3 G

Site Sharing
Site Sharing GSM - UMTS
Rf Aspects
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Reference 3DC 21019 0005 TQZZA
Date 02/2002
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CONTENTS 1. SCOPE ............................................................................................................. 4 2. RF REQUIREMENTS............................................................................................... 5 2.1 2.2 Some basics .............................................................................................. 5 Interference mechanism ............................................................................... 6 2.2.1 1.1.2 1.1.3 1.3 1.4 Transmitter noise/ spurious emissions..................................................... 6 Receiver blocking.............................................................................10 Intermodulation...............................................................................14
Summary on the required decoupling...............................................................21 Adjacent Channel Interference in case of UMTS-UMTS co-location............................22 1.4.1 1.4.2 Capacity Loss due to adjacent operators co-existence ...............................22 Dead Zones ....................................................................................23
3. ANTENNA SYSTEM SOLUTIONS ................................................................................25 3.1 Dual-band sites .........................................................................................25 3.1.1 1.1.2 1.2 1.2.1 1.2.2 1.3 1.3.1 1.3.2 1.3.3 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 5.1 5.2 6.1 GSM 1800 with UMTS .........................................................................25 GSM 900 with UMTS ..........................................................................33 With dual-band antennas....................................................................35 With triple-band antennas ..................................................................35 Separate Systems with Air Decoupling ....................................................37 Two operators sharing one antenna (feeder sharing) ..................................37 Two operators sharing one antenna panel (no feeder sharing).......................38
Triple-band sites........................................................................................35
Multi-operator sites UMTS-UMTS.....................................................................37
4. ANTENNA FEEDER SHARING ...................................................................................40 Dual-band sites .........................................................................................40 4.1.1 4.2.1 Technical realization ........................................................................40 Technical realization ........................................................................42 Triple-band sites........................................................................................42 Additional losses........................................................................................44 When to use feeder sharing, and when not ? ......................................................45 Feeder Sharing Solutions with TMA..................................................................47 Solutions without feeder sharing ....................................................................47 Design process ..........................................................................................48
5. CONSIDERATIONS OF TOWER MOUNTED AMPLIFIERS .....................................................46
6. ANTENNA DESIGN METHODOLOGY ...........................................................................48
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6.2 1. 2. 3.
Process on the selection of the most appropriate solution .....................................49 Explanation..............................................................................................50 Existing equipment.....................................................................................50 Existing antenna and feeder system ................................................................51
ENCLOSURE 1: ANTENNA CO-SITING QUESTIONNAIRE ........................................................50
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1. SCOPE
The demand for mobile communication services is constantly increasing. To meet this demand, new systems are added to existing networks. Dual band GSM networks are already a widespread reality. With UMTS, a complete new dimension concerning mobile multimedia services is introduced. Providers operating already a GSM system cannot afford to simply add new sites for the new systems. The existing base has to be re-used. Even new operators might be confronted with sites already equipped with base stations of another operator. Also the sharing of sites between two UMTS operators is an option, which will be even required by the regulation body in some countries. In addition, a new sort of business within the mobile industry emerges: Tower management. Consulting companies preparing their bulk of sites to accommodate base stations owned by different operators. It is the interest of these companies, to rent their sites to as many operators as possible, resulting in co-location of different communication systems. In order to avoid serious mutual impacts between the co-located mobile systems, careful site engineering is required. A point of major importance is the antenna engineering. The demand on the low visual impact of the multi-band antenna system is not always compatible with the request to have the widest possible coverage area per site. The antenna system solution has therefore always to be checked for network planning constraints (or vice versa). This document treats the following system combinations: Dual-band: Dual-band: Triple-band: Multi operator: GSM 900 with UMTS GSM 1800 with UMTS GSM 900/ GSM 1800 dual-band with UMTS UMTS with UMTS of two different operators
Concerning the co-siting with GSM, the document is referring to GSM equipment already implemented on site. The Alcatel multi-standard solutions incorporating GSM and UMTS in the same base station are not scope of this document. At current state only the FDD mode of the UMTS system was observed. The frequency bands for these systems are shown in Table 1 below:
System GSM 900 GSM 1800 UMTS FDD
Uplink frequency band 880 - 915 MHz 1710 - 1785 MHz 1920 - 1980 MHz Table 1: Frequency bands
Downlink frequency band 925 - 960 MHz 1805 1880 MHz 2110 2170 MHz
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2. RF REQUIREMENTS 2.1 Some basics

Co-location of base stations may cause interference resulting in performance degradation. In order to minimize this performance degradation to an acceptable defined level, decoupling requirements between the systems have to be met.
The most important interference mechanisms are: Transmitter noise/ spurious emissions The transmitter noise floor or transmitter spurious of system "A" within the receive band of system "B" causes interference of system "Bs" receiver and vice versa. This could be avoided by increasing the stopband attenuation of system "As" antenna network in the transmit path for the receive band of system "B", or by increasing decoupling between the two systems, either the air decoupling or the decoupling provided by diplexer.
Receiver blocking Transmit signals of system "A" are blocking the receiver of system "B" and vice versa. This could be avoided by increasing the stopband attenuation of system "Bs" antenna network in the receive path for transmit frequencies of system "A", or by increasing the decoupling between the two systems (air or diplexer decoupling).
Intermodulation products Intermodulation products are interfering the receivers of one or both systems. Significant intermodulation products are generated in nonlinear devices (especially mixers and amplifiers but also connectors), if two or more strong signals are applied. In our case the strong signals could be different transmit carriers either from system "A" or from system "B" or a combination of system "As" and "Bs" transmit carriers. For the consideration within this document, it is assumed that the TREs performance to avoid intermodulation is already fixed. Not treated here are interference mechanisms within one system, because they occur also without colocation.
These three interference mechanisms and the measures which can be taken against them are elaborated in the following sub-chapters.
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2.2
2.2.1
Interference mechanisms
Transmitter noise/ spurious emissions
2.2.1.1 Co-located GSM 1800-UMTS sites Spurious emission is most critical in case of co-located GSM 1800 UMTS sites. The limiting factor for decoupling requirements results from the GSM 1800 transmitter noise floor, the spurious emissions respectively, of the GSM 1800 BTS within the UMTS receive band. Figure 1 shows the phenomenon schematically.
spurious emissions of the GSM 1800 system
In band interference for the UMTS system
GSM 1800 DL
UMTS/FDD UL
Figure 1 Schematic: Spurious emissions of GSM 1800 interfering UMTS UL There are historical reasons for that: At the time GSM 1800 was specified, no one expected an UMTS system working in the adjacent band. Therefore, the filter requirements defined initially by ETSI for the GSM 1800 BTS are rather inadequate. According to the ETSI recommendation GSM 05.05 (EN 300 910) up to version 8.4.1 , spurious emissions within a bandwidth of 3 MHz in the UMTS band have to be below -30 dBm at the antenna connector. Note: Between GSM systems 98 dBm is specified. After mapping this requirement on 3.84 MHz, which is the effective carrier bandwidth of UMTS, the maximum interference may reach -29 dBm. This is much higher than the interference level acceptable by the UMTS Node B. This problem was taken into account by 3GPP (who took over the ETSI GSM standardisation task) and fixed in the GSM 05.05 v.8.5.1, adopted in November 2000. The recommendation distinguishes between GSM base stations not being impacted by 3G networks and base stations being in coexistence with 3G networks, where the case of co-location has been treated separately with special requirements: within a bandwidth of 100kHz, the spurious level should not be higher than 96dBm. Mapped on a bandwidth of 3.84MHz, the allowed spurious level is therefore 80dBm. The GSM 05.05. requirements are summarised in Table 2.
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GSM 05.05 up to v.8.4.1
GSM 05.05 starting from v.8.5.1 Co-existence with 3G, no co-location Co-location UTRA BS -96dBm/100kHz -80dBm with
Spurious level/ measurement bandwidth Spurious level in UTRA carrier bandwidth 3.84MHz
-30dBm/3MHz -29dBm
-62dBm/100kHz -46.2dBm
Table 2: GSM 05.05 spurious requirements The Alcatel EVOLIUM GSM 1800 is compliant to all GSM 05.05 spurious requirements, even to the most constraining one for co-location. For calculation of the required decoupling, three cases are distinguished. The first is based on the GSMv05.05 v.8.4.1 (old ETSI). The second refers to GSMv05.05 v.8.5.1 with co-location constraint (new 3GPP). The last one includes the Alcatel EVOLIUM GSM 1800 equipment performance.
Antenna system
Spurious emissions
old ETSI: : < -29 dBm : < -80dBm Alcateland new 3GPP
Antenna connector s
Limiting interference level:

< - 114 dBm
ANC attenuation in UMTS TX/ RX band TRX
TX/ RX
MBS 9100 UMTS

Feeder
EVOLIUM BTS 1800
ANC: Antenna Network Combiner TRX: Transceiver Equipment
Figure 2: Conditions for noise / spurious emission GSM 1800 > UMTS
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Equipment type Spurious emissions (at BTS/ Node B antenna connector) Limiting interference level
ETSI specifications (GSM 05.05) up to v.8.4.1 -29dBm v.8.5.1 -80dBm
Alcatel EVOLIUM GSM 1800 BTS
-80 dBm
Noise at UMTS receiver without GSM 1800 impact: Thermal noise (-108 dBm) plus receiver noise figure (4 dB), i.e. 104 dBm (Pnoise [dBm] = -174 dBm + System Noise Figure [dB] + 10 log (BW [Hz]) Degradation of sensitivity by 0.4 dB acceptable (level 10 dB below noise floor) 1 -104 dBm 10 dBm = -114 dBm
Required decoupling
up to v.8.4.1 -29 dBm decoupling = -114 dBm Decoupling = 85 dB
v.8.5.1 -80 dBmdecoupling = -114 dBm Decoupling = 34 dB -80 dBmdecoupling = -114 dBm Decoupling = 34 dB
Table 3: Decoupling calculation for noise/ spurious emissions Assuming a standard antenna decoupling of 30dB as well as 2dB of feeder loss per system, we see that there is no problem for a base station compliant to the high GSM 05.05 v.8.5.1 co-location constraints, and therefore no problem for the Alcatel EVOLIUMTM GSM 1800 BTS. However, for BTSs only compliant to the old ETSI GSM 05.05 v.8.4.1, the standard antenna decoupling of 30 dB is far from being sufficient for co-located GSM 1800 and UMTS systems. Additional measures have to be performed, presented later in this document. 2.2.1.2 Co-located GSM 900-UMTS sites The ANC-module of the EVOLIUM GSM 900 BTS provides 65 dB attenuation in the 2 GHz band. It is therefore fully compliant to the GSM 05.05 v.8.5.1 and even fulfills a decoupling requirement of 30dB for co-located UMTS sites. It has to be noted that the GSM 900 sites have to fulfill the same GSM 05.05 requirements as stated in above chapter, resulting in the same decoupling values. This implies that for BTS which are only compliant to the old GSM 05.05 v.8.4.1, a decoupling of 85dB is required. However, the GSM 900
Rule of thumb: 0.1 dB degradation, if spurious level is 16 dB below noise floor 0.2 dB degradation, if spurious level is 13 dB below noise floor 0.4 dB degradation, if spurious level is 10 dB below noise floor 1.0 dB degradation, if spurious level is 6 dB below noise floor
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band being very far from the UMTS band, and the GSM 1800 band (for which the requirements are very strict) lying in between them, this is very unlikely to occur. It can therefore be assumed, that also other suppliers equipment with their integrated antenna network comply with the 34dB decoupling demand of the new GSM 05.05 v.8.5.1 2.2.1.3 Colocated UMTS-UMTS sites According to the 3GPP standardisation (TS 25.104 chapter 6.6.3.2.1), the level of spurious emissions of a Node B within the UMTS/FDD uplink band (1920-1980MHz) must not exceed -96 dBm with a frequency bandwidth measurement of 100 kHz. A Mapping on the effective carrier bandwidth of 3.84 MHz results in an acceptable spurious level of 80 dBm within one carrier. If we accept a sensitivity degradation1 of 0.4 dB of the co-located Node B, the acceptable level in the receiver Bandwidth becomes -114 dBm. This means that for the minimum decoupling between the antenna ports of two co-located Node Bs, the following has to be valid: -80 dBm decoupling = -114 dBm Decoupling = 34 dB Therefore, if we have a standard decoupling between the antennas of 30dB and a feeder cable loss of 2dB on each side, the decoupling requirement is fulfilled.
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2.2.2
Receiver blocking For this interference mechanism, the receiver out-of-band blocking characteristic measured at the antenna connector of the BTS/ Node B is very important.
Antenna Antenna
TX power
Decoupling
RX blocking
TX power
BTS or Node B
BTS or Node B
Figure 3: Receiver blocking, principle Link budget examples in the following sub-chapters give an overview about the relation between antenna decoupling and the blocking level. Note that the blocking requirements in GSM 05.05 have not been changed from version 8.4.1 to version 8.5.1 2.2.2.1 Receiver blocking between GSM 900 and UMTS
Link budget GSM 900 TX output power Assumed antenna decoupling Assumed feeder and connector loss UMTS received power (@ 900 MHz) Specification UMTS blocking limit Blocking limit fulfilled 3GPP -15 dBm No
Value 46.0 dBm - 30 dB 0 dB 16.0 dBm Alcatel 25 dBm Yes
Table 4: Link budget for blocking evaluation, GSM 900 blocks receiver of UMTS
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Link budget UMTS Node B TX output power Assumed antenna decoupling Assumed feeder and connector loss GSM 900 received power (@ 2000 MHz) Specification GSM 900 blocking limit Blocking limit fulfilled 3GPP 8 dBm No
Value 43.0 dBm - 30 dB 0 dB 13.0 dBm Alcatel 35dBm Yes
Table 5: Link budget for blocking evaluation, UMTS blocks receiver of GSM 900 2.2.2.2 Receiver blocking between GSM 1800 and UMTS
Link budget GSM 1800 TX output power (high power) Assumed antenna decoupling Assumed feeder and connector loss UMTS received power (@ 1800 MHz) Specification UMTS blocking limit Blocking limit fulfilled 3GPP -15 dBm No
Table 6: Link budget for blocking evaluation, GSM 1800 blocks receiver of UMTS
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Link budget UMTS Node B TX output power Assumed antenna decoupling Assumed feeder and connector loss GSM 1800 received power (@ 2000 MHz) Specification GSM 1800 blocking limit Blocking limit fulfilled 3GPP 0 dBm No
Table 7: Link budget for blocking evaluation, UMTS blocks receiver of GSM 1800
2.2.2.3
Receiver blocking between UMTS and UMTS
Link budget UMTS Node B TX output power Assumed antenna decoupling Assumed feeder and connector loss UMTS received power (@ 2000 MHz) Specification UMTS blocking limit Blocking limit fulfilled 3GPP -15 dBm No
Table 8 Link budget for blocking evaluation, UMTS blocks receiver of UMTS 2.2.2.4 Receiver blocking conclusion Table 9 shows the resulting decoupling requirements due to blocking. It can be stated that receiver blocking is no problem for co-located Alcatel equipment assuming an antenna decoupling of 30 dB (and even less). Co-location with equipment from other suppliers needs to be checked case-by-case.
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GSM 900 (RX) Specification according to: GSM 05.05 GSM 900 (TX) Alcatel GSM 05.05 GSM 1800 (TX) Alcatel 3G TS 25.104 UMTS (TX) Alcatel 35 dB 30 dB 39 dB 35 dB 30 dB 30 dB 39 dB 30 dB GSM 05.05 Alcatel
GSM 1800 (RX) GSM 05.05 46 dB 46 dB 30 dB 30 dB Alcatel
UMTS (RX) 3G TS 25.104 61 dB 61 dB 62 dB 62 dB 30 dB 30 dB 30 dB 30 dB 30 dB 30 dB Alcatel
43 dB 43 dB
30 dB 30 dB
58 dB 58 dB
It is assumed, that the decoupling provided by the antenna/diplexer system is at least 30 dB. In fact, using Alcatel EVOLIUM equipment requires for certain combinations even less isolation than stated here.
Table 9: Decoupling requirements due to receiver blocking
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2.2.3
Intermodulation
2.2.3.1 The basics Intermodulation, also called non-linear distortion, is generated in non-linear devices. The transfer characteristic of such devices, e.g. the V-I characteristic of a semiconductor diode or the output versus input power characteristic of an amplifier, is non-linear. At high power levels, even connectors exhibit non-linear effects. Figure 4 shows an amplifiers transfer curve as an example. At low input levels, the output signal is almost a linear function of the input signal. With increasing input level, the output level will be less than expected and eventually be limited to the saturated output power of the amplifier e.g. due to power supply constraints.
50
45 Output power in dBm
40
35
30
25 -20
-15
-10
-5 0 Input power in dBm
10
15
Figure 4: Non-linear transfer characteristic of a power amplifier
Such a transfer curve could be approximated by a power series: Vout(t) = C1 Vin(t) + C2 Vin(t)2 + C3 Vin(t)3 + C4 Vin(t)4 + ...
The output signal of a non-linear device will not have the same shape as the input signal. Its frequency spectrum will have more components than the input signal. The new frequency components are either harmonics of the input frequencies or a combination of the input components (mixing). These new frequencies are called intermodulation products. If the input signal is made up of two sinewave signals with frequencies f1 and f2, the output signal will contain frequency components at
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fIM = m f1 + n f2
with m, n = 0, +1, +2, +3, ...
The sum of (the unsigned) n and m is called the order of the intermodulation product, e.g. fIM = 2 f1 - 1 f2 is called a third-order intermodulation product (IM3). Third-order intermodulation products arise from the third degree and higher odd degree power series term of the transfer curve. Figure 5 shows an output spectrum with intermodulation products up to third order. The frequencies f1 and f2 are the two tone excitations at the input of the device.
Figure 5: Two tone output spectrum with intermodulation products up to third order The level of a specific intermodulation component depends on the coefficients of the power series contributing to this component, and the input power level applied to the non-linear device. Typically, high-order intermodulation products have lower levels than low-order intermodulation products. Because of the higher order power series terms from which the intermodulation products will be generated, the levels of the intermodulation products will rise more than linear with the input signal level, e.g. third-order terms will rise by 3 dB if the input signal is raised by 1 dB. This is the reason why intermodulation products are not a problem at low input power levels for a given device, but at high input levels they might. The ratio of wanted signal to intermodulation product decreases with increasing input signal level. The reference point for intermodulation products inside a used receive channel is the BTS antenna connector. As long as the interfering signal level is well below the systems noise floor, almost no receiver degradation will occur. As a rule of thumb the following degradation of the reference sensitivity will occur:
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0.1 dB degradation, if intermodulation level is 16 dB below noise floor 0.2 dB degradation, if intermodulation level is 13 dB below noise floor 0.4 dB degradation, if intermodulation level is 10 dB below noise floor 1.0 dB degradation, if intermodulation level is 6 dB below noise floor
The noise floor of the system is determined by Pnoise [dBm] = -174 dBm + System Noise Figure [dB] + 10 log (Receive Channel Bandwidth [Hz]) For a typical receiver with a noise figure of 4 dB the noise floor is 117.0 dBm for a GSM system 104.2 dBm for a UMTS system. Intermodulation problems due to co-location might rise, if transmit carriers from the co-located system "A" generate intermodulation products falling into a used receive channel of system "B" or vice versa. Also a combination of transmit frequencies of both systems might fall into a used receive channel of either system "B" or system "A." Table 10 shows the intermodulation products which may occur in case of GSM UMTS co-siting.
Co-location GSM 900 UMTS
Intermodulation products 9th order: GSM 900 and UMTS TX within GSM 900 band (e.g. 3 x 2167.6 MHz 6 x 935.4 MHz = 890.4 MHz) 12th order: GSM 900 and UMTS TX within UMTS RX band (e.g. 9 x 930 MHz 3 x 2140 MHz = 1950 MHz) 4th order: GSM 900 TX within UMTS RX (e.g. 3 x 959.8 MHz 1 x 935.2 = 1944.2 MHz)
GSM 1800 UMTS
3rd order (critical): GSM 1800 TX within UMTS RX band (e.g. 2 x 1879.8 MHz 1 x 1820 MHz = 1939.6 MHz) 10th order: GSM 1800 and UMTS TX within GSM 1800 RX band (e.g. 5 x 2153 MHz 5 x 1810 MHz = 1715 MHz) 12th order: GSM 1800 and UMTS TX within UMTS RX band (e.g. 6 x 2167.4 MHz 6 x 1837.8 MHz = 1977.6 MHz)
Table 10: Possible Intermodulation products in case of GSM-UMTS co-siting Since only the odd, very low order intermodulation products are critical, the only harmful case is where two GSM 1800 frequencies are producing a IM3 product which falls into the UMTS receive band.
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This is visualised by the following example:
Example : IM3 product in UMTS RX band caused by GSM 1800 combination GSM 1800 TX UMTS RX f = 1879.8 MHz and f = 1820 MHz, P = 46 dBm each at antenna connector f = 1935-1940 MHz
The third-order intermodulation product of the GSM 1800 transmitters falls into the UMTS receive band (2 * 1879.8 MHz 1820 MHz = 1936.6 MHz). The UMTS receivers noise floor is assumed to be 104 dBm. Allowing 0.4 dB UMTS receiver degradation the acceptable intermodulation level at the UMTS antenna connector is approximately 114 dBm within the 3.84 MHz channel bandwidth. Case 1: Intermodulation in the GSM 1800 transmitters Figure 6 shows schematically the creation of the IM3 intermodulation product in the GSM 1800 transmitters, interfering a co-sited UMTS Node B.
Towards the antenna / diplexer system
f1
f2
TX/ RX
Diplexer or air decoupling TX/ RX
Antenna coupling network TX RX
Antenna coupling network TX RX IM3
GSM BTS
UMTS Node B
Figure 6 Schematic: Intermodulation in the transmitter According to the GSM recommendation 05.05, the inband intermodulation attenuation has to be 70 dBc in 300 kHz bandwidth. For a transmit power of 46 dBm, this means 24 dBm intermodulation power. The TX filter within the ANC module of the Alcatel EVOLIUM GSM 1800 BTS suppresses this level by at least additional 40dB within the UMTS receive band. At the GSM 1800 antenna connector the intermodulation level is therefore 64 dBm. To achieve the required intermodulation level of 114 dBm at the UMTS antenna connector, an additional attenuation of 50 dB by the GSM/ UMTS diplexer or air decoupling is required. An additional margin of 5 to 10 dB should be taken into account, because the total intermodulation power is
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distributed over a 600 kHz bandwidth (additional 3 dB) and more than one GSM intermodulation product may fall inside a UMTS receive channel. The required decoupling therefore would be 55 dB to 60 dB. Case 2: Intermodulation in the UMTS receiver
Towards the antenna / diplexer system
f2
TX/ RX
f1
Diplexer or air decoupling TX/ RX

