Chapter 5

Antennas for Antennas for Wireless Systems Wireless Systems

Dipole

Isotropic Typical Wireless Omni Antenna

July, 1998

RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter

5-1

Chapter 5 Section A

Introduction to Introduction to Antennas for Wireless Antennas for Wireless

July, 1998

RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter

5-2

Understanding Antenna Radiation

The Principle Of Current Moments
Zero current at each end each tiny imaginary slice of the antenna does its share of radiating

I An antenna is just a passive conductor carrying RF current

TX

RX Maximum current at the middle Current induced in receiving antenna is vector sum of contribution of every tiny slice of radiating antenna
Width of band denotes current magnitude

RF power causes the current flow Current flowing radiates electromagnetic fields Electromagnetic fields cause current in receiving antennas
I The effect of the total antenna is the sum of what every tiny slice of the antenna is doing

Radiation of a tiny slice is proportional to its length times the current in it remember, the current has a magnitude and a phase!
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July, 1998

Different Radiation In Different Directions

Minimum Radiation:

contributions out of phase, cancel

I Each slice of the antenna produces a definite amount of radiation at a specific phase angle I Strength of signal received varies, depending on direction of departure from radiating antenna
Maximum Radiation:

TX

contributions in phase, reinforce

contributions out of phase, cancel

Minimum Radiation:

In some directions, the components add up in phase to a strong signal level In other directions, due to the different distances the various components must travel to reach the receiver, they are out of phase and cancel, leaving a much weaker signal
I An antennas directivity is the same for transmission & reception

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RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter

5-4

Antenna Polarization
Antenna 1 Vertically Polarized
Electromagnetic Field

Antenna 2 Horizontally Polarized

TX
current

RX
almost no current

RF current in a conductor causes electromagnetic fields that seek to induce current flowing in the same direction in other conductors. The orientation of the antenna is called its polarization. Coupling between two antennas is proportional to the cosine of the angle of their relative orientation

I To intercept significant energy, a receiving antenna must be oriented parallel to the transmitting antenna A receiving antenna oriented at right angles to the transmitting antenna is cross-polarized; will have very little current induced Vertical polarization is the default convention in wireless telephony In the cluttered urban environment, energy becomes scattered and de-polarized during propagation, so polarization is not as critical Handset users hold the antennas at seemingly random angles..
July, 1998 RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter 5-5

Antenna Gain
I Antennas are passive devices: they do not produce power

Can only receive power in one form and pass it on in another, minus incidental losses Cannot generate power or amplify
I However, an antenna can appear to have gain compared against another antenna or condition. This gain can be expressed in dB or as a power ratio. It applies both to radiating and receiving I A directional antenna, in its direction of maximum radiation, appears to have gain compared against a non-directional antenna I Gain in one direction comes at the expense of less radiation in other directions I Antenna Gain is RELATIVE, not ABSOLUTE

Omni-directional Antenna

When describing antenna gain, the comparison condition must be stated or implied
July, 1998 RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter

Directional Antenna
5-6

Reference Antennas
I Isotropic Radiator

Truly non-directional -- in 3 dimensions Difficult to build or approximate physically, but mathematically very simple to describe A popular reference: 1000 MHz and above
PCS, microwave, etc.

Isotropic Antenna

I Dipole Antenna

Non-directional in 2-dimensional plane only Can be easily constructed, physically practical A popular reference: below 1000 MHz
800 MHz. cellular, land mobile, TV & FM Quantity Gain above Isotropic radiator Gain above Dipole reference Units dBi dBd (watts or dBm) EIRP (watts or dBm) ERP Dipole Antenna Notice that a dipole has 2.15 dB gain compared to an isotropic antenna.
5-7

Effective Radiated Power Vs. Isotropic Effective Radiated Power Vs. Dipole
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RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter

Effective Radiated Power

I An antenna radiates all power fed to it from the transmitter, minus any incidental losses. Every direction gets some amount of power I Effective Radiated Power (ERP) is the apparent power in a particular direction Reference Antenna

100 W

TX

Equal to actual transmitter power times antenna gain in that direction

I Effective Radiated Power is expressed in comparison to a standard radiator Directional Antenna

B
100 W

TX

ERP: compared with dipole antenna EIRP: compared with Isotropic antenna
Example: Antennas A and B each radiate 100 watts from their own transmitters. Antenna A is our reference, it happens to be isotropic. Antenna B is directional. In its maximum direction, its signal seems 2.75 stronger than the signal from antenna A. Antenna Bs EIRP in this case is 275 watts.
July, 1998 RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter

