ESTeem RF Design Tools
Presentation 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
Presentation Overview
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 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
Presentation Overview
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
Minimum Antenna Height Required
to Clear the Radio Horizon
Distance (miles)
Minimum
Height (ft.)
Radio Horizon
Minimum
Height (ft.)
Earth
Antenna B
Antenna A
Omnidirectional
Antenna
Directional
Antenna
Bottom Reference Line
for Height Clearance
Fresnel Zone
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
RF 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 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
receivers 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
Maximum Received
Signal Strength
Fade Margin = Usable
Range of Receiver
Minimum Receiver Sensitivity
RF Basics - Fade Margin
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)
Initial Site Work
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 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
Initial Site Work
Sketch a site diagram and distances between site nodes.
Note LOS blockages.
Pump Site #3
5.
S
LO
i
5m
les
LOS
LOS
Water Tank
3 miles
Pump Site #2
LO
S
Pump Site #1
LOS
5m
iles
LOS
Control Room
4 mi
les
Initial Site Work
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.
Initial Site Work
Antenna
Feedline
Length
Height of Antenna
Above Ground for
LOS Path
Equipment
Cabinet
Terrain Height
Above Sea Level
Initial Site Work
Calculate Elevation Differential between the lowest
node and the remaining nodes.
Calculated the Adjusted Antenna Height.
Site Elevation Differential + Antenna Height above
ground.
Initial Site Work
Site Information
Name
Site Elev. Elev. Dif. Ant. Hgt. Adj. Ant. Hgt. Feedline Lgh.
Control Room
560
80
20
100
30
Pump Site #1
570
90
20
110
30
Pump Site #2
820
340
20
360
30
Water Tank
1100
620
120
740
130
Pump Site #3
480
0
15
15
30
Calculate Elevation
Differential between
lowest node and
remaining nodes.
Adjusted Antenna Height =
Elevation Differential +
Antenna Height above
ground.
Site Layout Map and Information
Pump Site #3
5.5 les
mi
LOS
LOS
Water Tank
3 miles
Pump Site #1
Pump Site #2
4 mi
5m
iles
Control Room
les
RF Site Design Program
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
Standard Enclosure Mounting
Omni-Directional
Antenna
Directional
Antennas
ESTeem
Model 195Eg
Coax Cable
Equipment Port
Antenna Port
Lightning
Arrestor
Power Supply
Model 195E Outdoor Pole Mount
Model 195E Outdoor
Fixed Base Hardware
Diagram
Omni-Directional
Antenna
External Antennas
Directional
Antennas
Direct Mount Antennas
Antenna Feedline
Weather Proof
Boot
Weather Proof Boot
Direct Pole Mount
Model 195Eg
Unit Shown With Rubber Duct
Antennas
Weather Proof Boot
Power Over
Ethernet Cable
Ethernet CAT-5e Cable 300 ft. maximum
Pole Mounting Kit
EST P/N AA195PM
Weather Proof Front
Cover
Ethernet Surge
Protection
PoE Power Supply
EST P/N AA166
Ethernet
CAT 5e Cable
EST P/N:
AA09.2
EST P/N AA175
To LAN
Interface
Outdoor 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)
RF Path Analysis
Control Room to Pump Site #1
Perform a RF Path Analysis from the Control
Room to Pump Site #1.
Name
Adj. Ant. Hgt.
Feedline Lgh.
Ant. Type
Control Room
Pump Site #1
100
110
30
30
Omni-Dir.
Direction
Pump Site #3
5.5 les
mi
LOS
Water Tank
LOS
3 miles
Pump Site #2
Pump Site #1
l es
4 mi
5m
iles
Control
Room
RF Path Analysis
Control Room to Pump Site #1
Name
Adj. Ant. Hgt.
Feedline Lgh.
Ant. Type
Control Room
Pump Site #1
100
110
30
30
Omni-Dir.
Direction
Path Distance: 4 miles
RF Path Analysis
Control Room to Pump Site #1
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 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 #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)
RF Data Rate Analysis #1
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
RF Data Rate Analysis #2
Same application using higher gain directional antenna
AA204Eg 19dB Parabolic directional antenna
Legal for use from single remote to omni-directional
RF Data Rate Analysis #2
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
RF Path Analysis
Control Room to Pump Site #2
Perform a RF Path Analysis from the Control Room to
Pump Site #2.
Pump Site #3
mi
5
.
5
les
LOS
LOS
Water Tank
3 miles
Pump Site #1
Pump Site #2
5m
iles
4 mi
les
ps
24 Mb
Control Room
RF Path Analysis
Control Room to Pump Site #2
Path Distance: 5 miles
RF Path Analysis
Control Room to Pump Site #2
Maximum design data rate for application would be 24 Mbps
Maximum possible data rate is 36 Mbps
RF Path Analysis
Control Room to Water Tank
Perform a RF Path Analysis from the Control Room to Water Tank.
Name
Adj. Ant. Hgt. Feedline Lgh. Ant. Type
Control Room
100
30
Omni-Dir.
Water Tank
740
130
Omni-Dir.
5.
i
5m
les
LOS
3 miles
Water Tank
Pump Site #2
Control Room
LOS
Pump Site #1
les
4 mi
ps
24 Mb
5m
ile
24
Mb s
ps
Pump Site #3
RF Path Analysis
Control Room to Water Tank
Name
Adj. Ant. Hgt. Feedline Lgh. Ant. Type
Control Room
100
30
Omni-Dir.
Water Tank
740
130
Omni-Dir.
Path Distance: 3 miles
RF Path Analysis
Control Room to Water Tank
Maximum design data rate for application would be 9 Mbps
Maximum possible data rate is 24 Mbps
Water Tank to Pump Site #3
Perform a RF Path Analysis from the Water Tank to Pump Site #3.
Site Information
Name
Adj. Ant. Hgt. Feedline Lgh. Ant. Type
Water Tank
740
130
Omni-Dir.
Pump Site #3
15
30
Directional
Pump Site #3
mi
5
.
5
les
LOS
Water Tank
LOS
9 Mbps
3 miles
Pump Site #2
Pump Site #1
les
4 mi
ps
24 Mb
5m
iles
24
Mb
ps
Control Room
RF Path Analysis
Water Tank to Pump Site #3
Site Information
Name
Adj. Ant. Hgt. Feedline Lgh. Ant. Type
Water Tank
740
130
Omni-Dir.
Pump Site #3
15
30
Directional
Path Distance: 5.5 miles
RF Path Analysis
Water Tank to Pump Site #3
Maximum design data rate for application would be 24 Mbps
Maximum possible data rate is 36 Mbps
Pole Mounting
Water 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.
Model 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
Model 195Eg Maximum Range
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
Model 195Eg Maximum Range
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.
Conclusions
Education is Best Means to Confidence
Reliability is only as good as the system design
Use the Tools
Compare different vendors hardware
Review specifications and claims
Radio Applications Are Not Difficult
Planing and evaluation are best keys to success
