Ant Moun

Company Confidential
Mobile Radio Networks
Antenna mounting
GSM 900/DCS 1800
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ANT-MOUN.DOC
Participants: Bodil Erring, Siemens Norway
Siemens STSL
Radio Communication Systems
Author: Bodil Erring
Sign: BE
Antenna mounting procedure

Project: Taiwan GSM900/1800
Document Number:
ANTMOUN.DOC
Released
By: Bodil Erring
Signature: BE
Date:29.11.96
Page 1 of 17 page(s)

Antenna mounting for GSM/DCS
Table of content
0. GENERAL
1. ANTENNA ISOLATION
2. DIVERSITY
3. INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
4. OMNI ANTENNAS, MOUNTING GUIDELINES
5. DIRECTIONAL ANTENNAS, MOUNTING GUIDELINES
11
5.1 Separation between antennas
11
5.2 Mounting on roof top
11
5.3 Antenna alignment
12
5.4 Diversity, antenna mounting
13
6. TEST RESULTS
Date:
29.11.1996
Author:
Bodil Erring, Siemens Norway
17
Document number:
ANTMOUN.DOC

0. General
The mounting of antennas is one of the most important items when implementing a cellular
system. The antennas are the front point of the system, and the actual mounting will to a
certain degree decide the coverage and the total quality of the system. This document
describes many of the important factors for the antenna mounting, including examples and
drawings.
The actual placement of the antennas on the different sites should be decided through a
Joint Site Survey process where the responsible radio planner and the responsible for the
Civil Works makes the decision on where and how to mount the antennas on each site.
Different guidelines and descriptions are provided regarding necessary isolation between
antennas, diversity, distance between antennas, different types of mounting etc. These
guidelines should be useful for the CW engineers and the installers out on the site.
Date:
29.11.1996
Author:
Document number:
ANTMOUN.DOC

1. Antenna Isolation
General:
The isolation between two antennas is defined as the attenuation from the connector on one
antenna to the connector of the other antenna when the antennas are in their installation
positions.
The isolation between should be minimum 40 dB between one receive (Rx) and one transmit
(Tx) antenna, and minimum 20 dB between two transmit antennas. Using these isolation
figures, unwanted signals into the receiver can be avoided.
To obtain the minimum required isolation between antennas, the isolation must be
transformed to a certain minimum distance between the antennas. Different spacing is
necessary for vertical and horisontal spacing. The distance depends also on the antenna
types and the configuration.
Omni-antennas: needs larger spacing horisontally due to no limits in the antenna diagram
comparred to directional antennas.
Vertical/horisontal: For vertical separation, less distance is required than for horisontal
separation.
Different numbers for the antenna isolation are given in the chapters 4 and 5.
The 40 dB Tx-Rx isolation will be achieved if the vertical distance between two antennas on
the same vertical line is 0.5 m or more. This applies to all types of directional antennas. The
20 dB Tx - Tx isolation will be achieved for less distance, but normally 0.5m is a practical
minimum distance. The distance is measured between radiating parts of the antennas.
Horisontal spacing
Vertical spacing
k
Rx
Rx
Tx
Tx
The vertical isolation can be calculated using the following formula:

Isolation (A) 28 + 40 log (k/) dB
Isolation (A) 47 + 40 log (k) dB
k = distance (m) between antennas as seen in the figure
Date:
29.11.1996
Author:
Document number:
ANTMOUN.DOC

For horisontal isolation the requirements are equal in terms of dB. The distance between
antennas are depending on the horisontal beam of the antenna for directional antennas. The
table below shows the different values for the different types of antennas.
Table: Horisontal separation between antennas
Beam-width
Gain (dBd)
Distance (m)
3 dB (degrees)
Tx - Rx
60 - 70
7-8
0.5
60 - 70
10 - 11
0.8
60 - 70
13 - 14
1.5
60 - 70
16 - 17
3.0
75 - 85
6-7
0.9
75 - 85
9 - 10
1.8
75 - 85
12 - 13
3.6
75 - 85
15 - 16
7.2
95 - 105
5-6
2.4
95 - 105
8 -9
2.6
95 - 105
11 - 12
5.2
95 - 105
14 - 15
10.4
115 - 130
4-5
1.8
115 - 130
7-8
3.6
115 - 130
10 -11
7.2
115 - 130
13 - 14
14.4
180
13
25.0
Distance
Tx - Tx
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.7
0.5
0.5
0.5
1.0
0.5
0.5
0.7
1.5
2.5
2. Diversity
There are different types of diversity that are used within a cellular network.
- space diversity
- frequency diversity (for frequency hopping)
For antenna systems, space diversity is the most important. Diversity is used in the receiver
end of the base-station using two separate antennas to improve the signal path in the
receiver part. The small wave-lengths of the signal (for 900 and 1800 Mhz) and the rapidly
fluctuating signal, makes the receiver sensitive to small changes. The signals varies strongly
due to fading. Using two antennas in the receive path will help the signal. The signal is
received in two antennas, and since the signals are not correlated, normally the total signal
will be a better signal than from one receive antenna only. The larger distance between the
two receive antennas, the more uncorrelated the signals are. The receiver will select the
signal in order to avoid deep fading dips.
Distance between antennas:
Different measurements has been carried out to find the optimum distance between
antennas for both horisontal space diversity and vertical space diversity. There has to be a
minimum distance between the antennas. The diversity gain increases with distance, but the
Date:
29.11.1996
Author:
Document number:
ANTMOUN.DOC

