User's Manual

CHAPTER 3: PROGRAMMING INSTRUCTIONS
Typical Antenna Configuration
Base station antenna configurations may vary from site to site depending on the type of mounting
structure, the presence of existing antennas, mounting structure loading limitations, etc. The following
information is provided as a guideline for a typical scenario.
Figure 6: Typical Antenna Configuration
An otpimal antenna mounting configuration is shown in the figure above. The transmit antenna and
receive antennas are located at different elevations. This vertical separation provides the greatest degree
of isolation between transmit and receive antennas. The three (3) receive antennas are mounted at the
same elevation and are oriented in a 120 degree triangular pattern. A triangular orientation of the receive
antennas provides optimal diversity performance in an omnidirectional pattern.
The greater the separation between receive antennas, the greater the diversity gain; therefore,
the distance between antennas should be made as great as is practical.
In the event only two (2) receive antennas are used (i.e. a dual receiver diversity reception system), the
receive antennas should be mounted in a broadside orientation with respect to the radio coverage area.
To prevent the antenna’s radiation pattern from becoming distorted, the immediate area
surrounding each antenna should be kept free from conductive objects (i.e. other antennas, guy
wires, or the tower structure itself). The amount of clear area required to prevent pattern distorion
is equal to the antenna’s near-field exclusion.

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