V Install Telecom Reception System
V Install Telecom Reception System
By meticulously addressing these aspects during the site survey, you can create a comprehensive
plan that takes into account environmental conditions, technical requirements, and user needs for
the successful implementation of the communication system.
L.O.2: INSTALL TV RECEPTION ANTENNA
Description of antenna technology
1. Antenna: A device designed to transmit or receive electromagnetic waves. It converts
electrical signals into radio waves for transmission or vice versa for reception.
2. Parabolic Antenna: Also known as a dish antenna, it consists of a curved reflective
surface (parabolic reflector) that reflects and focuses incoming radio waves onto a central
feed element. It is commonly used for satellite communication and high-gain
applications.
3. Gain: The measure of the increase in signal strength provided by an antenna compared to
an isotropic radiator (a theoretical omnidirectional antenna). It is usually expressed in
decibels (dB). Higher gain antennas have a more focused beam and can transmit or
receive signals over longer distances.
4. Beamwidth: The angular width of the main lobe of the radiation pattern of an antenna. It
determines the coverage area and directionality of the antenna. Narrow beamwidth
indicates a more focused and directional antenna, while wider beamwidth implies a
broader coverage area.
5. Radiation Pattern: The graphical representation of the relative strength and
directionality of the electromagnetic waves radiated by an antenna. It shows how the
antenna's energy is distributed in space. Radiation patterns can be omnidirectional
(uniform in all directions) or directional (focused in a specific direction or area).
6. Polarization: The orientation of the electric field in an electromagnetic wave radiated by
an antenna. Common polarization types include vertical, horizontal, and circular. It is
essential for antennas to have matching polarization for efficient signal transmission and
reception.
7. Impedance: The opposition to the flow of electrical current in an antenna. It is typically
expressed in ohms (Ω). Antennas and transmission lines need to have impedance
matching for efficient power transfer.
8. VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio): The ratio of the maximum voltage to the
minimum voltage along a transmission line or antenna. It measures the impedance match
between the antenna and the transmission line. A low VSWR indicates better impedance
matching and efficient power transfer.
9. Dipole Antenna: A simple type of antenna consisting of two conductive elements,
typically rods or wires, oriented in opposite directions. It is one of the most common
antenna designs and is used in applications such as TV antennas and Wi-Fi routers.
10. Feed Point: The location on an antenna where the transmission line or feedline is
connected. It is where the electrical energy is transferred between the antenna and the
transmission line.
These are just a few key terminologies related to antennas. There are many more specific terms
and concepts depending on the type and design of the antenna.
Types of antennas and their applications
There are various types of antennas, each designed for specific applications based on factors
such as frequency range, directivity, and polarization. Here are some common types of antennas
and their applications:
1. Dipole Antenna: A basic antenna consisting of two conductive elements oriented in opposite
directions. It is widely used for radio and television broadcasting, as well as in Wi-Fi routers
and wireless communication systems.
2. Yagi-Uda Antenna: A directional antenna consisting of a driven element (dipole) and several
parasitic elements (directors and reflectors). It provides high gain and is commonly used for
TV reception, point-to-point communication, and amateur radio.
3. Parabolic Antenna: A dish-shaped antenna with a parabolic reflector that reflects and focuses
radio waves onto a central feed element. It offers high gain and is commonly used in satellite
communication, long-distance point-to-point links, and radio astronomy.
4. Horn Antenna: A pyramidal or conical-shaped antenna that radiates or receives
electromagnetic waves. It has a wide bandwidth and is often used in microwave applications,
radar systems, and antenna measurements.
6. Loop Antenna: A circular or rectangular-shaped antenna that forms a closed loop. It is used
for AM radio reception, RFID systems, and magnetic field measurements.
7. Helical Antenna: A wire antenna in the shape of a helix, offering circular polarization. It finds
applications in satellite communication, GPS systems, and mobile radio communication.
8. Microstrip Antenna: A flat antenna consisting of a metal patch on a dielectric substrate. It is
widely used in mobile devices, wireless communication systems, and satellite navigation.
9. Discone Antenna: A wideband antenna with a disc-shaped top and cone-shaped base. It is
used for wide-frequency coverage applications, such as radio scanners and wideband
communications.
These are just a few examples of antenna types and their applications. Each antenna type has its
advantages, disadvantages, and specific use cases, depending on the requirements of the
application and the frequency range involved.
Description of different parts of antenna
An antenna is composed of various parts that work together to transmit or receive
electromagnetic waves. Here's a description of the different parts commonly found in an antenna:
1. Radiating Element: The radiating element is the part of the antenna that actively converts
electrical signals into electromagnetic waves for transmission or receives incoming waves
for reception. It is responsible for emitting or capturing the electromagnetic energy.
2. Feedline: The feedline is the cable or transmission line that connects the antenna to the
transmitter or receiver. It carries the electrical signals to or from the radiating element.
Common types of feedlines include coaxial cable, twisted pair cable, or waveguides.
3. Reflector: In some antenna designs, there may be a reflector element located behind the
radiating element. The reflector helps to direct and focus the electromagnetic waves,
improving the antenna's performance in terms of gain and directivity.
