By Burton Calloway,KMW Communications, Inc.

The “Last Mile” in mobile communications is the wireless connection between the

Mobile Base Station Transceiver (BTS) and the individual antenna on the mobile

phone, PDA, laptop or other mobile device. The quality of this connection deter-

mines the Quality of Service (QoS) of the voice, data or multi-media communication.

To ensure the continuous quality of wireless networks, a major industry supporting

wireless carriers has been established. This support industry consists of sophisticated

optimization software, RF engineers, RF technicians, independent site companies,

tower crews and tower equipment. Optimizing wireless networks is a substantial con-

stant expense for wireless carriers.

The two main elements in deployment are the carriers desire to optimize coverage and

capacity. At the same time, the wireless carriers want to control capital and labor expens-

es. The goal is to place BTS and antenna sites in such a way to optimize expensive net-

work carriers, minimize sites and handle the call traffic to optimize capacity and coverage

There are many variables in BTS and antenna deployments such as user density;

user time of day; traffic such as commute, enterprise, residential or special events;

user traffic type of voice, data, video and internet, geography, building density, build-

ing height and road topology.

To meet requirements that may seem mutually exclusive, virtually every type of

fixed antenna possible has been developed and deployed.

Wireless Paradigm ShiftA wireless paradigm shift is now taking place in the changing applications and

technology of wireless phones and networks. Mobile voice communications was the

initial and driving application for mobile wireless. The concept was wireline quality

mobile voice communication anytime and any place. The new Paradigm is wireline

quality mobile communication anytime, anywhere and any type. Voice is now taken

for granted and the driving applications are data, email messaging, IM, video, loca-

tion services and internet. New generations of mobile phones and devices are

designed and are being deployed at an increasing rate. To meet the requirements of

these new applications and mobile phones, wireless carriers are moving to third gen-

eration (3G) Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) networks with

new gateway switching enters and mobile base station (BTS) technology supported

by programmable antenna and integrated Programmable Antenna System Solutions.

Antenna GenerationsFixed downtilt antennas may be thought of as the first generation of antennas. As the

name implies, these antennas are ordered, manufactured and delivered to cell sites with

fixed characteristics in frequency, electronic downtilt, beamwidth and gain expressed in

dBi and/or dBd. dBd is expressed 2.1dB lower than dBi lo. The electronic downtilt in

the USA is typically 2°, 4° or 6°. The Beamwidth normally has increments such as 33°,

45°, 65°, 90°, 120° or 360° (Omni). Typical dBi increments are 12,14,15,16,17,18,19

and 20. Most antenna Beamwidths come in various downtilt and dBi. In general the

higher the beamwidth the lower the dBi. The issue with fixed antennas is while they

offer the lowest first costs, they can have the greatest capital and expense costs. Any

change in the deployment variables will either require additional carriers, different

antennas or antenna adjustments to meet the wireless carrier quality

of service in coverage and capacity. This results in both capital and

site expense increases.

Now a new generation of Programmable Antenna System

Solutions are being deployed to minimize capital and labor expens-

es while proving real time optimization. Programmable Antenna

System Solutions consist of programmable antennas supported by

remote programmable control hardware and software. Changes can

be either made in real time, programmed on a pre-set schedule or by

traffic conditions determinate by the wireless network.

Second generation programmable antennas provide remote elec-

tronic downtilt (EDTA). These antennas can have changes pro-

grammed either at the BTS or in the operations control center - the

downtilt of the antennas. These antennas were developed to reduce

or eliminate tower climbs particularly in expense towers like high

power, water towers or limited access sites and buildings. In addi-

tion, any down-tilt requirement change can now be accomplished in

real time with no capital and minimum labor expense.

Third generation programmable antennas incorporate both remote

electronic downtilt and horizontal azimuth steering. This concept is

so new that no industry buzz word like EDTA has taken hold.

KMW Communications has trademarked DualPhase for the com-

bined antenna. As long as no changes to beamwidth are required, no

capital and either little or no expense is necessary. Also, by being

able to easily change the azimuth to optimization direction may

remove any beamwidth change. In addition, the real benefit may be

real time optimization. More balanced sectors and increased 20 to 24 percent Erlang

site usage is common. Having an optimized network by both time

of day and types of usage allows wireless carriers to offer the high-

est quality of service to increase users, minutes and applications.

