PROCEDURE FOR TESTING OF ANTENNA AND FEEDER CABLE SYSTEM Document No.

: C1-NW3-000-006

Issued By
Vinod Bhatia

Issue Date Revision

23.08.2002 0

Version
0

Reason for Issue

Issued for Implementation

Prepared by K. Ray Chaudhuri & Alok Shetty 23.08.2002

Checked by
Vinod Bhatia

Approved by A. K. Sur

23.08.2002

23.08.2002

ANTENNA-FEEDER-JUMPER CABLE SYSTEM TEST PROCEDURE

1.0 INTRODUCTION Reliance is about to launch nationwide CDMA 1x network. The installation of antenna, feeder cables and connectors, jumper cable etc. belongs to Reliance scope of work. In order to achieve the targeted QoS parameters proper installation of these RF subsystems is to be ensured prior to handover to BTS vendor. The purpose of this document is to frame a guideline for measurement of relevant RF parameters of antenna and feeder systems for each and every CDMA BTS site. These tests will verify the proper installation of antenna and feeder cable system. The tests also include measuring the feeder system attenuation. 2.0 ABOUT THE TESTS Three major tests mentioned below are to be carried out at every BTS location. Distance to Fault (DTF) Measurement Return Loss Measurement Cable Attenuation Measurement

The measurement procedure mentioned below assumes that For Distance to Fault and Return Loss, the installation of antennas, feeder cables with jumpers must be complete. For Cable Attenuation Measurement test, the far end (antenna end on tower top) of the feeder cable must be kept open.

The following instructions describe how to make above measurements on CDMA 850 passive antenna systems using Bird Site Analyzer (ref. Fig.1) The testing personnel can obtain hard copies by importing the waveforms to a PC. Necessary software and serial cable arrangements are provided with the Site Analyzer. BIRD SITE ANALYSER

Fig. 1 Bird Site Analyzer All the keys mentioned in the measurement procedure below can be found in Fig. 1 above. In the measurement procedure a "key" is marked on the front panel of the instrument with the text describing its function, while "soft key" has its text displayed on the screen, next to the key. A Test Record is provided. This shall be filled in during the tests. 3.0 WORK FLOW CHART A Work Flow Chart is shown below describing the measurement of RF parameters of passive antenna subsystems.
WORK FLOW CHART FOR MRASURING ANTENNA SUBSYSTEM

Visual Inspection of Installation

Calibrating Site Analyzer

Connect System Under Test

Perform DTF Test

Save Traces Perform Return Loss Test Save Traces Disconnect Antenna from Feeder System Perform Cable Loss Measurement Test

Save Traces

Complete Test Record

Fig. 2 4.0 CHECKING THE INSTALLATION Check visually that no cables or connectors are damaged and that all cables (feeders and jumpers) are properly marked. Check that connectors are properly connected and tightened. Verify the directions of directional antennas. Consider magnetic influences from nearby metallic objects and deviation from the magnetic North when using the compass. Check that the correct cable is connected to the correct antenna. Record remarks, if any, in the Test Record and forward them to the person responsible for the site installation.

5.0 MEASUREMENT PROCEDURE 5.1 DISTANCE TO FAULT (DTF) MEASUREMENT

This measurement identifies the position of impedance discontinuity/mismatch within the antenna feeder system. For this, following steps may be followed. 5.1.1 CALIBRATION OF MEASURING INSTRUMENT FOR DTF TEST In order to achieve accurate DTF test results, the Site Analyzer must be calibrated. Also, the frequency range has to be set before the calibration. The procedure for selecting frequency range is mentioned below. It may be noted that the site analyzer must be calibrated each time the frequency range is changed. 5.1.1.1 SELECTING FREQUENCY RANGE Switch on the Site Analyser with either 230V AC supply or using built-in battery backup. Press the CONFIG key. Press the FREQ. soft key. Press the LEFT and RIGHT ARROW keys to move the cursor to the START frequency, enter the start frequency of 800 MHz and press the ENTER key. Press the LEFT and RIGHT ARROW keys to move the cursor to the STOP frequency, enter the stop frequency 900 MHz and press the ENTER key. Check that the frequency scale in the display area indicates the correct frequency span value. 5.1.1.2 PERFORMING CALIBRATION OF MEASURING INSTRUMENT

Figure 3

Connecting the calibration components

To perform a calibration the following components are required. PRECISION OPEN PRECISION SHORT PRECISION LOAD

For correct calibration results, ensure that the Open/Short/Load is connected at the TEST port of the site analyzer, the same point where the test object will be connected. Make sure the correct frequency range has been set. Press the CALIBRATE key. Attach the open standard. Press the OPEN soft key. Wait for the trace to scroll, the OPEN soft key to change to OPEN DONE, and a beep to come to mark the completion of calibration of OPEN standard. Attach the short standard. Press the SHORT soft key Wait for the trace to scroll, the SHORT soft key to change to SHORT DONE, and a beep to come to mark the completion of calibration of SHORT standard. Attach the load standard. Press the LOAD soft key. Wait for the trace to scroll, the LOAD soft key to change to LOAD DONE, and a beep to come to mark the completion of calibration of LOAD standard. Press the CAL DONE soft key. This key terminates the calibration and causes the instrument to calculate new Calibration Coefficients. Verify the completion of calibration. Disconnect LOAD.

