support is so important 7
Top structural support considerations 8
The evolution of the structural mount 9
Alternative architecture approaches and considerations 9
Conclusion 10

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Introduction
Wireless tower structure, architecture and equipment configuration have gone through an
evolution in recent decades. Throughout this evolution, a major concern has been weight and
wind load. It’s a particularly urgent concern today for several reasons.

As wireless services continue to soar, providers are deploying more and more base station
antennas, fiber connections and other equipment in order to meet the growing demand. The
result is towers, support structures and mounts being pushed to the limits of their load capacity.
That makes it especially important for wireless service providers and tower owners to understand
the impact each antenna, connection, mount and piece of equipment has on the overall tower
weight.

In addition, antennas, connections, mounts and equipment add load to the towers not only
due to their mass, but also in the form of additional dynamic loading caused by the wind.
Depending on the aerodynamic efficiency of the overall tower, the increased wind load can be
significant.

So how do weight and wind load factors impact the modernization of your network? What is
the connection to performance, safety and other factors? Most importantly, will your antenna,
connections, structural support and tower design choices impact your bottom line?

Four technical keys

It’s a lot to think about. But one practical way to approach network modernization is to take a
holistic approach and try and look at the “big picture.” Look at upgrading your network from
the point of view of a puzzle with several key pieces. These are rather large pieces of the
puzzle that are technical in nature, yet crucial to the overall success of the effort. These mission-
critical technical keys include:

• Fiber technology in FTTA solutions

• Ultraband antennas

• Weight and wind load

• Passive intermodulation (PIM)

Each of these topics is a complex discussion that warrants its own white paper. Therefore,
CommScope has created a Technical Keys to Successful Modernization series of white papers
that explore each area. This document, where we’ll explore weight and wind load in greater
detail, is the third in the series.

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Weight and wind load

kg

Why is it important to focus on weight and wind load for a wireless tower? There are many
major areas where weight and wind play a key role. These include:

• Performance

• Revenue

• Expenses (more weight and space on the tower increases leasing costs)

• Safety

When you think about it, it’s easy to see how weight and wind can impact the performance
of a wireless system on a tower. Improperly designed, configured or installed equipment on a
tower—or even choosing the wrong mount—can cause misalignments and even total failure.
Drawing a direct line from those kinds of impacts to revenue is easy.

In terms of expenses, in many cases, the cost of leasing tower space is based largely on how
much loading a base station antenna adds to the tower structure. That’s why wireless operators
often use wind load data presented by base station antenna manufacturers when deciding on
which antennas to deploy. Therefore, it is important for operators and tower owners to fully
understand how wind load data is calculated so fair comparisons can be made between
various antennas.

Safety must always be paramount to operators as well. As networks become larger and
more complex, overweighted towers or configurations that present wind resistance can cause
equipment to loosen or mounts to fail, which can represent a danger to residents nearby. The
safety of maintenance crews must always be taken into consideration, since overloaded towers
or those with little concern for weight and wind load can present a danger to even veteran
crew climbers.

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kg
Figure 1: Adding more antennas to support
multiple technologies creates a multiplier effect on
weight and wind load
Figure 2: A single UltraBand antenna is
designed for multiple technologies which
reduces weight and wind load
Now that we know why, in general, it’s important to consider weight and wind load, let’s look
at four factors that touch upon nearly all these areas:
Antennas Fiber Structural Alternative
connectivity supports architecture
approaches
Antennas consideration
Deploying more and more antennas in order to meet growing demand only results in antenna
towers and support structures being pushed to the limits of their load capacity. As you look at
modernizing your network, it is important to understand the impact your antenna choice has on
the overall tower load.
Frontal wind loading and overall weight are important factors. Performance factors aside,
antennas with better frontal loading design and lesser weight will decrease overall tower
weight and wind load issues.
Base station antennas add load to the towers not only due to their mass, but also in the form of
additional dynamic loading caused by the wind. Depending on the aerodynamic efficiency of
the antenna, the increased wind load can be significant. Additionally, there are other location-
specific factors to consider when calculating antenna wind load. These include geographic
location, tower height, tower or building structure, surrounding terrain, and shielding effects
from other mounted antennas.
This is one of the major advantages of ultra-wideband antenna technology. This more versatile
technology enables wireless operators to install one antenna where multiples were previously
needed. For example, CommScope’s Argus® UltraBand™ antenna system is capable of
supporting the four major air-interface standards in almost any wireless frequency range.
Operators can reduce the number of antennas in their networks, which not only lowers tower
weight and wind load risks, but may decrease leasing costs while increasing speed to market
capability.
Antennas are continuing to evolve to offer as many as eight connectors in the same space
and weight. Engineers have figured out how to fit the same RF performance into the same size
package and form factor. This is a huge benefit to tower operators, and can also reduce the
possibility of having to deal with rezoning issues and the time and money caused by having to
issue new zoning permits.
Ultimately, the challenge of weight and wind load must be addressed by assessing site towers
from a total system standpoint, in contrast to a narrower component perspective. When
assessed in this more holistic way, adding more antennas is the least advantageous approach.
From a technical perspective, the impact of adding individual technologies to the tower with
a separate antenna for each technology creates a multiplier effect on weight and wind load,
as represented in the Figure 1 below. This is in comparison to Figure 2, a single UltraBand
antenna that’s designed for multiple technologies.
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Fiber connectivity
The trend toward advanced optical fiber and hybrid cables supplanting coaxial cable in
support of the latest antenna applications also has a significant impact on tower weight and
wind load. A single hybrid cable can do the work of eight or more power and fiber cables,
supporting multiple Remote Radio Units (RRUs).

