FlexiHopper (Plus) and FIU 19(E)

Installation

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Objectives
After completing this learning element, the participant will be
able to:

Describe the FlexiHopper (Plus) mechanics

Install the FlexiHopper (Plus) outdoor unit
Install and align the FlexiHopper antennas
Install the FIU 19(E) indoor unit
Cable the various FIU 19(E) interfaces

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Mechanics
FlexiHopper (Plus) Radio Installation

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FlexiHopper (Plus) mechanics

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FlexiHopper (Plus) mechanics

Different casing sizes: 4

Frequency ranges:
7, 8
GHz

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13, 15
GHz

18, 23, 26
GHz

28, 32, 38
GHz

Frequency-dependent parts
Parts depending on frequency:
7/8G Filter
13/15G Filter
18-26G Filter
28-38G Filter

7-26G:
casing base

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28-38G:
casing base

7/8G collar: 115 mm

13/15G collar: 90 mm
18-26G collar: 45 mm

Construction
No coaxial cables 13-38 GHz, 2 cables at 7/8 GHz
Stacked PCBs with pin/header connections

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Dimensions, etc.
Weight and size:
7/8G: 6.0 kg
13/15G: 5.5 kg
18-26G: 4.5 kg
28-38G: 4.0 kg

Casing part dimensions without fins, collar and handle:

210 x 230 x 70 mm
Fins:
30 mm high
Handle:
45 mm
Collar length:
7/8G,
100 mm
13/15G,
90 mm
18-26G,
40 mm
28-38G,
0 mm
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Antennas ...1
Antenna sizes are 20, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 cm
(240, 300 cm at 7/8G)
Antennas 20 - 120 cm are
Low-profile parabolic antennas,
i.e. shroud is lower than in normal
antenna; dish material is aluminum

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Antennas ...2
Antennas 20, 30 and 60 cm are used with FlexiHopper Alignment unit
Unit can be used for integrated or separated mounting (with flexible
waveguide between radio and antenna)
Larger antennas are delivered with manufacturers own Brackets
(Alignment units)

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Antennas ...3
All antennas are furnished with feeder and mounting hub in order
to fit FlexiHopper (Plus) directly
Using a Snap-on-adapter, it is possible to install FlexiHopper
(Plus) directly also on 120 and 180 cm antennas (but not possible
with 240 or 300 cm antennas)
Polarization change: loosen 4 screws and rotate the feeder 90o
Radome: Low-profile antennas are using strong, solid, conical
plastic material

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Antenna gain
Antenna gains (midband):
Size
7/8G
13G
15G
18G
23G
26G
38G

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20

30

32.0
34.4
31.0 35.5
32.3 36.9
35.0 39.6

60

120

180

240

300 cm

31.0
36.3
37.1
39.2
40.6
41.5
44.6

37.0
41.5
42.5
44.6
46.0
47.0

40.6 42.9 44.8 dBi

45.1
dBi
46.1
dBi
48.3
dBi
49.5
dBi
dBi
dBi

Antenna beam
Antenna gain increases with antenna size and with higher radio frequency
=> and thus antenna alignment must be more accurate
3dB BW
7/8G
13G
15G
18G
23G
26G
38G

13

20

4.5
4.1
2.7

30

60

120

3.8
3.1
2.7
2.4
1.7

4.3
2.5
2.2
1.8
1.5
1.4
1.0

2.3
1.3
1.2
0.9
0.7
0.6

180
1.6
0.9
0.8
0.5
0.5

240
1.1

300 cm
0.9 deg
deg
deg
deg
deg
deg
deg

At winds of 40 m/s gain degradation is max. 1dB (= 1/3 of 3dB Beam

Width). Survival is 55 m/s (200 km/h)

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Alignment unit
Used with 20, 30 and 60 cm antennas
No "loose" parts in installation; nuts "secured"
Installation on either side of pole; pole diameter 30 - 125 mm
Bolts, nuts M8 (13 mm spanner); Allen key 6 mm for antenna
Coarse vertical adjustment: +25/0/-25 deg
Fine vertical adjustment: +/-25 deg.
Fine horizontal adjustment: +/-15 deg.
Fine tuning: 0.5 deg/turn

