Académique Documents
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Edition: V1.0
Released by:
GSM Network Planning & Optimization Dept. Engineering Service Division ZTE Corporation
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This document contains proprietary information of ZTE Corporation and is not to be disclosed or used except in accordance with applicable agreements.
Training Materials
Version Introduction
Version V1.0 V1.1 Date 2007-07-01 2009-02-16 Writer Wang JinFu Fei AiPing Assessor Chen Ni Chen Ni Amendment records None Document standardization
This document contains proprietary information of ZTE Corporation and is not to be disclosed or used except in accordance with applicable agreements.
Key words:
antenna basicsbeam widthgaintilt anglecircumstancesselection of antenna types
Abstract:
In this guidebook, theories of antenna antenna parameters and related concepts and definitions are mainly described. Besides, selection of antenna types under different circumstances and antenna installation specifications are also introduced.
Abbreviation:
None
Reference:
<Antenna Rudiments> Internet < Selection Flow of GSM Antenna Types > Guidebook for GSM Network Planning & Optimization Dept., Engineering Service Division, ZTE Corporation
This document contains proprietary information of ZTE Corporation and is not to be disclosed or used except in accordance with applicable agreements.
Contents
Picture 1-1 Diagram of Relation between Doublet Angle and Radiation Power of Electromagnetic Wave 3.................................................................................................................................V Picture 1-2 Half-wave Dipole 4...................................................................................................................V Picture 1-3 Half-wave Folded Dipole 4....................................................................................................V Picture 1-4 Diagram of Directional Plate-shaped Antenna Appearing 6................................................V Picture 1-5 Vertically-set Line Array Formed by Several Half-wave Dipole 6......................................V Picture 1-6 Apply horizontally oriented theory by adding baffle-board to one side the line array (take the line array of double half-wave dipole with baffle-board as an example ) 7............................V Picture 1-7 Directional plate-shaped antenna formed with several half-wave dipole 8........................V Picture 1-8 Directional plate-shaped antenna consisting of several microstrip dipole 9.......................V Picture 1-9 Structure of plate-shaped directional antenna array 9.........................................V Picture 1-10 Structure of Isotropic Dipole Antenna with Series Feed 10...............................................V Picture 2-11 Diagram of antenna gain in dBi and dBd 11.......................................................................V Picture 2-12 Field strength diagram of isotropic antenna and directional antenna 12........................V Picture 2-13 Diagram of horizontal beam width (3dB) of BTS antenna 13...........................................V Picture 2-14 Diagram of BTS antenna coverage 14.................................................................................V Picture 2-15 Diagram of BTS antenna vertical with 3dB beam width 14..............................................V Picture 2-16 Common polarization mode of BTS antenna 16.................................................................V Picture 2-17 Diagram of dual-polarization BTS antenna 16...................................................................V Picture 2-18 Diagram of BTS antenna down-tilt 17.................................................................................V Picture 2-19 Comparison on BTS antenna down-tilt modes 17.............................................................V Picture 2-20 Diagram of comparison between BTS antenna with or without null fill effect 20..........V This document contains proprietary information of ZTE Corporation and is not to be disclosed or used except in accordance with applicable agreements.
