Antenna
Developments
John Thomson
Panorama Antennas Ltd
© FCS Installers Committee May 2007
© FCS Installers Committee May 2007
© FCS Installers Committee May 2007
Antenna Types
• Mobile Radio & Tetra
– Permanent - Roof panel mount, glassmount
– Temporary – Magnetic or boot clip mount
– Covert – bumper mount + internal glass?
• Cellular GSM & 3G/UMTS
– Internal antennas typically T bar or tax disc
– Bumper mount
– Glassmount & panel mount occasionaly
© FCS Installers Committee May 2007
Automotive EMC Legislation
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’
© FCS Installers Committee May 2007
Automotive EMC Legislation
• All accessory equipment should have CE
or ‘e’ mark approval
• UK has “Legacy Equipment” concession!!
– this means that used equipment can be
re-fitted
© FCS Installers Committee May 2007
Automotive EMC Legislation
• So what guidelines do vehicle
manufactures give?
• How easy is it to find?
© FCS Installers Committee May 2007
Nissan Motor Co
(information from Nissan website)
• Mobile Radio Equipment Installation Guidelines
• The information in this guideline is intended for
use by those installing two-way radio equipment
(transmitters and receivers) in vehicles. This
guideline is intended for radio equipment
marked with a CE symbol and which has the
transmitting antenna installed on the outside of
the vehicle.
© FCS Installers Committee May 2007
Nissan Motor Co
(information from Nissan website)
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© FCS Installers Committee May 2007
Nissan Motor Co
(information from Nissan website)
© FCS Installers Committee May 2007
Mercedes Benz
(extract from C class user manual)
• If you wish to install two-way radios in the
vehicle, you must obtain formal approval.
Mercedes-Benz approves the installation of twoway radios if such equipment is installed
professionally and a low-reflection exterior aerial
is used.
• The transmission output of the two-way radio
must not exceed the maximum transmission
outputs listed. (next slide)
© FCS Installers Committee May 2007
Mercedes Benz
(extract from C class user manual)
Frequency range Maximum transmission output
• Short wave (< 50 MHz) 100 watts
• 4 m waveband 20 watts - 2 m waveband 50 watts
• 70 cm waveband 35 watts - 25 cm waveband 10 watts
• If electrical or electronic equipment which does
not fulfil these conditions is retrofitted, the
vehicle's general operating permit may be
invalidated (EU Directive 95/54/EC the
Automotive EMC Directive).
© FCS Installers Committee May 2007
Mercedes Benz
(extract from C class user manual)
• To ensure optimum reception quality for mobile
phones and two-way radios in the vehicle, and
to minimise mutual influences between the
vehicle electronics and mobile phones/two-way
radios, Mercedes-Benz recommends the use of
approved exterior aerials. An attached exterior
aerial has the effect that the electromagnetic
fields transmitted by a wireless device are
conducted to the exterior of the vehicle; the field
strength within the vehicle interior is lower than in
a vehicle that does not have an exterior aerial.
© FCS Installers Committee May 2007
Mercedes Benz
(extract from C class user manual)
• Two-way radios may interfere with the vehicle
electronics and thereby jeopardise the
operational safety of the vehicle and your own
safety if:
• they do not have an exterior aerial
• the exterior aerial is not a low-reflection aerial
• the exterior aerial has been fitted incorrectly
© FCS Installers Committee May 2007
Mercedes Benz
(extract from C class user manual)
• Excessive electromagnetic radiation may also cause
damage to your health and the health of others. Using an
exterior aerial takes into account current scientific
discussions relating to the possible health hazards that
may result from electromagnetic fields.
• For this reason, only have the exterior aerial fitted at a
qualified specialist workshop which has the necessary
specialist knowledge and tools to carry out the work
required. Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this purpose. In
particular, work relevant to safety or on safety-related
systems must be carried out at a qualified specialist
workshop.
© FCS Installers Committee May 2007
Summary
• Clear trend that antenna should be an external
type, often a panel mount is specified
• Vehicle manufacturers have a responsibility to
provide this information
• Availability of clear, concise and realistic
information differs between manufacturers.
• Installers need this information to ensure that the
installation is compliant with vehicle EMC
specification.
© FCS Installers Committee May 2007
TESTING
ANTENNA
INSTALLATIONS
© FCS Installers Committee May 2007
Mobile Radio
(66MHz to 472MHz)
• Tuneable Antennas
• More complex installations
• Higher RF power levels
• Analogue – simpler test equipment (Bird 43!)
• Tetra – installers have access to suitable test
equipment (e.g Sitemaster, Bird AT400 etc.)
© FCS Installers Committee May 2007
GSM 3G/UMTS
(870MHz to 2200MHz)
• Broadband antennas
• Usually non-tuneable
• Often supplied with pre-fitted connector
• “Plug and Play” installation
• How many VSWR checks are carried out?
© FCS Installers Committee May 2007
GSM 3G/UMTS
(870MHz to 2200MHz)
• Test Equipment availability
– Through line type
– RF generator type
• Cost
• Suitability & Accuracy
© FCS Installers Committee May 2007
GSM 3G/UMTS
(870MHz to 2200MHz)
FAT 2700 - range 20MHz to 2.7GHz
RF Generator type – suits PMR & GSM/UMTS
© FCS Installers Committee May 2007
GSM 3G/UMTS
(870MHz to 2200MHz)
• Compliance with MPT1362 currently requires the
antenna installation to be “VSWR tested” and
the value recorded on the job sheet.
• Orange does not require their installers to use or
even possess a VSWR meter.
• These installations cannot be deemed to be in
accordance with MPT1362!
© FCS Installers Committee May 2007
GSM 3G/UMTS
(870MHz to 2200MHz)
• Unsatisfactory situation that needs to be
addressed
• Do we need to deal with the method of
antenna installation testing on a two tier mode?
i.e PMR & Cellular
• Maybe a point for discussion later – certainly
needs to be raised to the MPT1362 review
committee.
© FCS Installers Committee May 2007
Thank You!
Acknowledgements
•Nissan Motors website – fleet services section
•Mercedes Benz - C class handbook
•Dave Partridge - Arqiva
© FCS Installers Committee May 2007