ESTeem RF Design Tools. Presentation Overview Review Radio Basics – Terminology Use Information from Radio Basics and Antenna Sections Use RF Design Program

ESTeem RF Design Tools

Presentation OverviewPresentation Overview

• Review Radio Basics– Terminology

• Use Information from Radio Basics and Antenna Sections

• Use RF Design Program– Initial Site Work– Using RF Design Program – Site Example


• Each Radio Application is Unique– Wireless is being applied in many applications

but few have a working knowledge of designing a successful wireless system

• Selecting A Wireless Vendor– Dizzying array ranges from vendors– Provide tools to personally review specifications

Steps to Successful Radio NetworkSteps to Successful Radio Network

• RF System Design– Review Maps– RF Design Program Analysis

• On-Site Radio Site Survey– Physical Inspection and Testing– Confirming Results from RF System Design

• Site Commissioning– Same Testing on Installed System


• RF Design Program– Conservative model of expected radio results\

• Installed hardware generally higher signal strengths

– Allows for modification to system design prior to installation if problems are found• Change Antenna Type• Change Coax Cable Types

– Provides means of determining expected data errors

Earth

Antenna A Antenna B

Minimum Height (ft.)

Minimum Height (ft.)

Distance (miles)

Radio Horizon

Directional Antenna

Omni-directional Antenna

Bottom Reference Line for Height Clearance

Minimum Antenna Height Required to Clear the Radio HorizonMinimum Antenna Height Required to Clear the Radio Horizon

• Fresnel Zone shows the ellipsoid spread of the radio waves

• Area must be clear of obstructions or signal strength will be reduced

• Blockage in 60% will induce significant signal losses

• Use for frequencies above 900 MHz

Fresnel ZoneFresnel Zone

RF Basics - Effective Radiated PowerRF Basics - Effective Radiated Power

• Effective Radiated Power (ERP) = Tx Power - Feedline Losses + Antenna Gain

• Received Signal = Rx Power - Feedline losses + Antenna Gain

RF Basics - Fade MarginRF Basics - Fade Margin

• Receiver Sensitivity is the minimum signal level in dB needed by the receiver to output received data.

• Fade Margin in dB is the amount of received signal above the receiver’s minimum required useable Receiver Sensitivity.

• Fade Margin is controlled by– Transmitter Power – Transmitter feedline attenuation– Transmitting antenna gain– Receiving antenna gain– Receiver feedline attenuation– Receiver Sensitivity Minimum Receiver Sensitivity

Maximum Received Signal Strength

Fade Margin = Usable Range of Receiver

• How much Fade Margin?– Imperfect world and things are constantly changing.

• Equipment ages• Antennas go out of alignment• Unexpected man-made noise/interference

– Basic rules of thumb for digital transceivers.• 10 dB - 10% link retries• 20 dB - 1% link retries• 30 dB - .1% link retries

– Link Listed Marginal <10dB• Over 10dB Fade Margin = Green• 1-10db Fade Margin = Yellow (Marginal)• Less than 1dB = Red (Site Not Operational)

RF Basics - Fade MarginRF Basics - Fade Margin

• Draw a simple layout of the proposed system.

• Determine Line-of-Sight (LOS) distances between each point to point radio path by:– Site maps.– If Latitude and longitude are known use the

“Distance Between Two Points Calculator” in the RF Design Program.

– Use a hand held GPS.– Google Earth®

Initial Site WorkInitial Site Work

• Most Radio Systems are designed as a “Multiple” of Point to Point RF Paths– Base to Remote– Base to Repeater– Repeater to Remote – Repeater to Repeater

• Each Path Needs Evaluation


• Sketch a site diagram and distances between site nodes. Note LOS blockages.

N

Pump Site #2

Control Room

Pump Site #1

Water Tank

Pump Site #3

LOS

LOSLOS

LOS

4 miles

5.5 mile

s

5 miles

3 miles

LOSLOS


• Find the elevation of each node above sea level.– Reference maps or use a hand held GPS.– Google Earth®

• Estimate installed antenna height at each node above ground level to achieve LOS to destination site.

• Estimate feedline length from antenna to equipment cabinet.


Antenna

Feedline Length

Equipment Cabinet

Terrain Height Above Sea Level

Height of Antenna Above Ground for

LOS Path


• Calculate Elevation Differential between the lowest node and the remaining nodes.

• Calculated the Adjusted Antenna Height.– Site Elevation Differential + Antenna Height above

ground.


Name Site Elev. Elev. Dif. Ant. Hgt. Adj. Ant. Hgt. Feedline Lgh.Control Room 560 80 20 100 30Pump Site #1 570 90 20 110 30Pump Site #2 820 340 20 360 30Water Tank 1100 620 120 740 130Pump Site #3 480 0 15 15 30

Site Information

Calculate Elevation Differential between lowest node and remaining nodes.

