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FM ANTENNA AND FEEDER SYSTEM

The Antenna System of FM transmitter consists of three main sub system viz:a) b) c) Supporting Tower Main Antenna Feeder Cable

Tower
Since the coverage of FM transmitter also depends on the Tower height, therefore, a suitable height of tower is required. If the tower height is very large then it may not be economical, moreover, it may also not get SACFA clearance. Typically for a tower height of 100 metre the coverage would be approximately 60 km. Towers of 100 metre were standardised because it was found that beyond this height, there is steep rise in their prices because of excessive load of wind pressure. Mostly the towers were erected by M/s TSL. At some of the places the existing towers of Doordarshan were planned to be utilized. At a number of places, the height of the tower had to be reduced because of SACFA restrictions. Provision has also been made on the AIR towers for top mounting of TV LPT channel below FM antenna (Aperture for band III).

Facilities on AIR Tower

The following facilities are available on these towers : Provision of top mounting of additional antenna Band II FM antenna at 82 metre height Band III TV antenna at 65 metre height Climbing ladder with cage upto 82 metre height and free fall prevention system above this height. Five numbers of platforms Cable tray for mounting RF feeder, mast light and telephone lines and power supply lines with sockets at each platform. The tower has been designed on the basis of latest wind speed specifications issued by BSI.

Antenna
The main requirement of the antenna to be used for FM transmitter are: Wide band usage from 87.5 to 108 MHz. Omni directional Horizontal radiation pattern. Circular Polarisation for reception even in mobile conditions. High gain for both vertical and horizontal. Two degree beam tilt below horizontal Sturdy design for maintenance free service

STI(T) Publication

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FM Transmitter

STI(T) Publication

007/2003

FM Antenna and Feeder System

On carrying out a survey of the available antennae in the world market it was found that SIRA antenna would meet our requirement. The requirement was for two type of antenna. The first type was to be mounted on a small cross towers a panel type antenna consisting of 64 numbers of Dipoles was selected. The cross section of the TV tower at the AIR aperture is 2.4 x 2.4 metre. The Pole type antenna is quite economical as compared to panel type antenna but it can not be used on large area towers.

Fig. 2 : Pole Type Antenna

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FM Transmitter

Details of Pole Type Antenna

The pole type antenna is mounted on one of the four faces of the tower. This system will give a field pattern within a range of 3 dB. The antenna is mounted in such a direction in which it is required to enhance the signal. The other details of this antenna are given in drawings 2 to 5 and 10. Weight 200 Kg (for six dipoles) VSWR 1.4 : 1 Gain 5 dB Rating of each dipole is 5 kW Unfortunately the pattern in horizontal plane is within 3 dB if mounted on a tower of size 400 x 400 mm. This can be corrected by means of parasitic elements if desired. However, we are using this directivity to cover certain far off pockets. Very low power radiation towards transmitter building. Spacing between dipoles is 2.6 metre and all the dipoles are mounted one over other on the same face. Lengths of feed cables of dipoles will be different and has been calculated to give a beam tilt of 2o below horizontal. The feed point antenna is looking towards ground so as to avoid deterioration of the insulating flange. This flange consists of high density PVC. The life of this is expected to be about 7 to 10 years. The distance of feeding strip is 240 mm from edge and this should not be disturbed. All the six dipoles are mounted on a 100 mm diameter pole. This pole is supported by the main tower. The antenna is fed through a power divider which divides total power into six outlets for feeding the six dipoles. The power divider is mounted on a different face of the tower. The main feeder cable, power divider, branch feeder cable, and dipoles are of hollow construction to enable pressurization of the system. The antenna can handle two channels with Diplexing. Suitable terminations are supplied for terminating the output of power divider in case of failure of any dipole.

Panel Type Antenna

The panel type antenna is to be used on TV tower. Doordarshan have provided an aperture for FM antenna on their towers. The size of this section is 2.4 x 2.4 metre and its height is different at different places. The antenna system envisaged for FM broadcasting consists of a total of 16 panels. Normally four panels are mounted on two or three faces as per requirement of each case. Ladders for mounting these panels have been provided on the four sides of the tower.

STI(T) Publication

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FM Antenna and Feeder System

Fig. 3

Fig. 4 : Bracket for Antenna (Type-FMC-06)

Details of Panel
Each panel consists of the following: Reflector panel Two numbers of bent dipoles Two numbers of vertical dipoles

The capacity of each dipole is 2.5 kW. Therefore, each panel is capable of handling 10 kW of power. The reflector panels are constructed of GI bars whereas the dipoles are made out of steel tubes. Since each panel consists of four dipoles, there are a total of 64 dipoles for all the sixteen panels. Therefore, the power divider has 64 outlets to feed each of the dipoles. The power divider is mounted inside the tower. This antenna gives omni directional

STI(T) Publication

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FM Transmitter pattern when the panels are mounted on all the four faces. In case of Mussorie and Cochin only twelve panels are mounted and these are mounted on three faces of the tower with four panels on each side. The length of feed cable has been calculated to give 2o tilt. The power divider cable and dipoles in both the cases are to be handled with extreme care.

Feeder Cable
For connecting the output power of the transmitter to the dipoles through the power divider, a 3 diameter feeder cable has been used. This cable is of hollow type construction and has to be handled over carefully. From the building to the base of tower, the cable is to be laid on horizontal cable tray along the tower. This has to be fixed on the cable rack provided for this purpose. The cable has to be clamped at every 1.5 metre and the minimum radius of bending of this cable is about 1 metre. The cable has been provided with two numbers of EIA flange connectors of 3 size on both ends. Both the connectors are of gas-stop type. The cable connector on the antenna end i.e. on top of the tower is gas through. This is achieved by drilling a hole through the teflon insulator inside the connector. A dummy hole is already provided by the manufacturer for this purpose. The weight of the cable is about 2.7 kg. per metre and the power handling capacity is about 27 kW. Since enough safety margin has been provided in the power handling capacity, no standby cable has been provided. The loss in the cable is about 0.44 dB per 100 metre. The cable and antenna system should be fed with dry air by means of a Dehydrator.

Fig. 5 : Feeding Arrangement of FM Antenna (Type FMC-06/6)

STI(T) Publication

007/2003

FM Antenna and Feeder System

Fig. 7 : Feeding arrangement of Panel Type FM Antenna (Type FMC-03/16(4x4)

STI(T) Publication

007/2003

FM Transmitter

Fig. 8 : Panel Type FMC 03 (SIRA) Details of one panel

Fig. 10 : FM Tower at AIR Daman ( Union Territory)

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FM Antenna and Feeder System

Fig. 9 : Power Divider of Panel Type EMC 03/16 ( 4 x 4) (SIRA)

STI(T) Publication

007/2003