IM
GSM BTS
UMTS Node B
Figure 7: Schematic: Intermodulation in the receiver According to the ETSI 3GPP specification TS 25.104, the inband interfering signal level for the UMTS receiver has to be 48 dBm. At this interfering level a wanted signal with a level of -115 dBm can be received. An additional margin of 5 dB for the interfering level is taken into account in order not to degrade a wanted signal at a level of 124 dBm (reference sensitivity level, Alcatel). The allowed interfere level without UMTS receive filter would be 48dBm 5 dB = -53 dBm. For GSM 1800 transmit signals the Alcatel receive filter will provide 90 dB suppression. With this filter the allowed interfere level at the UMTS antenna connector is +37 dBm. Therefore 9 dB decoupling is already sufficient (TX power = 46 dBm). This is less than in case 1. Case 3: Intermodulation at the diplexer
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Towards the antenna
Diplexer
Diplexer or air decoupling TX/ RX TX/ RX
interfering transmit signals intermodulation product
GSM 1800 BTS
UMTS Node B
Figure 8: Schematic: Intermodulation in the diplexer At the antenna connector of the diplexer the GSM transmitters have power levels of about 46 dBm. The allowed intermodulation power level is 114 dBm. The attenuation has to be 160 dBc. This value is very critical for the diplexer and the antenna system. It is suggested to avoid this scenario by careful frequency planning.
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2.2.3.2 Conclusion of Intermodulation interference The intermodulation interference is particularly important for co-located GSM 1800 and UMTS systems. For other co-location combinations interference is much less critical. Especially the third-order intermodulation products (IM3) of GSM 1800 transmitters may cause interference within the UMTS receive band. This means that IM3 products may occur within the UMTS receive band up to the frequency of 1955 MHz. For UMTS frequencies higher than 1955 MHz, no IM3 products can occur. Therefore, it is recommended for GSM 1800 operators to choose UMTS frequencies above fIM=1955 MHz. But even lower UMTS frequencies may be completely safe, since the 1955MHz threshold indicates the worst case valid for a GSM 1800/ UMTS co-located site, where the lowest (f1 = 1805 MHz) and highest (f2 = 1880 MHz) possible GSM 1800 frequency are used (fIM = -1 f1 + 2 f2) on the same site. The probability, that a third order intermodulation product falls into the UMTS receiver band (lower than 1955 MHz) is even very low. This is illustrated by the following equations: fIM = -1 f1 + 2 f2 < 1920 MHz f1 < f2 -1 f1 + f2 = ; On site used GSM 1800 frequency band fIM = + f2 < 1920 MHz < 1920 MHz - f2 f2 max = 1880 MHz < 40 MHz If the GSM 1800 frequency band used within the same site is smaller than 40 MHz, no IM3 products fall in the UMTS receive band. This is also valid for a larger used GSM 1800 frequency band, when the highest GSM 1800 frequency is lower than 1880 MHz (f2 max < 1880 MHz). Thus, intermodulation interference is in most cases not relevant, because a frequency distance as wide as 40 MHz will hardly be used within the same site. Therefore, we neglect in the following the intermodulation interference. In cases intermodulation products falling in a used receive band, decoupling requirements as stated in the above examples have to be calculated case by case and considered when planning co-location of sites.
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2.3
Summary on the required decoupling

