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Antenna Basic Knowledge and

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 Antenna Basic Knowledge and Application

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Antenna Overview ...................................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Antenna development overview ........................................................................................................ 1

1.2 Antenna category ............................................................................................................................... 1

1.3 Antenna radiant theory....................................................................................................................... 2

1.3.1 Dipoles electromagnetic wave radiation ................................................................................. 2

1.3.2 Symmetrical 1/2 wavelength Dipole....................................................................................... 3

1.4 Antenna structure and types ............................................................................................................... 4

1.4.1 Panel directional dipole array antenna .................................................................................... 4

1.4.2 Omni string double-fed vibrator antenna ................................................................................ 8

2 Antenna technical parameter’s concept and meaning ............................................................................. 1

2.1 Antenna gain ...................................................................................................................................... 1

2.2 Radiation direction figure .................................................................................................................. 1

2.3 Beam width ........................................................................................................................................ 2

2.3.1 Horizontal beamwidth ............................................................................................................ 2

2.3.2 Vertical beamwidth ................................................................................................................. 3

2.4 Frequency band.................................................................................................................................. 3

2.5 Polarization ........................................................................................................................................ 4

2.6 Downtilt ............................................................................................................................................. 5

2.7 Front to back ratio.............................................................................................................................. 6

2.8 Antenna input impedance Zin ............................................................................................................ 7

2.9 Antenna VSWR ................................................................................................................................. 7

2.10 Sidelobes Suppression & Null Fill................................................................................................... 7

2.11 3rd intermodulation.......................................................................................................................... 8

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2.12 Isolation between ports .................................................................................................................... 8

3 Antenna key parameter’s measurement ................................................................................................... 9

3.1 Antenna gain test ............................................................................................................................... 9

3.2 Lobe 3db width and front to back test ............................................................................................... 9

3.3 VSWR test ....................................................................................................................................... 10

3.4 Isolation test of dipole antenna ........................................................................................................ 10

3.5 Cross modulation test .......................................................................................................................11

4 Antenna project parameters .................................................................................................................... 13

4.1 Antenna azimuth .............................................................................................................................. 13

4.2 Antenna height ................................................................................................................................. 13

4.3 Antenna tilt ...................................................................................................................................... 14

5 LTE antenna comparisons analysis ......................................................................................................... 16

5.1 Relativity analysis of single polarized antenna and dual polarized antenna .................................... 16

5.2 Simulation performance comparisons of single polarized antennas and dual polarized antennas ... 18

5.2.1 Simulation parameter configuration ..................................................................................... 19

5.2.2 Simulation result ................................................................................................................... 19

5.2.3 Comparison analysis ............................................................................................................. 21

6 Antenna application scenario................................................................................................................... 25

6.1 Dense urban ..................................................................................................................................... 25

6.2 Urban ............................................................................................................................................... 26

6.3 Rural and village .............................................................................................................................. 26

6.4 Railway and highway ...................................................................................................................... 27

6.5 Beauty spot ...................................................................................................................................... 28

7 Antenna selection ...................................................................................................................................... 29

7.1 Dense urban ENB ............................................................................................................................ 29

7.2 Rural ENB ....................................................................................................................................... 29

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7.3 Highway ENB.................................................................................................................................. 29

7.4 Mountainous area ............................................................................................................................ 30

7.5 LTE antenna selection suggestion .................................................................................................... 30

8 Antenna installation and commissioning ................................................................................................ 33

8.1 Poled antenna installation ................................................................................................................ 33

8.1.1 Pole verticality ...................................................................................................................... 33

8.1.2 Lightningproof design .......................................................................................................... 33

8.1.3 Diversity receiver.................................................................................................................. 33

8.1.4 Antenna isolation .................................................................................................................. 34

8.2 Towered antenna installation ........................................................................................................... 35

8.3 Summary.......................................................................................................................................... 35

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FIGURES

Figure 1-1 the relation between dipole’s angle and electromagnetic wave radicalization capacity ........ 3
Figure 1-2 1/2 Wavelength Dipoles ......................................................................................................... 3
Figure 1-3 1/2 Wavelength conduplicate dipoles .................................................................................... 4
Figure 1-4 panel directional antenna figure............................................................................................. 4
Figure 1-5 vertical placement line array using multi-1/2 wave dipoles .................................................. 5
Figure 1-6 Horizontal directional theory ................................................................................................. 5
Figure 1-7 Panel directional antenna using multi 1/2 wave dipoles ........................................................ 6
Figure 1-8 Panel directional antenna using multi micro band dipoles .................................................... 6
Figure 1-9 Panel antenna’s dipole array .................................................................................................. 7
Figure 1-10 Omni antenna string double-fed vibrator structure .............................................................. 8
Figure 2-1 different reference dBi and dBd ............................................................................................ 1
Figure 2-2 emission distribution Omni antenna and directional antenna ................................................ 2
Figure 2-3 Horizontal beam 3db width figure ......................................................................................... 2
Figure 2-4 3 sectors coverage figure ....................................................................................................... 3
Figure 2-5 Vertical beam 3db width selection figure .............................................................................. 3
Figure 2-6 polarization types................................................................................................................... 5
Figure 2-7 Dual Polarized Antennas graph ............................................................................................. 5
Figure 2-8 ENB antenna downtilt comparison figure ............................................................................. 6
Figure 2-9 ENB antenna downtilt comparison ........................................................................................ 6
Figure 2-10 comparison of Suppression & Null Fill ............................................................................... 7
Figure 3-1 VSWR test ............................................................................................................................. 9
Figure 3-2 VSWR test ........................................................................................................................... 10
Figure 3-3 antenna isolation test ............................................................................................................11
Figure 3-4 cross modulation test ............................................................................................................11
Figure 5-1 SCM angle parameter sketch map ....................................................................................... 16
Figure 5-2 SFBC link class performance comparison at different relative coefficient ......................... 17
Figure 5-3 4 antenna receiver diversity performance elevation at different relative coefficient ........... 17
Figure 5-4 antenna configuration .......................................................................................................... 19
Figure 5-5 simulation result .................................................................................................................. 20