distance is usually limited due to practical reasons. The antenna height above ground is also
an important factor. The higher above ground the antennas are located, the larger spacing is
necessary to obtain the required diversity gain.
The receive antennas are usually mounted at the same height above ground (horisontal
separation). Using vertical separation requires a larger spacing between the antennas to
obtain the same diversity gain. The distance will normally be around 5-6 times larger than the
required horisontal spacing.
Results: The following main results can be used as guidelines.
Urban areas: The effect of antenna diversity is best in urban environments, due to the strong
fluctuations of the signals, and the many different reflected signals etc.
Main result: ???? dB
Suburban areas:
3. General notes regarding installation

In this chapter a number of different tasks related to the mounting of the antennas are
described. Only some general description are given regarding the following important
subjects:
- tilt brackets
- close-in obstructions
- vertical/horisontal mounting
- large antennas/small antennas
- presise mounting
Tilt brackets: In urban and suburban areas there will always be a need for changes. During
an optimising period different physical changes needs to be performed, i.e to the tilt and
orientation of the different antennas. Using tilt-brackets on all sectors from the start of the
installation will ease the installation work during the optimising period.
Close in obstructions: The radiation path of the antenna will be distorted if there are
obstacles or reflecting surfaces in the surroundings, especially close to the antenna.
Normally the antenna pattern distortion is of practical importance only in the main lobe. As a
general rule, the whole angle of the main lobe shall be kept free from obstacles and reflecting
surfaces nearby the antenna. Close to the antenna means anything obstructing the antenna
path (360 for omni, specified sectors for directional antennas) physically within 10-20m in
front of the antenna. Obstructions can be guided lines or any other antenna in towers, any
part of the tower, any part of a building, any wall or articles around the same height on any
neighbour buildings etc.
Horisontal spacing of antennas: (see figures in chapter 4 and 5) A horisontal spacing of
the antennas for one sector is the optimum way of mounting the antennas. Both the transmit
and the receive antenna(s) will be at the same height above ground, and the receive and the
transmit coverage areas will be identical. The antennas needs to be mounted in the same
plane and with the same alignment and tilt (see figure in chapter 4 and 5).
Date:
29.11.1996
Author:
Document number:
ANTMOUN.DOC

Vertical spacing of antennas: Vertical spacing of antennas should be used if horisontal

spacing could not be achieved. Using vertical spacing, the recieve antenna should be
mounted on top.
Antenna size: The antennas used for GSM900 or 1800 are made in a number of different
sizes. Mainly there are two main groups, omni-directional (no restriction in coverage area
around the antenna) and directional (restricted coverage to a specified sector). The size of
the antenna canvary from 30-50 cm up to 2.5 m for directional to 3 m for omni antennas,
depending on the gain of the antenna. In GSM system, it it quit common to use high gain
directional antennas with a length around 1.5 - 2 m. For DCS 1800 the antennas will normally
be shorter due to the higher frequency.
Presise mounting: When the installation is made, it is of vital importance to make a presise
mounting. All poles should be mounted vertically, not 1 or 2 out of the vertcal position. All
antennas in one sector should have excact the same alignment and tilt, and should be
mounted in the same plane. (see figures in chapter 5). The antennas should not be mounted
behind each other.
Please note that when large antennas are used, the vertical beamwidth will be very small.
This implies that the coverage area for the antenna will be very sensitive to different
inconsistence in the mounting. Only one or two degrees out of vertical position for one of the
antennas in a sector can result in unequal antenna patterns for the antennas in this sector.
Date:
29.11.1996
Author:
Document number:
ANTMOUN.DOC

