DESCRIPTION

14/1551-LZA 701 6003 Uen F

Antenna System Supervision

RBS 6000

Contents
1

Overview

2
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6

Antenna System Hardware Units

ASC
TMA
ATMA
RETU
ARETU
RIU

Antenna System Configuration

4
4.1
4.2
4.3

Supervision Methods
Antenna Supervision Activation and Tuning
Antenna Supervision
Auxiliary Units DC Supervision

5
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7

Antenna System Configurations and Supervision Overview

No Auxiliary Units
ASC/ATMA
ASC/ATMA and ARETU/RETU
RIU and ARETU/RETU
TMA
TMA, RIU and ARETU/RETU
TMA with External Power Supply

Supervision Overview

Copyright

Ericsson AB 20092010. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form
without the written permission of the copyright owner.

Disclaimer

The contents of this document are subject to revision without notice due to continued progress in
methodology, design and manufacturing. Ericsson shall have no liability for any error or damage of any
kind resulting from the use of this document.

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All trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners. These are shown in the
document Trademark Information.

1 Overview
This document describes the supervision of cables and antenna systems in RBS 6000, which uses
Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) technology.

2 Antenna System Hardware Units

This section describes the hardware units of the antenna system.
The hardware units are as follows:

Antenna System Controller (ASC)

Tower Mounted Amplifier (TMA)

Remote Electrical Tilt Unit (RETU)

Remote electrical tilt Interface Unit (RIU)

Also supported is the Antenna Interface Standards Group/3rd Generation Partnership Project
(AISG/3GPP) defined components ATMA and ARET.

Note:

This document only describes solutions with ASC and the configurations based on the
AISG 2.0/3GPP specifications are neither described, nor handled or tested by Ericsson.

2.1 ASC
The ASC is an auxiliary unit with the following main functions:

Amplifying uplink signals

The uplink amplification is set with respect to the feeder attenuation.

Supplying power to a ARETU/RETU

Supervising the antenna

ASC communication passes through branch A. For more information on the ASC, see ASC Description

2.2 TMA
The TMA has the following characteristics:

Offers uplink amplification

Powered by the RU through the feeders

Can also be powered by an external power source

Has no communication

2.3 ATMA
The ATMA is an alternative to ASC and TMA and has the following characteristics:

Amplification of uplink signals

The uplink amplification is set with respect to the feeder attenuation.

RS 485 interface towards the RBS.

Power supply to an ARETU.

No supervision of the antenna.

The ATMA can be used when both TMA and Remote Electrical Tilt (RET) functionalities are needed.

2.4 RETU
The RETU contains a communications interface and a step motor to engage the tilt mechanism of the
antenna.
For more information on the RETU, see the RETU documentation in the RBS Site Products CPI library.
Using RETU in an RU configuration:

The RETU is powered by the RU and is supervised by the ASC.

The RETU is connected to the ASC, and communicates with the RBS through antenna branch A.
In systems with no ASC, the RETU is powered by the RU and is supervised by the RIU that is
connected to antenna branch A, but is however unable to issue alarms.

2.5 ARETU
The ARETU is an alternative to the RETU. As in the case of the RETU, the ARETU contains a
communication interface and a motor to engage the antenna tilt mechanism. The ARETU includes an
RS485 interface as specified in the AISG 2.0/3GPP standard. However, from a software point of view
there is no difference between a RIU/ARET configuration and an ARET with included modem.
Using ARETU in an RU configuration:

The ARETU is powered by the RU.

The ARETU can be connected to the ASC, and communicates with the RBS through antenna
branch A.
The ARETU can also be used without ASC.

In this case, the ARETU is powered by the RU and is supervised through the RIU that is
connected to the antenna branch A, but is however unable to generate alarms.
If the RIU is not present, the supervision is made directly from the RBS through the
antenna branch A.

The ARETU is supervised through the ATMA.

2.6 RIU
The RIU is an interface to the RETU used in macro RBS antenna systems where ASC is not used. The
RIU is used for transfer of DC supply and for communication between the RBS and the RETU/ARET.
The RIU is installed close to the antenna and connected to antenna branch A, to the ANT A antenna
connector, and to the RETU/ARET.
The RIU can also be used in antenna systems with a TMA and has a DC supply switch for transferring
DC power supply to the TMA. In this case, the RIU is connected to antenna branch A, to the RBS A
TMA connector, and to the RETU/ARET.

3 Antenna System Configuration

The antenna system is configured in Element Manager Wizards Site Equipment Wizard.
For information on how to calculate the feeder attenuation and the electrical delay, see the antenna
system test instruction in the RBS Site Products CPI library..
Note:

The total attenuation and delay values depend on the values for the feeder and jumper
cables in the antenna systems. See Section 5.

