R.

F Fundamental

Radio frequency spectrum

Radio waves are a form of electromagnetic radiation, as are infrared, visible light,
ultraviolet light and gamma rays. The major difference is in the frequency of the waves.
The portion of the frequency spectrum that is useful for radio communication at present
extends from roughly from 100 kHz to about 50 GHz. Table shows the conventional
designations of the various frequency ranges and their associative wavelength ranges
lower frequency system need unconventionally large antenna and involve method of
signal propagation that a undesirable for the system high frequency are still difficult to
generate and amplify at reasonable cost.

Frequency Frequency range Wavelength Range Wavelength

Designation Designation
Extremely high 30-300 GHz 1mm-1cm Millimeter waves
frequency (EHF)
Super high 3-30 GHz 1-10 cm Microwaves
frequency
Ultra high 300Mhz-3 GHz 10 cm-1m
frequency
Very high frequency 3-30 Mhz 1-10 m
(VHF)
High frequency 3-30MHz 10-100 m Short waves
(HF)
Medium frequency 300 kHz-3 MHz 100m-1 Km Medium waves
(MF)

The relation between wavelength and

frequency
Light moves with a speed
c = 3 x 108 m/s.
We denote wavelength by

Frequency is how many complete waves go by per second. We denote frequency by

Frequency is measured in Hertz = Hz = 1/seconds.
If a wave with a wavelength of 2 meters is going by at a speed of 6 meters/second, then 3
complete waves go by in 1 second. That is, the frequency is 6/2 = 3 waves/second, or 3
Hz. Thus

For example, radio station KUGN broadcasts at a frequency of 590 KHz. What is the
wavelength of the radio waves?
Wavelength
= c/frequency
= (3 x 108 m/s)/(590 x 103 Hz)
= (3 x 108)/(0.590 x 106) m
~ 5 x 102 m
= 500 m.

Problem: Find the wavelength of a signal at each of the following frequencies:

a) 850 MHz (Cell phone range)
b) 1.9 GHz (Personal communication systems range)
c) 28 GHz (used for Local Multipoint Distribution Systems (LMDS) for local delivery
of television signals by microwave)

Solution:

For all of these the method is the same. The problem is repeated to give the reader a
feeling for some of the frequencies and wavelengths used in wireless communication.
Simply rewrite equation in the form:

Wavelength = C/F

a) Wavelength=300*106 /850*106 = 0.353 m = 353 mm

b) Wavelength = 300*106 / 1.9*109 =0.158 m = 158 mm

c) Wavelength = 300*106 / 28*109 = 0.0107 m =10.7 mm

Bandwidth requirements

The carrier wave is a sine wave for almost any communication system. A sine wave
exists at only one frequency and therefore occupies zero bandwidth. As soon as the signal
is modulated to transmit information, however, the bandwidth increases.
Bandwidth in radio systems is always a scarce resource. Not all frequencies are useful for
a given communication system, and there is often competition among users for the same
part of the spectrum. In addition, as we have seen, the degrading effect of noise on
signals increase with bandwidth. Therefore, in most communication systems it is
important to conserve bandwidth to the extent possible.

Noise:
1. An undesired disturbance within the frequency band of interest; the summation of
unwanted or disturbing energy introduced into a communications system from man-
made and natural.
2. A disturbance that affects a signal and that may distort the information carried by the
signal.
3. Random variations of one or more characteristics of any entity such as voltage,
current, or data.
4. A random signal of known statistical properties of amplitude, distribution, and
spectral density.
5. Loosely, any disturbance tending to interfere with the normal operation of a device or
system.

Signal:
1. Detectable transmitted energy that can be used to carry information.
2. A time-dependent variation of a characteristic of a physical phenomenon, used to
convey information.
3. As applied to electronics, any transmitted electrical impulse.
4. Operationally, a type of message, the text of which consists of one or more letters,
words, characters, signal flags, visual displays, or special sounds, with prearranged
meaning and which is conveyed or transmitted by visual, acoustical, or electrical
means.

There is a general rule known as Hartley’s Law, which relates bandwidth, time and
information content. Hartley’s Law applies to the operation of all communication
systems. Here, it is

I= ktB

Where
I = amount of information to be transmitted in bits
K= a constant that depends on the modulation scheme and the signal-to-noise ratio
T=time in seconds
B=bandwidth in hertz

Hertz Law tells that the rate at which information is transmitted is proportional to the
bandwidth occupied by a communication system. To transmit more information in a
given time requires more bandwidth (or a more efficient modulation scheme).
Hartley’s law also show that it is possible to reduce the bandwidth required to transmit a
given amount of information by using more time for the process. This is an important
possibility where data must be sent, but of course it is not practical when real-time
communication is required-in a telephone call, for instance. The reader may have
experienced this trade-off of time for bandwidth in downloading an audio or video file
from the internet. If the bandwidth of the connection is low, such a file may take much
longer to download than it does to play.

Problem:
Telephone voice transmission requires transmission of frequencies up to about 3.4 kHz.
Broadcast video using the ordinary north American standard, on the other hand, requires
transmission of frequencies up to 4.2 MHz. If a certain modulation scheme needs 10 KHz
for the audio transmission, how much bandwidth will be needed to transmit video using
the same method?