4. Omni antennas, mounting guidelines

In the figures below examples on installation using vertical and horisontal spacing between
antennas are given for omni antennas. The minimum spacing between the Rx and Tx
antenna to achieve the required antenna isolation is given in the table. If antennas are
mounted on a mast (not in the top) or direct on to a wall side of a building, special care
should be taken regarding the spacing out to the antenna. As the antenna diagram for an
omni-antenna covers 360, a short distance to the wall etc will change the antenna pattern
dramatically.
Horisontal spacing
Vertical spacing
Rx
Tx
Rx
k
Tx
a= minimum distance to pole or wall

k= 0.5m minimum
d= minimum distance between omni antennas
The horisontal distance between the Rx and Tx antenna is depending on the gain of the
antenna to provide the required isolation. The different distances are given in the table below.
Table: Required horisontal distance for omni-antennas
Gain (dBd)
Tx - Rx (40 dB)
Tx - Tx (20 dB)
0
3.0 m
1.0
3
5.5 m
1.0
6
11 m
1.0
9
22 m
2.5
10
28 m
3.0
Date:
29.11.1996
Author:
Document number:
ANTMOUN.DOC


Both for omni antennas and for directional antennas certain precautions should be taken
when mounting antennas on roof top. The figure below shows the required free space and
distances that are needed.
Mounting on roof-top, omni antenna
d1
d2
d= distance from antenna to edge of roof

h= necessary height above roof-top
It is necessary to take the first Fresnel zone into account when d and h are defined. Please
note that for large distances the close-in coverage area of the sector may be affected. A
mounting close to the edge of the roof will be the preferred option. The following table gives
the outline for the different combination of d and h.
d (m)
0-1
1-10
10-30
>30
h (m)
0.5
2
3
3.5
Date:
29.11.1996
Author:
Document number:
ANTMOUN.DOC


Vertically and horisontally spaced omni-antennas with diversity
Rx
k1
d1
k2
k2
Tx
d2
Rx
Rxd
Tx
Rxd
d1= 0.5m minimum

d2= ??? minimum/optimum
Date:
29.11.1996
Author:
k1= 3m minimum
k2= 1.5m minimum
Document number:
ANTMOUN.DOC

5. Directional antennas, mounting guidelines

(figure showing vertical and horisontal spacing)
Horisontal spacing
Vertical spacing
k
Rx
Rx
Tx
Tx
a= 0.5 m minimum
k= 2.0 m minimum

In city areas the most common mounting of antennas will be on roof-top or on the walls of the
buildings. It is of vital importance to make a joint site survey on every site that should be
used, and that the radio planner and the civil works responsible agree mutualy on the
antenna placements.
Directional antennas are used at almost 100% of the sites within a city. The different
alternatives for mounting is antennas mounted on poles somewhere on the roof-top,
antennas mounted in a small mast on the roof-top or antennas mounted directly to the
wallside.
Close-in obstructions should be avoided as far as possible. Please refer to chapter ?? for
instructions regarding close-in obstructions.
Date:
29.11.1996
Author:
Document number:
ANTMOUN.DOC

Mounting on roof-top
d= distance from antenna to edge of roof

h= necessary height above roof-top
It is necessary to take the first Fresnel zone into account when d and h are defined. Please
note that for large distances the close-in coverage area of the sector may be affected. A
mounting close to the edge of the roof will be the preferred option. The following table gives
the outline for the different combination of d and h.
d (m)
0-1
1-10
10-30
>30
h (m)
0.5
2
3
3.5

All antennas for one sector should have the same alignment and tilt. If there is a difference
between the alignment or tilt for the receive and transmit antenna, a difference in the
coverage areas will be the result, and inbalance in the network may cause dropped calls etc.
The antennas should also as far as possible be mounted in the same plan. The figures below
shows the maximum angle between antennas mounted in different planes, and the alignment
for antennas in the same sector.
Date:
29.11.1996
Author:
Document number:
ANTMOUN.DOC

Antennas mounted in different planes
a= max 15
a
Alignment of antennas
Rx
d
Tx
Rxd
The alignment d as shown in the figure must be equal for all antennas in one sector. The
same requirement applies to the tilt. The same tilt value must be mounted at all antennas in
one sector.