After the calibration, the display will show Calibration: FULL as long as the calibration is valid. 5.1.2 SAVING THE SETUP Once the calibration process becomes over, the setup file is to be stored in non-volatile memory of the site analyzer for future use. Press SAVE/RECALL soft key Press SETUP soft key Press SAVE soft key

The setup will now be saved in the memory with a unique setup file number, frequency band selected and data & time stamping. 5.1.3 RECALLING THE DESIRED SETUP FILE In order to recall a saved setup for subsequent testing purpose, the following steps may be followed. Press SAVE/RECALL soft key Press SETUP soft key Select the desired setup file to be recalled using up/down arrow keys. Press RECALL soft key.

5.1.4 ENTERING CABLE PARAMETERS To achieve accurate DTF test results the correct cable parameters must be entered. Enter velocity factor (propagation co-efficient) and attenuation (dB/m) for the cable type in the feeder system. Press the MODE key.

Press the FAULT LOCATION soft key. Press the CONFIG key. Press the CBL TYPE soft key. Use the LEFT and RIGHT ARROW keys to select Loss. Enter the cable loss in dB per meter for the type of feeder being tested, and press the ENTER key. For EUPEN 7/8 cable, loss is 0.04 dB per meter. Use the LEFT and RIGHT ARROW keys to select Vel. Prop. Enter the relative velocity for the type of feeder being tested, and press the ENTER key. For EUPEN 7/8 cable, velocity propagation co-efficient is 0.88. It may be noted that cable type will be shown as Custom. Press the DISTANCE soft key. Use the LEFT and RIGHT ARROW keys to select Units. Use the UP and DOWN ARROW keys to select Meters and press the ENTER key. Press ESCAPE key.

5.1.5 CONNECTING DTF TEST SETUP This section contains test setups and information about how to connect the test equipment for the DTF Tests. Connect the BTS end jumper cable (with N(male) connector) to the test port of the site analyzer. The other end will be terminated to the antenna. Check that all connections are properly connected and tightened.

5.1.6 PERFORMING DTF TESTS The purpose of the Distance To Fault test (DTF) is to verify that there are no bad connections or other faults (for example sharp bends) in the feeder system. Check that the Site Analyzers display shows Calibration: Full, indicating that the Site Analyzer is calibrated. If the display shows Calibration: OFF, calibrate the Site Analyzer as per procedure mentioned earlier. Ensure that the BTS end of the feeder cable (including jumper, if any) is connected properly at the RF test port of site analyser. Press the MODE key. Press the FAULT LOCATION soft key. Press the CONFIG key. Press the DISTANCE soft key. Use the LEFT and RIGHT ARROW keys to select Start, enter the desired start value (0 m) and press the ENTER key. Use the LEFT and RIGHT ARROW keys to select Stop, enter the desired stop value (usually the total estimated length of the feeder and jumper system) and press the ENTER key. Press the SCALE soft key. Use the LEFT and RIGHT ARROW keys to select Units. Use the UP and DOWN ARROW keys to select RETURN LOSS from the units menu and press the ENTER key. Press the LIMIT LINE soft key and enter 15 dB for a limit and press the ENTER key. 15 dB return loss has been defined as PASS/FAIL limit line for fault location test. Press the SMOOTH soft key until it displays None. Press the ESCAPE key.

Press AUTO SCALE key. This setting will automatically bring the measured values of return loss along the feeder length within display range. Press the LIMIT TEST soft key until it displays On. Wait while the Site Analyzer is calculating (6 seconds approximately) Observe the waveform (showing RETURN LOSS along vertical axis and DISTANCE from the site analyzer port along horizontal axis) and check that no reflections are above 15 dB of Return Loss. If the waveform has a RETURN LOSS level above 15 dB Return Loss, FAIL will be displayed at the bottom of the display and the portion of the waveform over the limit will be shown in RED color. Press the MARKER key. Press M1 soft key until it displays ACTIVE. Use the LEFT and RIGHT ARROW keys to move the marker to those peaks, which are showing inferior values of return loss and are displayed in red color. Check the feeder cable/connectors at these approximate distance/s(from BTS port) and redo the connectorisation or remove sharp bends (if any). Repeat the DTF test again till it shown PASS