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Figure 5-6 cell average spectrum efficiency comparison ...................................................................... 21

Figure 5-7 cell edge spectrum efficiency comparison ........................................................................... 21
Figure 5-8 result .................................................................................................................................... 24
Figure 6-1 dense urban .......................................................................................................................... 25
Figure 6-2 urban .................................................................................................................................... 26
Figure 6-3 rural ..................................................................................................................................... 26
Figure 6-4 railway and highway............................................................................................................ 27
Figure 6-5 beauty spot ........................................................................................................................... 28
Figure 7-1 antenna selection suggestion ............................................................................................... 30
Figure 7-2 RFS antenna features and benefits....................................................................................... 31
Figure 7-3 antenna parameters .............................................................................................................. 32
Figure 8-1 3D graph and planform ........................................................................................................ 35

TABLES

Table 2-1 LTE FDD frequency band ....................................................................................................... 4

Table 5-1 antenna configuration at different relative coefficient .......................................................... 18
Table 5-2 simulation parameter configuration ...................................................................................... 19
Table 8-1 antenna horizontal diversity distance .................................................................................... 34

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1 Antenna Overview

1.1 Antenna development overview

During the mobile network communication system, antenna plays a import roles. To assure
the reliable communication quality from base station to UE, there are some special
requirements for antenna like antenna gain, coverage direction, beam, configuration and
polarization method etc.

The main antenna manufacturer is Kathrein, Andrew, Mobi, Haitian, sanshuishenglu etc.

1.2 Antenna category

There are many types antenna on different frequency, different use, different scenario and
different requirement.

Use: communication antenna, TV antenna, radar antenna etc

Frequency: short wave antenna, ultrashort antenna, microwave antenna etc

Outlook: line antenna, plane antenna

Direction: Omni antenna, directional antenna

As many kind of antenna in communication system are satisfied with network requirement in
frequency, gain, front-back ratio, we emphasize the network performance comparison due to
antenna downtilt change.

Omni antenna

Omni antenna, it eradiates 360°at horizontal direction and have some beamwidth at vertical
direction. Usually gain bigger, beamwidth less. It is usually used to rural sites which have
big coverage range.

Directional antenna

Directional antenna has some beamwidth at horizontal and vertical direction respectively.
Gain bigger, beamwidth less. It is usually used to DU&U sites which have small coverage
range and high density user.

Mechanical antenna

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Mechanical antenna ,it means adjust antenna downtilt by mechanical method. It is approved
that the best downtilt of mechanical antenna is 1°~5°; when downtilt is 5°~10°, antenna
radicalization has small change; when downtilt is 10°~15°, antenna radicalization has big
change; when downtilt is beyond 15°, antenna radicalization is serious change and increases
the system interference.

Electrical antenna

Electrical antenna, it means adjust antenna downtilt by phasic change of antenna dipole. It is
approved that downtilt is 1°~5°, antenna radicalization is almost same as mechanical
antenna’s; downtilt is 5°~10°, antenna radicalization is better than mechanical antenna’s;
downtilt is 10°~15°, antenna radicalization has big change compared with mechanical
antenna’s; downtilt is beyond 15°, antenna radicalization is totally different with mechanical
antenna’s, at this time antenna radicalization has less change, the coverage radius in main
beam and coverage area shorten but no interference.

Dual polarized antenna

Dual polarized antenna combines +45°and -45°polarization antenna and works on duplex
mode. It saves the number of antennas.

Smart antenna

There are two types of smart antenna: multi-beam antenna and adaptive antenna array. Multi
–beam antenna makes use of multi-beams and cover the whole user area. Any of beam
direction is fixed and beamwidth is changed with antenna number. Adaptive antenna array
uses 4～16 antenna arrays and the distance between antenna array is 1/2 wave length.

1.3 Antenna radiant theory

Antenna must transform the base station’s signal to electromagnetic wave , vice versa. The
following is introduced some usual antenna dipole’s radiation theory.

1.3.1 Dipoles electromagnetic wave radiation

It defined as electric dipole when length is less than wavelength lead. When the lead has
alternative current, there is electromagnetic wave’s radiation which radiation capacity is
related with lead length and shape. Leads closer and radiation weaken, vice versa.

When lead length is less than wavelengthλ , the radiation is weak; when lead length is
almost same as wavelength, the current of lead increases then the radiation increases.

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Figure 1-1 the relation between dipole’s angle and electromagnetic wave radicalization capacity

1.3.2 Symmetrical 1/2 wavelength Dipole

Symmetrical 1/2 wavelength dipole is typical and wide use antenna.

Same length dipole is called symmetrical dipole. Each side is 1/4 wavelength dipole and
span is 1/2 wavelength dipole, it is called symmetrical dipole.

Figure 1-2 1/2 Wavelength Dipoles

There is different 1/2 Symmetrical 1/2 wavelength Dipole which covert wavelength dipole
into a narrow rectangle frame and superpose wavelength dipole’s two terminals.

