Antenna Systems & Technology - Winter 2011 - (Page 24)

FEATURE ARTICLE Wireless Network Planning from the Desktop Using High Resolution 3D NEXTMap Digital Surface Elevation Data By M. Lorraine Tighe, Director Geospatial Solutions • Intermap Technologies Elevation profiles using Intermap’s Network Planner base software on the NEXTMap clutter height data (right). The three dimensional data allows for quick visualization of the features above the ground that might obstruct or interfere with the radio waves. The essence of the telecommunications industry is based on the sending and receiving of wireless signals. The common link between antenna technology and radio propagation is they are both closely associated with the electromagnetic wave. Antennas are used to initiate signals into the ether and then propagate the signal over the signal path to the receiver where another antenna captures the radio wave that will be transferred to the receiver. Today, such network industries as the wireless telecommunications industry are constantly working to provide better service coverage while trimming infrastructure costs. The year 1991 saw 2G users moving from analog to digital signals where users traditionally used mobile devices for making calls. 3G promoted multimedia support when it introduced the simultaneous use of speech and data services and higher data rates in 2001 in Europe and in 2003 in the US. Today, for the first time ever, consumers are using their phones more for data and multi-media services than to make telephone calls. Based upon past experience, it seems that most network standards have a lifespan of about 10 years. However, with the increase in mobile platforms and users coupled with the increased consumption of multi-media, the lifespan may grow shorter. Operators have responded in a variety of ways, including adding additional capacity through costly spectrum acquisitions, when it is available, or by imposing usage caps. In many cases, wireless consumers are increasingly being charged for each data byte they use as providers struggle with the strain of video and music streaming applications that are clogging their networks. To alleviate congestion on the telecommunication networks, providers including T-Mobile International, Verizon Wireless, Ericsson, EPlus, Vodaphone, and most recently, AT&T have begun limiting speeds of customers who clog the airwaves the most. But this is only a temporary fix, not to mention one that elicits fierce criticism from consumers. To keep up with consumer data demand, wireless providers need to begin to upgrade their network infrastructure and move to 4G. The 4G standards provide very high throughput and utilize IP packet technology with target transfer rates of 100 Mbits/second. 4G will also allow users to utilize networks that are not 4G capable at this point. Because 4G will be using IP packet technology and not circuit switched technology data transmission will be faster, because IP packet technology allows the use of VOIP or voice over IP that has become popular with consumers via companies such as Vonage. With 4G being touted as the next big thing in wireless technology, providers need to make these upgrades quickly. To do so, many wireless providers are turning to 3D mapping and modeling software which uses 3D data. Moreover, rather the scouting out the best-possible tower locations and antenna heights from the ground, network providers are using remote sensing data to evaluate the terrain and potential obstructions on 24 ANTENNA SYSTEMS & TECHNOLOGY WINTER 2011 WWW.ANTENNASONLINE.COM http://WWW.ANTENNASONLINE.COM

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Antenna Systems & Technology - Winter 2011

Antenna Systems & Technology - Winter 2011
Editor’s Choice
Reducing Measurement Times and Improving Economic Competitiveness for Antenna and RCS Applications
Troubleshooting in Mediumwave Multiplexing Antennas
Design Considerations in the Selection of High Frequency Materials for PCB Base Station Antennas
Antennas
Distributed Antenna Systems
Wireless Communication
Industry News
Wireless Network Planning from the Desktop Using High Resolution 3D NEXTMap Digital Surface Elevation Data

Antenna Systems & Technology - Winter 2011