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Picture 3-21 Block diagram of measurement of antenna gain half-power beam width front-toback ratio cross polarization discrimination 22......................................................................................VI Picture 3-22 Block diagram of VSWR measurement 23.........................................................................VI Picture 3-23 Block diagram of antenna isolation 24................................................................................VI Picture 3-24 Block diagram of antenna intermodulation measurement 24.........................................VI Picture 6-25 Dense urban 36......................................................................................................................VI Picture 6-26 Urban (towns) 37...................................................................................................................VI Picture 6-27 Suburb 37...............................................................................................................................VI Picture 6-28 Railways & highways 38.......................................................................................................VI Picture 6-29 Scenery areas 38...............................................................................................................VI Picture 8-30 Solid diagram and vertical view of antenna 45..................................................................VI Table 8-1 Horizontal diversity distance of antenna 44.........................................................................VII 1 Overview of Antenna...................................................................................................................................1 1.1 General Development of BTS Antenna Technology............................................................................1 1.2 Theories of Antenna Radiation..............................................................................................................3 1.2.1 Electromagnetic Wave Radiation of Electric Dipole..................................................................3 1.2.2 Half-wave Dipole........................................................................................................................3 1.3 Internal Structure & Types of Mobile Communication BTS Antenna.................................................4 1.3.1 Plate-shaped Directional Antenna...............................................................................................4 1.3.2 Isotropic Dipole Antenna with Series Feed................................................................................9 2 Concepts & Meanings of Antenna Parameters.......................................................................................11 2.1 Antenna Gain.......................................................................................................................................11 2.2 Directional Diagram of Radiation.......................................................................................................12 2.3 Beam Width.........................................................................................................................................12 2.3.1 Horizontal Beam Width.............................................................................................................12 2.3.2 Vertical Beam Width.................................................................................................................14 2.4 Frequency Band...................................................................................................................................15 This document contains proprietary information of ZTE Corporation and is not to be disclosed or used except in accordance with applicable agreements.
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2.5 Polarization Mode...............................................................................................................................15 2.6 Down-tilt Mode...................................................................................................................................16 2.7 Antenna Front-to-back Ratio...............................................................................................................18 2.8 Antenna Input Impedance( Zin)..........................................................................................................18 2.9 Antenna VSWR...................................................................................................................................19 2.10 Side Lobe Suppression & Null Fill...................................................................................................19 2.11 Third-order Intermodulation..............................................................................................................20 2.12 Isolation between Ports.....................................................................................................................20 2.13 Case...................................................................................................................................................21 3 Measurement of Key Antenna Indicators Knowledge point.............................................................22 3.1 Measurement of Antenna Gain ...........................................................................................................22 3.2 Measurement of 3dB Beam Width & Front-to-back Ratio ................................................................22 3.3 Measurement of Antenna VSWR .......................................................................................................23 3.4 Isolation Measurement of Dual-Polarized Antenna............................................................................24 3.5 Measurement of Intermodulation........................................................................................................24 4 Antenna Parameters..................................................................................................................................26 4.1 Antenna Directional Angle..................................................................................................................26 4.2 Antenna Height....................................................................................................................................27 4.3 Antenna Down-tilt...............................................................................................................................29 5 Antenna Types............................................................................................................................................31 5.1 Antenna Types.....................................................................................................................................31 6 Circumstances of Antenna Application...................................................................................................35 6.1 Dense Urban........................................................................................................................................36 6.2 Urban (Towns).....................................................................................................................................36 6.3 Suburb (Counties) & Villages.............................................................................................................37 6.4 Railways/ Highways (Roads)..............................................................................................................37 6.5 Scenery Areas......................................................................................................................................38 7 Selection of Antenna Type.........................................................................................................................39 7.1 BTS antenna selection for urban.........................................................................................................39 This document contains proprietary information of ZTE Corporation and is not to be disclosed or used except in accordance with applicable agreements.
