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ANDY SUTTON CELLULAR bASE STATiON ANTENNA SYSTEMS 35

CELLULAR BASE STATION

ANTENNA SYSTEMS
Antenna systems are critical
components of any radio system
operating at any frequency. The
antenna and associated system
comprising coaxial transmission
line (commonly known as feeder
cable) and any power amplifiers,
RF combiners, duplex filters and so
on significantly impacts on radio
performance if not correctly
specified, installed and operated.

ANDY
SUTTON
Specifications,
installations and
operation

GSM networks started to appear in the UK

during the early 1990s, initially operating in
the same 900MHz band as the analogue
system enabling it to be combined onto the
then existing antennas. Given the increasing
popularity of mobile phones, it was
necessary for operators to build denser
Antenna systems for cellular mobile phone the Global System for Mobile networks of cell sites to manage capacity
radio base stations have evolved significantly Communications (GSM). The GSM antenna while also extending geographical coverage
since the early days of analogue and then systems are important to understanding the to satisfy demand for service. This, along
digital mobile phones, which typically evolution of 3G Universal Mobile with the introduction of two new mobile
operated on a single frequency, through to Telecommunications System (UMTS) and 4G network operators into the UK cellular
4th generation Long Term Evolution (LTE) LTE systems as there is much in common market, led to a massive programme of cell
systems which support multiple radio with later generations of technology. site rollout and rapid evolution in the
spectrum bands and increasingly higher However, the level of functional integration antenna systems.
frequencies. This article explores the means that many of these components are
evolution of radio antenna systems starting not necessarily exposed as stand-alone Although GSM was initially specified to
with the introduction of digital cellular with functions in modern systems. operate in the 900MHz band, a higher