For example, HELIAX® FiberFeed® (HFF) hybrid cabling can help reduce tower loading, which
can also result in potential cost savings. This solution can help reduce tower loading and tower
lease-hold costs by eliminating conduit and extra cable runs.

Since a hybrid cable requires a smaller surface area—compared to a group of cables or larger
conduit—it lessens the load on the tower, freeing capacity needed by the RRUs. The total load
of RRUs plus the hybrid cable will be less than the total load of RRUs plus separate power and
fiber cables. This extra margin may mean the site can be installed as planned without the need
for tower reinforcement or the forced locating of RRUs at the base.

In terms of weight alone, hybrid cables will, individually, weigh more than traditional coaxial
cable. They may, in fact, be close to double the weight. However, by virtue of the fact that
you may be installing only one line instead of multiple lines, your total weight savings can be
significant.

HELIAX FiberFeed Direct reduces wind load up to 33%

Another major advantage is being able to connect directly to the RRU, which eliminates the use of
a heavy junction box. Our research shows that eliminating a junction box in a typical installation—
combined with the CommScope HFF Direct compact design—can result in a wind load reduction of
up to 33 percent, as compared to other cell tower configurations.

Structural support
LTE installations involve dozens of components, including antennas, RRUs, trunk and sector fiber,
matching connectors, and jumper cables. Plus, there’s a long list of support components—such
as hangers, hoists and junction boxes—all mounted on a structural support. With this amount
of gear, it can be very problematic to manage all this on existing TDMA/GSM sector frames
designed for smaller and lighter antennas and less equipment. You also have to consider the
tower structure itself may be designed to hold much less equipment.

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A quick history lesson

When we consider weight and wind load as they relate to the structural support variables of a
tower, it’s important to start with a bit of a history lesson. Overall, as the technology has grown,
evolved and changed, so have structural supports and mounts.

First, we had robust structures with heavy-duty mounts. As antennas decreased in weight
and size, so did the structures and mounts. As a result, less loading needs led to less robust
structures. But, as heavier 3G antennas and equipment rolled onto the market, loading was
impacted, deflection increased, and issues with twist and sway became more and more
prevalent.

Now, with LTE technology, there are even heavier antenna piping and antennas, as well as
RRUs, fiber boxes and other necessary equipment. Failures to address the appropriate mounts
and structures have started to become more evident as towers have fallen or been damaged
due to vibration and torsion.

Bottom line, years ago tower mounts were designed to meet lower criteria. For example,
under the old critera, a t-frame mount from just ten years ago was designed to meet 150 mph
loading, which was considered a strong design at the time. Now, that same frame does not
meet LTE criteria. By contrast, today’s CommScope v-frames are designed to meet LTE criteria,
and are four times stronger than its predecessor.