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7.2 BTS antenna selection for suburb.......................................................................................................39 7.3 BTS antenna selection for highway coverage.....................................................................................40 7.4 BTS antenna selection for mountain area...........................................................................................41 8 Installation & Modulation of Antenna....................................................................................................43 8.1 Antenna installation on Pole................................................................................................................43 8.1.1 Installation pole must be straight..............................................................................................43 8.1.2 Lightening protection................................................................................................................43 8.1.3 Diversity reception....................................................................................................................44 8.1.4 Antenna isolation.......................................................................................................................45 8.2 Antenna Installation on Iron Tower ....................................................................................................45 8.3 Summary.............................................................................................................................................46
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Diagram Contents
Picture 1-1 Diagram of Relation between Doublet Angle and Radiation Power of Electromagnetic Wave 3 Picture 1-2 Half-wave Dipole .........................................................................................................................4 Picture 1-3 Half-wave Folded Dipole ..........................................................................................................4 Picture 1-4 Diagram of Directional Plate-shaped Antenna Appearing......................................................6 Picture 1-5 Vertically-set Line Array Formed by Several Half-wave Dipole............................................6 Picture 1-6 Apply horizontally oriented theory by adding baffle-board to one side the line array (take the line array of double half-wave dipole with baffle-board as an example ) ................................7 Picture 1-7 Directional plate-shaped antenna formed with several half-wave dipole..............................8 Picture 1-8 Directional plate-shaped antenna consisting of several microstrip dipole............................9 Picture 1-9 Structure of plate-shaped directional antenna array...............................................9 Picture 1-10 Structure of Isotropic Dipole Antenna with Series Feed.....................................................10 Picture 2-11 Diagram of antenna gain in dBi and dBd .............................................................................11 Picture 2-12 Field strength diagram of isotropic antenna and directional antenna..............................12 Picture 2-13 Diagram of horizontal beam width (3dB) of BTS antenna.................................................13 Picture 2-14 Diagram of BTS antenna coverage.......................................................................................14 Picture 2-15 Diagram of BTS antenna vertical with 3dB beam width....................................................14 Picture 2-16 Common polarization mode of BTS antenna.......................................................................16 Picture 2-17 Diagram of dual-polarization BTS antenna.........................................................................16 Picture 2-18 Diagram of BTS antenna down-tilt .......................................................................................17 Picture 2-19 Comparison on BTS antenna down-tilt modes ...................................................................17 Picture 2-20 Diagram of comparison between BTS antenna with or without null fill effect................20 This document contains proprietary information of ZTE Corporation and is not to be disclosed or used except in accordance with applicable agreements.
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VI
Table Contents
Table 8-1 Horizontal diversity distance of antenna ..................................................................................44
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VII
1 Overview of Antenna
Knowledge Point In this chapter, the radiation theory of BTS antenna and its structure types are described. In addition, antenna technology and its development trend are introduced.
Picture 1-1 Diagram of Relation between Doublet Angle and Radiation Power of Electromagnetic Wave
There is another kind of half-wave dipole, which can be obtained by forming a fullwave doublet into a slender rectangular with the two ends of the doublet overlapped. The slender rectangular is called folded dipole, the length of which is also 1/2 wave length, so it is also referred as half-wave folded dipole.
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1.3.1.1
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Picture 1-6 Apply horizontally oriented theory by adding baffle-board to one side the line array (take the line array of double half-wave dipole with baffle-board as an example )
Currently, almost all antenna manufacturers adopt plate-shaped dipole array structure in designing BTS directional antennas. Two types of dipole are adopted. 1.3.1.2 Balanced Dipole It is standard half-wave balanced dipole (add one additional dipole to lower the dipoles ground clearance, and reduce the thickness of antenna).
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Picture 1-7 Directional plate-shaped antenna formed with several half-wave dipole
1.3.1.3
Microstrip Dipole It is a variant of half-wave dipole. It uses transmission line of 1/4 wave length to form radiation.
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1.3.1.4
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Meanings
of
Antenna
This chapter mainly introduces the concepts of BTS antenna technology parameters and their significant application in network planning.
Currently, antennas with gains ranging from 0dBi to 20dBi are used in both domestic and foreign BTSs. Gain of antenna used for indoor micro cellular coverage usually ranges from 0 to 8 dBi; that of antenna on outdoor BTS is from 9dBi (isotropic antenna gain) to 18dBi (directional antenna gain). 11
Picture 2-12 Field strength diagram of isotropic antenna and directional antenna
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The gain of antenna with 20or 30 horizontal beam width is higher, which is usually used in covering strip areas and highways; antenna with 65 beam width is used in the coverage for the typical three-sector sites in dense urban area; antenna with 90 beam width is used in the coverage of the three-sector of typical site in suburb area; antenna with 105 beam width is used in the coverage of the three-sector of typical site in the vast and less populated area. See Picture 2 -14. Antenna with 120 180beam width is used to cover the special-shaped sectors with extremely wide angles.