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Snap-on mounting

For installing FlexiHopper (Plus)

on 120/180 cm antennas
Made of one mechanical part of
Alignment Unit
No flexible waveguide needed
with 120/180 cm antennas

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Waveguide adapter
Adapter for waveguide mounting when separate antenna is used
(for instance dual-polarized antenna)
Fits onto Alignment unit
Guarantees water tightness of radio
(duplex filter)
Enables rapid installation of radio
(on/off)

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Waveguides, 1 m
Flexible/twistable, 1 m long
Included clamps for hanging and strain
relief
Insertion loss:
7/8G 0.3 dB
13G 0.6 dB
15G 0.9 dB
18G 1.2 dB
23G 1.4 dB
26G 1.6 dB
28G 2.0 dB
38G 2.2 dB
Flanges IEC-UBR 84 (7/8G), 120 (13G),
140 (15G), 220 (18-26G), 320 (28-38G)

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Directional coupler for HSB 1

New directional coupler available

for FlexiHopper (Plus)
lower cost
easier installation
Previous couplers have been
ramped down

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Directional coupler for HSB 2

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Installing the outdoor unit and antenna

FlexiHopper (Plus) Radio Installation

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Installation Tools
Two 13 mm fork or ring spanners (two spanners are needed for locking the

horizontal adjustment for other tasks one spanner is enough)

6 mm Allen key for installing the integrated antenna, alignment bracket,
snap-on mounting, or waveguide adapter
2, 4, and 5 mm Allen keys for changing the polarization of the antenna,
fixing the fastener to the alignment bracket (5 mm)
Torque spanner (optional)
Documents on installation planning: installation height, direction, vertical
adjustment, and polarization of the antenna
Compass, binoculars, map to aid in antenna alignment, if there is no direct
visual contact with the station at the far end of the hop
DC voltmeter and cable with BNC connector for antenna alignment via AGC
(Automatic Gain Control) voltage monitoring
17, 19, 24, and/or 30 mm fork or ring spanner for installing 120 and 180 cm
separate antenna
2.5 or 3 mm Allen key for fixing the waveguide to separate antenna

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Installation procedure ...1

Install the vertical installation pole (if applicable)

Install the alignment unit, antenna, and outdoor unit
Pre-align the antenna
Connect the grounding wire to the outdoor unit
Connect the Flexbus cable to the outdoor unit
Perform fine alignment of the antenna

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Installation procedure ...2

Installation of the alignment unit, antenna, and outdoor unit:
Option a
The alignment unit is mounted on the installation pole
The antenna is mounted on the alignment unit
The outdoor unit is mounted on the alignment unit
Option b
The antenna is mounted on the alignment unit and
this combination is mounted on the installation pole
The outdoor unit is mounted on the alignment unit
Option c
The antenna is mounted on the alignment unit
The outdoor unit is mounted on the alignment unit
The alignment unit (with the antenna and outdoor unit)
is mounted on the installation pole
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FlexiHopper (Plus) with 30/60 cm antenna

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FlexiHopper integrated alignment unit 1

Attach the counter
part to the main
support part, using
a M8x20 screw and
washers
Do not tighten the
screw totally until
the antenna alignment is finalized

Front angle view

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FlexiHopper integrated alignment unit 2

Attach the counter
part to the main
support part also
from the other side,
with a M8x20 screw
and washers
Do not tighten the
screw totally until
the antenna alignment is finalized

Rear angle view

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Mounting the alignment unit on a pole 1

Loosen the mast bolt
nuts and twin bolt nuts
to set the clamp around
the intallation pole, then
close the twin bolts
The alignment unit can
be mounted on either
side of the pole by
simply flipping it around
Adjust the coarse
horizontal alignment
by turning the entire
alignment unit toward
the far-end radio station

