The parameters and metrics used to quantify performance of radiofrequency hardware can be unfamiliar to those new to the industry. We've developed a series of articles to assist our clients in building a more fundamental understanding of the theory behind RF communications.
Each of the below articles correspond to a particular RF parameter that may be found on the technical specification of the item.
R-Spectrum have loosely aligned its datasheet reporting with the NGMN's BASTA reporting standard. The BASTA standard has been developed for the harmonious reporting of base station antenna parameters between vendors. Adaptation has been necessary to extend the standard to cover a larger range of antennas and components, such as those used in UE, IoT, mmWave, and alike.
As wireless technologies continue to evolve it's important to recognise that these are living documents which will likely be subject to ongoing revision.
The following article serves to build an understanding about the antenna parameter known as peak gain.
Gain is often incorrectly used as a means of performance comparison between antennas, where the model with the highest gain figure represents the highest...
One of the key parameters of any radio transmission component is VSWR or Return Loss (RL), which both measure how well the component is matched to other system components. Both are used interchangeably, with VSWR providing the measure as a ratio, and Return...
The following article serves to build an understanding about the antenna parameter known as Polarisation. Polarisation is perhaps the most fundamental characteristic of an antenna which describes the plane in which its electric field radiates.
It is an...
The following article serves to build an understanding about the antenna parameter known as Passive Intermodulation (PIM). PIM has over the years become a critical parameter in component design due to new technologies in wireless communications allowing the...
The following article serves to build an understanding about the antenna parameter known as Electrical Downtilt. Tilting antennas is an important concept for applications like cellular and multipoint base stations that require targeting of their transmission...
The following article serves to build an understanding about the antenna parameter known as Maximum Input Power, Per Port. Defining an antennas maximum input power rating is important to ensure that, as a sensitive electrical component, the antenna is not...
The following article serves to build an understanding about the antenna parameter known as Inter-Port Isolation. The parameter, sometimes referred to as Port-to-Port Isolation, is a simple metric that allows RF engineers to understand how well any two signals...
The following article serves to build an understanding about the antenna parameter known as Front-to-Back Ratio (F/B Ratio). The objective of any directional transmission is to ensure the most amount of power is radiated in the forward direction, with the...
The following article serves to build an understanding about the antenna parameter known as Operating Frequency Range. An antennas frequency range is one of its most fundamental characteristics, which describes the range of frequencies that the antenna is...
The following article serves to build an understanding about the antenna parameter known as cross polar isolation. Cross polar isolation is a metric specific to orthogonally polarised antennas, and while similar, is not the same as the more generic Inter-Port...
The following article serves to build an understanding about the antenna parameter known as Cross Polar Discrimination (XPD). Cross-polar discrimination is important for a low level of correlation between the orthogonally polarized propagation channels...
The following article serves to build an understanding about the antenna parameter known as Half Power Beamwidth (HPBW). Beamwidth is a simple metric used to describe the dominant direction of radiation, which helps RF engineers quickly assess suitability...