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 THE JOURNAL TJ

36 ANDY SUTTON
' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '
frequency version, GSM1800, was power source.
' ' A short coaxial cable
introduced for the 1800MHz band. The connects the MHA to the antenna from
relationship between an antenna’s size and which the transmit signal is radiated. in the
frequency is related to the wavelength of the receive direction the signal arrives at one or
radio signal. Cellular radio engineering both antennas and is passed to the MHA in
defines transmission from a cell site to a 0!'7&&2&%'
which the duplex filter directs the weak
:DE :DE
mobile device as the downlink while the -.=/&4 receive signal to the low noise amplifier
F>' ,6G&%'
opposite direction, from the mobile device to -.=/&4 which has a typical gain of 12db to 15db.
the cell site, is known as the uplink. The After amplifications the duplex filter within
radio link budget for the downlink and uplink F$,/&A' !"/3&% H6G&%'9$,,/+ the MHA recombines the transmit and
need to be calculated independently with the 0!'>65="1&% 0A':$/3"B>6$,/&% 0A':$/3"B>6$,/&%
receive signals (if applicable) allowing the
weakest ultimately limiting the cellular radio received signal to travel down the main RF
*%.145"33&%?4@ 0&-&"C&%?4@ 0&-&"C&%?4@
coverage. Mobile networks are typically feeder to the base station-mounted duplex
uplink limited due to the lower transmit filter. The duplex filter directs the receive
Figure 1: Typical RF and antenna system of an
power of the mobile device when compared signals to the primary and diversity receive
early GSM1800 radio base station
with the radio base station. Several multi-couplers (not required on receive only
techniques are available to enhance the rather than 360 degrees). antenna). These are active RF signal splitters
radio performance of the uplink and are Figure 1 illustrates a typical GSM1800 site which produce a number of copies of the
typically visible in the configuration of the configuration. in the case of space diversity receive signal, one for each primary and one
antenna system. omni antenna systems, this figure illustrates for each diversity receiver. The multi-coupler
the complete RF deployment whilst, for a contains amplifiers to off-set the losses
Antenna systems for GSM typical three cell sector site, this illustrates a incurred by splitting the signal. Digital signal
Early GSM base station antenna systems single cell sector; to provide 360 degree processing algorithms within the base
operated with a technique known as space coverage, two additional cell sectors would station determine whether the best receive
diversity, a system in which two receive be constructed in the same way. Depending signal is from one path or the other or,
antennas are deployed at the base station to on the traffic capacity offered, more than one whether combining the two signals will
improve the uplink. These antennas are transceiver (consisting of one transmitter and improve the situation. Many of the RF
separated in space such that their fading is two receivers along with associated components of an early GSM base station
de-correlated, thereby reducing dropped processing capability) per cell sector may be were subsequently integrated to form a
calls. Fading occurs due to the combination deployed. single transceiver module.
of multipath components of the signal
received from the mobile device which arrive Several transmitter signals are combined The cable supplying DC power for the MHA
via multiple reflections rather than a direct using a RF combiner to provide a single RF was true of early MHAs (shown in Figure 2)
line of sight. The use of space diversity output containing multiple (if more than one although, as these components evolved, use
antennas is a key consideration in transceiver) RF signals. The combined output was made of a bias-T device which takes
determining the size of structure and forms an input to the duplex filter which DC power from the base station and injects
mounting frame. Typically, a base station enables an antenna to transmit and receive this on the main RF coaxial cable in a way
would require a separation of at least ten at the same time. in this way, one antenna of which does not interfere with the higher
wavelengths between the two receiving the space diversity pair is a transmit/receive frequency cellular radio transmissions. The
antennas (i.e. 3.3m separation at 900MHz antenna while the other is receive-only in bias-T operation is reversed within the MHA
and 1.67m at 1800MHz). it was quite most common early implementations. to access the DC power required to operate
common for operators to deploy omni- the amplifier.
directional antennas in the early days of GSM The antenna side of the duplex filter in the
rollout - effectively a single set of radio radio base station equipment is extended to During the late 1990s, there were significant
transceiver equipment providing coverage to a tower-mounted low noise Mast Head developments into an alternative approach
360 degrees. Deploying a three-cell sector Amplifier (MHA)1 using a 50Ω coaxial cable to uplink antenna diversity. This new design
site would be more expensive as three sets RF feeder. The MHA associated with the would use polarisation diversity rather than
of radio transceiver equipment would be transmit/receive antenna contains two space diversity. All radio wave transmissions
required although this would offer greater duplex filters, one either side of the receive operate at a defined polarisation, the most
capacity and, more importantly, in the early amplifier, which splits the transmit signal common being either vertical or horizontal.
days of rollout, greater geographical from receive and allows the transmit signal A vertically polarised signal has an electric
coverage due to the higher antenna gain to pass through the MHA without any active field which is perpendicular to the Earth’s
which can be achieved through a more modification (albeit with slight attenuation) surface whereas the electric field of a
focused radio frequency beam (i.e. 120 and is unaffected if the MHA loses its DC horizontally polarised signal is parallel to the
1
The terms Mast Head Amplifier (MHA), Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) and Tower Mounted Amplifier (TMA) are commonly interchanged
within the cellular industry. While LNA is a more functional description, the use of LNAs is not limited to MHAs/TMAs.