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Picture 2-15 Diagram of BTS antenna vertical with 3dB beam width
The 3dB vertical beam width is closely related to the antenna gain and the 3dB horizontal beam width. The 3dB vertical beam width is about 10 . Generally, in the antenna with same gain and same antenna designing skills, the wider the horizontal beam width is, the narrower the vertical beam width will be. The narrower 3dB vertical beam width will create larger shade area, as shown in Picture 2 -15. Of the two sets of antennas with the same height and without down-tilt, the shadow area created by the wider vertical beam width is OX (red area), which is smaller than that created by the narrower vertical beam width OX (blue area). When selecting antenna types, with the same antenna gain, wed better select those with wider 3dB vertical beam width, so as to ensure the coverage of the serving area and reduce shadow area. This document contains proprietary information of ZTE Corporation and is not to be disclosed or used except in accordance with applicable agreements.
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960MHz807-960 MHz and 890-1880 MHz are all applicable. For CDMA800 systemuse 824896MHZ antenna. For CDMA1900 system, use 18501990MHZ antenna. In order to reduce the out-of-band interference signal, band width of the selected antenna may just satisfy the frequency bands requirement.
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There are several modes of antenna down-tilt: mechanical down-tilt, settled electrical down-tilt, adjustable electrical down-tilt, remote-adjustable electrical down-tilt. As for mechanical, it is just set slant during installation; it is often used in antenna with downtilt angle within 10. When the down-tilt is further expanded, the right ahead of the coverage will appear sunken, and the two edges appear squashed, the directional diagram becomes deformed, and in the mean time interference to the adjacent BTSs becomes stronger, as shown in Picture 2 -19. Another defect of mechanical down-tilt is that the back lobe of antenna will upward, which can result in interference to the adjacent sectors and call drop to MS on upper layer of adjacent cells.
The angle of electrical down-tilt antenna is relatively wide (can be wider than 10 ); the directional diagram is not apparently out of shape; the back lobe declines in the mean time; there is no interference to MS on adjacent high buildings.
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VSWR =
Umaxthe anti-node voltage on feeder Uminthe wave node voltage on feeder Because the input wave can not be absorbed completely when its delivered to the input end B of antenna, and reflection wave occurs and overlays, VSWR will form. The larger VSWR is, the larger the reflection will be, and the worse the matching will be. What bad effects can be resulted from bad VSWR? What is the acceptable VSWR? An appropriate VSWR shall be the balance between the quantity of energy lost and the generating cost. (1) VSWR1, it means that some of the power input into the antenna is reflected, and the radiation power is reduced (2) The feed loss is increased. Loss rate of 7/8 cable is 4dB/100m, which is the result based on the condition of VSWR=1 (perfectly-matched); energy loss is increased due to the reflection of power, thus the input power from feed to antenna is reduced.
Picture 2-20 Diagram of comparison between BTS antenna with or without null fill effect
Null fill = (vertical first lower null fill value/ radiation direction maximum)% = 20log (vertical first lower null fill value/ radiation direction maximum)dB Strictly speaking, antennas without features of side lobe suppression and null fill shall not be used, so as to ensure good coverage over the serving area.
2.13 Case
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Picture 3-21 Block diagram of measurement of antenna gain half-power beam widthfront-to-back ratiocross polarization discrimination
(2) Direct datum gain antenna to the direction of central lobe of the source antenna, then take down the receiving level of datum gain antenna P1(dBm); (3) Direct the measured antenna to the direction of central lobe of the source antenna, take down the receiving level of datum gain antenna P2(dBm); (4) Calculate and get the gain of the measured antenna: G= gain of datum antenna G0+(P2P1); (5) In order to show the gain feature of antenna in the given frequency band, at least measure three frequency points in high /medium/low frequency band.
instruments and meters according to Picture 3 -21; (2) Direct the measured antenna to the direction of central lobe of the source antenna, then start the rotating floor to make the measured antenna rotate horizontally, and take down the receiving level of the measured antenna according to the function of angles of rotation, then from the function curve get the half-wave beam width and front-toback ratio of the measured antenna; (3) Keep the measured antenna aflat with its top pointing at the direction of central lobe of source antenna, then start the rotating floor to make the measured antenna rotate horizontally, and take down the receiving level of the measured antenna according to the function of angles of rotation, then get the vertical half-wave beam width of the measured antenna from the function curve; (4) In order to show the gain feature of antenna in the given frequency band, at least measure three frequency points in high /medium/low frequency band.