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Mounting the alignment unit on a pole 2

Tighten the four nuts
with a 13 mm spanner
to a torque of 15 Nm
If the vertical deviation
to the far end is more
than 200, the coarse
vertical alignment can
be adjusted as follows:
Change the position
of the vertical locking
screw on the main
support to the upper or
lower slot, in order to
tilt the antenna up or
down (see picture 2)

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Antenna feeder in V and H polarization

To change polarization from vertical (factory default) to horizontal,

unscrew the screws (2 or 4, depending on the antenna) holding
the antenna feeder, and rotate the feeder 90 degrees

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Antenna polarizations

Horizontal polarisation

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Installing the FlexiHopper antenna 1

Note that this step
can be performed
beforehand on the
ground to ease the
installation
Attach the first two
screws manually,
as shown (at upper
left and lower right)

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Installing the antenna 2

Slot the antenna into
the alignment unit, as
shown, and set the
screws in place by
rotating the antenna
slightly clockwise
Check that the antenna
is installed with the
water hole facing down
Remove any plug
present in the water
hole

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Installing the antenna 3

Add the two
remaining screws
Tighten all four
screws to a torque
of 8 Nm

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Installing the antenna 4

If the antenna feeder
is protected with a
cover or tape, remove
it when installing the
outdoor unit (not
before!)

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Integrated 30 cm antenna
installation
Vertical polarisation

To change
polarization,
rotate feeder 90
degrees

Water hole always down

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Mounting the radio on the alignment unit 1

Remove the protective
rubber cap from the
waveguide flange of
the outdoor unit
Caution: Never peel
off or damage the foil
covering the waveguide
opening of the OU, as
this may result in equipment failure over time
if moisture or particles
get inside the OU

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Mounting the radio on the alignment unit 2

Overall view of OU
installation
Radio handle facing
down => vertical
polarization
Handle facing sideways => horizontal
polarization
Note: If it is likely
that moisture will
condense in the
radio, do not leave
it outdoors without
power

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Mounting the radio on the alignment unit 3

Unscrew the locking
screws until the
threads are out of
the alignment unit
and the side blocks
are free (small picture)
Push the lower edge
of the outdoor unit
behind the lower side
block and push the
upper edge so that
it clicks behind the
other side block
Check that the OUs
guide pin fits into
the corresponding
antenna guide hole

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Mounting the radio on the alignment unit 4

Tighten both locking
screws, first manually
and then with a
spanner
Do not exceed 10 Nm
when tightening the
screws
It is normal for a gap
to be left between
the head of the screw
and the frame of the
alignment unit

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FlexiHopper (Plus) OU installation

Protective foil not removed from OU waveguide

Notch in the OU allows installation

only in position where polarisation
of OU and antenna match

Cello tape removed from

antenna waveguide

Cover cap removed from OU waveguide

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Flexihopper (Plus) with large antenna

90, 120,
180 cm
antenna

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Fixing the snap-on mounting

to large antenna

The antenna comes with

its own alignment unit
The snap-on mounting
is needed for connecting
the radio to the antenna

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Installing the waveguide adapter

for separate antenna

With a separate antenna,

radio installation requires a
mounting unit, waveguide
adapter and waveguide
The antenna comes with
its own alignment unit

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Installing a dual polarized antenna

Radios cannot be integrated
directly to a dual polarized
antenna
With clamps for dual mounting,
a snap-on adapter can be
installed on an alignment unit,
and both radios can share the
same alignment unit

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Aligning the antenna

FlexiHopper (Plus) Radio Installation

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Connector panel of
FlexiHopper (Plus) radio

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Coarse alignment of antenna

Coarse alignment of 20/30/60 cm integrated antenna:
Horizontal adjustment is carried out by rotating the alignment unit
around the pole
Vertical adjustment can be set to +25o or -25o if needed default
setting is 0o
Coarse alignment of other antennas depends on the manufacturers
own alignment unit