Volume 12 | Part 4 - 2018

 INFORM NETWORK DEVELOP

CELLULAR bASE STATiON ANTENNA SYSTEMS 37

Figure 2: A vertical polarisation antenna from a space diversity pair, with MHA installation Figure
' '4: 4-port,
' dual-band
' (1800 &
'
2100MHz) '
passive' antenna
' panels
' ' ' '
Earth’s surface. Polarisation diversity ' ' ' '
' ' '
replaced two vertically polarised antennas only practical
'
for bands which are close to
with one antenna containing two ports (for each other in frequency, i.e. 1800MHz and
two internal arrays), these being orientated !"#$%$&'()*)+,-. 2100MHz. The multi-antenna approach
45 degrees clockwise of vertical and the ensures maximum gain for a given
other 45 degrees anti-clockwise. by operating band but requires a wider and
removing the need for spatial separation, a more expensive antenna system (illustrated
new range of narrower towers and slim in Figure 4). The radio network planning
columns and lampposts could be used to Figure 3: Vertically polarised space diversity process and practical site design
support cellular antenna systems thereby antennas (left) compared with a polarisation considerations determine which approach is
reducing the visual impact and enabled new diversity antenna with +/-45 degrees slant adopted, often on a site-by-site basis. The
and innovative site designs. polarisation (right) significant growth of mobile data traffic led
to further densification of the 3G network
Although spatial diversity performs slightly engineering, base station antenna design is using smaller base stations with limited
better than polarisation diversity [1], this has an evolving field; dual band, dual polarisation geographical coverage deployed in hot-
to be set against the advantages of not antennas became common after the spots to increase network capacity. These
needing to build the spatial diversity introduction of 3G UMTS systems followed micro-cell sites often required small and
requirements into site and structure designs. by remote electrical tilts which simplified the discreet antennas such as that shown in
Over time, polarisation diversity became the process of network optimisation. Figure 5 which supports the 1800 and
solution of choice. Figure 3 illustrates the 2100MHz bands. The rollout of 3G networks
concept of space diversity and polarisation Rolling out 3G UMTS in the 2100MHz was a catalyst for the introduction of
diversity; each solution has two ports band network sharing; some operators sharing
(antennas) for diversity. The introduction of 3G UMTS in the just passive infrastructure such as sites,
2100MHz band drove the adoption of dual- power supplies, towers and antennas while
Additionally, as sites became ever closer in band antenna systems, the majority using others also sharing active equipment (i.e. 3G
distance to support higher capacity in more polarisation diversity but with some space radio base stations (Nodebs)). Antenna
densely populated areas, the slightly poorer diversity systems. There are two approaches sharing often involves combining radio
performance of polarisation diversity became to supporting multiple frequency bands in an systems from different operators on to
less of an issue; the greater flexibility with antenna system. Firstly, the antenna could be common RF feeder systems. Network
site design is a real advantage. Likewise, in wideband and as such the operating sharing to varying extents is a trend which
rural areas, once the new antenna system frequency bands of two or more radio continues today.
performance figures were built into the systems are covered. The second approach
propagation modelling tool, they were is to integrate multiple antenna arrays in a Adding new frequency bands to support
automatically taken into consideration when common housing/shroud such that there are 4G LTE
selecting new site locations and parameters. two antennas per band. The wideband EE launched its 4G network with 1800MHz
As with all aspects of cellular radio antenna approach offers lower gain and is spectrum which was refarmed (an industry