(2) At the calibration port, fine-tune the meters and instruments with a short circuit device or a open circuit instead of the measured antenna; (3) Connect the calibration port with the measured antenna, read the VSWR of the measured antenna. This document contains proprietary information of ZTE Corporation and is not to be disclosed or used except in accordance with applicable agreements.
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(2) Short-circuit the two feeds to the measured dual-polarized antenna, reset the meters to 0dB; (3) Connect the meter feeds with the measured antenna, read the worst isolation of the measured dual-polarized antenna.
(2) In the operating frequency band, choose two appropriate frequencies f1h and f2h , This document contains proprietary information of ZTE Corporation and is not to be disclosed or used except in accordance with applicable agreements.
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make the intermodulation product f3=2f2-f1 (or f3=2f1-f2), which is also required to be within the operating frequency band; (3) F1 and f2 input 20W individual tone power to the antenna simultaneously; (4) With f3 receiver, read the level of three-order intermodulation product.
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4 Antenna Parameters
Knowledge point This chapter mainly introduces the engineering parameters of antenna in network planning and their influences on coverage, and how to improve network performance with changes in engineering parameters.
three cells in the current GSM system (mainly with ERICSSON equipment): Cell A: azimuth angle 0, antenna pointing to due north; Cell B: azimuth angle 120, antenna pointing to southeast; Cell C: azimuth angle 240, antenna pointing to southwest.
In GSM network construction and planning, we install and adjust antenna azimuth angle strictly according to the rules above, which is one of the installation specifications. Deviation in the setting of azimuth angle can result in unreasonable discrepancy between the real coverage and the designed coverage and some unexpected co-channel or adjacent channel interference. In the real GSM network, specific landforms like high buildings mountains and water face, etc. can cause signal refraction and reflection, which can result in big discrepancy between the real coverage and the ideal model, thus some areas enjoy stronger signals, while some suffer from weaker ones. In this case, we shall appropriately adjust the antenna azimuth angle according to the real network situation, so as to ensure the signal strength in the weak areas and achieve the goal of network optimization. Besides, the discrepancy in real population density of different areas can cause call traffic unbalance in cells under the antennas coverage. Again we can adjust the antenna azimuth angle to make traffic balanced. Certainly, we usually dont recommend adjustment in antenna azimuth angle, because interference in system may be resulted to some degree. While in some special circumstances, like some emergent meetings or large-scale public activities, the traffic concentrates in come cells, we can make adjustment in antenna azimuth angle for the occasion, in order to balance the traffic and optimize the network. Whats more, as for the signal blind zone or weak zone in suburb, we can also achieve network optimization through adjustment in antenna azimuth angle; but remember to test the signal in around area with field strength test vehicles, so as to ensure the network operation quality.
Interference from landforms and ground objects. Parameters at transmitting and receiving terminals include: transmitting
power antenna gain feed loss antenna height operating frequency, and the distance between transmitting terminal and receiving terminal. Interference from landforms and ground objects is caused by landform fluctuations and ground objects screening of signals. All transmission models are related to the height of antennas, therefore antenna height has great influence on path loss. The coverage distance between transmitting terminal and receiving terminal can approximately be expressed with the following formula:
Pt D P r
( hr ht )
[Gr Gt ]
( L )
Pr receiving power
Pt transmitting power
coverage and being covered by the BTS with too large coverage, thus it can not function well and unbalanced traffic will be caused. (2) Interference within system. Over high antenna can cause cross-BTS interference (mainly including co-channel interference and adjacent channel interference) call drop cross talk and too much stray noise, thus the quality of the whole radio communication network will decrease. (3) Island effect. It is about BTS coverage problem. When the BTS is covering special landforms like vast water face or mountainous areas, though the original coverage distance remains the same, an exclave area will appear in the far distance, because of the reflection from water face or mountains; while the adjacent BTSs having handover relation with the BTS can not be covered due to obstruction of the landforms. Therefore, handover relation between the exclave area and the adjacent BTSs does not exist, and the exclave area becomes an island. When a MS uses the signal in the exclave area, it can easily suffer from call drop due to lack of handover relation.
