5.

10 Aligning the Antennas

Aligning the antennas is the most important activity in HOP commissioning. The alignment
has a direct effect on the performance of the radio links.

5.10.1 Main Lobe and Side Lobes

Engineers performing an alignment on an antenna should be familiar with the related
knowledge of the main lobe and side lobes

Definitions of the Main Lobe and Side Lobes

The electric field strength of the radiated power of an antenna varies in space. The differences
of the power distribution can be shown in an azimuth diagram. Generally, there are the
horizontal azimuth diagram for the horizontal section and the vertical azimuth diagram for the
vertical section. Figure 5-8 is a vertical azimuth diagram. There are many lobes in this figure.
The lobe with the strongest radiated power is the main lobe. The other lobes are side lobes
wherein the first side lobe can be used for aligning the antenna.

Figure 5-8 Main lobe and side lobes

Locating the Main Lobe

Antenna alignment involves making the main lobe of the local antenna align with the main
lobe of the opposite antenna. The purpose is to make the received signal strength of the
opposite antenna reach the maximum value.
The main lobe width of the microwave antenna is narrow, between 0.6° and 3.7°. For
instance, in the case of a 1.2 m antenna at a working frequency of 23 GHz, the azimuth is only
0.9° when the signal level drops from the signal peak to zero. Once a signal is detected, very
small alignment adjustments are required to locate the main lobe.
Antenna movement across the main lobe results in a rapid rise and fall in the signal level.
Whether the main lobe is aligned properly can be verified by comparing the received signal
 peaks. Typically, the main lobe signal peak is 20-25 dB higher than the first side lobe signal
peak.
Figure 5-9 shows the head-on view of a free-space model for radio propagation with
concentric rings of side lobe peaks and troughs radiating outward from the main lobe.

Figure 5-9 Horizontal section and front view of the antenna

Tracking Path
Side lobe signal readings are sometimes mistaken for main lobe readings when signals are
tracked on different elevation (or azimuth). Figure 5-10 shows a horizontal radio propagation
model of the antenna, and signal levels at three different elevation positions (1-7 represent the
measured signal level values of the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) port of the
ODU).
Figure 5-10 Three tracking paths

l Line AA' indicates that the main lobe of the antenna is almost aligned properly. The
main lobe is at point 2, and the first side lobes are at points 1 and 3. Slightly adjust the
azimuth of the antenna at point 2 until the peak signal appears.
l Line BB' indicates that the elevation of the antenna slightly deviates from the main lobe.
The signal peaks appear at points 4 and 5. The signal peak at point 4 is higher than the
signal peak at point 5 because of the antenna characteristics. As a result, point 4 may be
mistaken for the peak point of the main lobe signal. The correct method is to set the
azimuth of the antenna to the middle position between the two signal peaks. Then, adjust
the elevation of the antenna until the three signal peaks of line AA' appear. Slightly
adjust the elevation and azimuth of the antenna at point 2 until the peak signal appears.
l Line CC' indicates that the elevation of the antenna completely deviates from the main
lobe and is almost aligned with the first side lobe. The signal peak of the first side lobe at
point 6 and the signal peak of the first side lobe at point 7 appear as one signal peak. As
a result, points 6 and 7 may be mistaken for the peak point of the main lobe signal. The
correct method is to set the azimuth of the antenna to the middle of points 6 and 7. Then,
adjust the elevation of the antenna until the three signal peaks of line AA' appear.
Slightly adjust the elevation and azimuth of the antenna at point 2 until the peak signal
appears.
When the side lobe peak at one side is higher than the side lobe peak at the other side, as
shown in Figure 5-11, a common error is moving the antenna left to right along line DD', or
top to bottom along line EE'. As a result, point 1 may be mistaken for the peak point of the
main lobe signal. The correct method is to adjust the elevation in the middle of points 1 and 2
or the azimuth in the middle of points 1 and 3. Several adjustments are required so that the
three signal peaks of line AA' can appear. Slightly adjust the elevation and azimuth of the
antenna at point 2 as shown in Figure 5-10 until the peak signal appears.
 Figure 5-11 Aligning the antenna with the first side lobe

5.10.2 Aligning Single-Polarized Antennas

When aligning single-polarized antennas, engineers need to align the main lobe by adjusting
the azimuth and elevation of the antennas at both ends.

Prerequisites
l The site commissioning of the radio equipment at both ends of the radio link is complete.
l The weather at both stations is suitable for outdoor operations and there is no threat of
rain, snow, or fog.
l On-site conditions meet the requirements for the antennas to operate at a high altitude
and the personnel commissioning the antennas are trained to work at high altitudes.
l The Multimeter is calibrated.
l The ATPC function is disabled (its default status on the NE is Disabled).
l The AM function is disabled (its default status on the NE is Disabled).