4. Director Elements: In directional antennas like Yagi-Uda antennas, there are additional
director elements positioned in front of the radiating element. These directors help in
focusing the electromagnetic waves in a specific direction, increasing the antenna's gain
in that direction.
For most antennas it is very easy to determine the polarization. It is simply in the same plane as
the elements of the antenna. So, a vertical antenna (i.e., one with vertical elements) will receive
vertically polarized signals best and similarly a horizontal antenna will receive horizontally
polarized signals.
An electromagnetic wave
It is important to match the polarization of the RF antenna to that of the incoming signal. In this
way the maximum signal is obtained. If the RF antenna polarization does not match that of the
signal there is a corresponding decrease in the level of the signal. It is reduced by a factor of
cosine of the angle between the polarization of the RF antenna and the signal.
Accordingly, the polarization of the antennas located in free space is very important, and
obviously they should be in the same plane to provide the optimum signal. If they were at right
angles to one another (i.e., cross-polarized) then in theory no signal would be received.
For terrestrial radio communications applications it is found that once a signal has been
transmitted then its polarization will remain broadly the same. However, reflections from objects
in the path can change the polarization. As the received signal is the sum of the direct signal plus
several reflected signals the overall polarization of the signal can change slightly although it
remains broadly the same.
Polarization categories
Different types of electromagnetic wave polarization propagate in slightly different ways under
some circumstances. This means that for some forms of broadcasting, radio communications or
for some wireless systems, different forms of polarization may be used.
In general, the advantages and disadvantages of the various forms of polarization are relatively
subtle, but form some forms of broadcasting, wireless links of for radio communications or
mobile communications systems these small differences can make a large difference.
There are several categories of polarization, and within each type there are several subcategories.
Along with this the relevant antennas have corresponding polarizations.
Linear polarization: Linear polarization is the most common form of antenna polarization. It
is characterized by the fact that all the radiation is in one plane - hence the term linear:
Horizontal polarization: This form of antenna polarization has horizontal elements. It
picks up and radiates horizontally polarized signals, i.e., electromagnetic waves with the
electric field in the horizontal plane.
Vertical polarization: This form of antenna is typified by the vertical elements within the
antenna. It could be a single vertical element. One of the reasons for using vertical
polarization is that antennas comprising of a single vertical element can radiate equally
around it in the horizontal plane. Typically, vertically polarized antennas have what is
termed a low angle of radiation enabling a large proportion of their power to be radiated
at an angle close to the earth’s surface. Vertically polarized antennas are also very
convenient for use with automobiles.
Slant polarization: This is a form of radio antenna polarization that is at an angle to the
horizontal or vertical planes. In this way both vertical and horizontally polarized antennas
can receive the signal.
Circular polarization: This has several benefits for areas such as satellite applications where
it helps overcome the effects of propagation anomalies, ground reflections and the effects of
the spin that occur on many satellites. Circular polarization is a little more difficult to
visualize than linear polarization. However, it can be imagined by visualizing a signal
propagating from an RF antenna that is rotating. The tip of the electric field vector will then
be seen to trace out a helix or corkscrew as it travels away from the antenna.
Right hand circular polarization: In this form of polarization the vector rotates in a right-
handed fashion.
Left hand circular polarization: In this form of polarization the vector rotates in a left-
handed fashion, i.e., opposite to right-handed.
Mixed polarization: Another form of polarization is known as elliptical polarization. It
occurs when there is a mix of linear and circular polarization. This can be visualized as
before by the tip of the electric field vector tracing out an elliptically shaped corkscrew.
It is possible for linearly polarized antennas to receive circularly polarized signals and vice versa.
The strength will be equal whether the linearly polarized antenna is mounted vertically,
horizontally or in any other plane but directed towards the arriving signal.
Applications for different types of antenna polarization
Different types of polarization are used in different applications to enable their advantages to be
used. Accordingly different forms of polarization are used for different applications:
General radio communications: Linear polarization is by far the most widely used for most
radio communications applications as the radio antennas are generally simpler and more
straightforward.
Mobile phones and short-range wireless communications: In recent years there has been a
phenomenal amount of growth in the use of mobile phone and short-range wireless
communications.
Everything from cellular communications to Wi-Fi and a host of other standards that enable
short range wireless communications to be achieved.
Normally linear polarization is used for these devices because linearly polarized antennas are
easier to fabricate in these devices, and hence the base stations need to have a similar
polarization. Although vertical polarization is often used, many items like Wi-Fi routers have
adjustable antennas. Also, the fact that these communications often have signal paths that
may
reflect from a variety of surfaces, the polarization that reaches the receiver can be relatively
random, and therefore it can be less of an issue.
Mobile two-way radio communications: There are many traditional mobile two-way radio
communication systems still in use for everything from the emergency services to a host of
private mobile radio applications where radio transceivers are located in vehicles.
Vertical polarization is often used for these mobile two-way radio communications. This is
because many vertically polarized radio antenna designs have an omni-directional radiation
pattern, and it means that the antennas do not have to be reorientated as positions as always
happens for mobile radio communications as the vehicle moves.