coverage rim. The formula of down-tilt is shown bellow: = arctg(H/L) 180/+/2e In the above formulas, is the initial mechanical tilt of the antenna, expressed in degree; H represents the effective height of the BTS, which is the difference between the fixed location of antenna and the average height of the area covered, expressed in meter; L represents the distance from the BTS antenna to the sectors rim needed to be covered, expressed in meter; represents vertical beam width of the antenna, expressed in degree; e represents down-tilt of the antenna, expressed in degree.
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5 Antenna Types
Knowledge point In this chapter, well get to know the classification methods of antenna, the basic classification of BTS antenna; and through examples of typical antennas, get to know the value range of antenna and the exterior appearance of different types of antennas.
We set up different types of BTSs according to requirements of network construction; and different types of BTSs use different types of antennas according to their needs. The basis for using different antennas is the technical parameters mentioned above. Isotropic BTS adopts isotropic antenna with same antenna gain in all horizontal directions; and directional BTS adopts directional antenna with changing antenna gain in a particular horizontal direction. Usually antenna with horizontal beam width B=65 is used in urban area; and antenna with horizontal beam width B=65 90 or 120 is often used in suburb (based on the BTS type and the local landforms); while in villages, the application of isotropic antenna with large coverage is the most economic. Mechanically-adjustable antenna The so called mechanically-adjustable antenna is a kind of antenna whose down-tilt can be adjusted mechanically. After mechanically-adjustable antenna is vertically installed, position of the bracket at the back of it can be adjusted, if there is need in network optimization. During the adjustment of bracket, there is obvious change in the coverage distance of the principal lobe, but the amplitudes of vertical component and horizontal component remain the same, thus the antenna pattern is easy to be out of shape. Practice has proved that the best down-tilt range is 1 5. When the down-tilt changes from 5 to 10, the antenna pattern deforms a little bit. When it changes from 10 to 15, the antenna pattern deforms to a larger extent. When it is larger than 15, there is big change on the antenna pattern, which changes from a pear-shaped one to a spindle-shaped one; now the coverage distance of principal lobe is obviously shortened, but not all parts of the antenna pattern are within the BTS sector, which means that signal from this BTS can be received in the adjacent BTS sector, thus serious interference in the system will be caused. Besides, if its needed to adjust the down-tilt of this kind of antenna in the daily maintenance, the whole system shall be shut down. We can not keep monitoring network indicators while adjusting the down-tilt. It is very troublesome to adjust the down-tilt, because it needs maintenance staff to climb to where the antenna is located. The down-tilt angle is a theoretical value obtained from the calculation of computer analog analysis software, which is a little deviated from the actual best down-tilt. The stepping degree for adjusting down-tilt is 1, and the third-order intermodulation indicator is -120dBc. Electrical antenna
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The so called electrical antenna is a kind of antenna, which features in electrical downtilt. The theory of electrical down-tilt is to change the amplitudes of vertical component and horizontal component and the field strength of compound component, so as to make vertical pattern of the antenna decline. Because the antenna field strength increases and decreases at the same time in different directions, the antenna pattern wont change too much after down-tilt adjustment, the coverage distance of principal lobe will be reduced, and in the mean time the antenna pattern will reduce its coverage over the serving sector without producing any interference. Practice has proved that when the down-tilt of electrical antenna changes from 1 to 5, the