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Figure 1-3 1/2 Wavelength conduplicate dipoles

1.4 Antenna structure and types

1.4.1 Panel directional dipole array antenna

Panel directional antenna is usual but important antenna. The advantage is high gain,
hermetic performance, reliable and long use life etc.

Figure 1-4 panel directional antenna figure

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1.4.1.1 Panel antenna high gain

Figure 1-5 vertical placement line array using multi-1/2 wave dipoles

Figure 1-6 Horizontal directional theory

All antenna manufacturers adopt panel dipole array structure as following as:

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1.4.1.2 Symmetrical dipole

Figure 1-7 Panel directional antenna using multi 1/2 wave dipoles

1.4.1.3 Micro band dipole

Figure 1-8 Panel directional antenna using multi micro band dipoles

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1.4.1.4 Antenna‘s dipole array

Figure 1-9 Panel antenna’s dipole array

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1.4.2 Omni string double-fed vibrator antenna

Figure 1-10 Omni antenna string double-fed vibrator structure

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2 Antenna technical parameter’s concept

and meaning

2.1 Antenna gain

Gain is important parameter which definition is related with 1/2 wavelength dipole or Omni
antenna. It is assumed that Omni radiation power is same at all directions. Antenna gain in
some direction is that its direction field strength divides field strength from Omni
radicalization in this direction.

Figure 2-1 different reference dBi and dBd

Antenna gain is from 0dBi to 20dBi. 0~8 dBi is used to indoor coverage and outdoor base
station antenna gain is from Omni antenna 9dBi to directional antenna gain 18dBi. Antenna
gain 20dBi is used to highway coverage.

2.2 Radiation direction figure

Antenna radiation direction is divided into Omni and directional figure and called Omni
antenna and directional antenna respectively.

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Figure 2-2 emission distribution Omni antenna and directional antenna

2.3 Beam width

2.3.1 Horizontal beamwidth

Omni antenna horizontal beamwidth is 360 and directional antenna horizontal beamwidth is
20, 30, 65, 90, 105, 120, 180.

Figure 2-3 Horizontal beam 3db width figure

20 and 30 has high gain and is used to narrow area or high way; 65 is used to dense urban
where typical base stations have 3 sectors; 90 is used to sub urban where typical base
stations have 3 sectors; 105 is used to rural where typical base stations have 3 sectors.

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Figure 2-4 3 sectors coverage figure

2.3.2 Vertical beamwidth

Figure 2-5 Vertical beam 3db width selection figure

Antenna vertical 3 dB beamwidth is related with antenna gain and horizontal 3dB beamwidth
and about 10. Usually horizontal beamwith wider and vertical beamwidth narrower at same
gain antenna.

Narrower vertical 3 dB beamwidth will lead more blind coverage, so it is better adopting
wider 3dB beamwidth to assure the better coverage.

2.4 Frequency band

LTE FDD frequency band is below table which is referred as 3GPP 36.214.

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Table 2-1 LTE FDD frequency band

E-UTRA Uplink (UL) operating band BS Downlink (DL) operating Duplex
Operating receive UE transmit band BS transmit UE receive Mode
Band

FUL_low – FUL_high FDL_low – FDL_high

1 1920 MHz – 1980 MHz 2110 MHz – 2170 MHz FDD
2 1985 MHz – 1910 MHz 1930 MHz – 1990 MHz FDD
3 1710 MHz – 1785 MHz 1805 MHz – 1880 MHz FDD
4 1710 MHz – 1755 MHz 2110 MHz – 2155 MHz FDD
5 824 MHz – 849 MHz 869 MHz – 894 MHz FDD
6 830 MHz – 840 MHz 875 MHz – 885 MHz FDD
7 2500 MHz – 2570 MHz 2620 MHz – 2690 MHz FDD
8 880 MHz – 915 MHz 925 MHz – 960 MHz FDD
9 1749.9 MHz – 1784.9 MHz 1844.9 MHz – 1879.9 MHz FDD
10 1710 MHz – 1770 MHz 2110 MHz – 2170 MHz FDD
11 1427.9 MHz –1447.9 MHz 1475.9 MHz –1495.9 MHz FDD
12 698 MHz – 716 MHz 728 MHz – 746 MHz FDD
13 777 MHz – 787 MHz 746 MHz – 756 MHz FDD
14 788MHz – 798 MHz 758 MHz – 768 MHz FDD
15 Reserved Reserved FDD
16 Reserved Reserved FDD
17 704 MHz – 716 MHz 734 MHz – 746 MHz FDD
18 815 MHz – 830 MHz 860 MHz – 875 MHz FDD
19 830 MHz – 845 MHz 875 MHz – 890 MHz FDD
20 832 MHz – 862 MHz 791 MHz – 821 MHz FDD
21 1447.9 MHz – 1462.9 MHz 1495.9 MHz – 1510.9 MHz FDD
…
33 1900 MHz – 1920 MHz 1900 MHz – 1920 MHz TDD
34 2010 MHz – 2025 MHz 2010 MHz – 2025 MHz TDD
35 1850 MHz – 1910 MHz 1850 MHz – 1910 MHz TDD
36 1930 MHz – 1990 MHz 1930 MHz – 1990 MHz TDD
37 1910 MHz – 1930 MHz 1910 MHz – 1930 MHz TDD
38 2570 MHz – 2620 MHz 2570 MHz – 2620 MHz TDD
39 1880 MHz – 1920 MHz 1880 MHz – 1920 MHz TDD
40 2300 MHz – 2400 MHz 2300 MHz – 2400 MHz TDD
Note 1: Band 6 is not applicable

2.5 Polarization
Most of antennas use line polarized method which single polarized antenna uses vertical
polarization and dual polarized antenna use 45 polarization.