In order to prevent performance degradation for co-located mobile systems, Alcatel proposes due to the three interference mechanisms the following decoupling requirements:
GSM 900 (RX) Specification according to: GSM 05.05 Alcatel
GSM 1800 (RX) GSM 05.05 Alcatel
UMTS (RX) 3G TS 25.104 Alcatel
GSM 05.05 GSM 900 (TX) Alcatel
46 dB
Blocking
30 dB
61 dB
Blocking
34dB
GSM spurious
46 dB
Blocking
30 dB
61 dB
Blocking
30 dB
GSM 05.05 GSM 1800 (TX)
39 dB
Blocking
30 dB
v.8.4.1: 85 dB v8.5.1: 62 dB
Blocking
v.8.4.1: 85 dB v8.5.1: 34dB

GSM spurious
Alcatel
39 dB
Blocking
30 dB
62 dB
Blocking
34 dB
GSM spurious
3G TS 25.104 UMTS (TX) Alcatel

35 dB
Blocking
30 dB 30 dB
43 dB
Blocking
30 dB 30 dB
58 dB
Blocking
34 dB
Spurious
35 dB
Blocking
43 dB
Blocking
58 dB
Blocking
34 dB
Spurious
It is assumed, that the decoupling provided by the antenna/diplexer system is at least 30 dB. In fact, using Alcatel EVOLIUM equipment requires for certain combinations even less isolation than those 30dB Intermodulation is suppressed by frequency planning GSM 900-GSM 1800 decoupling values are added for completeness, although not treated throughout this document
Table 11: Required decoupling
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2.4
Adjacent Channel Interference in case of UMTS-UMTS co-location

The co-existence between two operators using adjacent bands has been taken into account in the scenarios of simulations used for specifying the equipment (Node B and UE) radio requirements in the 3GPP/WG4. These simulations are referring to co-existence scenarios where the adjacent band operators are not necessarily sharing the same sites but merely operating in the same region. In the frame of this document, we start by looking briefly at these general scenarios and derive then the impact of co-locating different UMTS operators.
2.4.1
Capacity Loss due to adjacent operators co-existence
2.4.1.1 Uplink case The uplink case denotes the interference coming from UTRA FDD mobiles of an operator A to the UTRA FDD base station of an operator B. In the uplink, the adjacent channel interference causes noise rise, meaning an increase of the wideband interference level over the thermal noise in the base station reception of operator B. The effect of the adjacent channel interference can be seen as a reduced uplink capacity. Some Monte Carlo systems simulations have been performed to quantify the capacity loss due to the presence of an operator in the adjacent band in different co-existence scenarios (macro/macro, macro/micro using Manhattan model). For detailed description of the simulated scenarios please refer to TS 25.942. Table 12 shows examplarily the uplink capacity loss for the FDD macro/ FDD macro case. Keep in mind that this is not a site-sharing phenomenon but a co-existence one. ACIR(2) [dB] Min 25 30 35 40 9.31% 3.15% 1.11% 0.47%
Intermediate case Max 8.18% 2.60% 0.93% 0.30% Average 8.85% 2.91% 1.02% 0.35% Min 13.00% 4.58% 1.43% 0.50%
Worst case Max 11.55% 3.80% 1.10% 0.30% Average 12.25% 4.19% 1.34% 0.43%
Table 12: Uplink capacity loss in % for the FDD macro/ FDD macro case.
ACIR: The Adjacent Channel Interference Power Ratio (ACIR) is defined as the ratio of the total power
transmitted from a source (base station or UE) to the total interference power affecting a victim receiver, resulting from both transmitter and receiver imperfections.
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2.4.1.2 Downlink case The downlink case denotes the interference from UTRA FDD base station of an operator A to a UTRA FDD mobile belonging to an operator B. Operator As mobile is receiving adjacent channel interference in the downlink from operator Bs Node B, this will bring the need to increase the power allocated to that connection in order to compensate the increased interference in the mobile reception. Since the limited resource in the downlink is the common power, this means directly a reduction in capacity.
ACIR [dB] 25 30 35 40
Intermediate case (1) Min 13.46% 5.84% 2.27% 0.91% Max 6.50% 2.60% 1.00% 0.10% Average 10.88% 4.70% 1.79% 0.59% Min
Worst case (2) Max 9.00% 4.50% 1.80% 0.82% Average 13.28% 6.16% 2.32% 0.99% 15.30% 7.16% 2.80% 1.29%
Table 13: Downlink capacity loss in % for the FDD macro/ FDD macro case. 2.4.2 Dead Zones The dead zone area has been defined as the area close to a base station, where mobiles operating in an adjacent frequency receive such a high level of downlink interference from the interfering base station that the connection with the serving cell is dropped. In addition, mobiles close to the base station also create a high level of interference in uplink, at least before the communication is dropped due to the downlink interference level. Note that dead zone areas exist in pure macrocell scenarios as well as in macro/micro scenarios, however the latter are usually more critical since the mobile can get much closer to a microcell antenna, causing a small coupling loss between mobile and base station.
f1
f2
Dead zone area
Serving cell (Operator A) Interfering cell (Operator B) Figure 9 Dead Zone schematic representation
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Therefore, if we can avoid large power differences of own mobiles and other mobiles at the base stations, we get enough adjacent channel attenuation and therefore reduce the ACI problems. This can be done by avoiding scenarios where a mobile is far away from its serving cell (belonging to operator A) but very close to a Node B of operator B which then leads to minimising the phenomenon of dead zones. The solution consists therefore in a co-location of Node Bs of two operators. This means that site sharing has a positive impact of the performance of both operators systems (if the RF requirements of the previous chapters are fulfilled).
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3. ANTENNA SYSTEM SOLUTIONS

