Broadcast Antenna Seminar

Broadcast Antenna System

Design 1

Antenna System Design Sautter

Antenna System Design Concept

u Selection of polarization -> horizontal / vertical / circular / slant?

u Selection of suitable radiator type with consideration of mast loads

u Consideration of general specifications

Bd I analog TV FM Radio Bd III analog TV UHF analog TV UHF Digital TV
System VSWR ref. < 1.05 within < 1.2 over band < 1.05 within < 1.05 within < 1.2 over band
mainsplitter operating channel operating channel operating channel
Typical max. 8 bays of 2-dipole 12 bays of 2-dipole 12 bays of 4-dipole 16 bays of 4-dipole 16 bays of 4-dipole
number of bays panels panels panels panels or ST panels or ST

u Optimization of HRP and VRP

u Optimization of system VSWR -> impedance compensation?

u Antenna system gain evaluation

u Power and voltage consideration -> component by component! 2

Antenna System Design Sautter

Panel Antenna Arrangements

u Typical arrangements and u Typical arrangements and

HRPs for square masts HRPs for triangular and
round masts
3

Antenna System Design Sautter

HRP Design and Optimization

u Azimuthal energy distribution! u Omnidirectional or Directional

u Influence of mounting radius, u Unwanted minima in omni
related to tower cross section patterns < 4 dB often acccepted

360
260

Antenna System Design Sautter

HRP - Custom Shaped

u Optimization by software aid.

Parameters: Mechanical i.e. radial offset or tangential offset. Electrical, e.g.

P1 f 90
feeding power variation feeding phase variation

P2 P2 f 0 f 0

P2 f 0

Antenna System Design Sautter

 VRP Design and Optimization

u Energy distribution over elevation!

u Stacking of bays increase system gain!

Rule of thumb:
double antenna height ~ 3 dB gain increase

u Optimization by software aid. Parameters:

-Mechanical, i.e. radial offset, panel tilt
-Electrical, i.e. feeding power and phase

u Example: Phase Taper

to achieve nullfill and
beamtilt:

Antenna System Design Sautter

VRP - Null Fill and Beam Tilt

u Why null fill? u Why beam tilt? This part of

energy is
lost:

To avoid blank spots close to the station! To avoid waste of energy into space!

Antenna System Design Sautter

 Matching by Impedance Compensation

u System VSWR e.g specified < 1.05 in relation to Panel VSWR, e.g. < 1.1

P
P
Reflected power d
addition! Prefl
No VSWR P d
improvement! Prefl Common phase
Prefl
signal at viewer!

P - 90
Reflected power P d - ?/4
cancellation! Prefl -180
VSWR P d
improvement! Prefl=0 Common phase
Prefl
signal at viewer!

8
This system is idealized for one frequency. For larger bandwidths there is remaining reflection!
Antenna System Design Sautter
Thats the reason why...

Antenna System Design Sautter

Antenna System Gain and ERP Evaluation

u Example for Antenna System Gain and ERP Calculation:

UHF Antenna System, Omnidirectional, 2 bays, Ch 42

1. Horizontal Antenna Directivity: 1.4 dB

2. Vertical Antenna Directivity: 6.8 dB
3. Antenna Directivity [1 + 2]: 8.2 dB
4. Branch cable and splitter insertion losses: 0.3 dB
5. Antenna Gain ref. Input of Main splitter [3 - 4]: 7.9 dB

6. Main feeder loss (e.g. 100 m Heliflex 1 5/8 cable): 1.6 dB

7. Combiner loss (typical): 0.3 dB
8. Antenna Net Gain ref. Input of Combiner [5 - 6 - 7]: 6.0 dB

9. Antenna Net Gain Factor [=10^(Net Gain/10)]: 4 times

Tx
10. Max. ERP [=Net Gain Factor x Tx power]
(e.g. for 2/0.2 kW nominal Tx power): 8 kW

10

Antenna System Design Sautter

Power and Voltage Consideration

u Calculating component by component through the feeding run, by software aid!

Tx1 Tx2

->Tropical Region Reduction

11

Antenna System Design Sautter

 Mechnical Engineering

UHF + Spine
WL: 10 kN FH
Weight: ~ 1.5 to
u Evaluating loads on the tower
VHF Band III
WL: 20 kN
- Horzontally, i.e. wind load
Weight: ~ 1 to - Vertically, i.e. weight

FM u Additional forces due to ice

WL: 20 kN
Weight: ~ 1 to
u Special adapter steel for panel
and splitter attachment to tower
VHF Band I
WL: 25 kN
Weight: ~ 2 to u Evaluation of tower
FV misalignment and oscillation

12
Figures for typical systems!
Windloads at 160 km/h
Antenna System Design Sautter