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Figure 2-6 polarization types

Figure 2-7 Dual Polarized Antennas graph

2.6 Downtilt
To strengthen the near base station’s coverage, decrease the blind coverage area and
interference to other base stations, it is suggested to avoiding higher antenna and using
downtilt method. The following figure gives the illustration:

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Figure 2-8 ENB antenna downtilt comparison figure

There are many kinds of tilt types: mechanical tilt, fixed electrical tilt, adjustable electrical
tilt, remote adjustable electrical tilt.

Mechanical tilt is used to primary installation and less than 10. The disadvantage is that
back of antenna will upturn and cause interference to adjacent cells.

Adjustable electrical tilt range is bigger than 10 and antenna pattern is no obvious aberrance
and interference is less.

Figure 2-9 ENB antenna downtilt comparison

2.7 Front to back ratio

Front to back ratio is related with antenna baffle-board’s dimension and bigger dimension

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has better performance.

Usually antenna front to back ratio is bigger than 25dB.

2.8 Antenna input impedance Zin

Definition: the ration of input signal voltage to current. Zin has resistance weight Rin and
reactance weight Xin, Zin = Rin + j Xin.

Zin is related with antenna structure, dimension and wavelength.

The familiar Zin is 50 ohm and 75 ohm.

2.9 Antenna VSWR

VSWR is match performance of feeder and base station.

Definition:

U max
VSWR   1.0
U min

Umax——feeder abdominal voltage

Umin——feeder bellow voltage

VSWR＞1 is mean that some power is returned back and decrease the antenna radiant power
and increase feeder loss. The required VSWR in project is less than 1.5.

2.10 Sidelobes Suppression & Null Fill

Antenna is installed on top of building or tower to cover the server area. To decrease energy
waster and strength the vertical down lobe’s null fill, the vertical up lobe should be
suppressed.

Figure 2-10 comparison of Suppression & Null Fill

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2.11 3rd intermodulation

Most overseas antenna brand 3rd intermodulation is up to -150dBC@243dBm, the normal
antenna is -130dBC@243dBm. It is related with antenna design and connector.

2.12 Isolation between ports

Isolation between ports should be bigger than 30dB.

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3 Antenna key parameter’s measurement

3.1 Antenna gain test

Select flat standard antenna test place, connection method is following figure:

Figure 3-1 VSWR test

Gain baseline antenna aims at original antenna’s host lobe, record the receive level
P1(dBm) ;

Tested antenna aims at at original antenna’s host lobe, record the receive level P2(dBm);

Sum and output tested antenna gain G=(baseline antenna gain G0)+(P2-P1).

To express the given frequency band gain character, 3 frequency(high, medium and low)
must be tested.

3.2 Lobe 3db width and front to back test

Select flat standard antenna test place and install antenna and connect instrument.

Tested antenna aims at original antenna’s host lobe, wheel 360, record receive level
according to eagle function, get horizontal 1/2 power beamwidth and ratio of front to back.

Put tested antenna horizontally, the top aims at original antenna’s host lobe, wheel 360,

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record receive level according to eagle function, get vertical 1/2 power beamwidth.

To express the given frequency band gain character, 3 frequency(high, medium and low)
must be tested.

3.3 VSWR test

Select flat standard antenna test place or no back-wave dark room and install antenna,
connect like the following figure:

Figure 3-2 VSWR test

Calibrate by using short circuit device replace tested antenna at test port

Connect test port with test antenna and read VSWR.

3.4 Isolation test of dipole antenna

Select flat standard antenna test place or no back-wave dark room and install antenna,
connect like the following figure:

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Figure 3-3 antenna isolation test

Short dual polarization antenna 2 feeder and do 0dB calibration.

Connect feeder with tested antenna and read the worst isolation between dual polarizations.

3.5 Cross modulation test

Select flat standard antenna test place or no back-wave dark room and install antenna,
connect like the following figure:

Figure 3-4 cross modulation test

Select suitable frequency f1h and f2h in work frequency band.

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Cross modulation result f3=2f2-f1(or 2f1-f2) is in work frequency band.

F1 and f2 sends 20W single tone;

Read 3rd cross modulation result’s level by f3 receiver.

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4 Antenna project parameters

4.1 Antenna azimuth

Antenna radiant electromagnetism causes figure along with angle coordinate distribution in
fixed distance, it is called direction figure which includes field strength direction figure,
power direction figure and phase direction figure.

Antenna direction figure is tridimensional, it is expressed by two vertical host plane direction
figure and called plane direction figure which includes vertical direction figure and
horizontal direction figure.

Antenna direction character is achieved by phase change and eredivisie array. Therefore
some direction energy is improved, and some direction energy is abated, namely make a lobe
and zero. The strongest energy is host lobe, the stronger is the first lobe, ordinal analogy. For
directional antenna, there is still back lobe.

In LTE system, directional site is divided into three cells, namely:

 A cell：azimuth is 0 degree，north；

 B cell：azimuth is 120 degree，southeast；

 C cell：azimuth is 240 degree，southwest

4.2 Antenna height

Many factors will affect the receive strength, it is reduced to two types:
 transmit and receive parameter
 terrain, clutter interference

Transmit and receive parameter includes: transmit power, antenna gain, feeder losses,
antenna height, work frequency and distance between transmitter and receiver.

Terrain, clutter interference considers the undulation and shelter between transmitter and
receiver.

All propagation models are related with receive and transmit antenna height which has big
effect to path loss.

