RF Networking | Radio Surveys | Interference analysis | Structural Analysis .
	Team consists of highly skilled Test & Commissioning engineers, who can perform Software validation and verification, Stand alone testing of network elements, Link testing of; PDH / SDH / DWDM networks, Mobile networks - MSC, BSC, BTS, microwave, GSM, GPRS, UMTS. Specialised works under this group are: RF Networking: In RF networking, system design and configuration of RF Equipment is carried out to meet the desired network objectives like coverage and density criterion. Appropriate software packages are used to design and optimize the network. Some of the currently used packages are Pathloss, NetPlan / MSI-Planet / dBPlanner. These packages are upgraded and new packages are acquired from time to time to equip the company to meet the ever-increasing complex and stringent requirements of the networks. The objectives of RF networking are to: Design Cellular networks. Plan network expansions (e.g. Cell splitting, Channel additions). Optimize network performance (e.g. Operational analysis). Diagnose performance problems (e.g. Interference analysis). Radio Surveys: Microwave Radio Surveys are done for the planning of Microwave Line of sight links between point to point or point to multipoints. The objectives of Microwave link Radio Survey is: to select the site (Radio equipment and tower locations); operational frequency band. Development of path profiles to determine the height of radio tower. Analyzing the reflections, refraction and diffraction of the signals. Calculations of path loss. Deciding Equipment configuration. Reliability analysis: The objective of carrying out reliability analysis is to estimate the non-availability or outage of the link per annum. Reliability analysis takes into consideration the parameters of fade margin, diffraction loss, average annual temperature, fade occurrence factor, terrain roughness calculations, radio parameters, antenna parameters, transmission line and other miscellaneous losses Interference analysis: Interference analysis is carried out to find the interference caused at the site by the different RF signals received at the location. Information like the inter site distance, orientation between the transmitters, the free space loss and the side lobe levels etc. is used for the interference calculations. Interference signal level is aimed at appropriate level below the receiver threshold to eliminate the effect of interference. In some cases, cross polarisation and use of high performance antenna are considered to minimize the interference Structural Analysis: In the infrastructure services, selection of site, design and construction of foundation for towers and the building of towers as per the requirements of the customer is carried out. Site Survey: Site surveys are carried out to determine the feasibility of using a site for the equipment to be installed like a BTS of a cellular network, a VSAT terminal of a Satcom network or Microwave Radios for a backbone network. In the acquisition of data for the given location, geographical data like latitude and longitude, surrounding clutter data like buildings, trees and AMSL are collected. Other data include data links (MW links, PCM, OFC etc.), generator capacity, battery capacity, AC facility, approach to the site, and possible location of the equipment in the given building is collected. If a tower exists, feasibility of mounting the antenna on the tower is assessed. If not, feasibility of erecting a new tower (ground based / rooftop) is studied. The collected data is used to identify the best possible location for the proposed equipment. For example, the best possible building for locating a BTS is based on the building height, access road to the site, availability of access to the roof top for carrying the equipment, provision for building of a tower and availability of space for DG set etc. In all the surveys photographs from various angles are taken to give a general idea about the surrounding clutter. The data supplied is the input to the RF planning tool like MSI – Planet and MOTOROLA – NET PLAN. Drive test and Field management: Pre installation: This test is carried out to determine the location of the new site. With the drive test, the required heights of GSM antenna can be predicted and the coverage area within the vicinity of the transmitter can be estimated. The following equipment are used for Prop test: 1. Transmitter 2. Power supply 3. Omni antenna 4. Drive test kit (UPS, Laptop, Computer and TEMS or equivalent Software) 5. Engineering Mobile Phone Post Installation: Similarly this test is carried out to check and maintain the health of the existing network. It is performed to check the following parameters: 1.Coverage of the network 2.Checking of interference (Co – channel & adjacent channel) 3.Optimization 4.Future RF planning Coverage analysis: The coverage analysis is carried out to ensure the availability of RF signal in area of influence of the given radio transmitter. This is done after the RF Network is realized. Practical Radio survey is done with the help of spectrum analyzer and a receiving antenna setup in a vehicle, which is driven in all the areas of the zone. The signal levels are plotted on the digital map, which indicates the location of voids / fade spots in the network. Structural Analysis It is mandatory as per municipal bye-laws any existing structure subjected to additional loads shall be verified and certified by a competent structural engineer. For erecting a communication tower on the building, it has to be certified for stability against additional loads including tower, roof top DG sets and fully loaded equipment shelter. The main structural members such as columns and footings have to be analysed for the additional loads. The analyses includes study and ascertaining the quality of concrete, steel reinforcement. Study of certified drawings, rebar location tests, physical measurement of columns, beams, floor load, occupancy etc., would give necessary information. Following tests would be performed for analysis; - Ultrasonic pulse velocity test - Profometer measurement - Partial destructive tests Structural study is also essential based on the periodic maintenance or post heavy storm or an earthquake. Mack Telecom is geared up to provide the structural engineering services keeping Operator's long term interest in infrastructure and safety factor in mind.