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Changing the RF cost performance paradigm
Transparent Infrastructure – (Part 2 of 6)
Frequency transparent RF infrastructure is key to providing cost efficient communications in today’s busy spectrum. This
paper explores the concept of transparency, benefits and methodology to confirm it has been achieved.
Introduction
Frequency transparency allows multiple RF signals to be
overlaid on common infrastructure without degradation or
distortion, by providing a linear RF transmission conduit,
essential for spread spectrum architectures or any mix of
more traditional technologies formerly considered
incompatible.
Holma and Toskala (WCDMA & UTMS Nokia Finland 2004)
believe 1dB loss in CDMA and UTMS receiver sensitivity
can mean as much as 11% loss of coverage. Feedback
from network operators around the world suggests this
may be a conservative estimate, but it is agreed that
receiver sensitivity is a key element of network
performance.
This paper introduces using Passive Intermodulation (PIM)
as an efficient and practical way to measure RF system
linearity and detect non-linear elements that maybe
limiting RF transparency at the BTS.
Benefits of Transparency
A transparent RF infrastructure should perform as closely
as possible to an ideal RF conduit having no loss, perfect
RL and complete linearity.
Applying equally to both uplink and downlink, the benefits
of achieving transparency include:
• Maximum coverage and capacity performance.
• Integration of merging technologies on a
common feed system.
• Lower cost of service.
• An improved end user subscriber experience
with less poor quality or dropped calls, leading
to lower churn.
In reality system performance is determined by:
• Quality and performance of individual RF
components used, and
• Quality of the component installation.
While the individual components will determine the RF
performance limits, the system construction and
integration quality will determine the RF transparency and
whether optimum performance is ever achieved.
Achieving Transparency
The causes of poor transparency can include:
• High Insertion Loss (IL).
• High Return Loss (RL), and
• In-band and out-of-band Passive
Intermodulation (PIM).
Traditionally we have had to rely on Return Loss (RL) and
Distance to Fault (DTF) measurements/sweeps to
determine infrastructure performance.
Although these are an excellent measure of electrical
‘match’ in the RF chain, the operator can still be left with
performance issues that result in dropped calls and reduce
coverage and capacity. Other symptoms of poor
transparency are:
• Site alarms.
• Parasitic noise rise, and
• Desensitized or degraded receiver noise floor.
Experience suggests RF interference being present as the
result of infrastructure build quality or from an outside
source. Spectral analysis can help, but often the cause is
traced to RF system non-linearity, introduced by poor
construction or component deterioration. This can be best
confirmed by testing for the presence of PIM.
Part 3 of this series of papers deals with PIM in more
detail, however in summary it can generate potential
receiver interference in proportion to the degree of system
non-linearity at a given RF power, and therefore makes an
ideal construction Quality Control (QC) performance
metric.
High Linearity = High Transparency
High linearity => Low PIM => High construction quality
The value of PIM testing
PIM and DTF/RL are
different but equally
important tests.
“Line sweeps”, or a resulting
DTF plot and RL
measurement are critical
tests that cannot replace or be
Figure 1.
replaced by a PIM
measurement. In isolation they present an incomplete
analysis of how well the RF interconnection will support
receiver performance.
It is often found that DTF and RL test results appear
acceptable, yet the PIM performance is inferior. RL and
DTF sweeps alone can often be unsuccessful in uncovering
non linearity faults due to:
• The skills and experience needed to configure test
equipment and interpret results.
• Low RF power used during testing, or
• The fault being able to be seen only with a PIM test.
A network performance discussion with almost any
maintenance team will reveal they are often involved in
resolving unexplained receiver noise rise, or unreliable
reception of signals from subscribers considered to be
within the coverage ‘footprint’.
PIM is generally present as the result of the physical
condition of the RF infrastructure, and without adequate
Further information visit our websites
www.summitekinstruments.com
www.triasx.com
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 Footprint
Changing the RF cost performance paradigm

test equipment, detection can be difficult and time

consuming with component substitution generally being a
last but necessary resort.

Jumper cables and other RF components can be PIM

sources, but site reports reveal that the most likely cause
of poor BTS sector performance can be traced to
construction practices. There is a growing pool of evidence
to suggest that a major contributor is badly terminated or
damaged and loose RF connectors, with case studies
supporting this presented in Part 5 of this series.

Analysis of PIM levels in the RF system are the simplest,

quickest and most sure way of detecting physical
conditions likely to limit RF transparency. Triasx and
Summitek Instruments are jointly promoting a range of
portable test sets designed to be used at the BTS for this
purpose.
PIM - A dynamic test
IEC62037 is the international standard for measuring PIM.
It provides a block diagram for the test apparatus required
and defines the test parameters, scope and techniques
that should be used during the process.
It is important to note the dynamic process (physical
treatment) that should be applied as a necessary element
of this test process.
PIM is an absolute. The average performance of system
components can not compensate for poor construction of
the BTS infrastructure.
Measurement simplicity
Figure 2.
Care must be taken to ensure that all new joints made
between the test equipment and the system under test,
are clean and adequately tightened to a torque
recommended by the component manufacturers in order
to avoid test errors. Once this has been achieved and the
test set configured as required, the test is commenced by
switching on the RF test power.
The PIM level is recorded while the whole system is
subjected to a reasonable amount of physical impact and
bending force as per IEC62037. This activity will result in a
pass or fail outcome.
In the event that the system or section under test fails,
the test is repeated by breaking the RF interconnection
and moving the cable load forward toward an accessible
mid-point.
Test results are recorded as each PIM source is located
and corrected.

Triasx/Summitek test sets have been designed for easy
use in measuring and recording the reflected PIM.
The equipment requires significantly less experience to set
up and use than more familiar test sets used to take RL
and DTF sweeps. Test levels for RF power, length of the
test, test tone frequencies and pass or fail criteria are
either set at the factory or by a supervising engineer
before going onsite.
This process is repeated until the whole RF
interconnection is certified as PIM source free. At this
stage the installation can be regarded as a physically
sound, linear and RF transparent conduit ready for RL and
DTF sweeps to carried out and recorded.
Frequency transparent RF infrastructure under pins the
cost performance paradigm for BTS now and into the
future.

The test set operator need only connect correctly to the In part 3 of this series we will investigate the RF
device or system to be analysed, turn on the RF power, phenomenon of PIM, its causes and prevention.
dynamically load or impact the points of interest and
record the result. It is very much a go no-go test.
This paper has been jointly prepared by Triasx Pty Ltd (Brisbane,
The level of expertise required is limited to common work Australia) and Summitek Instruments (Denver, USA).
practices pertaining to health and safety, working with RF
and general fault diagnosis and correction techniques.

Making a PIM test at the BTS

This is an intrusive test and requires the BTS radio to be

isolated from the interconnection RF system. The test set
is connected in its place, as shown in Figure 2, with each
feeder system being tested in turn.

At the discretion of network management the antenna

may be replaced by a low PIM cable load to prevent
unwanted or unauthorized radiation of the RF test power.

Further information visit our websites

www.summitekinstruments.com
www.triasx.com

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