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PIMTesting|TestEquipmentAnalyzer|PassiveIntermodulation

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PIM Test & Test Equipment / Testers

- an overview of passive intermodulation, PIM test techniques, testing equipment,
testers or analyzers
PIM TUTORIAL INCLUDES
Passive intermodulation basics (basics-tutorial.php)
PIM testing & test equipment (testing-equipment.php)
As passive intermodulation is a parameter that is key to the operation of many systems including cellular base
stations, satellite systems and many other radio systems were duplex operation is required, passive
intermodulation, PIM testing is required.
PIM testing is a relatively specialised form of testing and therefore special PIM testers are often used.
This PIM test equipment will be able to provide a variety of results including the level of any passive
intermodulation products and sometimes the distance of the PIM generation from the PIM tester. This is very
useful in locating the position of faults in a feeder system where there may be a number of candidate areas that
could cause the generation of the unwanted products.

PIM testing
There are a number of areas where PIM testing may be required. One of the most common PIM testing
applications is for antennas and antenna feeder arrangements for cellular base stations. Here some of the major
issues with PIM occur as a result of connectors, connections, and even the feeder for antennas themselves.
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While the system may operate satisfactorily when installed, degradation, especially due to the weather will occur
with time. Accordingly it is necessary to undertake PIM testing to ensure the performance of the system is
satisfactory, and if there are any issues, to help locate the source of the passive intermodulation signals.
With PIM performance and hence PIM testing growing in importance the International Electrotechnical
Commission, IEC, Technical Committee 46, Working Group 6 is undertaking work to prepare test methods and to
investigate relevant limits, for Passive Intermodulation in the RF and microwave frequency range for passive
components (i.e. connectors, cables, cable assemblies, waveguide assemblies and components).

Line sweeping vs PIM testing

When looking at the performance of RF areas such as feeders and antennas, for systems such as cellular base
stations, there are two types of testing that are often undertaken. These are both different types of test and
reveal different aspects of the system under test.

PIM testing: PIM testing specifically looks for the presence of passive intermodulation products within
the item under test. It cannot detect losses or reflections.
Line sweeping : This test measures the signal losses and reflections within a transmission system over
the band of interest. It is not able to look at passive intermodulation products, although it may detect that
there is a poor connection which in turn may introduce PIMs, although it cannot detect whether any
passive intermodulation is present.
It can be seen that the two types of test are very different, although they test similar areas of a radio
transmission system.

PIM testers
PIM testers or analyzers are sophisticated forms of test equipment. While a PIM test system can be assembled
from signal generators and a spectrum analyser together with a few other components, specialised PIM testers
are often needed because testing is undertaken in situations such as cellular base station sites, etc.
A basic block diagram of a PIM tester is shown below.

Basic block diagram of a PIM tester

The block diagram shows a typical passive intermodulation test system. In the PIM tester two signals at the
relevant frequencies are generated and then amplified to ensure that they are of a sufficiently high level for the
test.
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The signals are combined - in many testers an RF isolator may be used to prevent reverse RF power from the
combiner entering the signal generator and causing spurious intermodulation products in the signal generator
output that would alter the readings.
The two signals from the signal generators simulating the transmitted signals are then applied to a diplexer
within the PIM tester. This only allows signals through from the transmitter in the transmit band to the unit or
component under test, e.g. a feeder, feeder assembly, etc. The item under test is terminated in a matched load typically 50 to ensure a lifelike simulation.
Any PIM spurious signals generated within the receive band will be able to return through the diplexer and be
routed through to the receiver / detector where they can be detected and their levels and frequencies noted.
[The frequencies of the PIM signals will be known because they are related to the two original frequencies of the
signal generator frequencies, f1 and f2 as nf1 mf2].

By Ian Poole (https://plus.google.com/104687638164370436625?rel=author)

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