The distance from transmit to receive it is equal approximatively:

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1
P  4
hr ht  2 [Gr Gt ] 4 L 
1 1 1
D   t  4

 Pr 

Pr Receive power;

Pt Transmit power;

hr Receive antenna height;

ht Transmit antenna height;

G r Receive antenna gain;

Gt Transmit antenna gain;

L Loss calibration factor;

Under certain transmitter and receiver parameters, coverage is in direct proportion to antenna
height and gain.

4.3 Antenna tilt

Making antenna host lobe has some angles tilt by antenna downtilt and it will decreases the
power level which adjacent sites receive.

In fact antenna downtilt value is related with antenna height, coverage radius, antenna
vertical beamwidth, electrical downtilt parameter. At definite coverage radius, higher antenna
height, bigger downtilt. Whereas at definite antenna height, less coverage radius, bigger
antenna downtilt.

At town where has many sites, it is easy to cause interference between sites. To assure most
energy radiate in coverage area and decrease interference, the antenna host lobe’s 1/2 power
point should aim at coverage edge, the formula as following:

α = arctg(2H/L)×（180/π ）+（β /2）–γ e

at rural, village, road, sea, it is suggested that the host lobe maximum gain point aims at
coverage edge to achieve far coverage, the formula as following:

α = arctg(H/L) ×（180/π ）+（β /2）–γ e

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Hereinto:

α : Primary mechanical downtilt, the unit is degree;

H: Site effective height, the difference between antenna height and average height around
coverage area, the unit is meter.

L: Distance between antenna and coverage edge, the unit is meter

β :Antenna vertical beamwidth, the unit is degree

γ e: Antenna electrical downtilt, the unit is degree

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5 LTE antenna comparisons analysis

5.1 Relativity analysis of single polarized antenna and dual polarized

antenna
Introduction of LTE multi-antenna technology makes the space dimensionality free and bring
forward new request for radio channel model. There is a new Spatial Channel Model, SCM,
which is used to 5MHz bandwidth and 2GHz and maximum 6 multipath in 3GPP 25.996.
According to LTE request, radio channel need support 20MHz, so the channel bandwidth is
extended to 20MHz which can support multipath 9 multipath in report 36.803. The radio
transmit character is time-change function when antenna configuration, antenna azimuth,
antenna relativity and dispersion environment is changed.

Figure 5-1 SCM angle parameter sketch map

Cluster n
N
Subpath m n ,m ,AoA
BS array  MS v v
n ,m ,AoD
n ,m , AoA
n ,AoA

N
n, AoD
 BS MS

n ,m , AoD MS array
MS array broadside
 BS
MS direction
BS array broadside of travel

Performance between Dual Polarized Antennas and Single Polarized Antennas(antenna

distance 10) lies on antenna correlative coefficient. The relativity is low and relative
independence between antenna when it is zero; There are strong relativity when it is 1.

When system adopts transmit diversity( like SFBC), receiver diversity and MIMO double
streams, low relativity antenna’s performance is better than the high relativity antenna’s
performance. According to the simulation result, performance is no effect when correlative
coefficient is 0.25. SFBC performance decreases 0.3dB to 0.4dB when correlative coefficient
is 0.5 and 0.6.

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Figure 5-2 SFBC link class performance comparison at different relative coefficient

0 SFBC performance
10
corr 0
corr 0.25
corr 0.5
corr 0.6
corr 1
Raw BER

-1
10

-2
10
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
SNR(dB)

CMCC launched 《TD LTE system performance evolution》on Aug,2008. It evaluated

receiver diversity when antenna distance is 10(correlative coefficient 0.24), 4( correlative
coefficient 0.7) and 0.5( correlative coefficient 0.99) respectively. The result is following:

Figure 5-3 4 antenna receiver diversity performance elevation at different relative

coefficient

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From the graph we know that performance has small decrease but no big difference when
antenna correlative coefficient is increased. The main reason is that transmit diversity and
receiver is just statistical average concept, so performance is no obvious increase when
antenna distance is increased.

Note: antenna correlative coefficient is related with antenna configuration and different
antenna configuration has different antenna correlative coefficient.

CMCC tested different antenna configuration’s correlative coefficient on July,2008, the

result is following:

Table 5-1 antenna configuration at different relative coefficient

Antenna configuration relative coefficient relative grade

Single polarized antenna（distance 10） 0.24 low
Dual Polarized Antennas 0.63 medium
Dual Polarized Antennas（distance 0.5） 0.99 strong

5.2 Simulation performance comparisons of single polarized

antennas and dual polarized antennas
Now making the simulation performance evaluation on dual polarized antenna and single
polarized antenna ( distance is 10), the condition as following:
 ISD is 500m
 Dual polarized antenna correlative coefficient is 0.63; Single polarized antenna
correlative coefficient is 0.24 and antenna distance is 10.

 RANK adaptive：when RANK=1，adopt MIMO single stream，increase SINR by beam

forming gain，achieve capacity increase especially for cell edge user；when RANK=2，
adopt MIMO double streams，achieve capacity increase especially for cell central user。

 Forced double streams：adopt forced double streams whatever RNAD is 1 or 2。

Performance is decreased when antenna correlative is strong。

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Figure 5-4 antenna configuration

5.2.1 Simulation parameter configuration

Table 5-2 simulation parameter configuration

Item Value
Network configuration 3-sectorized Hexagonal grid
No. ENB 7 Wrap around
ISD 500m
BS transmit power 46dBm
BS antenna gain 15dBi
   2   
2