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38 ANDY SUTTON

Existing antenna systems didn’t support

either band and therefore a large programme
of site upgrades was necessary to support
the mass rollout of 4G from all UK operators.
At the same time, a new concept for base
station architecture was being adopted which
involved a level of functional decomposition
of the traditional rack-mounted base station
into dedicated baseband capability and
separate radio units. The radio transceiver
could be a rack-mounted Radio Frequency Figure 7: 8-port antenna system supporting 800,
1800, 2100 and 2600MHz frequency bands
Unit or Remote Radio Unit (RRU) (also known
as Remote Radio Head (RRH). The split base deployed on a cell site. The diagram shows
station solution enabled the concept of Cloud an 8-port antenna operating in four groups
(or Centralised) Radio Access Network (CRAN) of two, each group of two having +/-45
as originally proposed by China Mobile degrees polarisation.
Research institute. in a CRAN architecture the
baseband Unit (bbU) would be centralised at The base station could be a single system
a location which connects to multiple cell supporting multiple Radio Access
sites, each cell site having n x RRU. Technologies (RATs) across a range of
Figure 5: Small wide band (1710 - 2190MHz)
frequency bands or could be several
dual polarisation micro-cell antenna
One of the advantages of a centralised bbU separate base stations contributing to the
term for the repurposing of radio spectrum is the ability to coordinate scheduling and overall site build. The scenario upon which
from one technology to another) from GSM. mitigate interference between adjacent cell Figure 6 is based consists of a single base
This enabled a rapid rollout of 4G because it sites thereby increasing overall network station supporting 2G in the 1800MHz band
could reuse the entire antenna system that performance and, in particular, improving cell and 4G in the 800, 1800 and 2600MHz
was in place to support GSM1800. The 4G edge performance. The interface between bands along with a dedicated base station
spectrum auction released two new the bbU and RRU is based on an industry for 3G in the 2100MHz band. The diagram is
frequency bands for cellular use in the UK; standard known as Common Public Radio simplified in that the internal RF
these are 800 and 2600MHz. The 800MHz interface which, because of the split of components are not illustrated and the base
band provides greater coverage than the functionality, has very exacting performance station is represented as a single functional
higher frequency band whilst the 2600MHz requirements in terms of high throughput entity. The 800, 1800 and 2100MHz bands
band provides significantly more capacity. and low latency. are all deployed with ground-mounted radio
frequency units while the 2600MHz system
The trade-off between coverage and capacity Figure 6 illustrates the level of complexity consists of ground-mounted baseband with
is nothing new in cellular radio engineering. 4G which is common when multiple radio tower-mounted RRU to optimise the radio
LTE introduced the concept of MiMO (Multiple access technologies/frequency bands are interface. The attenuation of a coaxial feeder
' ' ' ' ' ' ' '
input Multiple Output) transmission to the ' ' ' ' ' system increases with frequency and
cellular radio interface. in its base therefore the coverage at 2600MHz can be
configuration, this includes two transmitters improved by deploying the radio as close to
and two receivers per radio unit (base station the antenna as possible. Placing the RRU
and user equipment), known as 2T2R2. The close to the antenna removes the need for
use of MiMO increases the data rate and an external MHA because its functionality is
performance of the cellular radio interface. included in the RRU. Figure 7 shows an 8-
Higher order MiMO modes such as 4x4 are 00R port antenna system supporting 800, 1800,
:DE :DE :DE
increasingly being deployed to further enhance 34-56'*$7589)$:$
2100 and 2600MHz frequency bands.
?@$ ;<$4=&)9$6'8*)>
4G LTE networks. A 4x4 system requires four -6.A"./
7))A)9 S8M ?'A5=$8'>)$>-'-5=+D>E$
antennas, typically 2 x cross-polarised arrays N8 I8 N8 >F44=9-5+,$GF*-54*) Note: The colour coding on the cables and
N8
?HI>
to support the base station transmission and /## "/## B"## BC##
the antenna are not aligned. This arose
012 012 012 012
four antennas in the mobile device. simply because the network operator has
Figure 6: Multi-band antenna system an established per frequency colour coding
The introduction of two new frequency bands supporting multiple RATs across a range whereas the Antenna industries
had a dramatic effect on radio site design. of frequency bands Specification Group developed a different
2
2T2R is often referred to as 2x2 MiMO although, strictly speaking, this is incorrect as the 2x2 MiMO term actually refers to the air interface link between the base station and user equipment rather than the radio
equipment. in practice, the terms are often used interchangeably.

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CELLULAR bASE STATiON ANTENNA SYSTEMS 39

