Technical Documentation

Passive Intermodulation

Intermodulation

What is Passive Intermodulation (PIM)?

If two or more signals are transmitted simultaneously over a passive interface with non-
linear characteristics, new frequencies called passive intermodulation products (PIM)
are created. This additional frequencies disturb the transmission, when they fall within
the uplink or receive band of a base station.
Different intermodulation products will be created with different order. In most cases
only the 3rd order is problematic, because this frequencies lie in uplink or receive band,
see figure 1. The result can be a receiver desensitization which is independent to the
noise floor from the receiver.

A(f)
[dB]
f IM  n  f m  m  f n
∆IM3 with m, n  N

f [MHz]
2f1-f2 f1 f2 2f2-f1
figure 1 : intermodulation products of 3rd order
The frequencies f1 and f2 are the ground frequencies, 2f1-f2 and 2f2-f1 are the
intermodulation products of 3rd order (IM3), the order is defined by (m + n).

Formula for IM-Products IM-Order

2 x f1 - 1x f2 = fIM3 2 +1 => IM3 (3rd order)
3 x f1 - 2x f2 = fIM5 3 +2 => IM5 (5th order)

How is the PIM value defined?

The intermodulation value can be defined as:

a) the difference (relative) between the amplitude of intermodulation product and

the amplitude of the ground frequencies (carrier), see figure 1.
 The unit of ∆IM3 is [dBc].

b) the absolute power of the intermodulation products, relative to 1 mW.

 The unit of IM3 is [dBm].

Example: (+43 dBm carrier; IM3 = -110 dBm = -153 dBc)

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Passive Intermodulation

GSM 900, DCS 1800 MHz:

In case of the GSM-900 MHz and DCS-1800 MHz the IM3 frequency falls into the used
frequency range. Figure 2 shows the GSM-900 network band plan in order to illustrate
the risk of interference:

Uplink (receive) Downlink (transmit)

f1 f2
IM3

f [MHz]
880 915 925 960

figure 2 : GSM-900 Band plan

If f1 = 930 MHz and f2 = 955 MHz, then IM3 = 905 MHz, which falls within the uplink
(receive) band. The IM product of interest is the third order product.

UMTS (1920 – 2170 MHz):

The specific feature of the UMTS band is that the first IM product, which occurs within
the uplink (receive) band is IM7 (seventh order):

Uplink (receive) Downlink (transmit)

IM3 f1 f2
IM7 IM5

f [MHz]
1920 1980 2110 2170
figure 3 : UMTS Band plan

If f1 = 2115 MHz and f2 = 2165 MHz, then IM3 = 2065 MHz, IM5 = 2015 MHz and
IM7 = 1965 MHz, which falls within the receive band.

IM3 and IM5 cannot disturb the standard UMTS Band. Despite this, the IM3
measurement is mostly required.

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Passive Intermodulation

What are the typical causes of intermodulation products?

PIM could be generated by different RF components, as:
 Filters
 Antennas
 Cables
 Connectors
 Couplers
 ….
when:
1. Connectors with ferromagnetic materials (f.e.: steel, nickel,…) are used
2. Contacts are oxidized or corroded
3. The contacts have impurities (metallic particles,...)
4. The junctions have mechanically poor quality (insufficient contact force,...)

To avoid Intermodulation also, the following rules are important:

1. Minimize the number of contact junctions
2. Design the contacts as precisely and with highest contact force as possible
3. Soldered junctions if possible
4. Plating for all RF contacts to prevent oxidation
5. Sufficient and thick plating for RF contacts

Is the intermodulation behavior subjected to aging?

There are two different types of PIM generation:
a) The “burst” nature is commonly associated with a breakdown of poor
mechanical junctions exposed to high RF levels.
b) The second one is more steady state, and coherent in nature. RF heating within
conductors or around RF interfaces can cause minute changes in the contact
integrity. The result is a PIM level which changes in time. The PIM performance
from a poor/mechanically stressed cable assembly may appear quite good at
first and then degrades when assembly heats up.

The natural elements as:

a) wind-induced vibration
b) daily temperature variations
c) moisture
d) thermal loading by the sun
e) dirt, dust,…

also reduce the quality of components and contacts.

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Passive Intermodulation

Is the passive IM frequency dependent?

When there are more source of PIM, than one point in the passive component, the
signals themselves can vectorially be combined, due to the phase difference of the
reflected IM products.

For this reason, it is recommended to perform a sweep measurement instead of a

measurement with fixed carriers. This to avoid effacement of the intermodulation
products in the transmission line.

Concerning different frequency bands, EUPEN made large investigations in GSM, DCS
and UMTS band for all 50 Ω cable range with insignificant differences in measurement
values.

Are there measurement standards concerning Passive IM?

The IEC Technical Committee 46W6 defined the following standard IEC 62037
For additional information contact the IEC at www.iec.ch.

Recommendations for correct measurement of PIM (for cables & connectors):

a) The sweep measurement is the accurate one, to avoid wrong measurements, due
to interferences of IM reflections inside the cable assembly.
b) Please keep the interfaces from the measurement devices always clean and free
from metallic parts.
c) Before starting the measurements, please check the measurement device with an
low-level PIM absorber. The attained values have to be stable and the level must
be at noise-floor (according to quality of used absorber).
d) Only cable assemblies (connector – cable – connector) can be measured.
Single connectors or cable with open-end can NOT be measured.
e) Always use wrenches or even torque wrenches to tighten the connector interfaces
in the device under test and measurement line.
f) The measurement should be done in STATIC mode (without stressing the DUT)
and DYNAMIC mode (tapping or bending DUT) while measuring.
Small peaks in IM level that comes directly back, after stressing the DUT, are
allowed.
g) NOT allowed should be IM levels at constant high level (worse than specified
minimum level).
h) Always use connector savers to protect your measurement device from
mechanical stress.

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Malmedyer Straße 9 E-Mail: info@eupen.com  00-32-87-59 71 00
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 Technical Documentation
Passive Intermodulation

Recommendations to avoid intermodulation problems (for cables & connectors):

a) Respect correctly the installation instructions to reach best values.

b) Avoid metallic parts, moisture inside the connector interface.

c) The use of the recommended mounting tool from EUPEN, gives better and
reproducible values than mounting without the tools.

d) Tighten the connectors with the recommended torque.

e) Take care of good sealing for connector & cable assemblies

KABELWERK EUPEN AG http://www.eupen.com  00-32-87-59 70 00

Malmedyer Straße 9 E-Mail: info@eupen.com  00-32-87-59 71 00
B-4700 Eupen