Antenna Space Loss/Isolation Calculator

The Antenna Space Loss/Isolation Calculator provides a quick method to determine

isolation losses between two antennas.

Antenna positioning configurations can be simple or very complex at wireless

communication sites. A brief overview of antenna configurations and space isolation is
described below.

Vertical antenna space isolation is simple and there are charts available from antenna
manufacturers which provide the isolation values. These isolation values are based on
frequency band and antenna separation distance. The charts assume the antennas are
mounted directly above and below each other (collinear) and the antenna gain has no
effect due to this collinear arrangement. The distance between the antennas is
measured from center line-to-center line.

Horizontal antenna space isolation is also simple and there are charts available from
antenna manufacturers for determining these isolation values. These values are also
based on frequency band and antenna separation distance. The charts basically reflect
free space loss and it is a simple matter to determine the amount of space isolation.

Both antenna configurations consist of antennas that are neither vertically separated nor
horizontally separated. The separation spacing is somewhere in between. You cannot
use vertical isolation values or horizontal isolation values by themselves. You must
measure or estimate the isolation value that lies somewhere in between.

The figure shown here depicts a complex

antenna configuration where the antenna
configuration is neither vertical or
horizontal. It is a combination of both.

The best procedure to determine the

isolation is to use measured data.
However, measured data is rarely
available so there must be some way of
estimating the isolation between the
antennas.

One method for determining an

approximate isolation value for this type of
configuration is as follows:

1. Determine the Vertical isolation (V).

2. Determine the Horizontal isolation (H).
3. Use the following formula to determine the net isolation:
 Isolation(dB) = (V-H) x (A/90) + H

V= Vertical isolation value (dB)

H= Horizontal isolation value (dB)
A= The angle relative to the horizontal plane (degrees)

The Antenna Space Loss/Isolation Calculator is shown below.

When you click on one of the Antenna Positioning option buttons certain text fields on
the right will be enabled for data entry.

When you select Vertical you must enter the antenna centerline (CL) heights for both
antennas as well as the operating frequency.

When you select Horizontal you only need to enter the horizontal separation distance
and operating frequency.

When you select Both, you must enter the antenna heights as well as the horizontal
separation distance and operating frequency. For example if one antenna is mounted
on a tower leg and the other antenna is mounted on a 6 foot sidearm on the same leg,
the horizontal distance would be 6 feet.

When you TAB off the horizontal text field the Antenna CL Angle will automatically be
calculated. This text field is non-editable.

When you click Calculate, the isolation value in dB will be displayed.

You must select the desired Units of measure before entering the height and distance
data.