Professional Services Spectrum Survey Procedure

January 2008

Copyright Alvarion Ltd.

Spectrum Survey Procedure

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Agenda
Goals Requirements Measurement Methodology Spectrum Analyzer Configuration Location for Measurements Spectrum Survey Procedure

Data Collection
Significant Observations Report Document - Template
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Goals
The Spectrum Survey will gather detailed information for each proposed Base Station (BST) location participating in a Broadband Wireless Deployment.

The spectrum site survey will help understand and define the following:
Identify potential sources of interference and help determine its viability and usage in each location. Learn the signal and noise floor levels for each BST. Collect the measurement and utilize these as an input to the radio network plan.

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Requirements
General
1 GPS unit with Serial/USB cable (PC) 1 Compass

1 Digital Photo Camera

Spectrum Analysis
1 portable Spectrum Analyzer unit up to 6 GHz with a built-in 30 dB pre-amplifier. Unit must have capability to save screen captures in digital format. I.e. jpeg. 1 sector antenna, 60, 90 or 120 degree (2.3, 2.5, 3.5, or 3.6 GHz)

Automobile Power Inverter

Power Extension Cords up to 100 ft. CAT-5e Straight-thru cable up to 300 ft. CAT-5e Crossover cables up to 25 ft. Paper and/or digital map of the area to be surveyed.

Topography (suggested)
Topography software, support for 2D & 3D maps Topo USA x.0, Street Map software Microsoft Map Point 200x., Global Mapper Software This is good for places Microsoft does not support .... Outside USA Google Earth software
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Measurement Methodology
Spectrum analysis measurements must be conducted in places where there is enough clearance over any near field obstacles. Measurements are typically conducted on building rooftops, tower sites, other elevated places or using a bucket truck or boom lift truck.

The objective is to measure the maximum transmitter signal levels and determine how much energy is present in the surveyed radio frequency band. It is important to note that not all spectrum analysis will be performed the same way. There are differences on how the analysis will be performed for unlicensed or licensed bands. In the case of license bands, Alvarion can provide specific instructions on how to measure and adjust the spectrum analyzer to the specific band.

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Spectrum Analyzer Configuration

Configure the frequency band for the capture:
Set the Start and Stop frequencies for the band Be sure not to exceed span of 100 MHz for the total band. If band allocated exceeds span of 100 MHz, then split spectrum capture tests in two blocks of less than 100 MHz

Configure the following settings

Pre-Amplifier = ON Reference Level = -40.00 dBm Reference Level Offset = 0.0 dB Input Attenuation = 10.0 dB RBW = 100.0 kHz or lower VBW = 100.0 kHz or lower Note: Noise floor level on screen must be below 100 dBm

Saving each capture into a file.

Spectrum analyzer must be ready to save each measurement into digital format that can be exported to a jpeg graphic file. When saving each measurement file, use a naming convention that reflects the type of capture (i.e. average, max hold, or normal) type of location, and direction in degrees. E.g. Max-hold_SentryTower_90deg.jpeg
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Locations for Measurements

Different types of locations can be used for the spectrum survey measurements. One important rule of thumb is that spectrum survey locations must be selected where there is maximum clearance over near field obstacles and line-of-sight can be achieved to horizon.
Ground level can be used only if there is 360 degrees clearance above any near field obstacles

Building rooftop level (at least 50 ft in height). Bucket Truck or Boom lift (at 40 ft or higher)

In the case of a point-to-multipoint (PtMP) deployment, select the measurement site around locations where the target service area is more dense. Pictures shall be taken for each spectrum capture measurement in each direction.
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Test Procedure - Preparation

Identify the location for each test by recording the GPS latitude and longitude for each site using a GPS unit or in combination with a topography software.

Using the target service area location as reference, find a test location that meets the location type criteria for the measurements as specified in previous section. Make sure the portable spectrum analyzers batteries are fully charged or have access to a power source. Make sure the spectrum analyzer is configured according to the settings in the spectrum analyzer configuration section. If your spectrum analyzer has remote control capabilities and you are using this mode, ensure you test and verify you have full control and capture capabilities of the unit before deploying to the remote location, such as the site tower top location. Start the capture test and point the antenna to NORTH. Then for each capture, rotate the antenna at certain degree intervals based on the antenna used for the test, 60, 90 or 120 degrees. Provide a slight up-tilt or down-tilt towards the test direction depending on the height and position of the antenna.

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Spectrum Survey Procedure - Capture

For each test, run the spectrum capture using the following modes.
1. Normal (real-time) for 30 seconds. Save the measurement. 2. Max hold for 2 minutes and take the peak measurements for about 1 minute using the sampling detector. Save the measurement.
If consistent and fairly strong signals are detected during the max hold capture, then sweep the band again for 1 minute using average mode. This will determine if the signals present in the band are constant or periodic.

3. Average for 1 minute. Save the measurement.

If the noise floor is too high, adjust the RBW and VBW to a lower value (10 or 1 KHz) to find a better signal measurement resolution, . Repeat steps 2 and 3, save the test..

Take a picture towards the test direction.

Rotate the antenna XX degrees interval (based on antenna type) and perform the steps above again.
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Data Collection About the site

For each site, collect the following information.
Location name Address Coordinates Latitude and Longitude in decimal format. Height actual where spectrum capture was performed. Frequency Specify the band in MHz. Antenna Type and gain (Sector, polarization, degrees, gain, etc.)

Antenna jumper cable length and type. Pictures confirm pictures were taken for each direction of the test. Line-of-sight confirm is LOS was achieved, if not specify how much clearance was obtained.

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Data Collection Capture results

For each capture test, show the following results
Spectrum Analysis (xxxx xxxx MHz)
North (0 degrees)

Frequency (MHz)

(Enter Screen Capture of Spectrum Analysis here)

Direction azimuth (deg) Insert capture jpeg file Results clearly identify and comment each capture. Point the peak signal levels and noise floor levels in writing. Insert photo for each test direction If available, insert a map of the area to show each location.
Sample page -----)

Results

East (Degrees based on antenna type) (Enter Screen Capture of Spectrum Analysis here)

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Results

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Significant Observations

Include in this section any significant observations captured during the spectrum survey for each location.

Observations may include:

Any competitors equipment working in near areas.

Frequencies in use. Direction Provide characteristics (if all possible)

Any obstacles in the near or far field locations (man made or natural)
Any other observation may be considered valuable for the proper analysis.

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Report Document - Template

Information and Results collected during the capture test will be distributed using a Spectrum Survey Report document template.

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