See also Managed Object Model (MOM) RBS, sections Antenna Feeder Cable Parameters and Antenna
Jumper Cable Parameters respectively.

4 Supervision Methods
Depending on antenna system configuration, different supervision methods are used. This is described
in Section 4.2.
These methods are selected by the system, not by the user.

4.1 Antenna Supervision Activation and Tuning

By default, no antenna supervision is activated and the supervision threshold parameter is set to 0
(percent).
Antenna supervision on applicable sector is activated by entering antenna supervision threshold
values in the antenna branch configuration page when running the Site Equipment wizard. This is
usually performed during the Site Equipment Configuration. See Element Manager Wizards.
Antenna supervision can be deactivated by setting the supervision threshold to 0.
When activated, supervision on both branch A and branch B are activated and default value for the
attribute is set to 80. The branches are then tuned separately.
The attribute value for all branches with an ASC must be set to 10.
Change the value in the RBS Element Manager (EM) by modifying the attribute
antennaSupervisionThreshold on the AntennaBranch Managed Object (MO) as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1

Sector Antennas Expanded

For information on how to calculate the supervision threshold value, see Managed Object Model
(MOM) RBS, section Antenna Branch Parameters.

4.2 Antenna Supervision

This section describes methods for supervising the antenna.
4.2.1

DC Resistance

3 V DC is sent by the Radio Unit (RU). The resistance must be below the threshold value, or an alarm
is generated. Antenna systems supervised by this method require antennas with a DC short between
the inner and the outer conductor, that is, tuned coil.
DC resistance is used when there are no auxiliary units between the RBS and the antenna. The default
attribute value can be changed by the user.
For information on how to calculate the threshold value, see Managed Object Model (MOM) RBS.
In cases where branch B is not used, the value for branch B is set to 0 by the user.
4.2.2

Voltage Standing Wave Ratio

Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) detection requires a TX signal. A branch with no TX signal
cannot be supervised by VSWR detection.
The ASC supervises the antenna by detecting the VSWR on branch A and branch B when they are
used for TX. The threshold setting is irrelevant for a branch that is not used for TX, and supervision
will always be switched off.
The TMA does not have antenna supervision.
The RUs supervise the antenna by detecting the VSWR on branch A only (when there is no ASC). It is
recommended to set the attribute value to 10 in the Site Equipment wizard.
The B branch of the RU with no TMA is recommended to be set at 80 for DC supervision. Where
branch A or branch B, or both is not used for supervision, the value for branch A or branch B, or both
is set to 0 by the user, which is equivalent to deactivation.
This means that where the RU detects VSWR on branch A and 3 V DC on branch B, the attribute value
for branch A should be changed to 10 by the user. The attribute value for branch B remains at 80.

4.3 Auxiliary Units DC Supervision

This section describes methods used by the RU to supervise the ASC and the TMA.
4.3.1

DC Current

The RU supervises ASC/TMA DC consumption. An alarm is generated if DC consumption is too high or

too low.

5 Antenna System Configurations and Supervision Overview

This section describes the different antenna system configurations. How the supervision of the
antenna system is performed depends on whether auxiliary units are used.
Note:

For configurations with auxiliary units between the RU and the antenna, these units are
not mentioned in the tables for the VSWR supervision method. The RU supervises the
whole path towards the antenna and the alarm does not indicate which unit is causing
the alarm.

5.1 No Auxiliary Units

This section describes antenna systems with no auxiliary units as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2
5.1.1

Antenna System with No Auxiliary Units

Supervision

This section describes antenna system supervision with no auxiliary units and possible supervision
methods are described in Table 1.
Table 1

Possible Supervision Methods

Supervision Type

Method

(1)

RU Antenna

DC resistance

RU Antenna

VSWR

Alarm Generated
AntennaSystemProblem

(1) "RU Antenna" is short for "RU supervision of the antenna

5.2 ASC/ATMA
This section describes antenna systems with ASC/ATMA as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3

Antenna System with ASC/ATMA

Branch A contains control signalling to the ASC.

5.2.1

Supervision

This section describes antenna systems supervision with ASC/ATMA and possible supervision methods
are described in Table 2.
Table 2

Possible Supervision Methods

Supervision Type
RU ASC
RU Antenna(2)
ASC Antenna
ATMA
(1) The alarm is controlled by the

Method

Alarm Generated

CommunicationLostWithAsc

DC current

FeederCurrentTooHighBranchA (or B)
FeederCurrentTooLowBranchA (or B) (1)

VSWR

AntennaSystemProblem

AntennaBranch::lowCurrentSupervision MO attribute

(2) Supervision only when using ATMA

5.3 ASC/ATMA and ARETU/RETU

This section describes antenna systems with ASC/ATMA and ARETU/RETU as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4

Antenna System with an ASC and an ARETU/RETU

Branch A contains communication signals to the ASC and the RETU.