Adjusted Antenna Height = Elevation Differential + Antenna Height above ground.


Name Site Elev. Elev. Dif. Ant. Hgt. Adj. Ant. Hgt. Feedline Lgh. Ant. Type

Control Room 560 80 20 100 30 Omni-Dir.

Pump Site #1 570 90 20 110 30 Directional


Water Tank 1100 620 120 740 130 Omni-Dir.


Site Information

N

Pump Site #2

Control Room

Pump Site #1

Water Tank

Pump Site #3

4 miles

5.5

miles

5 miles

3 miles

LOS LOS

Site Layout Map and InformationSite Layout Map and Information

• Use the RF Site Design Program on each point-to-point RF path.– In this example we will use the ESTeem 195Eg– 2.4 GHz Frequency – Use your Site Information Table data– Use Vendor information on transceiver selected

• The RF Site Design Program will provide ESTeem hardware recommended for operating frequency selected

– Enter data in the Data Entry Key Board

RF Site Design ProgramRF Site Design Program

Standard Enclosure MountingStandard Enclosure Mounting

Lightning Arrestor

Ant

enn

a P

ort

Equ

ipm

ent P

ort

Directional Antennas

Omni-Directional Antenna

Coax CableESTeem

Model 195Eg

Power Supply

Model 195E Outdoor Pole MountModel 195E Outdoor Pole Mount

Model 195Eg

Omni-Directional Antenna

Model 195E Outdoor Fixed Base Hardware

Diagram

Direct Pole MountPole Mounting Kit EST P/N AA195PM

Power Over Ethernet Cable

Ethernet CAT-5e Cable 300 ft. maximum

Weather Proof Boot

Weather Proof Front Cover

Antenna Feedline

External Antennas

Directional Antennas

Weather Proof Boot

Weather Proof Boot

To LAN Interface

PoE Power Supply EST P/N AA175

Ethernet Surge Protection

EST P/N AA166

Ethernet CAT 5e Cable

EST P/N: AA09.2

Unit Shown With Rubber Duct Antennas

Direct Mount Antennas

Outdoor Mounting BenefitsOutdoor Mounting Benefits

• Remove Long Coax Cable Required– Lower cost ($65-$500 Savings) – Lower signal loss

• No Lightning Arrestor Needed– Lower cost ($120 Savings)– Also removes loss in jumper cable

• No Enclosure Needed– Greatly reduced design and installation costs ($300

Savings)

N

Pump Site #2

Control Room

Water Tank

Pump Site #3

4 miles

5.5

miles

5 miles

3 miles

LOSLOS

Perform a RF Path Analysis from the Control Room to Pump Site #1.

Name Adj. Ant. Hgt. Feedline Lgh. Ant. Type

Control Room 100 30 Omni-Dir.

Pump Site #1 110 30 Direction

Pump Site #1

RF Path AnalysisControl Room to Pump Site #1RF Path AnalysisControl Room to Pump Site #1

Name Adj. Ant. Hgt. Feedline Lgh. Ant. Type

Control Room 100 30 Omni-Dir.

Pump Site #1 110 30 Direction

Path Distance: 4 miles


• In this example we used the highest Rx Sensitivity of -89 dB for a RF data rate of 1Mbps. This will give a 12.6 dB Fade Margin for a 4 mile path length.

• What would be the maximum data rate for this RF link?

RF Path Analysis Control Room to Pump Site #1RF Path Analysis Control Room to Pump Site #1

RF Output Power LevelsRF Output Power Levels

• Peak Power vs Average Power– Based upon type of modulation type– Maximum for peak power set by FCC/DOC

• Modulation– Average power and peak same in Direct Sequence – Maximum peaks in OFDM has lower average power

• Average power used in RF Design Program– Modulation type based upon data rate– Verify all RF data rates and power levels

RF Data Rate Analysis #1RF Data Rate Analysis #1

• Only available for wireless Ethernet products 195Eg, 195Ep and 195Ed• Enter site information same as RF Path Analysis• Fade margin results for each data rate

– Over 10dB Fade Margin = Green– 1-10db Fade Margin = Yellow (Marginal)– Less than 1dB Fade Margin = Red (Site Not Operational)


• Maximum design data rate for application would be 9 Mbps• Maximum possible data rate is 18 Mbps• Actual Data Rates Could Be Higher in Normal Operation

– 195E will not reserve 10dB in operation– 195E will maintain highest data rate possible

• Same application using higher gain directional antenna

• AA204Eg 19dB Parabolic directional antenna

• Legal for use from single remote to omni-directional



• Much higher RF Data Rates available with higher fade margin• Maximum design data rate for application would be 24 Mbps• Maximum possible data rate is 48 Mbps

N

Pump Site #2

Control Room

Pump Site #1

Water Tank

Pump Site #3

Name Adj. Ant. Hgt. Feedline Lgh. Ant. TypeControl Room 100 30 Omni-Dir.Pump Site #2 360 30 Directional

4 miles

5.5 mile

s

5 miles

LOSLOS

Perform a RF Path Analysis from the Control Room to Pump Site #2.

