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You’ve upgraded your station’s equip- sive RF system and the technical con- optimized components, poor system
ment. Now you need to optimize your cerns that impact optimizing VSWR design, or faulty installation processes.
system before it goes on the air. performance. For installations on an existing tower, a
Broadcast RF systems are complex. A few words of caution: It is essential site inspection is recommended prior to
Well thought out, detailed planning that everyone is on board and that the design.
right from the start can’t be overempha- activities of station engineering and Always insist on trained, knowledge-
sized. With a good plan, system per- management, equipment suppliers, able engineering technicians to opti-
formance testing will move quickly and consulting engineers, tower vendor, mize and monitor installation of all
cost less. installation crew, and the system opti- components. These services are avail-
Though system performance has mization service are coordinated. able to broadcasters without in-house
many facets, this discussion will focus Even the best system optimization expertise.
on the physical layout of a typical pas- procedure will not compensate for non-
1.
If a side mount antenna is chosen, the following consid-
erations are important:
System Testing and VSWR Optimization 1. Check constant force springs for proper extension,
tightness of hardware; and re-apply corrosion-inhibit-
A station has come a long way once all major compo- ing spray lubricant, as required.
nents have been selected. But, what about those compo- 2. Inspect the bearing flange; verify bolt torque.
nents? Tower installation is a lengthy, labor intensive, 3. Verify that one vertical hanger is installed for every two
costly process. All components must be up to the task of sections of waveguide above the specified level in the
integrating into a top performing, long serving system manual. Below this level, one horizontal restrainer is
after the installation is complete. installed per waveguide section.
Were all components delivered undamaged and in 4. Verify that the guideline pins are aligned in the same
good working order? Have the RF tuners, strategically plane.
located throughout the system, been optimized? Were
the electrical and mechanical ground checks of the Note: To avoid additional personnel costs, systems should be
antenna performed? This pre-lift performance verification pressurized and holding pressure for at least 24 hours prior
to the beginning of system sweep optimization services.
is conducted when the antenna is delivered to the site.
An engineering technician should supervise unloading of
After visual and mechanical verification of the trans-
the antenna and perform detailed visual, pressurization,
mission line installation, RF sweep measurements are
and VSWR sweep tests. This assures it is in factory qual-
performed, and VSWR recorded per the manufacturer
ity condition.
procedure. A number of procedures for sweeping, tuning,
Best current practice requires system sweep and opti-
and testing transmission line can be found in general
mization services after the transmission line system is
practice. Several independent-contractor engineering
completely installed. This entails a detailed analysis by a
services offer system optimization. Additionally, site tech-
qualified engineering technician using suitable equip-
nical advisory service field engineers with experience in
ment. Many consultants and some equipment suppliers
new equipment installations can be hired to manage the
offer this service.
installation process.
To obtain the best results, the transmission system
Typically, RF sweep measurement is an interactive
should be inspected after installation to ensure structural
process to optimize the return loss performance. A net-
and mechanical integrity prior to the final system sweep.
work analyzer is used to determine the characteristics of
Inspections should be done from the input flange of the
the transmission line and adjust the system’s fine match-
transmission line system to the top of the tower. Follow
ers to achieve optimum performance. This is accom-
up inspections should be conducted at least once per
plished by attaching transitions (adapters) to the trans-
year, more frequently in a high humidity or corrosive
mission line near the gas barrier. This adapter is tuned to
environment or in high wind areas.
better than −50 dB (R.L.). Initial data is then taken in
both frequency and time domain (TDR). By using mod-
Inspection points for all transmission line systems:
ern TDR techniques over broad bandwidths, the most
severe mismatches can be identified because the tuning
1. Check the complete transmission line system for com-
process is usually initiated at these points with the fine
pliance to design drawings.
matchers designed into the system layout.
2. Verify line is plumb to 1/8 inch per 100 feet.
Broad bandwidth, high resolution TDR measurements
3. Check for damaged hangers and ground straps.
check for anomalies in the installation, such as pinched
a. Verify free movement of spring hangers and
gaskets, split bullets, loose hardware, and elbow com-
transmission line.
plexes that exhibit high VSWR. It may be necessary to
b. Verify proper extension of spring hangers.
replace components or correct faulty installation proce-
4. Check all mounting hardware for compliance to torque
dures before finalizing system sweep measurements.
requirements.
Proceeding in this manner, each of the fine matcher
5. Check field-cut sections for proper fit by observing for
locations is optimized to yield the best system VSWR.
binding or stress between adjacent sections of trans-
When complete, the system should be re-inspected for
mission line.
pressure integrity. Usually, long transmission line sys-
6. Check for proper clearances between transmission
tems can be expected to maintain 0.5 psi pressure drop
line sections and tower structural steel or other
in a 24-hour period.
obstructions that may damage the transmission line
under extreme conditions of thermal expansion/con-
traction.
3.
Depending on the consultant or service provider, an Final Thought
array of measurements is performed and could include
the following. See figure 4. A truly optimized system includes good planning, a
detailed design, high quality products, certified equip-
1. VSWR and Return loss plots with each 6, 25, and 100 ment installation crews, and qualified system optimiza-
MHz span. tion services. Pre-test inspections are essential.
2. TDR (VSWR) format with each 6, 25, 100 MHz span. Skimping here may result in costly on-site expenses for
crews and RF technicians and ultimately have a negative
impact on station performance.
Andrew Corporation Customer Support Center Internet All designs, specifications and availabilities of
10500 W. 153rd Street From North America: www.andrew.com products and services presented in this bulletin
Orland Park, IL 60462 USA Telephone: 1-800-255-1479 are subject to change without notice.
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Bulletin 10922 (7/03) Copyright © 2003
International: From North America:
Telephone: +1-708-873-2307 Andrew Corporation, Orland Park, IL 60462 USA
1-800-861-1700
Fax: +1-708-349-5444 International: Printed in USA
+1-708-873-3614
4.