Co-located antenna systems can be composed of separated single-band antennas. The visual impact, however, is in a majority of cases a challenge for the site engineering. The use of multi-band antennas offers a good solution. With multi-band antennas (dual-band or triple-band), the necessary amount of antennas per site is minimized. By using additional diplexer or triplexer, the requested amount of feeder cables per sites can be reduced. The impact on the network planning needs to be evaluated. Adding diplexers to an existing system increases the losses, which could reduce the coverage area. With multi-band antennas, the same azimuth applies for all bands. As the network plan for the existing system should not be changed, the planning process for the new system has to take care about such limitations. The following sub-chapters reflect on possible antenna solutions for co-located sites.
3.1
Dual-band sites
Dual-band sites can be set up with single-band antennas or dual band antennas. For co-located GSM 1800 UMTS sites, the use of broadband antennas is feasible.
3.1.1
GSM 1800 with UMTS
3.1.1.1 Single-band antennas Figure 10 shows a schematic representation of the air decoupling configuration for single band antennas. A feeder cable to a GSM 1800 single-band antenna connects the GSM 1800 BTS. Similar, an extra feeder cable to an UMTS single-band antenna connects the UMTS Node B.
GSM 1800 antenna
UMTS antenna
air decoupling
Feeder
Feeder
GSM 1800 BTS
UMTS Node B
Figure 10: Schematic representation of air decoupling
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The antennas are separated either by a vertical distance dv or by a horizontal distance dh (see Figure 11).
dh
GSM 1800
dv
UMTS
GSM 1800
UMTS
Figure 11: Horizontal and vertical distance of antennas In case of Alcatel EVOLIUM GSM 1800 equipment is used, the decoupling between GSM 1800 transmit port and UMTS receive port has to be 34 dB. Taking into account a feeder cable loss of 2 dB for each feeder cable, the pure air decoupling has to provide 30 dB of isolation. This can be already obtained by side-by-side installation of two single band antennas, i.e. a distance dh or dh of 0m. Any higher distance would even increase the required decoupling. In case of a GSM 1800 BTS fulfilling only the ETSI GSM 05.05 v.8.4.1 requirements, the air decoupling has to be 81 dB, which is much more difficult to obtain. But even if the GSM 1800 BTS fulfills the GSM 05.05 v.8.5.1, there might be a blocking problem (see chapter 2.2.2.2). A decoupling of 43dB is required for equipment just fulfilling the standardization. A value of even 62dB applies, if the UMTS equipment is not from Alcatel and just satisfies the 3GPP requirements on blocking. In order to know the exact required decoupling value, the blocking performance of the according equipment has to be known. In order to determine then the required minimum distance between the antenna panels, decoupling measurements were performed. As typical examples, two cross-polarized single-band antennas have been used, both antennas with 17 dBi gain and a horizontal beamwidth of 65 degree (APX206515-2T for UMTS, APX186515-2T for GSM 1800, supplier: RFS/ CELWAVE).
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Horizontal antenna separation
Figure 12 shows as an example the decoupling between the -45 branch of the GSM 1800 antenna and the +45 branch of the UMTS antenna, as a function of the frequency, for different horizontal distances. It has to be noted, that the indicated coupling distances were measured between the two vertical middle axes of the antennas. This means that the distance of 20 cm refers to the side by side position which is given as dh = 0m according to Figure 11. Packed in a formula, this gives: dh = coupling distance minus 0.2 m.
0
-10
Coupling Distance (cm)

-20
20 50 100 150 200
-30
Coupling (dB)
-40
-50
-60
-70
-80
-90
-100 1.7 1.7625 1.825 1.8875 1.95 2.0125 2.075 2.1375 2.2
Frequency (GHz)
Figure 12: Decoupling between -45 plane of GSM 1800 antenna and +45 plane of UMTS antenna over frequency for different horizontal distances One can see that the two antennas side by side already offer a decoupling of 40 dB, a result which can be expected for the GSM 1800/ UMTS dual band antenna as well. Currently, the antenna suppliers specify their dual-band antennas with 30 dB decoupling only. It can be seen that the value of 81dB cannot be obtained by any reasonnable separation of the antennas. Therefore, in case that the installed GSM equipment is only compliant to GSM 05.05 v.8.4.1, air decoupling does not constitute a solution. Vertical antenna separation
Figure 13 shows as an example the decoupling between the -45 branch of the GSM 1800 antenna and the +45 branch of the UMTS antenna, as a function of the frequency, for different vertical distances. It has to be noted, that the distances are measured between the horizontal middle axes of the two antennas. This means if one wants to map the represented distances on the distance dv indicated in Figure 11, which is the distance between the top of the UMTS antenna and the bottom of the GSM 1800 antenna, one has to subtract 1.3 m, which is the length of each antenna. The
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according formula is: dv = coupling distance minus 1.3 m. The minimum possible distance dv is therefore 0.2m (due to connector installation) and provides already a decoupling of more than 40dB.
-20
Coupling Distance (cm)

