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21dBi Antenna Case Study

Stockholm September 2004

1.

SUMMARY

Optimizing cellular networks in terms of CAPEX and OPEX is attracting increased focus from cellular operators. This is particularly true for systems operating on the higher frequency bands, i.e. GSM 1800/1900 and UMTS. The greatest impact is achieved by increasing the coverage of a site and thereby reducing the number of sites. The coverage from a base station can be enhanced by increasing the output power in the downlink (base station to handset). However, the maximum output power of the handset is limited and has a given range. Systems are hence typically referred to as being uplink limited (handset to base station). Thus, downlink power in itself cannot increase coverage beyond the limit set by the handset and the receive sensitivity of the base station (BTS). The signal of the handset is amplified by the base station and by amplifying the signal already at the antenna by means of a Tower Mounted Amplifier, TMA, the base station is able to process a signal that would otherwise be too weak. Though the handset still performs at the given output power, the coverage area will be perceived to have increased thanks to the base station being able to handle the weaker signal. While amplifiers amplify the signal in either up or downlink, antennas amplify the signal in both up- and downlink. This means that introducing additional antenna amplification (gain) will increase the overall coverage area irrespective of handset or BTS transmit power. As apposed to an amplifier, an antenna is passive and low cost and the most cost effective means of achieving coverage enhancement. Going from a typical 18dBi antenna to 21dBi offers a coverage advantage in the region of 30-40%. Antenna gain is achieved by the radiating elements and the degree of focusing of the antenna beam. Standard cell planning is based on antennas with half power beam width of 65 degrees opening angles. High gain can be achieved by focusing beyond 65 degrees, e.g. 33 degrees, but require special consideration in cell panning and BTS hardware configuration. A standard 18dBi antenna typically includes 8 radiating elements. By adding additional elements the gain is increased. By doubling the number of radiating elements to 16, a gain of 21dBi can in theory be achieved. The radiating elements are connected to a feed network that distributes the signal between the radiating elements within the antenna. The feed network is typically made of coaxial cable or printed on a circuit board. Both these feed networks have inherent losses and the longer the network is the greater the losses are. These losses offset the potential gain increase achieved by the addition of radiating elements. In order to achieve the very high gain of 21dBi, a feed network design with very low losses is required.

By introducing a completely new feed network design philosophy, CellMax has been able to develop an antenna that fully harnesses the gain potential of the antenna, resulting in significantly better performance compared to existing antenna technology. This has been achieved by developing a high efficiency antenna feed network that reduces the power losses within the antenna to close to zero. The low-loss feed network makes it possible to design a compact 2m 21dBi antenna while keeping the vertical half-power beam-width of 4 degrees with full beam shaping with regards to first upper side-lobe suppression and null-fill. The low-loss technology can further be applied to design compact antennas (15 & 18dBi) for both rural and urban use. The beam shaping performance gives excellent penetration close to the antenna, keeps the interference level low together with exceptional coverage increase. Operators using High Gain Antennas need to build fewer sites. Since the main part of the network rollout investment relates to the base stations and switching network, the high-gain antenna is an efficient means of lowering CAPEX for the operator. Furthermore, an operator who has fewer sites also has lower OPEX costs. Increased geographical coverage by 30-40% compared to standard (18dBi) antennas Potential reduction in the number of base stations of up to 30%. Possible CAPEX reduction in the range of 20 30% Corresponding OPEX reduction would also be achieved due to the lower power consumption, site lease, O&M and transmission costs Improved in-car coverage Improved indoor coverage Fewer dropped calls Improved call set-up success rate

2
2.1

The CellMax 21 dBi High Gain Antenna


Radiation Diagrams

The diagrams below compare the radiation diagrams of an 18dBi antenna to the CellMax 21dBi antenna. The left diagram compares the horizontal beam width and the right diagram the vertical beam width.

Fig 1: Radiation diagram comparison (logarithmic scale) between CellMax 21dBi antenna (red) and a standard 18dBi antenna (blue)

Fig 2: Comparison of the radiated power between CellMax 21dBi antenna (blue) and a standard 18dBi antenna (red), 3dB gain increase equals a doubling of radiated power (linear scale).

2.2

Feed Network Efficiency The CellMax feed network efficiency is very high as is illustrated by the graph below. The gain curve comparison is between the CellMax antenna and an antenna of similar length from a wellknown antenna manufacturer. Almost 2dB more gain is achieved with the CellMax low loss feed network compared to standard technology. The measurements were carried out concurrently at a third party measurement range.

Fig 3: Gain comparison of the CellMax antenna and another antenna of similar length

2.3

Vertical Opening Angle

Antenna gain is a function of the number of radiating elements and focusing of the main beam. Adding radiating elements will increase focusing in the vertical plane. Too much focusing results in a very narrow vertical beam, which is not desirable since this may cause coverage problems close to the antenna. It is therefore very important to include null fills to overcome coverage problems close to site. Null fill on the other hand will reduce gain. It is therefore important to have enough antenna gain in order not to degrade the desired performance.

The diagram below is a comparison of a standard 18dBi antenna and a 21dBi antenna using null fill. Though the signal strength is weaker than that of a standard antenna close to the site, it is significantly higher than the accepted design criteria and thus does not constitute any problem. The diagram also shows that in addition to increased range, the higher signal strength gives improved Grade of Service, i.e. increased call success rate, less dropped calls, improved indoor and in-car penetration.

Fig 4: Received Signal Strength comparison between CellMax 21dBi antenna (red) and a standard 18dBi antenna (blue).

2.4

Grade of Service

The increased signal strength increase is experienced throughout the cell and will result in: Improved indoor penetration Increased call setup success Rate and less dropped calls.