5.3.1

Supervision

This section describes antenna systems supervision with ASC/ATMA and ARETU/RETU and possible
supervision methods are described in Table 3.
Table 3

Possible Supervision Methods

Supervision Type
RU ASC/ATMA

Method

Alarm Generated

DC current

CommunicationLostWithAsc
FeederCurrentTooHighBranchA (or B)
FeederCurrentTooLowBranchA (or B)(1)

ASC ARETU/RETU
(2)

RU Antenna

ASC Antenna
RU ARETU/RETU
(1) The alarm is controlled by the

RetPortCurrentTooHigh
VSWR

AntennaSystemProblem

CommunicationLostWithRet

AntennaBranch::lowCurrentSupervision MO attribute

(2) Supervision only when using ATMA

5.4 RIU and ARETU/RETU

This section describes antenna systems with RIU and ARETU/RETU as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5

Antenna System with RIU and RETU

Branch A contains communication signals to the RIU and the RETU.

5.4.1

Supervision

This section describes antenna systems supervision with RIU and RETU and possible supervision
methods are described in Table 4.
Table 4

Supervision Methods

Supervision Type
RU Antenna
RU RIU-RETU
RU Antenna
(1) On branch B only
(2) The alarm is controlled by the

Method
DC resistance

Alarm Generated
(1)

AntennaSystemProblem

DC current

FeederCurrentTooHighBranchA
FeederCurrentTooLowBranchA(2)

CommunicationLostWithRet

VSWR

AntennaSystemProblem

AntennaBranch::lowCurrentSupervision MO attribute

5.5 TMA
This section describes antenna systems with TMA as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6

Antenna System with a TMA

An antenna system with a dual branch TMA, supporting both branches. A single-branch TMA supports
only one branch per TMA. No branch contains any communication.
5.5.1

Supervision

This section describes antenna systems supervision with TMA and possible supervision methods are
described in Table 5.
Table 5

Supervision Methods

Supervision Type

Method

Alarm Generated

RU TMA

DC current

FeederCurrentTooHighBranchA (or B)
FeederCurrentTooLowBranchA (or B) (1)

RU Antenna

VSWR

AntennaSystemProblem

(1) The alarm is controlled by the

AntennaBranch::lowCurrentSupervision MO attribute

5.6 TMA, RIU and ARETU/RETU

This section describes antenna systems with TMA, RIU, and ARETU/RETU as shown in Figure 7.

Figure 7

Antenna System with TMA, RIU, and RETU

Branch A contains communication signals to the RIU and the RETU.

5.6.1

Supervision

This section describes antenna systems supervision with TMA, RIU, and RETU and possible supervision
methods are described in Table 6.
Table 6

Supervision Methods

Supervision Type

Method

Alarm Generated

RU RIU-TMA

DC current

LnaFailureBranchA (or B)
FeederCurrentTooHighBranchA (or B)
FeederCurrentTooLowBranchA (or B) (1)

RU Antenna

VSWR

AntennaSystemProblem

DC current

FeederCurrentTooHighBranchA

CommunicationLostWithRet

RU ARETU/RETU
(1) The alarm is controlled by the

AntennaBranch::lowCurrentSupervision MO attribute

5.7 TMA with External Power Supply

This section describes antenna systems with TMA and external power supply as shown in Figure 8.

Figure 8

Antenna System with TMA and with External Power Supply

No branch contains communication.

5.7.1

Supervision

This section describes antenna systems supervision with TMA and external power supply and possible
supervision methods are described in Table 7.
Table 7

Supervision Methods

Supervision Type

Method

Alarm Generated

RU TMA

RU Antenna

VSWR

AntennaSystemProblem

6 Supervision Overview
Table 8 lists the various supervision methods and when they can be used.
Table 8

Antenna System Supervision Overview

Auxiliary Units
Used
No Units

Supervision methods

Supervision
Communicat

DC Resistance

VSWR on branch A

DC Current

Alarms from

RU Antenna

RU Antenna

RU ASC

ASC

RU ASC/AT

ASC Antenna (1)

RU ASC/ATMA

ARETU/RETU

RU ARETU/R

RU Antenna

ASC ARETU/RETU

ASC

RU ASC/AT

RU Antenna

RU Antenna

RU RIUARETU/RETU

ARETU/RETU

RU ARETU/R

RU Antenna

RU TMA

TMA

(1)

ASC Antenna
ASC/ATMA

RU Antenna
RU ATMA

ASC and
ARETU/RETU
RIU and
ARETU/RETU
TMA

RU TMA

TMA, RIU and

ARETU/RETU

TMA w External
Power

TMA

RU Antenna

RU ARETU/R

RU ARETU/RETU
RU Antenna

(1) ASC supervises both branch A and B, but supervises only the antenna branch where there is an active TX signal.

Antenna System Supervision

RBS 6000