APPLICATION NOTE

STRATEGIC ANTENNA SYSTEMS

Written by Marl Merrill Public Safety Sales Manager

ANTENNA SYSTEMS MRC manufactures several different types of strategic antenna systems. These antenna systems are typically or installed at a fixed location, are almost always receive systems, and in may also (in most cases) be set up as transmit or duplex systems. Except where otherwise noted strategic antenna systems can be built in all common frequency bands between 1.7 GHz and 15 GHz. They can also be built in multi-band configurations, such as 2.5/6.5, 2.5/4.9, or 2.5/4.9/13 GHz. All MRC strategic, directional antenna systems can be configured as non-continuous, or continuous rotation systems, and can be set up to automatically track an aircraft system using either GPS Autotrack, or NAVTRACK protocols.

In some cases our customers select the ProScan III because of its high gain. This is typically the case when the strategic antenna system is to be mounted an exceptionally good site providing minus side for long-range shots. In some cities so where the RF spectrum is extremely congested, the ProScan III is selected for its narrow beam with. The city of Los Angeles is a good example. In Los Angeles it is typical for our broadcast customers to use the ProScan III antenna even though the microwave shots are not necessarily long-range. The narrow beam width of the ProScan 3, however, allows these customers to reuse their microwave channel assignment. The narrow beam with characteristics of the ProScan III antenna system assists in the ability to reuse these frequencies.

ProScan III
As its name implies the ProScan III is the third generation of this extremely popular product. This series of antennas features a low-profile offset feed design, with a standard integral radome. The ProScan III is the largest of the MRC strategic antenna systems and is typically selected for one of two reasons; its high gain, or its narrow beamwidth.

Ellipse
The Ellipse antenna system has slightly reduced gain, and slightly increased beamwidth, compared to the ProScan III antenna system. It has the added feature, however, of elevation control, which may be important in some applications. As with the ProScan III the Ellipse features an integral radome.

ProScan III Antenna

Ellipse DR II

STRATEGIC ANTENNA SYSTEMS

UltraScan
The UltraScan antenna system is the smallest and lightest by the MRCs strategic antenna systems, and has somewhat lower gain and higher beamwidth than either the ProScan III or the Ellipse. As with the previous two antennas, the UltraScan is supplied with an integral radome.

SectorScan II
Unlike the previous three antenna systems described the SectorScan II is not a mechanically steered antenna. It is, rather, a system of switchable antennas each having a 90 degree beamwidth. SectorScan antenna systems can be built with all antenna elements grouped together on a common mount, or separated by up to several hundred feet for rooftop applications where it is desirable to have one element on each corner or side of the building. The SectorScan system is available in two models; a 13 dBi version and a 16 dBi version.

UltraScan Antenna
(Height x Diameter or Height x Width x Depth)Dimensions rounded up to the nearest inch

SectorScan II Antenna

Helicopter Tracking Capable

Available In Multi-Band Congurations

Beamwidth (Elevation)

List Price Comparison

Beamwidth (Azimuth)

Mechanically Steered

Exterior Dimensions

ProScan III Ellipse UltraScan SectorScan II SectorScan II QuadSector OmniPole

26 dBi 23 dBi 20 dBi 13 dBi 16 dBi 16 dBi 13 dBi

7.6 9 14 90 90 90 360

7.2 16 22 16 8 8 6

65 x 56 50 x 66 28 x 35 26 x 9 x 8 42 x 9 x 8 40 x 8 58 x 4

Y Y Y N N N N

Elevation Control

Antenna System

N Y N N N N N

Y Y Y Y Y Y N/A

Y Y Y Y N N N

32.5 28.6 20.5 21.0 17.0 12.0 8.2

Antenna Comparisons

In thousands of dollars

Gain

STRATEGIC ANTENNA SYSTEMS

QuadSector
QuadSector antennas are similar to SectorScan antennas, except that QuadSector antenna elements are mounted in a single assembly. Currently, QuadSector systems are only available in singleband configurations.

OmniPole
The OmniPole system is the smallest and simplest MRC strategic antenna system. As its name implies, the OmniPole is a single-element in antenna system with a 360-degree beamwidth. The OmniPole antenna is only available as a single band system.

OmniPole Antenna

RECEIVE SYSTEMS The most typical use of the strategic antenna system is for the reception of microwave traffic from either ground-based or airborne assets. For these applications the receiver of choice is MRC's CodeRunner 4 (CR4) Receiver. The CR4 is a frequency agile, remote controllable, 2 GHz receiver. For multi-band applications MRC uses blockdownconverters in the antenna system to convert the operating frequency band to the 2 GHz band for demodulation by the receiver. The CR4 receive systems can be set up as an analog (FM), digital (COFDM), or analog/digital (FM/COFDM) system. In the analog only system an FM demodulator and multiple subcarrier demodulators are added internally to process the signals. In a digital only system an external IRD is used to demodulate and decode the digital signal. In an analog/digital system both of the above techniques are used in the receiver is equipped with a media switch to select the proper output according to the modulation use. Most commonly, the output of the CR4 receive systems is a standard video/audio signal. The output from the digital mode of the system may however be set up as an ASI signal, if preferred.

Quad Sector Antenna

CodeRunner 4 Receiver

STRATEGIC ANTENNA SYSTEMS

REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEMS All MRC strategic antenna systems can be remotely control. There are several different types of remote control systems available, depending upon system complexity. Communications between the master and remote controllers can be set up as 2-wire, 4wire, dial-up, RS-232, RS-422, or IP. These systems are too complicated to provide a simplified price comparison as part of this application note. If this application note is being used as a guide to prepare a budget, $20,000 - $35,000 should be added for a control system and cables. Please note, however, that MRC will be pleased to provide a proper budgetary quotation which will be much more accurate, and will take into account cable types and lengths, control system type(s), and mounting considerations.

AccuScan Local Controller

AccuScan Master Control Software

CommandScan Master Control Software

Microwave Radio Communications 101 Billerica Avenue, Building #6 North Billerica, MA USA 01862-1256 Tel: +1.978.671.5700
MRC products are manufactured under a quality system certified to ISO 9001:9002. MRC reserves the right to make changes to specifications of products described in this data sheet at any time without notice and without obligation to notify any person of such changes. June 2005 Microwave Radio Communications

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