For diversity 2 or 3 antennas could be used for each sector. If 2 antennas are used, one of
the antennas will be a combined Rx and Tx antenna. The second antenna will be the Rxdiversity antenna.
The figure below shows the minimum distance between the antennas for horisontal and
vertical spacing to fulfill the isolation criteria when diversity is used.
(figure for vertical spacing and horisontal spacing and combined)
Date:
29.11.1996
Author:
Document number:
ANTMOUN.DOC

Vertically and horisontally spaced antennas with diversity

k1
Rx
d1
k2
k2
Tx
d2
Rx
Rxd
Tx
Rxd
d1= 0.5m minimum

d2= ??? minimum/optimum
k1= 3m minimum
k2= 1.5m minimum
Combined horisontal and vertical spacing

a
Rx/Tx
Rxd
d= only practical limitation for maximum distance

k= 0.5m minimum
5.5 Antennas mounted in mast

For antennas mounted in towers or masts it is often difficult to achieve the optimum distance
between antennas when diversity is used. Large distance between the antennas when
Date:
29.11.1996
Author:
Document number:
ANTMOUN.DOC

horisontal spacing is used will force large constructions in the top of the mast. Practical
aspects regarding the construction will therefore limit the distance between the antennas.
The numbers and construction form as given below has been used in several projects. The
figures show a typical construction form for a 3-sector site, based on a triangula in the top of
the mast, and a simpler construction for a 2-sector site for 180 separation between the
sectors.
3-sector site, triangular construction in mast-top
Rxd
Rx
Tx
Tx
Rx
Rxd
Rxd
Tx
Rx
d1
d2
d1= 4m minimum
d2= 2m minimum
Two sector site, 180 sector separation

Rxd
Tx
Rx
Tower
Tx
k1
k2
Rx
Rxd
k1= 4m minimum
k2= 2m minimum
Date:
29.11.1996
Author:
Document number:
ANTMOUN.DOC

Antenna tilt
positive tilt (tegning og forklaring)
negative tilt (tegning og forklaring)
Obstructions:
mer forklaring
flere tegninger
Tower mounting
Two sector site, 180 sector separation

Rxd
Tx
Rx
Tower
k1
Tx
k2
Rx
Date:
29.11.1996
Author:
Rxd
Document number:
ANTMOUN.DOC

3-sector site, triangular construction in mast-top

Rxd
Rx
Tx
Tx
Rx
Rxd
Rxd
Tx
Rx
d1
d2
6. Test results
Extensive testing of the gain of antenna diversity has been carried out in many countries and
in many different environments.
Date:
29.11.1996
Author:
Document number:
ANTMOUN.DOC

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Company Confidential

Mobile Radio Networks

Participants: Bodil Erring, Siemens Norway

Antenna mounting procedure

Mobile Radio Networks

4. OMNI ANTENNAS, MOUNTING GUIDELINES

5. DIRECTIONAL ANTENNAS, MOUNTING GUIDELINES

5.1 Separation between antennas

5.2 Mounting on roof top

5.3 Antenna alignment

5.4 Diversity, antenna mounting

Mobile Radio Networks

Mobile Radio Networks

The vertical isolation can be calculated using the following formula:

Mobile Radio Networks

Mobile Radio Networks

3. General notes regarding installation

Mobile Radio Networks

Vertical spacing of antennas: Vertical spacing of antennas should be used if horisontal

Mobile Radio Networks

4. Omni antennas, mounting guidelines

4.1 Separation between antennas

a= minimum distance to pole or wall

d= minimum distance between omni antennas

Mobile Radio Networks

4.2 Mounting on roof top

Mounting on roof-top, omni antenna

d= distance from antenna to edge of roof

4.3 Antenna alignment

Mobile Radio Networks

4.4 Diversity, antenna mounting

d1= 0.5m minimum

Mobile Radio Networks

5. Directional antennas, mounting guidelines

5.1 Separation between antennas

5.2 Mounting on roof top

Mobile Radio Networks

d= distance from antenna to edge of roof

5.3 Antenna alignment

Mobile Radio Networks

Antennas mounted in different planes

5.4 Diversity, antenna mounting

Mobile Radio Networks

Vertically and horisontally spaced antennas with diversity

d1= 0.5m minimum

Combined horisontal and vertical spacing

d= only practical limitation for maximum distance

5.5 Antennas mounted in mast

Mobile Radio Networks

Two sector site, 180 sector separation

Mobile Radio Networks

Two sector site, 180 sector separation

Mobile Radio Networks

3-sector site, triangular construction in mast-top

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