ERP B A (ref)

A B
275w 100w

5-8

Antenna Gain And ERP

Examples
I Many wireless systems at 1900 & 800 MHz use omni antennas like the one shown in this figure I These patterns are drawn to scale in E-field radiation units, based on equal power to each antenna I Notice the typical wireless omni antenna concentrates most of its radiation toward the horizon, where users are, at the expense of sending less radiation sharply upward or downward I The wireless antennas maximum radiation is 12.1 dB stronger than the isotropic (thus 12.1 dBi gain), and 10 dB stronger than the dipole (so 10 dBd gain).

Isotropic

Dipole

Gain Comparison
12.1 dBi 10dBd

Isotropic Dipole Omni

Gain 12.1 dBi or 10 dBd

Typical Wireless Omni Antenna

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5-9

Key Features And Terminology

An antennas directivity is expressed as a series of patterns
I The Horizontal Plane Pattern graphs the radiation as a function of azimuth (i.e..,direction N-E-S-W) I The Vertical Plane Pattern graphs the radiation as a function of elevation (i.e.., up, down, horizontal) I Antennas are often compared by noting specific landmark points on their patterns: Typical Example

Radiation Patterns

Horizontal Plane Pattern

Notice -3 dB points
0 (N) 0 -10 -20 -30 dB 270 (W)

10 dB points Main Lobe

90 (E)

-3 dB (HPBW), -6 dB, -10 dB points Front-to-back ratio Angles of nulls, minor lobes, etc.

nulls or a Minor minima Lobe Front-to-back Ratio

180 (S)

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5 - 10

How Antennas Achieve Their Gain

Quasi-Optical Techniques (reflection, focusing)

Reflectors can be used to concentrate radiation

technique works best at microwave frequencies, where reflectors are small

Examples:
corner reflector used at cellular or higher frequencies parabolic reflector used at microwave frequencies grid or single pipe reflector for cellular

Array techniques (discrete elements)

Power is fed or coupled to multiple antenna elements; each element radiates Elements radiation in phase in some directions In other directions, a phase delay for each element creates pattern lobes and nulls
July, 1998 RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter

In phase

Out of phase

5 - 11

Types Of Arrays
I Collinear vertical arrays
Collinear Vertical Array

Essentially omnidirectional in horizontal plane Power gain approximately equal to the number of elements Nulls exist in vertical pattern, unless deliberately filled Directional in horizontal plane: useful for sectorization Yagi
one driven element, parasitic coupling to others
RF power

I Arrays in horizontal plane

Yagi
RF power

Log-periodic
all elements driven wide bandwidth

I All of these types of antennas are used in wireless

July, 1998

Log-Periodic

RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter

5 - 12

Collinear Vertical Arrays

The family of omni-directional wireless antennas: I Number of elements determines

Omni Antennas

Typical Collinear Arrays

Number of Elements 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Power Gain 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Gain, dB 0.00 3.01 4.77 6.02 6.99 7.78 8.45 9.03 9.54 10.00 10.41 10.79 11.14 11.46 Angle n/a 26.57 18.43 14.04 11.31 9.46 8.13 7.13 6.34 5.71 5.19 4.76 4.40 4.09

Physical size Gain Beamwidth, first null angle

I Models with many elements have very narrow beamwidths

Require stable mounting and careful alignment Watch out: be sure nulls do not fall in important coverage areas
I Rod and grid reflectors are sometimes added for mild directivity
Examples: 800 MHz.: dB803, PD10017, BCR-10O, Kathrein 740-198 1900 MHz.: dB-910, ASPP2933
July, 1998
-3 d B

Vertical Plane Pattern

beamwidth

Angle of first null

RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter

5 - 13

Reflectors And Vertical Arrays

I Typical commercial sector antennas are vertical combinations of dipoles, yagis, or log-periodic elements with reflector (panel or grid) backing
Vertical Plane Pattern Up

Sector Antennas

Vertical plane pattern is determined by number of vertically-separated elements

varies from 1 to 8, affecting mainly gain and vertical plane beamwidth

Down Horizontal Plane Pattern N

Horizontal plane pattern is determined by:

number of horizontally-spaced elements shape of reflectors (is reflector folded?)