Tools, Equipment, and Materials

l Adjustable wrench
l Telescope
l Interphone
l Hex key
l Multimeter
l North-stabilized indicator

You can adjust the azimuth and elevation of the antennas by adjusting the appropriate nuts or
screws. For details, see the installation guide for the antennas. Steps provided in this section
are for reference only.
Precautions
l If the radio link is configured in 1+1 protection mode and one antenna is used at each
end, power off the standby ODUs at both ends before aligning the antennas. After the
antennas are aligned, power on the standby ODUs at both ends.
l If the radio link is configured in 1+1 SD mode, align the antennas in the following
sequence:
a. Power on the main ODUs at both ends. Ensure that they are powered on during the
alignment.
b. Power off the standby ODUs at both ends. Then, align the main antennas at both
ends.
c. Power on the standby ODU at the local end. Retain the position of the main antenna
at the remote end, and adjust the diversity antenna at the local end.
d. Power on the standby ODU at the remote end. Retain the position of the main
antenna at the local end, and adjust the diversity antenna at the remote end.
l If the radio link is configured in 1+1 FD mode and two antennas are used at each end,
align the antenna in the following sequence:
a. Power on the main ODUs, power off the standby ODUs, and align the main
antennas at both ends.
b. Power off the main ODUs, power on the standby ODUs, and align the diversity
antennas at both ends.
l The RSSI port of the XMC-5D ODU is an RJ45 port. You need to use a dedicated cable
to connect the RSSI port to the multimeter or the antenna XPD tool. In scenario 2 where
a dedicated cable is connected to the antenna XPD tool, connect to any signal and
perform antenna alignment.
 NOTE

For a dual-channel IF board, turn off the soft power switch of ODUs or mute ODUs instead of powering off
them.

Procedure
Step 1 Calculate the voltage value VBNC for the RSSI port corresponding to the designed receive
power based on the RSSI and received signal level (RSL) curves.
NOTE

The curve diagram for VBNC and RSL is delivered along with the ODU.

Step 2 Determine the azimuth of the antenna according to the installation position and height of the
antenna. Then, adjust the elevation of the antenna to the horizontal position.
NOTE

For a special radio link (for example, with one end on the mountain top and the other end at the mountain
foot), inclination between the link and the horizontal line is larger than the half-power angle of the antenna.
You need to first slightly adjust the elevation of the antenna, so that the main lobes are aligned in the vertical
direction.

Step 3 Connect a multimeter to the RSSI port on the ODU at the local end and test the voltage value
VBNC. Turn the multimeter to the DC power level with the voltage value 20 V.
NOTE

It is recommended that you fix the multimeter to the tower with adhesive tapes at a point suitable for
observation, so that you can observe the RSSI voltage value while aligning antennas.

Figure 5-12 Testing the RSSI voltage by using a multimeter

 Step 4 Adjust the azimuth and elevation of the antenna as follows:
1. Keep the remote antenna fixed.
2. Adjust the azimuth adjustment nut, rotate the antenna widely in the horizontal direction,
and observe the value of VBNC on the multimeter. When the value is not 0, tighten the
azimuth adjustment nut.
3. Adjust the azimuth adjustment nut, rotate the antenna slightly in the horizontal direction,
and observe the peak values of VBNC on the multimeter.
Normally, three signal peaks are tracked, as shown in Figure 5-13.

Figure 5-13 Signal peaks

When the rotation range is wide enough and the observation of the multimeter is careful,
see 5.10.1 Main Lobe and Side Lobes if less or more than two signal peaks appear.

4. Adjust the azimuth adjustment nut until the azimuth of the antenna is at position 2 in
Figure 5-13. When the antenna is at position 2, the value of VBNC is the peak value.
5. Slightly adjust the elevation and azimuth at point 2 until VBNC reaches the peak within
the tracked range.
6. Tighten the antenna at the local end.
NOTE

When you tighten the antenna, ensure that the VBNC voltage remains at the peak value.

Step 5 Repeat Step 2 to Step 4 to adjust the antenna at the remote end. When the VBNC reaches the
peak value, tighten the antenna at the remote end.
Step 6 Repeat Step 2 to Step 4 for two to four times. When the VBNC at the local end and the VBNC
at the remote end reach the peak value, tighten the antennas at both ends.
NOTE

l The adjustments are slight.

l After the adjustments, the VBNC must reach or exceed the VBNC value obtained in Step 1 after antennas at
both ends are tightened.

----End

5.10.3 Aligning Dual-Polarized Antennas

When aligning dual-polarized antennas, engineers need to align the main lobe by adjusting the
azimuth and elevation of the antennas at both ends. Engineers also need to adjust the feed
 booms of the antennas so that the cross-polarization discrimination (XPD) meets the specified
requirements.

Prerequisites
l The site commissioning of microwave equipment at both ends of the microwave link is
complete.
l The weather at both sites is suitable for outdoor operations and there is no threat of rain,
snow, or fog.
l On-site conditions meet the requirements for the antennas to operate at a high altitude
and the personnel commissioning the antennas are trained to work at high altitudes.
l The multimeter is calibrated.
l The ATPC function is disabled (its default status on the NE is Disabled).
l The AM function is disabled (its default status on the NE is Disabled).