-30
-40
150 200 250 300
Coupling (dB)
-50
-60
-70
-80
-90
-100 1.7 1.7625 1.825 1.8875 1.95 2.0125 2.075 2.1375 2.2
Frequency (GHz)
Figure 13: Decoupling between -45 plane of GSM 1800 antenna and +45 plane of UMTS antenna over frequency for different vertical distances The measurement examples indicate, that an air decoupling of > 81 dB for equipment only fulfilling the GSM 05.05 v.8.4.1 requirements is difficult to achieve for the majority of sites, as the antennas have to be too far apart from each other. 3.1.1.2 Broadband antenna with diplexer Figure 14 shows the schematic representation of a solution using a BTS-side diplexer, one feeder cable and a GSM 1800/UMTS broadband antenna. This combination has to be doubled for the second antenna branch. The diplexer has to provide 34dB (in case of Alcatel EVOLIUM GSM 1800 equipment and GSM 05.05 v8.5.1 equipment, 85 dB for ETSI GSM 05.05 v8.4.1 equipment) from the GSM 1800 transmit port to the UMTS receive port. From the UMTS transmit port to the GSM 1800 receive port, 30 dB of isolation is required. The main advantage of the configuration is the need for only one feeder cable per antenna branch and one antenna panel. A disadvantage could be the fact of having the same antenna characteristics for the GSM 1800 and the UMTS band. No different electrical downtilt can be chosen for the two systems.
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Broadband antenna
Feeder
Diplexer
GSM 1800 BTS
UMTS Node B
Figure 14: Schematic representation of the configuration with diplexer and broadband antenna for GSM 1800-UMTS co-siting
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3.1.1.3 GSM 1800/ UMTS dual-band antenna with two diplexers The configuration consists of one BTS-side diplexer, one feeder cable, one antenna side diplexer and a GSM 1800/UMTS dual band antenna consisting of two antennas within one panel. This combination has to be doubled for the second antenna branch.
Dualband antenna
Diplexer
Feeder
Diplexer
GSM 1800 BTS
UMTS Node B
Figure 15: Schematic representation of configuration with two diplexers and a GSM 1800/ UMTS dual-band antenna
The BTS-side diplexer has to provide 34 dB of decoupling from GSM 1800 transmit port to UMTS receive port in case of Alcatel EVOLIUM GSM 1800 equipment and 85 dB for ETSI GSM 05.05 v8.4.1 equipment. For the antenna side diplexer, a decoupling value of 30 dB is largely sufficient. The advantages of the configuration are that gain and electrical tilt can be chosen differently for GSM 1800 and UMTS. The disadvantage is the necessity of implementing two diplexers.
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3.1.1.4
Dual-band antenna without feeder sharing
The configuration shown schematically in Figure 16 contains two feeder cables and a GSM 1800/ UMTS dual-band antenna. Using Alcatel Evolium equipment, no filter is required. In case of another suppliers UMTS Node B only fulfilling the TS 25.104 blocking requirements, an external filter is required in the UMTS branch. In case of another suppliers GSM 1800 BTS only fulfilling the GSM 05.05 8.4.1, the solution includes an external filter directly after the GSM 1800 BTS. Again, this combination has to be doubled for the second antenna branch.
Dualband antenna
Dualband antenna
Feeder
Feeder
Feeder
Feeder
Filter
Filter
Alcatel Evolium GSM 1800 BTS
Alcatel Evolium MBS UMTS
GSM05.05 v.8.4.1. GSM 1800 BTS
TS 25.104 UMTS Node B
Figure 16: Schematic representation of configuration two feeder cables and a GSM 1800/ UMTS dual-band antenna (with an external filter in case of GSM 05.05 v.8.5.1 equipment) The filter in the GSM branch has to reduce the spurious emissions of the GSM 1800 BTS within the UMTS receive band to achieve the required isolation, while relaxing the antenna decoupling value to 30 dB. Feeder cable losses of 2 dB per feeder cable are taken into account. The filter (with fc = 1900 MHz) lets pass the whole GSM 1800 receive and transmit frequencies, but provides sufficient attenuation within the UMTS band. The filter in the UMTS branch has to avoid that the UMTS Node B is being blocked by the GSM 1800 BTS. The filter (with fc = 1900 MHz) lets pass the whole UMTS receive and transmit frequencies, but provides sufficient attenuation within the GSM 1800 band.
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3.1.1.5
Summary on GSM 1800/UMTS Solutions Advantage Existing GSM 1800 antenna system does not have to be modified Different mechanical and electrical downtilt for GSM 1800 and UMTS antenna possible Disadvantage Visual impact of additional UMTS antenna Two feeder cables required Comment For other suppliers GSM 1800 equipment which only fulfills ETSI GSM 05.05 v8.4.1 requirements concerning spurious, this solution is not possible without additional filter
Description Single band antennas with air decoupling, two feeders
Broadband antenna with one diplexer and one feeder
Only one feeder cable required Low visual impact (existing GSM 1800 antenna can be replaced by broadband antenna)
No different mechanical or electrical downtilt for GSM 1800 and UMTS diplexer required
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Dual band antenna with two feeders
Different electrical downtilt possible No diplexer required Low visual impact (existing GSM 1800 antenna can be replaced by dual band antenna)
Two feeder cables required No different mechanical downtilt
External filter required for other suppliers GSM 1800 equipment which only fulfills ETSI GSM 05.05 v8.4.1 requirements concerning spurious External filter required for other suppliers UMTS equipment which only fulfills TS 25.104 blocking requirements
Dual band antenna with one feeder and two diplexers
Only one feeder cable required Different electrical downtilt possible Low visual impact
Two diplexers required No different mechanical downtilt
For other suppliers GSM 1800 equipment which only fulfills ETSI GSM 05.05 v8.4.1 requirements: One diplexer with high decoupling requirements, therefore expensive
3.1.2
GSM 900 with UMTS
3.1.2.1 Air decoupling with Single Band Antennas For the combination of GSM 900 with UMTS, concerning the installation of single-band antennas, no special conditions have to be considered, since 30dB of decoupling are easily obtained. For sector antennas installed in the same main beam direction, in most cases, side by side installation of panel antennas is possible. If omni antennas are used, horizontal separation is not recommended since the antenna gain increases the required separation drastically.
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GSM 900 antenna
UMTS antenna
air decoupling
Feeder
Feeder
GSM 900 BTS
UMTS Node B
Figure 17: Schematic representation of the air decoupling configuration GSM 900-UMTS co-siting 3.1.2.2 GSM 900/UMTS Dual Band Antennas A GSM 900/UMTS dual band antenna offers 30dB of decoupling at minimum (according to antenna suppliers specification). Therefore, one can choose either a solution with two feeder cables and without diplexers (Figure 18) or with a common feeder cable and two diplexers (Figure 19).
GSM900/UMTS Dualband antenna
Dualband antenna
Diplexer
Feeder Feeder
Feeder
Diplexer
GSM 900 BTS
UMTS Node B
GSM 900 BTS
UMTS Node B
Figure 18: GSM 900-UMTS solution with two feeder cables and without diplexers
Figure 19: GSM 900-UMTS solution with a common feeder cable and two diplexers
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3.1.2.3
Summary on GSM 900/UMTS Solutions Description Advantage Existing GSM 900 antenna system does not have to be modified Different mechanical and electrical downtilt for GSM 900 and UMTS antenna possible Disadvantage High visual impact of additional UMTS antenna Two feeder cables required
Single band antennas with air decoupling, two feeders
Dual band antenna with two feeders
Different possible
electrical
downtilt
Two feeder cables required No different mechanical downtilt
No diplexer required Low visual impact Dual band antenna with one feeder and two diplexers Only one feeder cable required Different possible Low visual impact electrical downtilt Two diplexers required No different mechanical downtilt
3.2
Triple-band sites
With respect to the visual impact, triple-band antenna systems will be preferably realised either with single-band and dual-band antennas or with triple-band antennas. Nevertheless, configurations with mono-band antennas are also feasible. The conditions concerning the decoupling requirements can be taken from the dual-band co-located sites.
3.2.1
With dual-band antennas In cases dual-band antennas are used the following variants are possible: GSM 900 single-band antenna, GSM 1800 / UMTS dual-band antenna GSM 900 / GSM 1800 dual-band antenna, UMTS single-band antenna GSM 900 / UMTS dual-band antenna, GSM 1800 single-band antenna
The preferred configuration is dependent on the existing antenna system and the evolution steps to a triple-band site. The network planning aspects pose a further requirement on the antenna arrangement. 3.2.2 With triple-band antennas Triple-band antennas are necessary for those existing antenna sites using only one antenna per sector and where additional panels are not allowed due to the visual impact.
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Triple-band antenna
Feeder
Connection Matrix
GSM 900 BTS
GSM 1800 BTS
UMTS Node B
Figure 20: Triple-band antenna If GSM 1800 equipment is not from Alcatel, an isolation of 30 dB might not be enough for the decoupling between GSM 1800 and UMTS. In this case, additional components must be implemented in order to fulfil the decoupling requirements (use of diplexer), or to decrease the decoupling requirements (use of GSM 1800 TX filter). The connection possibilities are the same as already presented for the dual-band sites GSM 1800 and UMTS. The next figure reminds the diplexer and filter solution:
Connection matrix
Filters not required for Alcatel EVOLIUM equipment!

Feeder Feeder
Diplexer
Feeder
Diplexer
Filter
Filter
GSM 1800
UMTS
GSM 1800
UMTS
Diplexer application
Filter application
Figure 21: Connection possibilities for triple-band antenna
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3.3
3.3.1
Multi-operator sites UMTS-UMTS

Separate Systems with Air Decoupling The most straightforward solution for the site-sharing between two UMTS operators is to establish two completely separate antenna systems with air decoupling, as shown in Figure 22. As long as the decoupling requirement of 34dB between the systems is maintained, both operators can setup an independent radio network planning, where the sector orientation and therefore the main beam direction of the two systems may differ. In order to maintain the required decoupling, planners have to take care that the main beams of two systems do not cross. Operation and maintenance of the antenna systems is also independent for both operators. Therefore, wherever the visual requirements allow such a configuration, it should be applied for the sake of simplicity and operator independence.
UMTS antenna UMTS antenna
air decoupling
Feeder
Feeder
UMTS Node B Operator1
UMTS Node B Operator2
Figure 22: Separate systems for multi-operator sites 3.3.2 Two operators sharing one antenna (feeder sharing) In case the visual impact of the site plays a major role, there is the option to share a UMTS antenna as well as the feeder cable between two operators. However, since the RX and TX signal are already duplexed at each antenna connector, a diplexer solution does not make sense. We have to keep in mind that the uplink and downlink signals of the two operators are in any case interleaved, so a diplexer would not separate the two systems signals. Therefore, there is only the solution to use a so called Hybrid, which is a combiner in the upstream direction and a splitter in the downstream direction, so that the transmit signals are combined on the very same antenna and the received signal is split on the two systems (see Figure 23)
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UMTS antenna
Feeder
~3.3dB loss!
Hybrid (Splitter/Combiner)
UMTS Node B Operator 1
Figure 23: Two operators sharing one antenna (feeder sharing solution) Note that there is no filtering taking place, each Node B receives the whole UMTS RX band and picks out its own useful signal. The big drawback of this solution are the high losses in both directions, which are 3dB in theory (the power is divided between the two ports) and around 3.3dB in reality. In most of the cases, 3.3dB of additional losses are not tolerable. Compared with the separate systems solution, the operator will lose their independence in radio network planning. They necessarily have to use the same sector orientation and the same downtilt, and have to agree on the operation and maintenance. A tower mounted amplifier is not possible in this scenario, since DC feed and alarm handling would not be possible. 3.3.3 Two operators sharing one antenna panel (no feeder sharing) Another option in case of visual impact constraints consists in using a dual UMTS antenna (or a dual Broadband antenna) consisting of two separate antennas within one panel. In this case, separate feeder cables are required, but no additional losses compared to the separate systems solution occur. The only drawback is that the sector orientation can not be chosen independently. Electrical tilt can be chosen differently for each operator, and each operator may use a TMA if desired.
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Dual UMTS antenna (or Dual Broadband antenna)
Feeder
Feeder
Figure 24: Two operators sharing one antenna panel Note that in case of visual impact constraints, the solution depicted in Figure 24 should be preferred before the solution represented in Figure 23 because of the high losses of the hybrid.
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4. ANTENNA FEEDER SHARING