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RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter

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Example Of Antenna Catalog Specifications

Electrical Data ASPP2933 1850-1990 3/5.1 <1.5:1 32 Vertical 400 50 Direct Ground N-Female Order Sep.

Antenna Model Frequency Range, MHz. Gain - dBd/dBi VSWR Beamwidth (3 dB from maximum) Polarization Maximum power input - Watts Input Impedance - Ohms Lightning Protection Termination - Standard Jumper Cable

ASPP2936 1850-1990 6/8.1 <1.5:1 15 Vertical 400 50 Direct Ground N-Female Order Sep.

dB910C-M 1850-1970 10/12.1 <1.5:1 5 Vertical 400 50 Direct Ground N-Female Order Sep.

Mechanical Data Antenna Model ASPP2933 Overall length - in (mm) 24 (610) Radome OD - in (mm) 1.1 (25.4) Wind area - ft2 (m2) .17 (.0155) Wind load @ 125 mph/201 kph lb-f (n) 4 (17) Maximum wind speed - mph (kph) 140 (225) Weight - lbs (kg) Shipping Weight - lbs (kg) Clamps (steel) 4 (1.8) 11 (4.9) ASPA320

ASPP2936 36 (915) 1.0 (25.4) .25 (.0233) 6 (26) 140 (225) 6 (2.7) 13 (5.9) ASPA320

dB910C-M 77 (1955) 1.5 (38) .54 (.05) 14 (61) 125 (201) 5.2 (2.4) 9 (4.1) Integral

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RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter

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Example Of Antenna Catalog Radiation Pattern

I Vertical Plane Pattern

E-Plane (elevation plane) Gain: 10 dBd Dipole pattern is superimposed at scale for comparison (not often shown in commercial catalogs) Frequency is shown Pattern values shown in dBd Note 1-degree indices through region of main lobe for most accurate reading Notice minor lobe and null detail!

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RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter

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Chapter 5 Section B

Other RF Elements Other RF Elements

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5 - 17

Antenna Systems
Antenna

Directional Coupler Jumper Transmission Line Jumpers F R

D u p l e x e r

Combiner

TX TX RX

BPF

I Antenna systems include more than just antennas I Transmission Lines Necessary to connect transmitting and receiving equipment I Other Components necessary to achieve desired system function Filters, Combiners, Duplexers - to achieve desired connections Directional Couplers, wattmeters - for measurement of performance I Manufacturers system may include some or all of these items Remaining items are added individually as needed by system operator
July, 1998 RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter 5 - 18

Characteristics Of Transmission Lines

Physical Characteristics I Type of line
Used as feeders in wireless applications

Typical coaxial cables

Coaxial, stripline, openwire Balanced, unbalanced Dielectric:

air foam

I Physical configuration

Outside surface
unjacketed jacketed

I Size (nominal outer diameter)

1/4,1/2, 7/8, 1-1/4, 1-5/8, 2-1/4, 3

Foam Dielectric

Air Dielectric

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Some Practical Considerations

I Transmission lines practical considerations

Transmission Lines

Periodicity of inner conductor supporting structure can cause VSWR peaks at some frequencies, so specify the frequency band when ordering Air dielectric lines
lower loss than foam-dielectric; dry air is excellent insulator shipped pressurized; do not accept delivery if pressure leak

Foam dielectric lines

simple, low maintenance; despite slightly higher loss small pinholes and leaks can allow water penetration and gradual attenuation increases

Air Dielectric

Foam Dielectric

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Characteristics Of Transmission Lines, Continued

Electrical Characteristics I Attenuation Varies with frequency, size, dielectric D d characteristics of insulation Usually specified in dB/100 ft and/or dB/100 m I Characteristic impedance Z0 (50 ohms is the usual standard; 75 ohms is sometimes used) Characteristic Impedance of a Coaxial Line Value set by inner/outer diameter ratio Zo = ( 138 / ( 1/2 ) ) Log10 ( D / d ) and dielectric characteristics of = Dielectric Constant insulation = 1 for vacuum or dry air Connectors must preserve constant impedance (see figure at right) I Velocity factor Determined by dielectric characteristics of insulation. I Power-handling capability Varies with size, conductor materials, dielectric characteristics
July, 1998 RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter 5 - 21

Special Electrical Properties

I Transmission lines have impedancetransforming properties
Matched condition ZIN = 50 Zo=50 ZLOAD= 50

Transmission Lines

When terminated with same impedance as Zo, input to line appears as impedance Zo When terminated with impedance different from Zo, input to line is a complex function of frequency and line length. Use Smith Chart or formulae to compute
I Special case of interest: Line section one-quarter wavelength long has convenient properties useful in matching networks

Mismatched condition ZIN =

Zo=50

ZLOAD= 83 -j22

Deliberate mismatch for impedance transformation

/4

ZIN=25

Zo=50 ZIN= ZO2/ ZLOAD

ZLOAD= 100

ZIN = (Zo2)/(ZLOAD)
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5 - 22

Important Installation Practices

I Respect specified minimum bending radius!