A     min 12    12   , Am 
Antenna mode   3dB   3dB  
3dB = 70 degrees, 3dB = 6.5 degrees, Am = 20 dB，
UE noise factor 9dB
fading standard deviation 8dB
Frequency 2GHz

big scale fading PL=128.1 + 37.6 log (d), d in km，

fading relative distance 50m

relative coefficient between
0.5
honeycomb
relative coefficient between cells 1
penetration 20dB

5.2.2 Simulation result

 Case 1：downlink 2x2 dual polarized antenna MIMO，ISD = 500m，each antenna

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transmit power 46dBm(40W)，penetration 20dB，Precoding，frequency reuse 1，rank

adaptive，channel speed 3km/h；

 Case 2：downlink 2x2 dual polarized antenna MIMO，ISD = 500m，each antenna

transmit power 46dBm(40W)，penetration 20dB，Precoding，frequency reuse 1，forced
double streams，channel speed 3km/h；

 Case 3：downlink 2x2 single polarized antenna MIMO，ISD = 500m，each antenna

transmit power 46dBm(40W)，eNB uses two vertical polarized antenna，antenna
distance 10Lambda，penetration 20dB，Precoding，frequency 1，rank adaptive，channel
speed 3km/h；

 Case 4：downlink 2x2 single polarized antenna MIMO，ISD = 500m，each antenna

transmit power 46dBm(40W)，eNB uses two vertical polarized antenna，antenna
distance 10Lambda，penetration 20dB，Precoding，frequency 1，forced double streams，
channel speed 3km/h；

The simulation data is following:

Figure 5-5 simulation result

Cell Edge Cell Edge

Sector Avg. Spectral Single
Throughput, SE, 5% Dual Stream
Throughput Efficiency Stream
5% CDF CDF Probability
(Mbps) (bps/Hz) Probability
(Mbps) (bps/Hz)
46dBm Macro
ISD = 500m,Dual
case 1 Polarized 19.18800 1.91880 0.62388 0.06239 60.32% 39.68%
Antennas, PMI,
Rank adaptive
46dBm Macro
ISD = 500m,Dual
Polarized
case 2 15.62950 1.56295 0.36587 0.03659 0.00% 100.00%
Antennas,
PMI, forced
double streams
46dBm Macro
ISD =
500m,10Lamda
case 3 19.24570 1.92457 0.50131 0.05013 24.80% 75.20%
uniplor
antenna ,PMI,
Rank adaptive

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46dBm Macro
ISD =
500m,10Lamda
case 4 17.76610 1.77661 0.40991 0.04099 0.00% 100.00%
uniplor antenna ,
PMI, forced
double streams

Note: cell edge is 5% in accordance with CDF curve. It means the worst 5% user
performance is cell edge user.

5.2.3 Comparison analysis

Figure 5-6 cell average spectrum efficiency comparison

Figure 5-7 cell edge spectrum efficiency comparison

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Antenna Basic Knowledge and Application

 RANK adaptive：10Lambda single polarized antenna cell average spectrum efficiency

increases 0.3% compared with dual polarized antenna’s；10Lambda single polarized
antenna cell edge spectrum efficiency decreased 20% compared with dual polarized
antenna’s；

 Forced double streams：10Lambda single polarized antenna cell average spectrum

efficiency increases14% compared with dual polarized antenna’s; 10Lambda single
polarized antenna cell average spectrum efficiency increases 26% compared with dual
polarized antenna’s；

 RANK adaptive :10Lambda single polarized antenna cell average spectrum efficiency is
almost same with dual polarized antenna’s ， cell average spectrum efficiency
decreases20%。The main reason is that the simulation is based on frequency reuse 1 and
interference limited system，cell edge SINR is very low. Dual polarized antenna uses
single stream mode (RANK=1) and spectrum efficiency is better than single polarized
antenna(RANK=2). So single polarized antenna cell edge spectrum efficiency is lower
than dual polarized antenna’s. At cell center，users have high SINR, single polarized
antenna uses double streams and the spectrum efficiency is better than dual polarized
antenna’s. Dual polarized antenna and 10Lambda single polarized antenna performance
is almost same combined with cell average SE and ESE in dense urban and low ISD.
 Forced double streams: 10Lambda single polarized antenna cell average SE and ESE is
better than dual polarized antenna’s and increases 14% and 26% respectively. On this
view，RANK adaptive can make up the difference between single polarized antenna and
dual polarized antenna in interference limited system.

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 Antenna Basic Knowledge and Application

 The above simulation result is based on theory research, maybe there has some
difference with real condition. The performance is almost same during the related test
according to Ericsson test report.

conclusion：

LTE defines 7 antenna transmit mode including transmit diversity，Pre-coding MIMO,

Beam-forming and so on ,which can be used at different scenarios and channel modes。

Power limited system

Typical scenario：to increase coverage and overcome fading，like sub-urban, rural etc.

Antenna transmit mode：transmit diversity，receive diversity

Performance difference：10Lambda single polarized antenna performance increase is less

than 5% compared with dual polarized antenna performance.

Conclusion resource：CMCC simulation report

Interference limited system

Typical scenario：It is used to DU and ISD is small。The main factor is interference.

Antenna transmit mode：RANK=2 MIMO double streams，RANK=1 MIMO single stream，

RANK adaptive.

Performance difference：RANK adaptive is better MIMO forced double streams；Meanwhile

dual polarized antenna performance is almost same with 10Lambda single polarized antenna
performance.

Conclusion resource：Simulation report

Bandwidth limited system

Typical scenario：CQI is better and there is no continuous coverage，ISD is big and user is
few .

Antenna transmit mode：RANK=2 MIMO double streams

Performance difference：10Lambda single polarized antenna performance is better 20% than

dual polarized antenna performance.