These improvements can be converted to increased revenue.

3.

Coverage Increase by 30-50%

High Gain (21dBi) Antennas gives a 3dB gain increase compared to standard 18dBi antenna. 3dB gain increase means a doubling of the radiated power and received signal strength. This gain increase equals a theoretical coverage increase of ~50% but in practice 30-40%. Coverage is calculated using the Okumura-Hata propagation model.

3.1

Okumura-Hata Propagation Prediction Model

The Okumura-Hata propagation prediction formula is based upon empirical information obtained from measurements. The Hata formula is a mathematical fit for the Okumura graphical measurement data. The Okumura-Hata equation for 1800, 1900 and 2100 MHz is given as below:

L = 46.3 + 33.9 log f - 13.82 log hb - a ( hm ) + [ 44.9 - 6.55 log hb ] log d - Lc

Factor
L f hb hm a ( hm ) d Lc path loss (dB ) frequency (MHz) base antenna height (m) mobile antenna height (m) = (1.1 log (f ) - 0.7 ) hm - ( 1.56 log (f ) - 0.8 ) mobile antenna height correction distance BTS - MS ( km ) correction factor for various land usage/clutter categories added to the Hata formula

Range
.15 - 1.5 (2) GHz 30- 200 m 1 - 10 m

1 - 20 km See the following table

The clutter class values [L c] that needs to be included in the RF prediction tools are as follow:

W O1 O2 F1 F2 S1 S2 S3 U1 U2

Clutter class Water Open, no obstructions Open, few obstructions Wood, low density with small trees or bushes Wood, mostly higher and more densely packed trees Low density suburban Leafy suburban Dense suburban Low density urban Dense urban

L c (dB) 29 24 19 19 9 11 5 8 3 0

3.2

Calculating Range

Based on the Okumuru-Hata model above, assumptions relating to antenna position and environment the range increase can be calculated as follows: L = 46.3 + 33.9 log f - 13.82 log hb - a ( hm ) + [ 44.9 - 6.55 log hb ] log d - Lc Where: L=150 dB (standard 18 dBi antenna) hb= 30 m hm= 1.5 m Lc= 11 dB (S1, Low density suburban) a ( hm )= (1.1 log (f ) - 0.7 ) hm - ( 1.56 log (f ) - 0.8 ) = = (1.1 log (1800 ) - 0.7 ) 1.5 - ( 1.56 log (1800 ) - 0.8 ) = (3.58 0.7)*1.5 (5.08 0.8) = 4.32 - 4.28 = 0.04 L = 46.3 +33.9*log (1800)-13.82*log (30) 0.04 + [ 44.9 - 6.55 log (30)] log d 11 L = 46.3 + 110.35 20.41 0.04 + [ 44.9 9.68] log (d) 11 L = 125.20 + 35.22*log(d)

log(d ) =

L 125.20 35.22
,

d = 10

L 125.20 35.22

Therefore: for L = 150, d = 5.06 km (18dBi antenna) and for L = 150 + 3 = 153 , d = 6.15 km dB (21dBi antenna), This gives a >20% increase in range.

3.3 3.3.1

Cell Coverage Area Calculation Cell Area of a 3 Sector-Site

Standard cell panning is based on a grid comprising 3 sectors (cells) per site. On a flat terrain, the coverage area of a 3 Sector site with an antenna beamwidth of 600 can be assumed as a close approximation to three hexagons as shown below. Area of a 3 sector site:

60 60deg degrees

Area of a hexagon:

r/2

Area

= r/2 cos 30 R/4 = (r 2 3)/16

Area = 6 x area of each triangle is calculated as follows: = = (6 r 2 3)/16 (3 r 2 3)/8 (9 r2 3)/8.

Therefore the coverage area for a 3-sector site is

Therefore: the area increase is:

9 r12 3 r 2 6.152 8 Areaincrease = = 12 = = 1.48 2 9 r22 3 r2 5.06 8


Conclusion A 3 dB antenna gain increase gives a theoretical coverage increase of 48%. Topography and other conditions may impact on this figure and in practice the increase can be expected to be in the area of 30-40%

4.

Other Applications

Besides the obvious application for the 21dBi antenna to increase coverage, the following areas of use may also be considered.

4.1

Mast Height

The increase in antenna gain can be used to place the antenna at a lower position on a mast, or alternatively to build lower masts. The graph below illustrates the different antenna heights required to achieve the same coverage based on a given signal strength requirement.

Antenna height for equal signal strength (-90 dBm)

100,0 90,0 80,0 70,0 Antenna height [m] 60,0 50,0


21 dBi 18 dBi

40,0 30,0 20,0 10,0 0,0 500

1000

1500

2000 Distance from site [m]

2500

3000

3500

Fig 5: Received Signal Strength comparison between CellMax 21dBi antenna and a standard 18dBi antenna.

5. BUSINESS CASE
A cost comparison has been made comparing a standard base station and establishment cost using a 18dBI antenna and the same using a 21dBi antenna. Based on a planned area of 100 sites for the reference case, the cost savings are illustrated below. Site reductions will also give a direct saving in Operation and Maintenance Costs, OPEX. The business case establishment cost. 5.1 assumes green-field deployment, i.e. site

Opportunities for Additional Cost Reductions/Savings

The following areas give scope for additional cost savings not included in the business case. Reduced connection fees in the RNC and switch if applicable thanks to fewer sites. Transmission

The comparison includes base station equipment, antennas, TMAs and feeders. In addition, site establishment including civil works, mast, and power, cooling. Price is based on European levels.

Figure 14. Cost comparison table

5.1

CONCLUSION

A 21dBi antenna offers great CAPEX savings at a very low cost to the operator. Reduced number of sites will also reduce Opex.

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