Long distance HF ionospheric communications: Both vertical and horizontal polarization
are used:
Horizontal polarization: Wire antennas are widely used for HF communications. These
tend to be more easily erected using two poles leaving he wire antenna to be suspended
between the two. In this way the antenna is horizontally polarized.
For large multi-element antenna arrays, mechanical constraints mean that they can be
mounted in a horizontal plane more easily than in the vertical plane. This is because the
RF antenna elements are at right angles to the vertical tower of pole on which they are
mounted and therefore by using an antenna with horizontal elements there is less physical
and electrical interference between the two.
Vertical polarization: Antennas consisting of a single vertical element are widely used.
The vertically polarized antenna provides a low angle of radiation which enables it to
provide good long-distance transmission and reception.
Medium wave broadcasting: medium wave broadcast stations generally use vertical
polarization because ground wave propagation over the earth is considerably better using
vertical polarization, whereas horizontal polarization shows a marginal improvement for long
distance communications using the ionosphere.
Remember to follow the specific instructions provided by the manufacturer for the connectors
and tools you are using. Each method has its advantages and is suitable for different scenarios, so
choose the one that best fits your specific needs and the level of permanence required for the
connection.
Attaching connectors on coaxial cables
To attach connectors on coaxial cables, you can follow these general steps:
1. Gather the Required Equipment:
Coaxial cable: Ensure you have the appropriate type and length of coaxial cable
for your application.
Coaxial connectors: Select the appropriate connectors based on the type of coaxial
cable you are using (e.g., F-type connectors, BNC connectors).
Coaxial cable cutter/stripper: This tool is used to cut the cable cleanly and strip
the outer insulation.
Coaxial cable compression tool (if using compression connectors): This tool is
specifically designed to compress the connectors onto the cable.
2. Measure and Cut the Coaxial Cable:
Measure the length of cable required for your application.
Use a coaxial cable cutter to make a clean, straight cut across the cable at the
measured length.
3. Strip the Outer Insulation:
Use a coaxial cable stripper or sharp knife to remove approximately 1-2 inches of
the outer insulation from the end of the cable.
Be careful not to damage the inner conductor or the shielding while stripping the
insulation.
4. Prepare the Shielding and Inner Conductor:
Fold back the shielding (braided wire or foil) over the outer insulation, creating a
neat layer.
Expose the inner conductor by gently pulling back any foil or braided wire
shielding.
5. Insert the Connector:
Slide the appropriate connector over the exposed inner conductor and shielding,
ensuring a proper fit.
For compression connectors, make sure the connector's compression ring is
positioned correctly over the shielding.
6. Prepare the Connector:
Follow the specific instructions for your type of connector.
For crimp connectors: Use a crimp tool to crimp the connector onto the cable,
ensuring a secure connection.
For compression connectors: Use a coaxial cable compression tool to compress
the connector, creating a tight seal.
7. Test the Connection:
Once the connector is securely attached, test the connection by connecting one
end of the cable to the appropriate device or connector (e.g., TV, satellite
receiver).
Verify signal reception and ensure the connector is transmitting the signal
properly.
Note: The specific steps for attaching connectors may vary depending on the type of connector
and cable you are using. Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions provided with the
connectors for detailed guidance. It is recommended to practice on spare cables or seek
assistance from a professional if you are unsure about the process.
Using antenna splitters
Using antenna splitters allows you to distribute the signal from a single antenna to multiple
devices or TVs. Here are the steps to use an antenna splitter:
1. Choose the Right Splitter:
Select a splitter that suits your needs based on the number of outputs required.
Splitters are available in various configurations, such as 2-way, 4-way, or even
higher.
Ensure that the splitter is designed for use with coaxial cable and the frequency
range of your antenna signal.
2. Disconnect Power:
Before making any connections, ensure that all devices connected to the antenna
system, including TVs and set-top boxes, are powered off and unplugged.
3. Locate the Antenna Signal Source:
Identify the coaxial cable coming from your antenna that carries the signal. This
cable is typically connected to a wall outlet or an antenna amplifier.
4. Connect the Antenna Signal to the Splitter:
Take the coaxial cable connected to the antenna signal source and plug it into the
input port of the splitter.
Ensure the connection is secure and tight.
5. Connect the Devices to the Splitter Outputs:
Connect the coaxial cables from the devices you want to receive the antenna
signal to the splitter's output ports.
Each device should have its own coaxial cable connected to a separate output port
on the splitter.
Ensure the connections are secure and tight.
6. Power On the Devices:
Once all the connections are made, power on the devices connected to the splitter,
including the TVs or set-top boxes.
7. Test Signal Reception:
Tune each device to the desired channel or perform a channel scan to test the
signal reception.
Check if all connected devices are receiving a clear and stable signal.
If you encounter any issues with signal quality or strength, ensure that all
connections are secure and properly tightened.
It's important to note that using a splitter can result in signal loss, especially if the signal needs to
be split into multiple outputs. To minimize signal loss, use high-quality coaxial cables, avoid
excessive cable lengths, and choose a splitter with low signal loss specifications. Additionally, if
you notice a significant decrease in signal strength or quality after using a splitter, consider using
an amplifier or signal booster to compensate for the loss.