Conclusion resource：Simulation report

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Antenna Basic Knowledge and Application

Figure 5-8 result

TYPE Typical scenario Main Performance difference Conclusion

technology resource
Interference It is used to DU and MIMO Almost same Simulation
limited ISD is small. double report
system Interference is stream ；
main factor to MIMRANK
affect the network adaptive
performance .
Power The main purpose Transmit Almost same CMCC
limited is to increase diversity, simulation
system coverage and receiver report
overcome the diversity
fading like rural
and village etc.
Bandwidth CQI is better and MIMO Single Polarized Simulation
limited there is no double Antennas report
system continuous stream performance is better
coverage. ISD is than the bipolar and
big and user is performance
few . improvement is about
20% when antenna
distance is 10Lambda

Above gives the performance difference between dual polarized antenna and single polarized
antenna. But we should notice that dual polarized antenna has especial advantage in project
like using pole, adjusting downtilt, easing antenna beautification etc.

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 Antenna Basic Knowledge and Application

6 Antenna application scenario

6.1 Dense urban

Figure 6-1 dense urban

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Antenna Basic Knowledge and Application

6.2 Urban

Figure 6-2 urban

6.3 Rural and village

Figure 6-3 rural

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 Antenna Basic Knowledge and Application

6.4 Railway and highway

Figure 6-4 railway and highway

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Antenna Basic Knowledge and Application

6.5 Beauty spot

Figure 6-5 beauty spot

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 Antenna Basic Knowledge and Application

7 Antenna selection

7.1 Dense urban ENB

Scenario: high density site, small coverage range, it is requested decreasing overlapping
coverage and interference, and improve download speed.

Antenna selection principles:

Polarization: dual polarized antenna and wide frequency antenna due to difficult site
selection, limited installation space.

Direction figure: directional antenna to improve frequency reuse.

Beamwidth: 60~65°to control coverage range easily;

Antenna gain: 15-18dBi due to small coverage radius;

Tilt: electrical antenna with fixed tilt or adjustable electrical antenna due to adjust frequently.

7.2 Rural ENB

Scenario: sparse sites, small throughput, wide coverage.

Antenna selection principles:

Direction figure: Omni antenna or directional antenna;

Beamwidth: 90 °, 105 °,120 °for directional antenna and 360 °for Omni antenna;

Antenna gain: 16~18dBi for directional antenna and 9~11dBi for Omni antenna;

Tilt: mechanical antenna and null-fill antenna when height is higher than 50m.

7.3 Highway ENB

Scenario: small throughput, high move speed, coverage is major issue.

Antenna selection principles:

Direction figure: narrow beam, high gain antenna;

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Antenna Basic Knowledge and Application

Antenna gain: 17~22dBi for directional antenna and 11dBi for Omni antenna;

Tilt: mechanical antenna and null-fill antenna when height is higher than 50m;

Ratio of front to back: low request

7.4 Mountainous area

Scenario: remote area, serious countercheck, big spread decline, difficult coverage.

Antenna selection principles:

Direction figure: Omni antenna or directional antenna;

Antenna gain: 15~18dBi for directional antenna and 9~11dBi for Omni antenna;

Tilt: null-fill antenna or antenna with default tilt.

7.5 LTE antenna selection suggestion

Figure 7-1 antenna selection suggestion

Clutter DU/U RU Highway Mountainous area

ITEM
Antenna 20-30 30-40 >40 >40
height（m）
Antenna 15-18 18 >18 15-18
gain（dbi）
Horizontal 60~6 90 \105\ 120 According to According to
beam 5 situation situation
angle(°)
Mechanical N N Y Y
downtilt
Electrical Y Y N N
downtilt
Polarizatio Dual Dual Single Single
n
No. 1、2 1、2 2 2
transmit
antenna

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 Antenna Basic Knowledge and Application

Wide Y
Y Y Y
frequency
band
antenna

The usual antenna configuration is 2T2R and 4T4R due to LTE MIMO technology. To save
the installation cost, it is suggested using dual-polarized antenna for 2T2R and 2 sets of
dual-polarized antennas which the distance between antennas is 1-2Lamda( about 30-50cm
for 2.6G) for 4T4R.

At the same time, wide frequency antenna is used in LTE due to antenna quality limitation,
the antenna which direction, impedance and polarization is almost same in a wide frequency
scale is called wide antenna. It includes lozenge antenna, v-shaped antenna, discal taper
logarithmic period antenna.

Radio frequency systems ( RFS) antenna introduction:

RFS’ Dual Pol and Quad Pol High Band Base Station Antennas with UBB(Ultra Broadband)
Technology Ideal for LTE testing worldwide

Replacing or adding antennas to accommodate different technologies or frequencies delays

time-to-market, is expensive and can lead to difficult negotiations with landlords. With the
RFS Ultra-Broadband Antennas, operators can invest once then effectively forget about
antenna replacement issues and focus on evolving their business.

Available in dual polarization or side-by-side quad polarization versions, the

Ultra-Broadband Antennas include premium performance features: High gain for better
coverage, high upper sidelobe suppression for reduced interference, excellent front-to-back
ratio and performance stability across frequencies.