Fourth generation programmable antennas incorporate remote

electronic downtilt, horizontal azimuth steering, and beamwidth

selection with corresponding dBi change. This type of antenna is in

proof of concept, and field trials. In these trials the sectors can be

equally balanced and Erlang increases to between 40 and 50 per-

cent. This type of antenna virtually eliminates any change out of

antennas and eliminates capital and site expenses. Again, this type

of programmable antenna is so new that no industry term is avail-

able. KMW Communications has trademarked TriPhase for this

antenna. The most common trial applications is two sectors of

DualPhase and one (1) TriPhase. The TriPhase is usually installed

in the most difficult or volatile sector. This approach tends to mini-

mize coast and still increase optimization.

Control ArchitectureProgrammable Antenna System Solutions architecture consist of

antenna control configuration, antenna pattern and antenna control

hardware and software technology. Programmable Antenna configu-

rations are manual, external actuator and internal built in control

options. One method of antenna pattern control is achieved by a

control sleeve that moves across the pattern to achieve pattern

changes. The other method is phase shifting that changes the pattern

electronically rather that mechanically. The Antenna control hard-

ware and software are Portable Antenna Control (PAC) and Antenna Interface Control

Module (AICM)

Manual control changes downtilt by turning control knobs on the bottom of the

antenna by hand. Manual control is an advantage over fixed antennas in that a change

in downtilt does not require a switch of antennas. However tower crews, tower equip-

ment and substantial technician labor is required.

The external actuator is at the bottom of the antenna connected by a jumper cable

to the antenna. The antenna is controlled by electrical signals. A cable runs from the

external actuator to the bottom of the tower to control the actuator. Actuator and

tower reduction is achieved by connecting a jumper cable from all three sector anten-

nas to the actuator and connecting the actuator to one of the feeder cables trough a

Smart Bias-T. This eliminates two actuators and two tower control cables. The disad-

vantage is complexity with jumper cables and external to the antenna electronics at

the top of the tower.

A control electronic is built in to the antenna radome. With this control technique

no additional cables or actuator are needed and one of the existing feeder cables is

also used as a control. The advantage of this technology is that radomes have proven

the test of time for reliability and no extra complexity of cables or external electron-

ics are on the tower.

Programmable antenna patterns control consist of two basic types. The first and

most common is a moveable sleeve that interacts with the antenna pattern to change

the pattern. In general, the outside actuator drives the movement of this sleeve. This

sleeve approach is well developed and low cost. The potential disadvantage is having

a moving part as integrated with the pattern.

The next generation approach is to use non moveable DC feedlines to change the

bias of the pattern. This approach is

similar to the same technology used

for a fixed downtilt antenna manu-

factured at the factory. The pattern

has a different electrical characteris-

tic. To generate differ DC electrical

bias electronic delay line motors are

used. These are the same type of

motors used in aerospace and auto-

motive. The reliably has been

proven over the last 20 years in con-

tinuous use and harsh environmental

conditions. Today this approach is

slightly more expensive to manufac-

ture than the sleeve method, but it

does eliminate any moving parts in

the antenna pattern.

Programmable antenna hardware

and software consist of two types,

Portable Antenna Controller (PAC)

and Antenna Interface Controller

Module (AICM). PAC units are portable and carried by wireless technicians. Usually

only one or two PAC units are required per market. Changes are made at the base of

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Continued on page 21

EEDDOO RReecceeiivveess CCoonnttrraacctt ffoorr NNaavvyy AAnntteennnnaassEDO Corp. has been awarded a five-year contract to provide the US Navy with signal-

intelligence-gathering antennas. The $10 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity

contract is for the procurement of up to 273 antennas and related engineering services.

This receive-only CA-3138-1 antenna was developed in cooperation with the US

Navy Radio Frequency and Antenna Branch at Space and Naval Warfare Systems

Command, Calif. It is to be utilized on a number of Navy ships, including the Arleigh

Burke (DDG 51) class destroyers.

EDO continues to be a leader in developing state-of-the-art electronic self-defense

systems, said CEO James M. Smith. Our omni-directional antenna detects signals

that are then processed by the ship’s electronic surveillance and measurement system

to determine if they are from hostile sources. Such situational awareness of the

source and direction of a threat enables the commanding officer to quickly react with

an appropriate defensive response.

EDO designs and manufactures a diverse range of products for defense, intelli-

gence and commercial markets, and provides related engineering and professional

services. This includes supplying highly engineered antenna systems for communica-

tions, electronic warfare, navigation, radar and wireless Local Area Networks for

governments and commercial firms. EDO’s antenna product line includes GPS, low

RCS, spirals, horns, circular arrays and collinear arrays.

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EMS Wireless, a division of EMS Technologies, Inc. recently announced the high-

est first quarter revenue results in the division's history, with sales of $15.6 million,

which represents a 27.8 increase compared to the same quarter last year.