Transmission Lines

Inner conductor must remain concentric, otherwise Zo changes Dents, kinks in outer conductor change Zo
I Dont bend large, stiff lines (15/8 or larger) to make direct connection with antennas I Use appropriate jumpers, weatherproofed properly. I Secure jumpers against wind vibration.
Observe Minimum Bending Radius!

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RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter

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Important Installation Practices, Continued

I During hoisting Allow line to support its own weight only for distances approved by manufacturer Deformation and stretching may result, changing the Zo Use hoisting grips, messenger cable I After mounting Support the line with proper mounting clamps at manufacturers recommended spacing intervals Strong winds will set up damaging metal-fatigueinducing vibrations
July, 1998 RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter

Transmission Lines

200 ft 3-6 ft ~60 m Max.

5 - 24

Basic Characteristics And Specifications

Typical RF bandpass filter
I Types of Filters Attenuation, dB
insertion loss 0 passband ripple passband width

RF Filters

Single-pole:
pass reject (notch)

-3 dB

Multi-pole:
band-pass band-reject

I Key electrical characteristics

Frequency, megaHertz

Insertion loss Passband ripple Passband width

upper, lower cutoff frequencies

Attenuation slope at band edge Ultimate out-of-band attenuation

July, 1998

Typical bandpass filters have insertion loss of 1-3 dB. and passband ripple of 2-6 dB. Bandwidth is typically 1-20% of center frequency, depending on application. Attenuation slope and out-of-band attenuation depend on # of poles & design

RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter

5 - 25

Types And Applications

I Filters are the basic building blocks of duplexers and more complex devices I Most manufacturers network equipment includes internal bandpass filters at receiver input and transmitter output I Filters are also available for special applications I Number of poles (filter elements) and other design variables determine filters electrical characteristics

RF Filters

Typical RF Bandpass Filter

/4

Bandwidth rejection Insertion loss Slopes Ripple, etc.

Notice construction: RF input excites one quarter-wave element and electromagnet fields propagate from element to element, finally exciting the last element which is directly coupled to the output. Each element is individually set and forms a pole in the filters overall response curve.
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RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter

Basics Of Transmitting Combiners

I Allows multiple transmitters to feed single antenna, providing Typical tuned combiner application
Antenna

Minimum power loss from transmitter to antenna Maximum isolation between transmitters
I Combiner types

TX TX TX TX TX TX TX TX

Tuned

low insertion loss ~1-3 dB transmitter frequencies must be significantly separated

Typical hybrid combiner application

Antenna
~-3 dB ~-3 dB ~-3 dB TX TX TX TX TX TX TX TX

Hybrid
insertion loss -3 dB per stage no restriction on transmitter frequencies

Linear amplifier
linearity and intermodulation are major design and operation issues

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Duplexer Basics
I Duplexer allows simultaneous transmitting and receiving on one antenna Nortel 1900 MHz BTS RFFEs include internal duplexer Nortel 800 MHz BTS does not include duplexer but commercial units can be used if desired I Important duplexer specifications TX pass-through insertion loss RX pass-through insertion loss TX-to-RX isolation at TX frequency (RX intermodulation issue) TX-to-RX isolation at RX frequency (TX noise floor issue) Internally-generated IMP limit specification
July, 1998

Antenna

Duplexer
fR RX fT TX

Principle of operation
Duplexer is composed of individual bandpass filters to isolate TX from RX while allowing access to antenna for both. Filter design determines actual isolation between TX and RX, and insertion loss TX-to-Antenna and RX-to-Antenna.

RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter

5 - 28

Directional Couplers
I Couplers are used to measure forward and reflected energy in a transmission line; it has 4 ports: Input (from TX), Output (to load) Forward and Reverse Samples I Sensing loops probe E& I in line Equal sensitivity to E & H fields Terminations absorb induced current in one direction, leaving only sample of other direction I Typical performance specifications Coupling factor ~20, ~30, ~40 dB., order as appropriate for application Directivity ~30-~40 dB., f($) defined as relative attenuation of unwanted direction in each sample
July, 1998

Typical directional coupler

Principle of operation
RT Input ZLOAD= 50 Reverse Sample

Forward Sample

RT

Main lines E & I induce equal signals in sense loops. E is direction-independent, but Is polarity depends on direction and cancels sample induced in one direction. Thus sense loop signals are directional. One end is used, the other terminated.

RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter

5 - 29

Return Loss And VSWR Measurement

Directional coupler RF Power Refl Fwd Antenna

Transmission line

A perfect antenna will absorb and radiate all the power fed to it I Real antennas absorb most of the power, but reflect a portion back down the line I A Directional Coupler or Directional Wattmeter can be used to measure the magnitude of the energy in both forward and reflected directions I Antenna specs give maximum reflection over a specific frequency range I Reflection magnitude can be expressed in the forms VSWR, Return Loss, or reflection coefficient VSWR = Voltage Standing Wave Ratio
July, 1998 RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter 5 - 30

Return Loss and VSWR

VSWR vs. Return Loss

50 40 30 20 10 0 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

VSWR

Forward Power, Reflected Power, Return Loss, and VSWR can be related by these equations and the graph. Typical antenna VSWR specifications are 1.5:1 maximum over a specified band. VSWR 1.5 : 1 = 14 db return loss = 4.0% reflected power
1+

Return Loss, dB = 10 x Log10

July, 1998

Reflected Power Forward Power

VSWR = 1-

Reflected Power Forward Power Reflected Power Forward Power

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RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter

Swept Return Loss Measurements

I Its a good idea to take swept or TDR Directional return loss measurements of a new Fwd Coupler antenna at installation and to recheck periodically Transmission maintain a printed or Line Refl electronically stored copy of the Network Analyzer analyzer output for comparison -10 A Network Analyzer can also display polar plots, Smith most types of antenna or Charts, phase response -20 A Spectrum Analyzer and transmission line failures are tracking generator can be easily detectable by comparison used if Network Analyzer not available -30 with stored data f f
Antenna
1 2

What is the maximum acceptable value of return loss as seen in sketch above? Given: I Antenna VSWR max spec is 1.5 : 1 between f1 and f2 I Transmission line loss = 3 dB. Consideration & Solution: I From chart, VSWR of 1.5 : 1 is a return loss of -14 dB, measured at the antenna I Power goes through the line loss of -3 db to reach the antenna, and -3 db to return I Therefore, maximum acceptable observation on the ground is -14 -3 -3 = - 20 dB.
July, 1998 RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter 5 - 32

Chapter 5 Section C

Some Antenna Some Antenna Application Considerations Application Considerations

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Near-Field/Far-Field Considerations
I Antenna behavior is very different close-in and far out I Near-field region: the area within about 10 times the spacing between antennas internal elements

Inside this region, the signal behaves as independent fields from each element of the antenna, with their individual directivity
I Far-field region: the area beyond roughly 10 times the spacing between the antennas internal elements

Near-field

In this region, the antenna seems to be a point-source and the contributions of the individual elements are indistinguishable The pattern is the composite of the array
I Obstructions in the near-field can dramatically alter the antenna performance
Far-field

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Local Obstruction at a Site

I Obstructions near the site are sometimes unavoidable I Near-field obstructions can seriously alter pattern shape I More distant local obstructions can cause severe blockage, as for example roof edge in the figure at right Knife-edge diffraction analysis can help estimate diffraction loss in these situations Explore other antenna mounting positions
July, 1998 RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter

Local obstruction example

Diffraction over obstructing edge

5 - 35

Estimating Isolation Between Antennas

Often multiple antennas are needed at a site and interaction is troublesome I Electrical isolation between antennas

Coupling loss between isotropic antennas one wavelength apart is 22 dB 6 dB additional coupling loss with each doubling of separation Add gain or loss referenced from horizontal plane patterns Measure vertical separation between centers of the antennas
vertical separation usually is very effective

I One antenna should not be mounted in main lobe and near-field of another

Typically within 10 feet @ 800 MHz Typically 5-10 feet @ 1900 MHz
July, 1998 RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter 5 - 36

Visually Estimating Depression Angles in the field

I Before considering downtilt, beamwidths, and depression angles, do some personal experimentation at a high site to gain a sense of the angles involved I Visible width of fingers, etc. can be useful approximate benchmark for visual evaluation I Measure and remember width of your own chosen references I Standing at a site, correlate your sightings of objects you want to cover with angles in degrees and the antenna pattern
July, 1998

Visually estimating angles with tools always at hand

distance width

angle = arctangent (width / distance)

Typical Angles
Thumb width Nail of forefinger All knuckles ~2 degrees ~1 degree ~10 degrees
5 - 37

Calibrate yourself using the formula!

RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter

Antenna Downtilt
Whats the goal?
Scenario 1
Cell A Cell B

Downtilt is commonly used for two reasons I 1. Reduce Interference

Reduce radiation toward a distant co-channel cell Concentrate radiation within the serving cell Improve coverage of nearby targets far below the antenna
otherwise within null of antenna pattern

Scenario 2

I 2. Prevent Overshoot

I Are these good strategies? I How is downtilt applied?

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RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter

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Consider Vertical Depression Angles

I Basic principle: important to match vertical pattern against intended coverage targets

Compare the angles toward objects against the antenna vertical pattern -- whats radiating
toward the target?

Depression
angle

Vertical distance

Dont position a null of the antenna toward an important coverage target!

I Sketch and formula

Horizontal distance

Notice the height and horizontal distance must be expressed in the same units before dividing (both in feet, both in miles, etc.)

= ArcTAN ( Vertical distance / Horizontal distance )

July, 1998 RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter 5 - 39

Types Of Downtilt
I Mechanical downtilt Physically tilt the antenna The pattern in front goes down, and behind goes up Popular for sectorization and special omni applications I Electrical downtilt Incremental phase shift is applied in the feed network The pattern droops all around, like an inverted saucer Common technique when downtilting omni cells
July, 1998 RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter 5 - 40

Reduce Interference
Scenario 1
Cell A

Concept
weak

Cell B

strong
height difference 150 ft 4

The Concept: I Radiate a strong signal toward everything within the serving cell, but significantly reduce the radiation toward the area of Cell B The Reality: I When actually calculated, its surprising how small the difference in angle is between the far edge of cell A and the near edge of Cell B Delta in the example is only 0.3 degrees!! Lets look at antenna patterns
5 - 41

Reality 2 1
12 miles

1 2

= ArcTAN ( 150 / ( 4 * 5280 ) ) = -0.4 degrees = ArcTAN ( 150 / ( 12 * 5280 ) ) = -0.1 degrees

July, 1998

RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter

Reduce Interference
Scenario 1 , Continued
I Its an attractive idea, but usually the angle between edge of serving cell and nearest edge of distant cell is just too small to exploit Downtilt or not, cant get much difference in antenna radiation between 1 and 2 -0.1 Even if the pattern were sharp -0.4 enough, alignment accuracy and wind-flexing would be problems delta in this example is less than one degree! Also, if downtilting -- watch out for excessive RSSI and IM involving mobiles near cell! I Soft handoff and good CDMA power control is more important

1 2

= -0.4 degrees = -0.1 degrees

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RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter

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Avoid Overshoot
Scenario 2
Scenario 2

I Application concern: too little radiation toward low, close-in coverage targets I The solution is common-sense matching of the antenna vertical pattern to the angles where radiation is needed Calculate vertical angles to targets!! Watch the pattern nulls -- where do they fall on the ground? Choose a low-gain antenna with a fat vertical pattern if you have a wide range of vertical angles to hit Downtilt if appropriate If needed, investigate special nullfilled antennas with smooth patterns

July, 1998

RF100 (c) 1998 Scott Baxter

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Other Antenna Selection Considerations

Before choosing an antenna for widespread deployment, investigate: I Manufacturers measured patterns Observe pattern at low end of band, mid-band, and high end of band Any troublesome back lobes or minor lobes in H or V patterns? Watch out for nulls which would fall toward populated areas Be suspicious of extremely symmetrical, clean measured patterns Obtain Intermod Specifications and test results (-130 or better) Inspect return loss measurements across the band I Inspect a sample unit Physical integrity? weatherproof? Dissimilar metals in contact anywhere? Collinear vertical antennas: feed method? End (compromise) or center-fed (best)? Complete your own return loss measurements, if possible Ideally, do your own limited pattern verification I Check with other users for their experiences
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