Figure 7-2 RFS antenna features and benefits

Features and Benefits

High Gain
Low PIM
Variable electrical downtilt that is
adjustable from 0-12 degrees
Side-by-side Quad - two x-polarized
broadband panels in a single radome
Software defined radio (SDR)
Provides better coverage
No system down-time, high call quality and reduced
number of dropped calls
Provides enhanced precision in controlling intercell
interference
Increased flexibility to support multiple technologies
and seamlessly add capacity without increasing tower
loading
Provides frequency flexibility for LTE roll-outs

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Antenna Basic Knowledge and Application

Side-by-side Quad Enables MIMO 4xn, 4-Way RX Div and beamforming

The following parameters must be satisfied:

Figure 7-3 antenna parameters

Electrical Specifications Value Mark

Frequency range, MHz According to
real situation
Upper sidelobe suppression, dB >17 typical
Front-to-back ratio, dB >30
VSWR <1.5
Isolation between ports, dB >30
rd
3 3Order IMP @ 2 x 43 dBm, dBc >150
Impedance, Ohms 50
Lightning Protection Direct Ground

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 Antenna Basic Knowledge and Application

8 Antenna installation and commissioning

8.1 Poled antenna installation

8.1.1 Pole verticality

Due to pole itself bending or pole installation problems, it will directly affect the directional
antenna tilt accuracy and Omni-directional antenna receiver effect.

Therefore, the first thing is to ensure the pole vertical by line hammer inspection. Directional
antenna tilt is measured by Angle tester, mechanical tilt should include pole lean and
bending.

8.1.2 Lightningproof design

To avoid stations, especially high mountains antenna systems, and ensure base station
structures, the security of our staff, as well as communications within the station equipment
and normal work, antenna installation must consider the lightning protection.

Complete lightning protection equipment must be considered, 1, jieshanqi design, its purpose
is to control the lightning point, and avoiding dangerous area. 2, a good grounding structure
and grounding resistance. 3, design good downlines 4, completes the equipotential
connection, prevent high voltage counterattack. 5, prevent introducing lightning high voltage
surge.

RF antenna installation is in the lightning rod 45 °protection range. Lightning rod and lead
downlines should be reliable jointing, lead downlines materials is 40mm x 4mm galvanized
steel. The distance between lead downlines and leadin is not less than 10m.

8.1.3 Diversity receiver

In mobile communication, multipath transmission signals generate fast fading, level

variation amplitude can reach every second 30dB, nearly 20 times, and antenna diversity
technology can greatly reduce the decline of received signal and enhance link quality. The
principle of antenna space distance is to assure irrelevant or approximate irrelevant between
different antenna branches. Use each branch signal correlation coefficient weighs the
independence, it is less than 0.7.

Single polarized antenna diversity distance

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Antenna Basic Knowledge and Application

Base station requires horizontal diversity distance is 20  , vertical diversity distance is a 15

 . If antenna space distance is not changed, increasing base station antenna height can
reduce the different antenna signal correlation. Horizontal spatial diversity gain is about 3 ~
5dB, vertical spatial diversity gain is about 2 ~ 4dB.

In actual project, two single polarized antenna horizontal spatial diversity distance at the
same sector diversity is not less than 10  in order to implement requirements.

Table 8-1 antenna horizontal diversity distance

horizontal space diversity distance vertical space diversity distance

Frequency
Minimum value Default value Minimum value Default value
450M 6.7m 13m 10m
800M 3.6m 7m 5.4m
1.9G 1.6m 3.m 2.4m
2G 1.5m 3m 2.3m

Dual polarized antenna diversity

It do diversity receive by two mutually orthogonal polarization antenna signal appearing not
related decline characteristics in the same place, namely ± 45°polarized antenna installed on
TX&RX.

Polarized antenna obtains independent declined signal through orthogonal polarization

antenna, so there is no need spatial diversity. In urban areas it hard to satisfy the installation
requirement of spatial diversity distance, polarization diversity mode will become an
important option.

Two single polarized antenna distance measurement is toward the parallel lines between
vertical antenna distance, attention is not two antenna attachment distance, dual polarized
antenna is not needed.

8.1.4 Antenna isolation

Same system antenna isolation means the same system different sectors antenna isolation
distance is bigger than 0.6 m. In practical projects, antenna pole is installed about 1m on
arms. Antenna is installed in antenna pole. As below:

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 Antenna Basic Knowledge and Application

Figure 8-1 3D graph and planform

8.2 Towered antenna installation

In practical project implementation, using leave tower platform of arms > 1m distance to
install antenna, different platforms antenna vertical spacing: > 1m.

Overall, antenna in the tower installation should notice the following problems:

Directional antenna installation: to reduce the tower effect for antenna directional figure, it
should note: the distance between directional antenna’s center and tower is λ/4 or 3λ/4 can
obtain the biggest direction.

Omni antenna with tower lateral installation: to reduce tower effect for antenna directional
figure, in principle tower cannot become the antenna reflector. Therefore in the installation,
antenna should always be installed on the edges, and makes the antenna and any part of
tower greater than λ.

Multiple antenna altogether tower: try to minimize the different antenna coupling and
influence each other, and try to increase antenna mutual isolation, the best way is to increase
the distance. When antenna is same antenna, it should use perpendicular installation.

8.3 Summary
Leave tower platform distance: > 1m

Antenna span:

The same cell diversity receiving antenna: > 3M

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Antenna Basic Knowledge and Application

Omni antenna horizontal spacing: > 4M

Directional antenna horizontal spacing: > 2.5 M

Different platforms antenna vertically spacing: > 1m

TX&RX antenna except instructions specified is not inverted placements.

Lie in the lightning protection range.

Antenna azimuth: for directional antenna, the first sector is north by east 60 degrees, the
second sector is south, the third sector is north by west 60 degrees.

Antenna tilt: ensure antenna design requirements, SE error is less than 2 degrees.

Antenna verticality: except the base station antennas which have tilt, the antenna verticality
is not more than 2 degrees.

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