MASC

Software Module for superposition of multiple antenna patterns and for the consideration of the mounting of antennas

Description

 

MASC (Multiple Antenna Scenario Configurator) is a very powerful software module designed by AWE Communications. The module is integrated into the Windows based application AMan - but partners (e.g. Vodafone) use this module also as dynamically linked library in their own radio network planning tool (UNIX operating system). The very flexible and open structure of this module makes it possible to integrate it into all radio network planning tools.

With MASC the supoerposition of multiple antennas radiating the same signal (incl. phase shifters and power splitters) is possible as well as the consideration of the local environment (masts, arms, walls, tubes, sub-arms,...). So very realistic antenna patterns can be generated.

The MASC editor.

Features of MASC

 

Antenna Patterns:

  • Description of the far-field of the radiation of the antenna(s)

  • At least (measured or computed) vertical and horizontal patterns are available from antenna manufacturers (in most cases also 3D pattern) describing the radiation of the antenna in ideal environments. These patterns are used as input of MASC.

  • Antenna pattern considered for computations in ProMan are always full 3D patterns. But additionally the 2x2D patterns (horizontal and vertical plane) can also be computed.

Features of MASC (Multiple Antenna Scenario Configurator):

  • Antennas mounted either at a mast or at a wall

  • Arbitrary number of antennas can be considered (superposed)

  • For each single antenna the phase shifter as well as the power splitter can be defined individually

  • Each object of the scenario (mast, arms, wall, sub-arms, tubes,...) can be defined individually (geometry and electrical properties)

  • Radoms of the antennas can be considered (shielding of signals radiated from other antennas)

  • Computation of actual pattern with ray tracing algorithms (incl. reflection and transmissions)

  • Either 2x2D (horizontal and vertical) or 3D pattern is computed

  • Filters can be applied to the computed patterns

 

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Example 1: Antenna mounted at mast

The antenna used for the computations is the Kathrein K739856 model. The antenna pattern can be viewed here. Actual radiation pattern if two K739856 are mounted at the same mast (Material: metal) with 90° different azimuth orientation.

 

 

Variation 1-A: Variation of phase shifters and power splitters

(relative azimuth between antenna and arm = 0°, downtilt = 0°):

0° phase difference
1:1 power splitter
90° phase difference
1:1 power splitter

 

 

Variation 1-B: Variation of azimuth orientations of antennas relative to arms

(0° phase shifter and 1:1 power splitter, downtilt = 0°)

Relative azimuth to arm: 0°
Relative azimuth to arm: 45°

 

 

Variation 1-C: Variation of downtilts

(0° phase shifter and 1:1 power splitter, relative azimuth between antenna and arm = 0°)

Downtilt: 0°
Downtilt: 10°

 

 

Variation 1-D: Variation of downtilts and azimuths simultaneously

(0° phase shifter and 1:1 power splitter, Antenna 1: relative azimuth = 45° and downtilt = 10°, Antenna 2: relative azimuth = 0° and downtilt = 0°)

View 1

 
View 2

 

 

 

Example 2: Antenna mounted at wall

The antenna used for the computations is the Kathrein K739856 model. The antenna pattern can be viewed here. Actual radiation pattern if K739856 is mounted in fornt of a wall.

 

 

 

Variation 2-A: Variation of reflection loss of wall

(downtilt = 10°)

Reflection loss: 2dB

 
Reflection loss: 20 dB