Gerald Hickman, senior vice president and general manager, EMS Wireless, credits

the Q1 results to continued investment in wireless networks by EMS customers,

which have fueled strong orders from EMS Wireless's antenna product lines, includ-

ing both the traditional fixed-beam antennas and the Cobra (COntrollaBle Radiating

Aperture) Series line of vertical electrical downtilt antennas.

In the first quarter our antenna shipments were fairly evenly distributed across our

entire customer base. We believe this shows that we are not solely dependent on one

large customer, he said.

EEllccootteeqq ttoo MMaannuuffaaccttuurree AAnntteennnnaass ffoorr PPCCTTEELL iinn RRuussssiiaaElcoteq SE, a provider of electronics manufacturing services (EMS) to the commu-

nications technology industry, has entered into an agreement with the American-

based PCTEL Antenna Products Group, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of PCTEL,

Inc. According to the agreement Elcoteq will manufacture iVET (integrated Variable

Electrical Tilt) base station antennas along with certain land mobile radio antennas in

Elcoteq's new St. Petersburg plant in Russia. The deliveries will begin in the second

quarter of 2006.

PCTEL is a great addition to our customer list in the Communications Network

Equipment business area and our new St. Petersburg plant in Russia, said Bruno

Cathomen, vice president, Communications Network Equipment at Elcoteq.

Antennas fit extremely well within our scope, and we believe that our knowledge

and expertise combined with our flexible and

efficient manufacturing will strongly support

PCTEL's prosperous growth. The synergies

between the two companies are good in other

product areas and geographical locations as

well, which creates a good basis for expanding

the business in the future.

Elcoteq is an ideal contract manufacturer for

our Antenna Products Group, said Marty

Singer, chairman and CEO of PCTEL. With

previous experience in manufacturing sophisti-

cated base station antennas, Elcoteq will help

Antenna Products Group achieve its cost targets

across several product lines.”

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Radio Waves, Inc., a provider of microwave

antenna technology, has announced a first in the

microwave antenna industry. RFID tags are now

available as an option for Radio Waves cus-

tomers. These RFID tags can be placed on

microwave antenna boxes, giving customers the

option to track finished goods. These RFID tags

allow for the latest in asset management and

logistics management showing Radio Waves

commitment to operational excellence.

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the tower eliminating tower crews or equipment. Most PAC units interact with the

antenna to know the downtilt and azimuth setting. In addition, PAC units can down-

load to standard program antenna sector information so RF engineers can have a

total market view of antenna deployment.

AICM are BTS specific and one is located in each mobile site and controls all

three sector antennas. The AICM communicates with the wireless network opera-

tions and control center (NOC). At the NOC is central software to communicate

with the AICM and download information to the NOC systems. The NOC is able to

program the antennas with no personel on site. The current concern is interoperabil-

ity, authentication and security over a network. One approach being developed by

the BTS and switch OEMs is to integrate the AICM into the BTS and NOC net-

work. Using the existing secure network eliminates security and interoperability

issues. In addition, many OEMs are deploying optimization software to allow carri-

ers to more easily optimize the wireless networks.

Control StandardsCurrently two standard organizations AISG and 3GPP are developing interoper-

ability standards for programmable antennas. Today these standards only cover

electrical downtilt function, not beam steering or beamwidth selection. These addi-

tional standards will evolve over time. The other areas of concern with these stan-

dard committees are that today they are not as universal as IEEE 802.11a, b, /g. The

effect is no plug and play like with WiFi. KMW expects its mobile devices to easily

function in hotspots like wired or wireless networks in hotels. Antenna manufac-

tures must map their antenna protocols to the AISG standards to achieve limited

interoperability. Most OEMs are working with 3GPP and the interoperability and

security will be built into the network. This should be very functional since most

carriers only deploy one OEM per major wireless market.

ConclusionMost wireless carriers have outsourced tower sites and tower crews. This means

they have lost some control and responsiveness with their networks on making

physical site changes. Fixed antenna changes require tower crews, tower equipment

rentals, RF technicians and drive time expenses. Often, antenna change-outs are

required to support new applications and traffic. With the new generation of

Programmable Antenna System Solutions, networks can be configured on a real

time basis while reducing capital and operations expenses. A by-product benefit is

reduction of energy costs and a green solution for the environment. Many state and

local governments like California are encouraging energy efficient and green solu-

tions. This may make deployment easier.

As with any new technology different stages of adoption take place. Today,

Programmable Antenna System Solution deployments are in the innovator or early

adopter stage. However, deployment is increasing rapidly because programmable

antennas have the lowest lifecycle capital and operational expenses. These program-

mable antennas will be the majority of antenna type purchased in the next few years.

For more information contact Burton Calloway at bcalloway@kmwcomm.com

Continued from page 18