Footprint
Changing the RF cost performance paradigm
Case Studies – (Part 5 of 6)
Through previous articles in this series we have presented the concept of system transparency, and how Passive
Intermodulation (PIM) and Noise can affect Base Station coverage and capacity. In this article we review some of the
practical issues found in the field.
Introduction
Through extensive testing with operators in Australia,
Africa, Asia/Pacific, USA and Europe, we estimate more
than 60% of existing sites have some form of PIM
problem, of which around 80% are connector related.
The following are a small selection of examples we have
discovered in the field.
Case Study 1 - South East Asia
Located in a major South-East Asia capital, this site is a
GSM900 macro cell, using 6 main feeders with pre-
combined Transmit/Receive Units (TRU’s) for channel
capacity and a 47m tower.
The carrier has a required system PIM threshold of
<-140dBc.
After initial testing, the diagnosis was:
• Three feeders were satisfactory.
• Three feeders with PIM problems >-130dBc.
• Jumper cables from the combiner were >-120dBc.
• The combiners were using resistive loads which
measured at >-130dBc. (Individually the loads were
>-70dBm.)
• Dirt was found in the combiner connectors giving >-
80dBc.
• A factory manufactured jumper cable from a
combiner to a load was >-120dBc due to a bad
crimp.
To rectify the problems:-
• Two connectors were cleaned, checked and re-
mated.
• Two connecters within the cabin were re-terminated.
• A masthead connector which had suffered lightning
damage (visible burn) was cut back 6 inches and new
connector fitted.
• All the resistive loads where replaced with low IM
cable loads.
Upon completion of testing, all 6 sectors were in the range
-150dBc to -145dBc. With just a few hours of rectification
work, Dropped Calls improved by greater than 50% in first
week.
Case Study 2 – Australia
An Australian carrier operating a WCDMA850 network
overlaid on a GSM900 network had an in-building
distributed antenna system suffering from high Dropped
Call Rates (DCR).
Figure 1
The DCR was logged over a period of time and plotted in
Figure 1. There is a significant increase in July 2004 when
the CDMA equipment at the site was switched on.
Figure 2
Configuring a spectrum analyser for “Maximum Hold”,
capture, wide band noise resulting from the presence of
PIM in the RF interconnection over time could be seen
(Figure 2).
Further information visit our websites
www.summitekinstruments.com
www.triasx.com
Page 8 - Footprint Five - 1
 Footprint
Changing the RF cost performance paradigm
In this case the GSM900 and WCDMA800 were co-located
with resulting PIM products degrading the receiver
noise floor to as high as -95dBm/30kHz. This loss in
receiver sensitivity is a loss in coverage and capacity.
Using the Triasx test set the operator was able to locate
numerous faulty connections, correcting these to produce
an excellent result.
Figure 3
After all PIM generating connections were reworked the
receiver noise floor was reduced to -112dBm (Figure 3).
This improvement allowed the receiver to provide
optimum performance without interference. The increase
in the number of successful calls is evident.
As evolving technologies utilizing wider channel
bandwidths are overlaid on existing systems, the presence
of PIM becomes increasingly important in receiver
performance.
Case Study 3 - USA
During a visit to a series of mid-western US base station
sites, 4 out of 5 failed PIM in some capacity.
A six sector site using a Lucent compact 4 BTS, with roof
mounted EMS antennas was investigated more closely due
to its repeated diversity alarms. A relatively new site, it
has been installed within the last 18 months, and used
5/8” Andrew AVA copper mainline and ½” jumpers.
Checks on the main feeder of sector ‘g’ revealed:
• Return Loss (RL) and Distance to Fault (DTF) sweeps
were acceptable (pre-post).
• A BTS jumper failed PIM.
Checks on the diversity feeder of sector ‘g’ revealed:
• RL and DTF sweeps were acceptable (pre-post).
• The main feeder failed PIM tests.
• An antenna jumper failed PIM tests.
• A 5/8” connector was “spinning” under
weatherproofing. Water poured out of the feeder
when the connector was removed.
The relevant connectors and jumpers were replaced, and
the system passed PIM measurements.
Figure 4
Monitoring of site statistics after repair showed a
downward trend in the Dropped Call Rate (DCR), in Figure
4, and Diversity alarm HEH’s were no longer produced.
Summary
Utilizing a PIM test as an RF infrastructure performance
metric is now being used or reviewed by wireless network
operators around the world.
Testing for PIM at the BTS, in conjunction with Return
Loss (RL) and Distance to Fault (DTF) measurements is
proving to be the most effective way to eliminate or
significantly reduce problems with the RF interconnection.
With the series of portable PIM test equipment developed
by Triasx and Summitek Instruments, it is now possible to
carry out complete RF interconnection testing at the BTS
receiver input with ease.
Further information visit our websites
www.summitekinstruments.com
www.triasx.com
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