5.1.7 SAVING THE TRACE Press the SAVE/RECALL soft key. Press the LABEL soft key. Press the SITE soft key. Enter a site number ( a-xxx-yyy-zzz where a is test number (1 for distance to fault measurement; 2 for return loss measurement; 3 for cable attenuation measurement) xxx is circle name, yyy is city name and zzz is site number) and press the ENTER key. Press the SECTOR soft key to select a sector identifier x-yy where x is A (for sector at 0), B (for sector at 120) and C (for sector at 240). yy will be TR or R where TR represents transmit/receive cable and R represents diversity receive cable. Press the DONE soft key. Press the SAVE soft key to save the measurement with a time/date stamp and a unique registration number. Press the ESCAPE key. RETURN LOSS MEASUREMENT

5.2

This measurement verifies and monitors the matched condition in the antenna-feeder system at various frequencies. 5.2.1 CONNECTING RETURN LOSS TEST SETUP This section contains test setups and information about how to connect the test equipment for the Return Loss Test. Ensure that the antenna system is completely installed. Connect the test equipment to the jumper cable at BTS end. Check that all connections are properly connected and tightened.

5.2.2 PERFORMING RETURN LOSS TEST

The purpose of the RETURN LOSS Test is to verify the antenna system all the way up to the antenna when it is completely installed. The test verifies that the RETURN LOSS is not too high and that negligible signal is reflected back into the BTS. Check that the Site Analyzers display shows Calibration: Full, indicating that the Site Analyzer is calibrated. If the display shows Calibration: OFF, calibrate the Site Analyzer as per method mentioned earlier. Ensure that the test equipment is connected to the jumper-feeder cable-antenna assembly. Press the MODE key. Press the MEASURE MATCH soft key. Press the CONFIG key. Press the SCALE soft key. Use the LEFT and RIGHT ARROW keys to select Units. Use the UP and DOWN ARROW keys to select RETURN LOSS from the units menu and press the ENTER key. Press the LIMIT LINE soft key. Enter 15 dB for a limit and press the ENTER key. The 15 dB return loss was defined as PASS/FAIL limit line for fault location test. Press ESCAPE key. Press AUTO SCALE key. This setting will automatically bring the measured values of return loss along the feeder length within display range. Press the LIMIT TEST soft key until it displays On. Wait while the Site Analyzer is calculating (6 seconds) Observe the waveform and check that no RETURN LOSS levels are over 15 dB. If the waveform has a RETURN LOSS level over 15 dB, the Site Analyzer will display FAIL at the bottom of the display. Also, the portion of the waveform over the limit will be shown in RED color. Inspect the feeder cable/connectors and redo the connectorisation or remove sharp bends (if any). Repeat the DTF test again till it shown PASS Enter the test result in the Test Record. Save the traces by method mentioned earlier.

5.3 MEASUREMENT OF FEEDER ATTENUATION The purpose of this procedure is to calculate the attenuation of the feeder system. It is to be kept in mind that for this measurement far end of the cable has to be OPEN i.e. NOT terminated to antenna. Press MODE key. Press MEASURE MATCH key. Press CONFIG key. Press the SCALE soft key. Use the LEFT and RIGHT ARROW keys to select Units. Use the UP and DOWN ARROW keys to select CABLE LOSS from the units menu and press the ENTER key. Press ESCAPE key. Press AUTO SCALE key. This setting will automatically bring the measured values of return loss along the feeder length within display range. Wait while the Site Analyzer is calculating (6 seconds)

The cable loss (in vertical axis) against frequency (in horizontal axis) will be displayed. Enter the test result in the Test Record. Save the traces by following the method mentioned earlier.

It may be noted that in Test Record, values of cable attenuation (dB) calculated are to be entered. The same is to be calculated as follows : Cable Attenuation (dB) Calculated : [Approx. feeder Length (m.) x 0.04 + 1.00] 6.0 SAVING TRACES INTO THE COMPUTER Once the testing is over, the traces should be stored into computer memory. For this purpose, one interface software (between PC and site analyzer) and associated interconnecting cables will be available with the tool. Load the software into PC Interconnect the site analyzer with PC Follow the instruction to download all the traces Take prints and also save into PC hard drive.

TEST RECORD

Date : City :

Circle : Site : Tester :

Installation Check : Yes / No Comments on Installation :

Distance To Fault Test

Item Description Approx. Cable Length (m.) DTF Test Max. Return Loss (dB) Pass/Fail Pass/Fail Pass/Fail Pass/Fail Pass/Fail Pass/Fail Sector 1 TR R TR Sector 2 R TR Sector 3 R

Return Loss Test

Item Description Return Loss Test Max. Return Loss (dB) Sector 1 TR Pass/Fail R Pass/Fail TR Pass/Fail Sector 2 R Pass/Fail TR Pass/Fail Sector 3 R Pass/Fail

Cable Attenuation Measurement

Item Description Max. cable attenuation (dB) measured Cable attenuation (dB) calculated Sector 1 TR R TR Sector 2 R TR Sector 3 R