antenna pattern is roughly the same as that of mechanically-adjustable antenna. When the down-tilt changes from 5 to 10, the antenna pattern is improved a little compared with that of mechanically-adjustable antenna. When down-tilt changes within 10 and 15, the antenna pattern changes greatly. When the down-tilt is larger than 15, the antenna pattern is obviously different from that of mechanically-adjustable antenna, its shape isnt changed much, but the coverage distance of principal lobe is obviously reduced, and the whole antenna pattern is within the BTS sector; we can increase down-tilt to reduce the sector coverage without any interference. This is the expected ideal antenna pattern. Its proved that adoption of electrical antenna can reduce call loss and interference. Whats more, electrical antenna allows down-tilt adjustment without shutting down the system, which keeps the monitoring on adjustment effects. The stepping precision is relatively higher (0.1), thus we can make fine adjustment on the network. The thirdorder intermodulation indicator for electrical antenna is -150dBc; there is a difference of 30dBc compared with that of mechanically-adjustable antenna. This is in favor of eliminating adjacent-channel interference and stray interference. Dual-polarized antenna Dual-polarized antenna uses new technology. It combines two sets of antennas with mutually orthogonal polarization directions (+45 and -45) and works in the duplex model of transmitting and receiving signals in the mean time. Therefore, its outstanding advantage is that it saves antennas for directional BTS. Normally the directional BTS (three-sector) of GSM digital mobile communication network needs to use 9 antennas; each of its sectors uses 3 (for space diversity, one for transmitting, two for receiving This document contains proprietary information of ZTE Corporation and is not to be disclosed or used except in accordance with applicable agreements.
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signals). If dual-polarized antenna is adopted, each sector needs only one antenna. In the mean time, the orthogonality of 45 polarization can ensure that the isolation between the two sets of antennas (+45 and -45) meets the requirement from intermodulation 30dB, therefore the space interval between dual-polarized antenna is just 20-30cm. Besides, dual-polarized antenna also possesses advantages like reducing call loss and interference and improving the whole network quality, which are the same as those of electrical antenna. Whats more, there is no specific requirement for installing dual-polarized antenna and no need to acquire land for building antenna tower. Whats needed is just a metal pole with 20cm diameter, and then fix the antenna on the pole in the corresponding coverage direction. In this way, basic construction cost is saved, and layout of BTS is more reasonable, and its much easier to selection BTS location.
As for the selection of antenna type, we should select the antenna which meets the needs of the local mobile network according to specific situations like network coverage, call traffic volume, interference and network service quality. --- in dense BTS area with high traffic volume, use dual-polarized antenna and electrical antenna; --- in suburb area with fewer BTS and low traffic, where larger coverage is required, use the traditional mechanically-adjustable antenna. Currently in area with dense traffic, the network call loss is high and interference is big. One important reason is that the down-tilt of mechanically-adjustable antenna is too large, which causes serious deformation of antenna pattern. In order to solve the off-capacity problem we must shorten the distance between BTSs and enlarge downtilt. While if mechanically-adjustable antenna is used, antenna pattern starts to deform when the down-tilt is larger than 5; when its larger than 10, antenna pattern will be seriously out of shape. Therefore, the problems can not be solved by using mechanically-adjustable antenna. It is recommended to use electrical antenna or dualpolarized antenna instead of mechanically-adjustable antenna in dense traffic area. The replaced mechanically-adjustable antennas can be used in areas with less traffic, like villages and suburb.
