PIM 20

Passive Intermodulation Test Set

What is Passive Intermodulation (PIM)?

Intermodulation is caused when 2 or more RF carriers are mixed in

a system and form unwanted signals.

When passive components containing non-linear elements are the

source of this interference, it is referred to as:

Passive Intermodulation
or

PIM
PIM is the result of mixing
" 2 carriers can create a mixing product. fa fb
U

fb-fa

fIM2

f!
PIM is the result of mixing
" But this isn’t the only mixing product fa fb
U

fa-fb+fa fb-fa+fb
fIM3 fIM3
fb-fa

fIM2

f!
PIM is the result of mixing
" In fact there are many mixing products! fa fb
U

fIM3 fIM3

fIM5
fIM5 fIM7
fIM7
fIM2 fIM9
fIM4 fIM11
fIM6 fIM13
fIM8

f!
PIM is the result of mixing
" A real spectrum looks like this: fa fb
U

fa-fb+fa
fIM3 fIM3
fb-fa
fIM5
fIM5 fIM7
fIM7
fIM2 fIM9
fIM4 fIM11
fIM6 fIM13
fIM8

f!
PIM is the result of mixing
•! Multiple carriers can mix and create
multiple intermodulation results.
•! The odd order intermodulations are close
to carrier frequencies.
•! If there is a 3rd order intermodulation,
then there are other IMs as well.
•! The IM3 is closest to carrier and has
strongest IM result.
(That is why the PIM tester checks IM3 results.)
PIM is the result of mixing

PIM is of particular concern when:

•! PIM products fall in the receive band.

•! Two or more transmitter channels share a
common antenna.
•! Transmitter signal levels are high.
•! Receiver sensitivity is high.
•! Transmitters and receivers are diplexed
(share a common antenna).
PIM is the result of mixing
" PIM multiplies bandwidth:
U
If bandwidth of fa and fb is 1 MHz then
BWIM3 = 3 MHz
fa fb
BWIM5 = 5 MHz
BWIM7 = 7 MHz

fIM3

fIM5
fIM7

f!
Why is PIM important?

•! Number of channels per antenna increasing

•! Average power per channel increasing

•! Digital systems more prone to PIM than

analogue systems
 Causes of PIM
•! All components, even passive components,
are active

•! Certain physical phenomena cause passive

components to become mixers, modulators
and frequency multipliers

•! These effects can limit a system’s

performance
Causes of PIM
•! Surface Oxides
•! Loose metal to metal contacts
•! Use of Ferromagnetic materials
•! Contaminations, eg solder splatters
•! Contact between dissimilar metals
•! Insufficient thickness of plated metal,
causing rf heating
•! Too much or too little torque at
connections
Causes of PIM

Non-Linearities take two different forms:

•! Contact Non-Linearity
•! Material Non-Linearity
Causes of PIM
Causes of Contact Non-Linearities:

•! Junction capacitance due to thin oxide

layer between conductors.
•! Impurities on metal surface
•! Semiconductor tunnel/schottky effect at
point of contact.
•! Contact resistance caused by two
dissimilar metals.
Causes of PIM
Causes of Material Non-Linearities:

•! Hysteresis effect in ferromagnetic

materials (nickel, iron, steel).
•! Thermal heating due to poor conduction
rate (torque, corrosion, cracks).
Causes of PIM
Non-linearity in Level:
•! Diode effect causes PIM
–! Corrosion
•! Saturation produces PIM
–! Bad joints
•! Magnetic Hysteresis
creates PIM
–! Iron, steel, nickel plating

Non linear parts in the RF

path create PIM
Linear components do not
create PIM
Causes of PIM

Antenna showing oxidation within the

power divider.
Indicators of PIM in a cellular base
station

•! Intermodulation products generated

by Tx signals can interfere in the Rx
band.
•!The common result is that these
products can “over-power” receive
channels. Calls are dropped or
channels are believed to be occupied
and not being used by the base
station (loss of air time and loss of
money).
Indicators of PIM in a cellular base
station
•! Cell coverage shrinks. Dropped calls
•! Data transmission rate drops
•! RX control loop shows no problem
•! Antenna sweep detects no issue
•! RX noise level is high

•! PIM creates interference in RX band

What does a field technician need to
fix a PIM problem?
•! A PIM problem verification
•! A portable field test set
•! A PIM strength indicator
–!Visual and audible
•! Local verification/calibration of PIM test
equipment
The Solution – Boonton PIM 20

•! Identifies field PIM problems of passive

system components like antennas,
feeder cables, connectors, diplexers
and directional couplers.
•! Test frequencies from 800 to 2200MHz
•! Adjustable level test frequencies up to
33dBm (2W)
•! Typical PIM measurement sensitivity of
-155dBc
•! Self calibrating
•! Small, very portable (8kg)
•! Battery operated
Verify PIM
•! Portable Go/NoGo check
with PIM20
•! Transmission in your
licensed band
•! Detects 3rd order PIM
•! Numeric and bar display
•! Acoustic indicator
PIM 20 - Features

•! Easy, intuitive user interface

•! Multiple Measurement Readings:
Numerical Display
LCD Bar graph
Green / Red LED bar
•! PIM alarm (LED, switch)
•! Audio tone PIM indicator
Loudspeaker and Jack
•! Continuous or
30 sec measurement signal
•! Battery operated
•! Rugged, weatherproof case
(IP55 – closed lid)
PIM 20 - Standard Accessories

Power supply / Power cord Accessory pouch

Car charger Adapter

Adaptor 12V 7/16 (m) – N (f) Test Cable N (m/m) PIM 20
PIM 20 – Optional Items
(recommended)

Low PIM cable load (5W) Low PIM cable load (40W)
N-type (f) 7/16 (f) – N (f)

Adaptors
Low power 7/16(f) - 7/16(f) Test Cable 3m
PIM source 7/16(m) 7/16(f) - N-type (m) 7/16(m) -7/16(m) PIM 20
N-type (f/f)
Can a sweeper detect PIM?

•! NO
–!A Single signal does not create mixing
–!RF Level is too low
–!Dynamic range is too low
Are PIM tester and Sweeper complementary?

Yes
Issue PIM20 Sweeper
•! Bad VSWR •! Yes •! Yes
•! DTF location •! No •! Yes
•! PIM problem •! Yes •! No
•! Detect bad solder •! Yes •! No
•! Detect broken part •! Yes •! Yes
•! Detect iron in RF path •! Yes •! No
Do I need 20W carrier power?
•! Yes, if you are in R&D or require
component compliance test
–!Current test standard is 20W
–!20 W makes you immobile
–!20 W is a potential health risk
•! No, to detect and solve a PIM problem
–!PIM problems on 20 W are present on 2W
–!2 W tester is battery powered
–!2 W tester is portable and easy to carry
–!2 W has reduced radiation exposure
Can I test PIM on other frequencies?

•! Yes, frequency has a negligible effect on

PIM.
BUT
•! You should not transmit outside of your
licensed band.
•! Other parts in TX path can be frequency
dependent like diplexer, filter, combiner
and antenna.