specification for antenna port colour coding systems, it won’t be long before a more REFERENCES
some years later [2]. flexible range of solutions is available,
including 16T16R and 32T32R antennas. 1. Joyce, R. M., barker, D. E., McCarthy,
Trends and future site evolution The concept of a hybrid antenna is being M. A., & Feeney, M. T. (1999). A study
towards 5G pushed by several large mobile network into the use of Polarisation Diversity
The concept of deploying the RF operators with increasing support from in a Dual band 900/1800 MHz GSM
components closer to the antenna system is antenna manufacturers and so it is likely that Network in Urban and Suburban
gaining significant momentum with RRUs such systems, supporting massive MiMO Environments. iEE National
being commercially available for all cellular and passive ports/arrays will be available Conference on Antennas and
radio frequency bands, including dual-band soon. One of the drivers for the hybrid Propagation. York.
support in a single RRU. An alternative to use antenna is to simplify site acquisition and 2. Antenna industries Specification
of a passive antenna with RRU is the planning approvals by reducing the overall Group (2015). AiSG Specification -
adoption of an Active Antenna Unit (AAU), an number of antenna modules to be installed. Antenna Port Colour Coding:
AAU has the radio unit functionality physically https://aisg.org.uk/files/AiSG-
integrated within the antenna module; they AUTHOR’S CONCLUSIONS Antenna-Port-Color-Coding-v3.1.pdf
may also have additional passive ports for
other frequency bands. AAUs are deeper Cellular radio antenna systems have evolved University of Salford, a member of the
than traditional passive antennas and are considerably since the early days of mobile industrial Advisory board of the University of
heavier, a consideration when selecting the phones. The move from space diversity to Liverpool and an industrial partner of the 5G
type of structure (tower, column, pole, etc.) to polarisation diversity has revolutionised site innovation Centre at the University of Surrey.
be deployed to support the installation. design and enabled slimmer antenna Andy is a chartered engineer and holds
mounting structures and many discreet and fellowships from the bCS, iET and iTP. Andy
The trend towards higher-order MiMO low-profile cellular installations. Wideband contributes to international
schemes beyond 4x4 is gaining momentum; and multi-band antenna systems support the telecommunications standardisation
8x8 MiMO systems are being deployed in wide range of spectrum bands in use on activities and several industry forums, he
support of some frequency bands for 4G LTE modern mobile communications networks, has published three books (a fourth is in
while 8T8R is expected to be the minimum enabling frequencies from 800MHz to development) and many conference and
typical configuration for 5G in the 3.5GHz 2600MHz on current UK 4G LTE networks. journal papers. Andy also has an interest in
band. These systems allow for increased Even more ports/antenna arrays are being the history and heritage of
system capacity through the implementation added to enable antenna systems to support telecommunications.
of spatial multiplexing. Further developments bands from 700MHz to 3500MHz and
in antenna technology has resulted in beyond in support of 5G. Higher order MiMO ABBREVIATIONS
massive MiMO systems which contain much modes and the introduction of massive
larger numbers of antenna arrays; 64T64R MiMO will increase the capacity of cellular AAU Active Antenna Unit
being common for 5G systems to maximise radio systems while also enhancing bbU baseband Unit
coverage, increase capacity and enhance performance. As 5G evolves we’ll see the CRAN Cloud Radio Access Network
cell edge performance. 64T64R massive introduction of much higher frequency GSM Global System for Mobile
MiMO systems permit beam-forming bands, above 24GHz, for radio access which Communications
techniques which greatly increases system will require further innovations in antenna LTE Long Term Evolution
capacity by enabling the radio spectrum systems technology. MHA Mast Head Amplifier
resources to be reused at the same time in MiMO Multiple input Multiple Output
different beams. 2x2 MiMO or at least 4x2 ABOUT THE AUTHOR nTnR n Transmitter n Receiver
MiMO supports multi-user MiMO (MU-MiMO) RAT Radio Access Technology
using spatial multiplexing principles. Massive Andy Sutton is a Principal RRU Remote Radio Unit
MiMO is able to do this much better using a Network Architect within bT UMTS Universal Mobile
combination of channel reciprocity (in Time Technology where he is responsible for 5G Telecommunications System
Division Duplex mode) and the large array end to end network architecture, RAN
gain to focus the energy on each user architecture evolution and mobile backhaul
equipment much more accurately. The strategy and architecture. Andy holds an ITP AUTHORS
narrower beams also exhibit much lower MSc in mobile communications from the Want to know more? To contact the
inter-cell interference because they are University of Salford and has over 30 years author email your name, company
much less likely to intersect. While 8T8R and of experience within the telecommunications name and email address to
64T64R are key focus areas for 5G antenna industry. Andy is a Visiting Professor at the [email protected]

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