Sharing of existing feeder cables can be an effective way to reduce the costs for co-located sites. Possible solutions and the impacts on the antenna systems are reflected in this chapter. This chapter concludes with a recommendation on when to use feeder sharing.
4.1
4.1.1
Dual-band sites
Technical realization Dual-band systems are realized either with separated single-band antennas or dual-band antennas, please refer to chapter 3.1. However, if the antenna system supports diversity, at least two antenna branches per BTS sector and mobile system are necessary. This results in four antenna branches for a dual-band BTS sector (except the solution with broadband antennas for GSM 1800 and UMTS, not further described in this document). Thus, without feeder sharing, four feeder cables are necessary. By using additional diplexers, two shared feeder cables are sufficient. The following example with a cross-polarized dual-band antenna describes the feeder sharing.
Dual-band antennas are characterized by being suitable for both frequency ranges with separate input connectors. This leads to a double number of antenna connectors, compared to a corresponding single-band antenna; four connectors for dual-polarized dual-band antenna.
Dual-band antenna
Dual-band antenna
+45
-45
With integrated diplexers
Diplexer
Diplexer
Without diplexers
Feeder
Diplexer
Feeder
Diplexer
Diplexers at BTS location
Dual-band
Dual-band
Figure 25: Dual-band antenna, with and without diplexer application
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By upgrading the dual-band antennas with additional diplexers (often integrated in the antenna radome), the number of antenna connectors will be reduced by a factor of two. The required feeder system will be the same as for a single-band antenna system. This kind of application requires further base station diplexers with a corresponding resplit function. The additional costs for the diplexers will be justified, if the reduced expenditure of the feeder system is predominant. Especially for the case of migrating a single-band to a dual-band system, the existing feeder system can be used ensuring a fast installation during retrofit. It has to be checked, however, whether the feeder cable fulfils the demands for both systems in terms of losses (the feeder attenuation increases with higher frequencies).
Diplexing is possible for each combination of the three mobile systems: GSM 900 with GSM 1800 GSM 900 with UMTS GSM 1800 with UMTS
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4.2
4.2.1
Triple-band sites
Technical realization A separated triple-band antenna system with diversity support needs at least six feeders per sector. With feeder sharing, this amount can be reduced. The minimum number per sector is two. In order to fulfil the need to have only two feeder cables per sector for all three bands, the use of triplexers are necessary. The following picture illustrates the triplexer application consisting of two diplexers in combination with a triple-band antenna.
GSM 900
Triple-band antenna
GSM 1800 UMTS
Antenna system
Diplexer Diplexer
Triplexer
Feeder system
Triplexer
Diplexer
Diplexer
GSM 900
GSM 1800
UMTS
BTS systems
Figure 26:Triplexer application
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If only diplexing between two mobile systems is applied, please refer to chapter 4.1, four antenna feeder cables per sector are then required. One representative application is the diplexing of the GSM 1800 and UMTS mobile system. This leads to separated feeder cables between the GSM 900 and the GSM 1800/ UMTS systems. Further benefits are: Flexible choice of the feeder type (because the feeder attenuation increases with the frequency) Diplexers improve simultaneously the decoupling between the systems
GSM 900
Triple-band antenna
GSM 1800 UMTS
Antenna system
Diplexer
Feeder system
Diplexer
GSM 900
GSM 1800
UMTS
BTS systems
Figure 27: GSM 1800 / UMTS diplexing at triple-band site
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4.3
Additional losses
The feeder sharing benefits have to be paid for with slightly increased losses in the feeder system. The next table collects the additional losses:
Component Diplexer GSM 900-GSM 1800 Diplexer GSM 900-GSM 1800 / UMTS Diplexer GSM 900-UMTS Diplexer GSM 1800-UMTS GSM 1800 filter (not necessary for Alcatel equipment!) Table 14: Feeder sharing losses
Loss 0.3 dB 0.3 dB 0.3 dB 0.5 dB (0.4 dB)
The feeder sharing influence on feeders system performance is clarified with the following example: Task: An existing GSM 900 antenna system shall be extended to a triple-band GSM 900/ GSM 1800/ UMTS system. Condition: The existing feeder cables have to be shared for all frequency bands. Solution: Use of diplexers (triplexers) for feeder sharing.
GSM 900
Antenna systems
GSM 900
GSM 1800
UMTS
Diplexer Diplexer
Triplexer
Feeder system
Diplexer
Triplexer
Diplexer
GSM 900
BTS systems
GSM 900
GSM 1800
UMTS
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Figure 28: Feeder sharing task
Influence of feeder sharing (losses in dB) Components 2 Diplexers GSM 900-GSM 1800 2 Diplexers GSM 1800-UMTS Additional losses (jumpers, connectors) Total loss 1.1 2.1
1)
GSM 900 0.6
GSM 1800 0.6 1.0
UMTS 0.6 1.0 0.5

1)
0.5
0.5
2.1
1) Remark: GSM 1800/ UMTS signals have 50 % more signal attenuation compared with GSM 900 signals over the same feeder cable.
Table 15: Example for additional losses
4.4
When to use feeder sharing, and when not ?

There are mainly two situations, where feeder sharing is interesting (or even mandatory): First, when the building or tower does not allow to add more feeder cables. There might be technical reasons for that (cable trays already fully packed with cables, floor/wall openings to small) or personal reasons (the site owner does not allow more cables for whatever reason). Second, if the distance between the BTS/Node B and the antenna is rather long. In this case, additional diplexers are cheaper compared to the material plus installation costs of the feeder cable. The losses due to the diplexers are, compared to the feeder losses, not so important any more. Feeder sharing should not be used as general implementation when not really neccesary (see above). Especially for the higher frequency bands, the additional losses due to the diplexers should be avoided.
Alcatel-Lucent
File GDCOLOE5.DOC
Date 02/2002
Edition 05
Page 45
Site Sharing
5. CONSIDERATIONS OF TOWER MOUNTED AMPLIFIERS

Low-noise antenna pre-amplifiers installed near the antennas are sometimes used in cellular systems. They are referred to as "Tower Mounted Amplifiers" (TMA) or "Mast Head Amplifier" (MHA) and are offered for all of the systems discussed in this document. These amplifiers are normally used to compensate the uplink losses of the feeder and connectors between the antenna and the input of the base station. In case they are present in any one of the systems, they have to be considered for the design of the antenna system. If they have not been used before implementing the additional base station, they can now become helpful to compensate for the additional losses of the diplexers and/or filters.
Antenna
Duplexer TMA Tx Rx Duplexer Feeder
Tx / Rx
BTS / Node B
Figure 29: Schematic representation of TMA application In case of GSM/UMTS co-siting, one may want to use a TMA for the GSM and/or for the UMTS system. Since in GSM, we are for most power budgets not uplink limited thanks to the high sensitivity of the Alcatel EVOLIUMTM GSM BTS, a configuration where only the UMTS part (which benefits from a RX loss reduction) is equipped with a TMA does make sense. However, for some scenarios, (e.g. if the Alcatel Node B is co-located with another suppliers GSM BTS), a TMAs in both systems have to be taken into account. In case there are TMAs installed in the GSM 900 or GSM 1800 part of the co-siting configuration, we have to check the following points: Blocking limit of the BTS: The signal delivered by the TMA to the base station receiver will be higher which may be resulting in blocking. If the blocking limit is too low, we have to increase the decoupling.
Alcatel-Lucent
File GDCOLOE5.DOC
Date 02/2002
Edition 05
Page 46
Site Sharing
Blocking limit of the TMA: The TMA must not be blocked by the incoming signal. If the blocking limit is too low, we have to increase the decoupling.
For the Alcatel UMTS TMA and EVOLIUMTM MBS UMTS, these points have already been checked and do not constitute a problem. In case other suppliers equipment is used, an according check has to be performed.
5.1
Feeder Sharing Solutions with TMA
The Feeder sharing solutions require diplexers, for which the DC feed of the TMA has to be resolved, avoiding DC passing into antenna. It has to be noted that diplexer (and triplexer) configurations are definitely not possible, if more than one TMAs are used, since otherwise neither DC feed nor alarm handling are possible and the TMAs would not work. It is neither possible to use a GSM 1800/UMTS broadband antenna with one diplexer and common feeder in combination with a TMA. This is due to the fact that the TMA has to separate uplink and downlink signals, and in the broadband signal consisting of GSM 1800 and UMTS frequency bands, there are two uplink and downlink signals which are interleaved and therefore cannot be separated by a duplexer integrated in the TMA. An applicable solution for feeder sharing is shown in Figure 30.
Dualband antenna
TMA
DC block Band 1 (GSM) DC pass Band 2 (UMTS)
Diplexer
Feeder
Diplexer
GSM 900/ GSM1800 BTS
UMTS Node B
Figure 30: TMA in feeder sharing solution It has to be noted that at least the upper diplexer has to provide DC block in Band1 (GSM 900 resp. GSM 1800) and DC pass in Band 2 (UMTS)
5.2
Solutions without feeder sharing
If a solution without feeder sharing has been chosen, each system can be equipped with a TMA. Of course the decoupling requirements must still be respected.
Alcatel-Lucent
File GDCOLOE5.DOC
Date 02/2002
Edition 05
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Site Sharing
6. ANTENNA DESIGN METHODOLOGY