1G – PCS 3G GSM/WYMAX/EVDO
Designed to withstand Structures hold multiple antennas;
multiple pieces, heavy and greater need for microwave
cumbersome antennas antennas for backhaul

2G – TDMA/CDMA 4G/LTE
Equipment becomes lighter and Heavier 4G antennas
structures adapt for these changes and equipment add
significant weight and EPA

Why structural support is so important

As we’ve discussed, when there is a need to increase capacity, modernizing a network by

adding new LTE equipment to existing networks is a good option. However, a migration from
older technology to LTE can add an average of 750 lbs of equipment and an additional 50
square feet per sector of effective projected area (EPA) to the top of the tower, which can have
a tremendous impact on performance.

Although well-made mounts can help antennas maintain optimum performance, too little
attention is paid to the impact of mounts, such as their physical properties and their ability to
support LTE components for the long term. Less expensive, low-grade structural components such
as mounts, brackets, and fasteners may have difficulty preventing antenna tilt, twist, sway and
vibration. Over time, these issues can cause antennas and entire networks to underperform.

When low-quality mounts fail, sites can—and do—go down. Operators must pull personnel
and equipment from other sites to restore connectivity, negatively affecting productivity. And, of
course, there’s the potential to destroy personal property or cause serious injury or death.

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Other possible ramifications of a structural failure due to weight and wind load issues include:

• Expenses are impacted by the deployment of emergency mobilization crews, expedited

equipment shipping costs, labor overtime and temporary cells on wheels (CoWs).

• Customers may switch carriers if they consistently experience dropped calls and slow data
rates, negatively impacting operator image and revenue.

• Urban cell site downtime can result in a significant loss of roaming charge revenues, as well
as negatively impact the company’s image.

• Customers or public safety officials may have difficulty communicating during emergencies,
affecting safety and security, which could also lead to litigation.

Top structural support considerations

When engineers design towers today, or look at the prospect of adding equipment, such as
an antenna, there are several critical factors they should look at closely to ensure future tower
stability and network performance. Among these critical factors are mounts.

Tower mounts should be chosen carefully based on the projected weight of the antennas.
Any overloading can create movement that can have a negative impact on safety and
performance. In fact, failure to choose the right mount can result in damage or destruction of
structure legs, with the possibility of the tower falling. Overloaded mounts can also result in
twisting and instability from the tensional forces, which can lead to network failures.

In simple terms, overloading of an existing infrastructure occurs when the tower and mounts are
saddled with an amount of equipment the structure was not designed to handle. Engineers and
operators who take a piecemeal approach to tower construction or network modernization risk
putting their entire system at risk. In addition to the obvious safety issues, performance can be
degraded, which can ultimately lead to loss of revenues.

With the many pieces that constitute a wireless tower, this lends credibility to approaching the
structure as a complete solution and system. When performance and reliability are the goals in
any system, it’s important to take this holistic approach. It’s also vital to partner with a proven
supplier that understands every aspect of cell tower construction or upgrades, and how any
changes will impact structural stability.

A piecemeal approach using multiple suppliers can also create problems. While reducing cost
is always a top priority, operators that price shop for the best bargains risk piecing together a
structure comprised of multiple low-quality components that ultimately cannot safely withstand
the elements or ensure network dependability. When you consider the significant expenditures
involved in creating a wireless network path, installing poor-quality mounts is akin to mounting
the cheapest tires on a high-performance race car.

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The evolution of the structural mount

Standard GSM Mount

Design per sector:
16 sq Ft (2 sq m) EPA
250 lbs 113(kg)

1G to 2G

4G / LTE Mount
Design per sector:
64 sq Ft (6 sq m) EPA
750 lbs 350(kg)

4G / LTE

The design per sector criteria for effective projected surfaced area (EPA) and
weight limits have changed dramatically from earlier technologies through the
evolution to LTE.

With the majority of towers in the U.S. being manufactured for multiple carriers, it should
also be noted that failure to take into account critical structural support variables can have a
multiplying impact on revenue losses. For example, a typical 300-foot tower might facilitate
four carriers with four antenna mounts and a total of 12 antennas, as well as all the required
equipment.

In the past, 250 pounds per sector was the standard, with a recommended EPA of 16.
Towers were designed for those criteria. Nowadays, however, many mounts on multi-operator
towers in the U.S. exceed those limits substantially. So, should one mount fail in one carrier
sector, the resulting tower tension, vibration and instability may multiply the impact on the other
three sectors. This can cause an entire structure to fail or, at the very least, cause the system
to perform poorly for some or all of the other carriers. The resulting loss of revenues can be
devastating.