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take into consideration around areas of the BTS which need to be covered, when we make antenna selection. Principles for antenna selection: (1) Selection of antenna pattern: if the BTS is required to cover the around area without particular directivity, and call traffic is scattered, it is suggested that isotropic antenna be used. We should note that coverage of isotropic antenna is not as far as that of directional antenna due to its smaller antenna gain; and pay attention to the tower bodys influence on coverage; and the antenna shall be kept vertical to ground. If farther coverage distance is required by customers, then directional antenna shall be adopted; normally, horizontal half-power directional antennas with beam width of 90 , 105 , 120 are recommended; (2) Selection of antenna gain: based on coverage requirement, it is recommended to adopt directional antenna with higher gain 16-18dBi or isotropic antenna with gain of 911dBi in suburb area or villages; (3) Selection of down-tilt: adjustment on antenna down-tilt is seldom needed in suburb area, and requirement on adjustment range is not high, it is suggested that mechanically-adjustable antenna be used; meanwhile, if antenna height is above 50 meters and there is request for coverage of proximal area, we can use antenna with null-fill antenna to avoid blind zone under the tower.
When selecting antenna at the initial planning stage, we should try to select antenna with high gain and vast coverage. Principles for antenna selection: (1) Selection of antenna pattern: for BTSs to cover areas along railways and highways, we can adopt directional antenna with narrow beam width and high antenna gain. Besides, we can flexibly choose antenna type according to factors like landforms and turnings on railways and highways; (2) Selection of antenna gain: we can choose directional antenna with 17dBi 22dBi gain; as for isotropic antenna, 11dBi; (3) Selection of down-tilt: usually there is no need to set down-tilt for coverage of highways, so it is recommended to use mechanically-adjustable antenna which is less expensive. If antenna height is above 50 meters and there is request for coverage of proximal area, we can use antenna with null fill >15% to avoid blind zone under the tower. (4) Selection of front-to-back ratio: since most subscribers within antenna coverage on highway move fast, the front-to-back ratio shall not be too large, so as to ensure smooth handovers.
request for coverage of around area; both directional antenna and isotropic antenna are optional. As for BTSs on mountains, if the area to be covered is relatively low, we should choose antenna pattern with larger vertical half-power angle to meet the coverage needs in horizontal direction; (2) Selection of antenna gain: use antennas with medium gain according to coverage distance required; isotropic antenna 9-11dBi, directional antenna 15-18dBi; (3) Selection of down-tilt: when we set up BTS on mountains and mountain foot area needs to be covered, choose antenna with null fill or preset down-tilt. Amplitude of the preset down-tilt is decided based on the relative height between the BTS and the area to be covered. The larger the relative height is, the bigger the antenna preset down-tilt should be.
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3. well-designed down lead; 4. good equipotential bonding to avoid high voltage counterpunch; 5. ability to avoid high voltage surge caused by lightening. Radio antenna should be installed within angle of protection of lightening rod (45). Lightening rod and down lead should be connected by welding. Material of down lead should be galvanized flat steel (40mm4mm). The distance between the joint of down lead to ground net and the joint of ground lead to ground net shall be no less than 10m.
This document contains proprietary information of ZTE Corporation and is not to be disclosed or used except in accordance with applicable agreements.
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2G 1.5m 3m 2.3m
1m
Therefore, antenna shall be installed on edges or corners, and the distance between antenna and all parts of the tower shall be longer than . (3) Multi-antennas sharing tower: try as much as possible to reduce coupling effect and cross influence between antennas of multi-bands during transmitting and receiving signals. Try to increase isolation between different antennas; the best way is to increase distance between them. When multi-antennas share a tower, vertical installation shall be adopted.
8.3 Summary
The distance from antenna to tower platform: 1M; Spacing interval between diversity reception antennas of the same cell: >3M, Horizontal spacing interval between isotropic antennas: >4M Horizontal pacing interval between directional antennas>2.5M Vertical spacing interval between antennas on different platforms: >1M, Transmitting and receiving antennas shall not be installed upside down unless there is specific direction. Antenna shall be within the range of lightening protection. Antenna bearing: for directional antenna, the first sector to direction of north by east 60, the second sector to direction of due south, the third sector to north by west 60. Antenna down-tilt: make sure that the actual down-tilt meets the requirement of SE planning; error difference shall be less than 2. Antenna perpendicularity: make sure its no bigger than 2, except for BTS with antenna down-tilt.
This document contains proprietary information of ZTE Corporation and is not to be disclosed or used except in accordance with applicable agreements.
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