Tools, Equipment, and Materials

l Adjustable wrench
l Interphone
l Hex key
l North-stabilized indicator
l Telescope
l Multimeter
l Spanner delivered with the OMT

Context
NOTE

For a dual-channel IF board, turn off the soft power switch of ODUs or mute ODUs instead of powering off
them.
In this step, ODUs at both ends are installed separately from antennas. If ODUs at both ends need to be
installed directly on the OMT, the action of adjusting the feed boom needs to be changed to the action of
adjusting the OMT.
The RSSI port of the XMC-5D ODU is an RJ45 port. You need to use a dedicated cable to connect the RSSI
port to the multimeter or the antenna XPD tool.
When aligning antennas, use RSLs measured by a multimeter to calculate XPD values. After NEs run
properly, you can query XPD values on the NMS to check the link status.

Procedure
Step 1 At both ends of the microwave link, power off the vertically polarized ODUs, and power on
the horizontally polarized ODUs. Ensure that the antennas at both ends transmit horizontally
polarized signals.
Step 2 Adjust the azimuth angle and elevation angle of the antennas at both ends by referring to
5.10.2 Aligning Single-Polarized Antennas, and ensure that the main lobes of the antennas
are aligned for the horizontally polarized signals.
Step 3 Measure the RSL (P1) of the horizontally polarized signals at the local end.
1. Use a multimeter to measure the signal level on the RSSI port of the horizontally
polarized ODU.
 2. Calculate the RSL (P1) of the horizontally polarized signals by referring to the curve
diagram in the ODU box.

Step 4 Adjust the feed boom at the local end, and ensure that the RSL of the vertically polarized
signals reaches the lower threshold (P2).
1. At the local end, power on the vertically polarized ODUs.
2. Use a multimeter to measure the signal level of the RSSI port of the horizontally
polarized ODU.
3. Calculate the RSL (P2) of the vertically polarized signals by referring to the curve
diagram in the ODU box.
4. Calculate the XPD1 (XPD1 = P1 - P2).
NOTE

– 24 dB is obtained through a rollback from the antenna XPD specification 30 dB by 6 dB.

– In actual commissioning, the XPD value is usually greater than 24 dB. Try to adjust the XPD value
to the maximum value to ensure that links work in the optimal state.

If... Then...

The calculated XPD1 (XPD1 = P1 - P2) is less than 24 dB Go to the next step.

The calculated XPD1 (XPD1 = P1 - P2) is not less than 24 dB Perform Step 5.

5. Release the holder of the feed boom to some extent, and turn the feed boom slightly until
the signal level reaches the lower threshold. The calculated XPD1 must not be less than
24 dB.

Step 5 Record the angle (D1) of the current feed boom.

Step 6 At both ends of the microwave link, power off the horizontally polarized ODUs, and power
on the vertically polarized ODUsEnsure that the antennas at both ends of the microwave link
transmit vertically polarized signals.

Step 7 Measure the RSL (P3) of the vertically polarized signals at the local end by referring to Step
3.

Step 8 Adjust the feed boom at the local end, and ensure that the RSL of the horizontally polarized
signals reaches the lower threshold (P4).
1. At the local end, power on the horizontally polarized ODUs.
2. Use a multimeter to measure the signal level of the RSSI port of the horizontally
polarized ODU.
3. Calculate the RSL (P4) of the horizontally polarized signals by referring to the curve
diagram in the ODU box.
4. Calculate the XPD2 (XPD2 = P3 - P4).
NOTE

– 24 dB is obtained through a rollback from the antenna XPD specification 30 dB by 6 dB.

– In actual commissioning, the XPD value is usually greater than 24 dB. Try to adjust the XPD value
to the maximum value to ensure that links work in the optimal state.
 If... Then...

The calculated XPD2 (XPD2 = P3 - P4) is less than 24 dB Go to the next step.

The calculated XPD2 (XPD2 = P3 - P4) is not less than 24 dB Perform Step 9.

5. Release the holder of the feed boom to some extent, and turn the feed boom slightly until
the signal level reaches the lower threshold. The calculated XPD2 must not be less than
24 dB.

Step 9 Record the angle (D2) of the current feed boom.

Step 10 Adjust the feed boom slightly between the D1 and D2 angles, and ensure that XPD1 and
XPD2 are not less than 24 dB.
NOTE

l If D1 and D2 are the same, you do not need to adjust the feed boom.
l 24 dB is obtained through a rollback from the antenna XPD specification 30 dB by 6 dB.
l In actual commissioning, the XPD value is usually greater than 24 dB. Try to adjust the XPD value to the
maximum value to ensure that links work in the optimal state.

Step 11 Tighten all the screws on the antennas at both ends.

NOTE

Use a multimeter to measure the RSL of the RSSI port again to prevent antenna alignment deviation during
screw tightening.

----End

Related Information
In practice, you can align dual-polarized antennas by measuring only the vertically polarized
signals.

5.11 Checking the Radio Link Status and the Receive

Power
After antenna alignment, check whether the status of a radio link is normal and the receive
power meets requirements.

Prerequisites
l Antennas have been aligned.
l The basic data of NEs on the entire network has been configured.
l You must be an NM user with NE maintainer authority or higher.

Tools, Equipment, and Materials

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