
84 Appendix
NN47250-506 (324883-B Rev 02 Version 02.02)
In addition to the free space path loss mentioned above, RF signals will be attenuated as they pass through
objects such as foliage, walls and buildings. The level of signal attenuation in these instances can increase the
loss and reduce the communications range by an additional amount of 10 to 20 dB or greater. Care should be
used when installing the antennas and access points to ensure that no objects or barriers are blocking the
communication paths of the antennas.
Most, if not all, antenna performance characteristics are specified under free space conditions. It is important
to realize that these performance characteristics may change once the antenna is located in its operating
environment. Surrounding objects, such as the earth, walls, buildings, floors, etc. will impact the antenna's
specified performance. The fact that antenna performance may change in the operating environment does not
invalidate the use of free space data. It is impossible to specify performance for all environments and the free
space performance characteristics provide the most suitable reference for comparing relative antenna
performance.
When an antenna is located near the earth, its radiated field couples with the earth and changes the antenna's
radiation pattern and impedance characteristics. The antenna impedance is changed from its free space value
by the addition of a component known as ground impedance. The presence of this component changes how RF
energy is delivered to the antenna in that some energy normally radiated by the antenna is now dissipated in the
earth. This will reduce the system efficiency.
In addition to impacting the antenna impedance, the earth also changes the antenna's radiation pattern and
polarization depending upon the height the antenna is located above the ground. When an antenna is located
over the earth, an "image" is generated in the earth. This image will contribute to the total radiated field by
vector summing the direct and reflected waves. This is essentially a multipath phenomenon and illustrates how
the antenna height affects pattern performance. Mechanical down-tilt can be used to try and compensate for
these effects. Down-tilt refers to tilting the main beam downward, away from the perpendicular with the
horizon. Mechanical down-tilt really only applies to sectorized antennas that have narrow horizontal
beamwidths of less than or equal to 60 degrees. The narrower the azimuth pattern, the more uniform the tilt
will be across the 3-dB beamwidth of the antenna.
Optimizing antenna location can reduce multipath and interference problems. This includes antenna height, as
well as, location relative to nearby objects. Protecting against multipath fading is difficult and may require
other techniques, such as diversity, to mitigate multipath interference. Overall antenna selection and location
optimization is not an arbitrary task. It does require an evaluation of system coverage and range requirements,
a review of access point locations, and a review of surrounding objects that may become a source of
interference.
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