This chapter intends to give some guidelines how to proceed when defining the solution tailored to the respective situation.
6.1
Design process
The overall process is visualized below:
Collection of data on existing system (Antenna Co-Siting Questionnaire)
Visual restrictions
Network planning
Selection of solution
Calculation of impact on existing system. Feasibility for new system.
Network planning restriction No
Impact acceptable ? Solution feasible ? Yes
No
Alternative solution possible ?
Yes
Site documentation
Figure 31: Design process
Alcatel-Lucent
File GDCOLOE5.DOC
Date 02/2002
Edition 05
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Site Sharing
6.2
Process on the selection of the most appropriate solution

This chapter proposes a process to find the best possible solution. It refers to the box "Selection of Solution" in Figure 31: Design process.
Additional panels possible ? Yes
No
Selection of appropriate multiband antennas
Additional feeder possible ? Yes
No
Diplexer solution
Check for decoupling requirements
More decoupling required ? No
Yes
Application of: - Diplexer - TX Filter - Increasing antenna distance
No additional elements required
Figure 32: Selection of antenna system solution
Alcatel-Lucent
File GDCOLOE5.DOC
Date 02/2002
Edition 05
Page 49
Questionnaire
ENCLOSURE 1: ANTENNA CO-SITING QUESTIONNAIRE 1. Explanation

Alcatel offers comprehensive support in designing antenna systems for co-located mobile communication equipment. To allow this support to be performed, we need detailed information on the existing equipment and antenna system. If you appreciate our help, please provide us with the information as listed below. The form concerning the equipment should be copied and filled with the requested data once per equipment used. Alternatively, a detailed data sheet containing the information on the equipment as listed would be fine. The form related to the antenna systems should be copied and completed once per site, or, if suitable, once per type of site.
2. Existing equipment
Unit Manufacturer Type System (GSM 900, GSM 1800, ...) Number of sectors Number of carriers per sector TX output power per carrier (to antenna feeder) RX sensitivity (cabinet input) TMA used ? dBm dBm Yes/No If yes, please provided data sheet separately GSM 900 band Transmitter noise/spurious response, at BTS output connector Receiver blocking at BTS input connector Suppression of intermodulation products (filter curves, for example) dBm dBm dB GSM 1800 band UMTS band Value
Alcatel-Lucent
File GDCOLOE5.DOC
Date 02/2002
Edition 05
Page 50
Questionnaire
3. Existing antenna and feeder system

Unit Number of sectors Number of panels per sector Type of panels Panel 1 Type Horizontal beamwidth gain Manufacturer, reference Panel 2 Type Horizontal beamwidth gain Manufacturer, reference Panel 3 Type Horizontal beamwidth gain Manufacturer, reference How are the existing panels arranged ? How many additional panels per sector can be added and how can they be arranged ? Are the characteristics of the antennas for the additional system already defined from network planning aspects? If yes, please provide details. Antenna feeder type Antenna feeder diameter Antenna feeder length (between BTS connector and antenna connector) Number of feeders per sector How many additional feeders are possible per sector ? Inch m Please add a sketch Please add a sketch degree dBi degree dBi degree dBi Value
Vertical polarized Cross-polarized
End of DOCUMENT
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File GDCOLOE5.DOC
Date 02/2002
Edition 05
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Site Sharing

Site Sharing GSM - UMTS

Reference 3DC 21019 0005 TQZZA

Multi-operator sites UMTS-UMTS.....................................................................37

5. CONSIDERATIONS OF TOWER MOUNTED AMPLIFIERS .....................................................46

6. ANTENNA DESIGN METHODOLOGY ...........................................................................48

Reference 3DC 21019 0005 TQZZA

ENCLOSURE 1: ANTENNA CO-SITING QUESTIONNAIRE ........................................................50

Reference 3DC 21019 0005 TQZZA

System GSM 900 GSM 1800 UMTS FDD

Reference 3DC 21019 0005 TQZZA

2. RF REQUIREMENTS 2.1 Some basics

Reference 3DC 21019 0005 TQZZA

spurious emissions of the GSM 1800 system

In band interference for the UMTS system

Reference 3DC 21019 0005 TQZZA

GSM 05.05 up to v.8.4.1

Limiting interference level:

ANC attenuation in UMTS TX/ RX band TRX

MBS 9100 UMTS

EVOLIUM BTS 1800

ANC: Antenna Network Combiner TRX: Transceiver Equipment

Reference 3DC 21019 0005 TQZZA

ETSI specifications (GSM 05.05) up to v.8.4.1 -29dBm v.8.5.1 -80dBm

Alcatel EVOLIUM GSM 1800 BTS

up to v.8.4.1 -29 dBm decoupling = -114 dBm Decoupling = 85 dB

Reference 3DC 21019 0005 TQZZA

Reference 3DC 21019 0005 TQZZA

Value 46.0 dBm - 30 dB 0 dB 16.0 dBm Alcatel 25 dBm Yes

Reference 3DC 21019 0005 TQZZA

Value 43.0 dBm - 30 dB 0 dB 13.0 dBm Alcatel 35dBm Yes

Value 46.7 dBm - 30 dB 0 dB 16.7 dBm Alcatel 23 dBm Yes

Reference 3DC 21019 0005 TQZZA

Value 43.0 dBm - 30 dB 0 dB 13.0 dBm Alcatel 23 dBm Yes

Receiver blocking between UMTS and UMTS

Value 43.0 dBm - 30 dB 0 dB 13.0 dBm Alcatel 30 dBm Yes

Reference 3DC 21019 0005 TQZZA

GSM 1800 (RX) GSM 05.05 46 dB 46 dB 30 dB 30 dB Alcatel

UMTS (RX) 3G TS 25.104 61 dB 61 dB 62 dB 62 dB 30 dB 30 dB 30 dB 30 dB 30 dB 30 dB Alcatel

Table 9: Decoupling requirements due to receiver blocking

Reference 3DC 21019 0005 TQZZA

45 Output power in dBm

-5 0 Input power in dBm

Figure 4: Non-linear transfer characteristic of a power amplifier

Reference 3DC 21019 0005 TQZZA

with m, n = 0, +1, +2, +3, ...

Reference 3DC 21019 0005 TQZZA

Co-location GSM 900 UMTS

GSM 1800 UMTS

Reference 3DC 21019 0005 TQZZA

This is visualised by the following example:

Towards the antenna / diplexer system

Diplexer or air decoupling TX/ RX

Antenna coupling network TX RX

Antenna coupling network TX RX IM3

Reference 3DC 21019 0005 TQZZA

Diplexer or air decoupling TX/ RX

Antenna coupling network TX RX

Antenna coupling network TX RX

Reference 3DC 21019 0005 TQZZA

Towards the antenna

interfering transmit signals intermodulation product

Antenna coupling network TX RX