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Fine alignment of antenna ...1

Antenna fine alignment must be performed during the commissioning
phase, when both ends of the radio hop are active and transmitting
To fine align the antenna:
1. Connect a DC voltmeter to the AGC monitoring connector (BNC,
male) on the FlexiHopper (Plus) outdoor unit
2. Sweep the antenna across horizontally using the adjustment
screws, keeping track of the points where AGC voltage minima
are encountered
3. Set the horizontal alignment at the center of the main lobe, being
careful not to focus on a side lobe by mistake (see following slides)
4. Lock the fine adjustment screws
5. Check the AGC voltage to verify that alignment has not slipped
6. Repeat the procedure for the vertical fine alignment
The same alignment process must also be carried out at the far end

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Fine alignment of antenna ...2

Note 1 Main lobe and side lobes of the radio signal:

In the radio signal, the main lobe is surrounded by smaller side lobes
in both the vertical and horizontal directions (see following slides)

During the AGC voltage scan, one should find two smaller secondary
minima corresponding to the side lobes, and between them a larger
primary minimum which corresponds to the main lobe of the signal

Note 2 Automatic Tx power control:

Check that automatic Tx power control (ATPC/ALCQ) is set OFF at

both ends of the hop when performing fine alignment

Note 3 Rx signal level:

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After completing fine alignment, verify that the actual Rx signal level
corresponds to the expected Rx level calculated by Network Planning

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Main lobe vs. side lobes of radio signal

Main lobe

First Freznel zone must be free of interference

Side lobes

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Antenna alignment

Correct antenna alignment

Both horizontal and vertical directions must be aligned

Second antenna is aligned

on the minor lobe
Additional attenuation 10 15 dB
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Both antennas are aligned

on the minor lobe
Additional attenuation 20 30 dB

Locking nuts of the alignment unit 1

Turn the vertical and
horizontal adjustment
screws with a box or
fork spanner (13 mm)
When the minimum
AGC voltage has been
found, lock the vertical
and horizontal locking
screws (to 20 Nm)
Check the monitoring
meter to verify that
the alignment has not
slipped

Front angle view

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Locking nuts of the alignment unit 2

Turn the vertical and
horizontal adjustment
screws with a box or
fork spanner (13 mm)
When the minimum
AGC voltage has been
found, lock the vertical
and horizontal locking
screws (to 20 Nm)
Check the monitoring
meter to verify that
the alignment has not
slipped

Rear angle view

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Installing FIU 19(E) indoor unit

FlexiHopper (Plus) Radio Installation

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Single indoor unit

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Expansion unit 1

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Expansion unit 2

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1+1 Protection 1

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1+1 Protection 2

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Power connections and grounding

1) Power requirements:
60W FIU 19(E) + 1 OU
90W FIU 19(E) + 2 OU

2) In Flexbus plug-in unit,

negative supply voltage
is always grounded

3) In this example, positive

supply voltage is grounded.
As an alternative, negative
voltage could be grounded
instead.

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FIU 19 indoor unit

Expansion unit (EXU)

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FIU 19E indoor unit

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FIU 19 interfaces

BQ connector

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TQ connector

FIU 19E interfaces

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Expansion unit interfaces

EXU connector options

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Plug-in units

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Plug-in unit interfaces 1

4 x 2M PIU
SMB, 75

4 x 2M PIU
TQ, 120

4 x 2M PIU
RJ-45, 120

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Plug-in unit interfaces 2

Flexbus PIU
Power connector

Ethernet PIU
RJ-45 connector

Aux Data PIU

RJ-45 connector

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SEE NEXT SLIDE

Aux Data PIU interfaces

Aux Data PIU

RJ-45 connectors

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Summary
In this learning element, we have covered:

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The FlexiHopper (Plus) mechanics

How to install the FlexiHopper (Plus) outdoor unit
How to install and align the FlexiHopper antennas
How to install the FIU 19(E) indoor unit
How to cable the various FIU 19(E) interfaces

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