So, when it comes to structural support, the key takeaways are to approach network
modernization for towers holistically and as a complete system. And make sure you choose
a single supplier with the expertise to deliver LTE antenna mounting solutions that enhance
structural integrity and properly support the weight and wind load criteria for today’s 4G
equipment.

Alternative architecture approaches and considerations

From an architecture perspective, today’s tower tops are extremely complex. Multiple active
and passive components, multiple frequency bands, and multiple craft-specific variances make
site configurations increasingly time-consuming and expensive.

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SiteRise Standard Interface wind load
advantages
When it comes to interfaces, your
choices can have a tremendous impact
on wind load. Consider that:
• Our Standard Interface installation is
rated at a frontal wind load of 1000
N and a lateral wind load of 850 N.
• A traditional installation typically
creates a frontal wind load of 1500 N
and a lateral wind load of 900 N.
• When all factors are taken into
account, our Standard Interface
installation offers a decrease of 35
percent in wind load over traditional
installations.
CommScope white paper series:
Technical Keys to Successful
Modernization
In order to meet these challenging needs,
each of the four technical areas identified
in the introduction of this white paper
must be addressed when updating your
network. They are, in fact, the four pillars
of successful network modernization.
That’s why CommScope has created a
series of four white papers that address
each of these keys individually. By
addressing these technical areas, you’ll
not only create a strong foundation for
today, but ensure your network is ready
to deploy future technologies to meet
tomorrow’s demands.
We encourage you to read the other
white papers in our series to get a
complete view of the four network
modernization keys.
• Cost-effective modernization
• Fiber technology in FTTA solutions
• UltraBand antennas
All of these factors increase the risk related to wind load and weight. The growing tangle of
equipment or the potential for weight and wind load problems should concern operators. It’s
the absence of a global design and deployment standard—a single unified process that can
address the sheer scale of the challenge. When your network is this complicated, consistency is
the key to simplicity and improved profitability.
Andrew® SiteRise™ and SiteRise Standard Interface solutions from CommScope address
these challenges by simplifying and standardizing cell site deployments. SiteRise is also the
world’s first preassembled tower top for RRU site architectures. It’s a unified approach to tower
assembly based on a single global design standard. These solutions represent a distinctly
different, long-term approach to building and operating a wireless network that helps ensure
weight and wind load requirements are addressed effectively.
Andrew SiteRise SiteRise Standard
Interface
Conclusion
The evolution of the cell tower structure has made weight and wind load an industry-wide issue
that must be addressed. And that’s not just for safety concerns. Structures that fail to take into
account weight and wind load when implementing upgrades or modifications risk bringing
their network down—or, at the very least, degrading performance. In today’s competitive
market with discerning consumers who demand reliable services, you don’t want to risk losing
customers.
The good news is that there are many very good solutions for upgrades that allow for adding
antennas, connections, mounts and equipment that can help your structures remain stable for
continued performance. For new construction, a solution like Andrew SiteRise addresses weight
and wind load factors inherently and holistically, as a complete system.
Finally, when taking a good hard look at these issues, it’s important for operators to avoid a
disparate approach to network modernization or new tower construction that involves multiple
vendors and suppliers. Doing so increases the risk of mixing together incompatible equipment
and support structures that will load your tower with too much weight or surface area. A trusted
single-source partner ensures that your structure meets or exceeds requirements for safety and
performance.
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We’re proud to be a part
of your network’s story.
Here at CommScope, we embrace our role as a
trusted resource, partner, and facilitator. We create the
infrastructure that connects the world and evolves with
every advance in technology. By investing all of our
capabilities, resources, relationships, and products into
your toughest challenges, we continue our long history
of solving problems together—paving the way for new
ideas and fresh ways of thinking.

We’re a trusted resource and partner around the

world because we’re invested in you: your people,
your networks, your success. It inspires us to build
relationships and infrastructure…connect people and
technologies across protocols, oceans, and time
zones…and share what we learn along the way.

This is our promise to you.

This is CommScope.

www.commscope.com
Visit our website or contact your local CommScope representative for more information.

© 2014 CommScope, Inc. All rights reserved.

All trademarks identified by ® or ™ are registered trademarks or trademarks, respectively, of CommScope, Inc.
This document is for planning purposes only and is not intended to modify or supplement any specifications or warranties relating to CommScope products or services.
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