© FCS Installers Committee May 2007 Antenna Developments John Thomson Panorama Antennas Ltd.

© FCS Installers Committee May 2007

Antenna Antenna DevelopmentsDevelopments

John Thomson John Thomson

Panorama Antennas LtdPanorama Antennas Ltd


Antenna TypesAntenna Types• Mobile Radio & TetraMobile Radio & Tetra

– Permanent - Roof panel mount, glassmount– Temporary – Magnetic or boot clip mount– Covert – bumper mount + internal glass?

• Cellular GSM & 3G/UMTSCellular GSM & 3G/UMTS– Internal antennas typically T bar or tax disc– Bumper mount– Glassmount & panel mount occasionaly


Automotive EMC Automotive EMC LegislationLegislation

Commission Directive 2004/104/EC

‘12.7. Installation and use of RF transmitters in the vehicle(s), if applicable: Frequency bands, Maximum output power, Antenna position at vehicle, Specific conditions for installation and/or use’



• All accessory equipment should have CE or ‘e’ mark approval

• UK has “Legacy Equipment” concession!! – this means that used equipment can be re-fitted



• So what guidelines do vehicle manufactures give?

• How easy is it to find?


Nissan Motor CoNissan Motor Co(information from Nissan website)(information from Nissan website)

• Mobile Radio Equipment Installation Mobile Radio Equipment Installation GuidelinesGuidelines

• The information in this guideline is The information in this guideline is intended for use by those installing two-intended for use by those installing two-way radio equipment (transmitters and way radio equipment (transmitters and receivers) in vehicles. This guideline is receivers) in vehicles. This guideline is intended for radio equipment marked intended for radio equipment marked with a CE symbol and which has the with a CE symbol and which has the transmitting antenna installed on the transmitting antenna installed on the outside of the vehicle. outside of the vehicle.



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Mercedes BenzMercedes Benz(extract from C class user manual)(extract from C class user manual)

• If you wish to install two-way radios in If you wish to install two-way radios in the vehicle, you must obtain formal the vehicle, you must obtain formal approval. Mercedes-Benz approves the approval. Mercedes-Benz approves the installation of two-way radios if such installation of two-way radios if such equipment is installed professionally and equipment is installed professionally and a low-reflection exterior aerial is used.a low-reflection exterior aerial is used.

• The transmission output of the two-way The transmission output of the two-way radio must not exceed the maximum radio must not exceed the maximum transmission outputs listed. (next slide)transmission outputs listed. (next slide)



Frequency range Maximum transmission Frequency range Maximum transmission outputoutput

• Short wave (< 50 MHz) 100 wattsShort wave (< 50 MHz) 100 watts

• 4 m waveband 20 watts - 2 m waveband 50 watts4 m waveband 20 watts - 2 m waveband 50 watts

• 70 cm waveband 35 watts - 25 cm waveband 10 watts70 cm waveband 35 watts - 25 cm waveband 10 watts

• If electrical or electronic equipment which If electrical or electronic equipment which does not fulfil these conditions is retrofitted, does not fulfil these conditions is retrofitted, the vehicle's general operating permit may the vehicle's general operating permit may be invalidated (EU Directive 95/54/EC the be invalidated (EU Directive 95/54/EC the Automotive EMC Directive).Automotive EMC Directive).



• To ensure optimum reception quality for To ensure optimum reception quality for mobile phones and two-way radios in the mobile phones and two-way radios in the vehicle, and to minimise mutual influences vehicle, and to minimise mutual influences between the vehicle electronics and mobile between the vehicle electronics and mobile phones/two-way radios, Mercedes-Benz phones/two-way radios, Mercedes-Benz recommends the use of approved exterior recommends the use of approved exterior aerials. An attached exterior aerial has the aerials. An attached exterior aerial has the effect that the electromagnetic fields effect that the electromagnetic fields transmitted by a wireless device are transmitted by a wireless device are conducted to the exterior of the vehicle; the conducted to the exterior of the vehicle; the field strength within the vehicle interior is field strength within the vehicle interior is lower than in a vehicle that does not have an lower than in a vehicle that does not have an exterior aerial.exterior aerial.