24 Mbps

3 miles



Name Adj. Ant. Hgt. Feedline Lgh. Ant. TypeControl Room 100 30 Omni-Dir.Pump Site #2 360 30 Directional



• Maximum design data rate for application would be 24 Mbps• Maximum possible data rate is 36 Mbps

Name Adj. Ant. Hgt. Feedline Lgh. Ant. TypeControl Room 100 30 Omni-Dir.Water Tank 740 130 Omni-Dir.

N

Pump Site #2

Control Room

Pump Site #1

Pump Site #3

4 miles

5.5 mile

s

5 miles

LOSLOSWater Tank

3 m

ile

s

Perform a RF Path Analysis from the Control Room to Water Tank.

24 Mbps24 Mbps

RF Path AnalysisControl Room to Water TankRF Path AnalysisControl Room to Water Tank


Name Adj. Ant. Hgt. Feedline Lgh. Ant. TypeControl Room 100 30 Omni-Dir.Water Tank 740 130 Omni-Dir.




N

Pump Site #2

Control Room

Pump Site #1

Pump Site #3

Name Adj. Ant. Hgt. Feedline Lgh. Ant. TypeWater Tank 740 130 Omni-Dir.Pump Site #3 15 30 Directional

Site Information

4 miles

5.5 mile

s

5 miles

LOSLOSWater Tank

3 miles

Perform a RF Path Analysis from the Water Tank to Pump Site #3.

24 Mbps24 Mbps

9 Mbps

Water Tank to Pump Site #3Water Tank to Pump Site #3

Path Distance: 5.5 miles

Name Adj. Ant. Hgt. Feedline Lgh. Ant. TypeWater Tank 740 130 Omni-Dir.Pump Site #3 15 30 Directional

Site Information

RF Path AnalysisWater Tank to Pump Site #3RF Path AnalysisWater Tank to Pump Site #3

RF Path AnalysisWater Tank to Pump Site #3RF Path AnalysisWater Tank to Pump Site #3


• Problem areas– Fresnel Zone Warning

• Increase height of the Pump Site #3 Antenna– Need to increase from 15 ft. to 33 ft. to be above the minimum height requirements for the

Fresnel Zone.– In this example I increased height to 40 ft. for a margin of error.

Pole MountingWater Tank to Pump Site #3Pole MountingWater Tank to Pump Site #3

Model 195Eg Maximum RangeModel 195Eg Maximum Range

• Two Directional Antennas– AA204Eg is the highest gain antenna that the unit is type

accepted for.– 19 dB gain

• Cable Loss – .6 dB because the unit is pole mounted.

• Range– 179 miles @ 1 Mbps @ 6 dB Fade Margin– 8 miles @ 54 Mbps @ 6 dB Fade Margin

• Range– 179 miles @ 1 Mbps @ 6 dB Fade Margin

• Antenna Height = 4,010 ft at each end• Fresnel Zone (60%) = 185 feet• This would probably be usable only from mountain top

to mountain top– 8 miles @ 54 Mbps @ 6 dB Fade Margin

• Antenna Height = 54 ft. at each end• This is a practical height


• Two Omni-Directional Antennas– AA20Eg– 6 dB gain

• Cable Loss – .6 dB because the unit is pole mounted

• Range 6 dB with Fade Margin 1 Mbps = 9.0 miles @ minimum antenna height of 45 ft. 5.5 Mbps = 5.7 miles @ minimum antenna height of 36 ft. 11 Mbps = 4.0 miles @ minimum antenna height of 31 ft. 24 Mbps = 2.0 miles @ minimum antenna height of 26 ft. 54 Mbps = 0.4 miles @ minimum antenna height of 14 ft.


ConclusionsConclusions

• Education is Best Means to Confidence– Reliability is only as good as the system design

• Use the Tools– Compare different vendor’s hardware– Review specifications and claims

• Radio Applications Are Not Difficult– Planing and evaluation are best keys to success

Documents

ESTeem RF Design Tools. Presentation Overview Review Radio Basics – Terminology Use Information from Radio Basics and Antenna Sections Use RF Design Program