• Two-way radios may interfere with the Two-way radios may interfere with the vehicle electronics and thereby jeopardise vehicle electronics and thereby jeopardise the operational safety of the vehicle and the operational safety of the vehicle and your own safety if:your own safety if:

• they do not have an exterior aerialthey do not have an exterior aerial

• the exterior aerial is not a low-reflection the exterior aerial is not a low-reflection aerialaerial

• the exterior aerial has been fitted the exterior aerial has been fitted incorrectlyincorrectly



• Excessive electromagnetic radiation may also Excessive electromagnetic radiation may also cause damage to your health and the health of cause damage to your health and the health of others. Using an exterior aerial takes into account others. Using an exterior aerial takes into account current scientific discussions relating to the current scientific discussions relating to the possible health hazards that may result from possible health hazards that may result from electromagnetic fields.electromagnetic fields.

• For this reason, only have the exterior aerial fitted For this reason, only have the exterior aerial fitted at a qualified specialist workshop which has the at a qualified specialist workshop which has the necessary specialist knowledge and tools to carry necessary specialist knowledge and tools to carry out the work required. Mercedes-Benz out the work required. Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use a Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this purpose. In particular, work Service Centre for this purpose. In particular, work relevant to safety or on safety-related systems relevant to safety or on safety-related systems must be carried out at a qualified specialist must be carried out at a qualified specialist workshop.workshop.


SummarySummary• Clear trend that antenna should be an Clear trend that antenna should be an

external type, often a panel mount is external type, often a panel mount is specifiedspecified

• Vehicle manufacturers have a responsibility Vehicle manufacturers have a responsibility to provide this informationto provide this information

• Availability of clear, concise and realistic Availability of clear, concise and realistic information differs between manufacturers.information differs between manufacturers.

• Installers need this information to ensure Installers need this information to ensure that the installation is compliant with that the installation is compliant with vehicle EMC specification.vehicle EMC specification.


TESTINGTESTINGANTENNA ANTENNA

INSTALLATIONSINSTALLATIONS


Mobile RadioMobile Radio(66MHz to 472MHz)(66MHz to 472MHz)

• Tuneable AntennasTuneable Antennas

• More complex installationsMore complex installations

• Higher RF power levelsHigher RF power levels

• Analogue – simpler test equipment (Bird 43!)Analogue – simpler test equipment (Bird 43!)

• Tetra – installers have access to suitable test Tetra – installers have access to suitable test equipment (e.g Sitemaster, Bird AT400 etc.)equipment (e.g Sitemaster, Bird AT400 etc.)


GSM 3G/UMTSGSM 3G/UMTS(870MHz to 2200MHz)(870MHz to 2200MHz)

• Broadband antennasBroadband antennas

• Usually non-tuneableUsually non-tuneable

• Often supplied with pre-fitted connectorOften supplied with pre-fitted connector

• ““Plug and Play” installationPlug and Play” installation

• How many VSWR checks are carried out?How many VSWR checks are carried out?



• Test Equipment availabilityTest Equipment availability

– Through line type

– RF generator type

• CostCost

• Suitability & AccuracySuitability & Accuracy



FAT 2700 - range 20MHz to 2.7GHzFAT 2700 - range 20MHz to 2.7GHzRF Generator type – suits PMR & RF Generator type – suits PMR & GSM/UMTSGSM/UMTS



• Compliance with MPT1362 currently requires Compliance with MPT1362 currently requires the antenna installation to be “VSWR tested” the antenna installation to be “VSWR tested” and the value recorded on the job sheet.and the value recorded on the job sheet.

• Orange does not require their installers to use Orange does not require their installers to use or even possess a VSWR meter.or even possess a VSWR meter.

• These installations cannot be deemed to be in These installations cannot be deemed to be in accordance with MPT1362!accordance with MPT1362!



• Unsatisfactory situation that needs to be Unsatisfactory situation that needs to be addressedaddressed

• Do we need to deal with the method of Do we need to deal with the method of antenna installation testing on a two tier antenna installation testing on a two tier mode? i.e PMR & Cellularmode? i.e PMR & Cellular

• Maybe a point for discussion later – certainly Maybe a point for discussion later – certainly needs to be raised to the MPT1362 review needs to be raised to the MPT1362 review committee.committee.


Thank You!Thank You!

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements•Nissan Motors website – fleet services sectionNissan Motors website – fleet services section•Mercedes Benz - C class handbookMercedes Benz - C class handbook•Dave Partridge - ArqivaDave Partridge - Arqiva

© FCS Installers Committee May 2007 Antenna Developments John Thomson Panorama Antennas Ltd.

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