Solution:
Hartley’s law states that bandwidth is proportional to information rate, which in this case
is given by the bandwidth. Assuming that audio needs a bandwidth from dc to 3.h kHz,
while video needs dc to 4.2 MHz, the bandwidth for video will be
Btv =Bta *Bv/Ba

Where
Btv = transmission bandwidth for video
Bta = transmission bandwidth for audio
Bv = base band bandwidth for video
Ba = base band bandwidth for audio

Btv =Bta *Bv/Ba

= 10 kHz *4.2 MHz /3.4 kHz

= 12.3 MHz

2nd Period start

Radio wave Propagation

High frequency radio waves are typically generated by oscillating charges on a

transmitting antenna. In the case of a radio station, the antenna is often simply a long
wire, a dipole, fed by an alternating voltage/current source, i.e. charges are placed on the
antenna by then alternating voltage source. We can think of the electric field as being
disturbances sent out by the dipole source and the frequency of the oscillating electric
field is the same as the frequency of the source.
Each antenna has a unique radiation pattern. This pattern can be represented graphically
by plotting the received, time-averaged power, as a function of angle with respect to the
direction of maximum power, in a log-polar diagram. The antenna is representative of the
antenna’s performance in a test environment. It only applies to the free space
environment in which the test measurement takes place. Upon installation, the pattern
become more complex due to factors affecting propagation in the reality. Thus the real
effectiveness of any antenna is measured in the field.

An isotropic antenna is a completely non-directional antenna that radiates equally in all

direction. Since, all practical antennas exhibit some degree of directivity, the isotropic
antenna exist only as a mathematical concept. The isotropic antenna can be used as a
reference to specify the gain of a practical antenna. The gain of an antenna referenced
isotropically is the ratio b/w the power required in the practical antenna and the power
required in an isotropic antenna to achieve the same field strength in the desired direction
of the measured practical antenna. Directive gain in relation to an isotropic antenna is
expressed in units of dBi.

A half wave dipole antenna may also be used as a gain reference for practical antenna’s.
The half wave dipole is a straight conductor cut to one-half of the wavelength with the
radio frequency signal fed to the middle of the conductor. Directive gain in relation to a
dipole is expressed in units of dBd.
For a dipole and an isotropic antenna with the same input power. The energy is more
concentrated in certain direction by the dipole. The difference in directive gain b/w the
dipole and the isotropic antenna is 2.15 dB.

Line of sight Propagation

The practical communication distance for line of sight propagation is limited by the
curvature of the earth. The maximum distance is actually greater than the eye can see
because refraction in the atmosphere tends to bends radio waves slightly towards the
earth. The dielectric constant of air usually decrease with increasing height, because of
the reduction in pressure, temperature and humidity with increasing distance from the
earth. The effect varies with weather conditions, but it usually results in radio
communication being possible over a distance approximately one-third greater than the
visual line of sight.
Just as ome can see farther from a high place, the height above average terrain of both the
transmitting and receiving antennas is very important in calculating the maximum
distance for radio communication. Figure shows the effect of increased antenna height on
maximum range. Antenna heights are greatly exaggerated in the figure,

Reference3 Page 231 Fig 7.5 Line of sight propagation

An approximate value for the maximum distance between transmitter and receiver, over
reasonably level terrain, is given by the following equation:

D = (17 ht) ½ + (17 hr) ½

Where
D = maximum distance in kilometers
Ht =Height of the transmitting antenna in meters
Hr = Height of the receiving antenna in meters
The maximum range calculated from equation will only be achieved if the received signal
strength, as calculated in the previous section, is sufficient. Maximum range is achieved
by using a combination of reasonably large transmitter power and high-gain antennas
located as high as possible.

Multipath Propagation

Although line-of-sight propagation uses a direct path from transmitter to receiver,

the receiver can also pick up reflected signals. Probably the simplest case is
reflection from the ground, as shown in fig

Reference3 Page 233 Fig 7.6 Ground reflection

If the ground is rough, the reflected signal is scattered and its intensity is low in any given
direction, if the reflecting surface is relatively smooth- a body of water, for instance- the
reflected signal at the receiver can have strength comparable to that of the incident wave,
and the two signals will interfere. Whether the interference is constructive or destructive
depends on the phase signal strength is increased, but if they are 180 out of phase, there is
partial cancellation. When the surface is highly reflective, then reduction in signal
strength can be 20 dB or more. This effect is called fading. The exact phase relationship
depends on the difference, expressed in wavelengths, b/w the lengths of the transmission
paths for the direct and reflected signals. In addition, there is usually a phase shift of 180
at the point of reflection.

If the
(From page no 233 to237 Refer 3)
Gitesh is typing this paragraph.

Fading From net

Path loss From net

Relation b/w watts and dbm

Decibel (dB) is a mathematical expression showing the relationship

between two values.

The RF power level at either transmitter output or receiver input is

expressed in Watts, but it can also be expressed in dBm. The relation
between dBm and Watts can be expressed as follows:

P dBm = 10 x Log P mW
For example: 1 Watt = 1000 mW; P dBm = 10 x Log 1000 = 30 dBm
100 mW; P dBm = 10 x Log 100 = 20 dBm

dBm Watt
0 0.001
10 0.01
20 0.1
30 1
40 10

Period 3

Antenna for mobile application

(1.0) Introduction

An antenna is a structure capable of receiving and transmitting Electro magnetic waves. It

is generally a metallic object used to convert high frequency current in to Electro
magnetic waves. Functioning of an antenna can be set to be analogues to open circuited
transmission line and when electrical energy travels through open circuited transmission
line, electrical and magnetic fields will set up. A part of this energy will be redialed,
depending upon the impedance matching of free space and the line.

There are three fundamental forms used to describe how an antenna launches energy in to
the surrounding atmosphere.

a) the point source or isotropic antenna : Hypothetical antenna, which will rediate in all
possible direction
b) Elementary doublet: one tenth of wavelength long.
c) The half wave dipole: half wave dipole antenna concept is most useful in antenna
theory. The antenna and is folded act quarter wavelength to increase the radiation
resistance of the antenna, which results in to better impedance matching with the free
space. The total length of a dipole will be half of a wavrelegth. The changing voltage
and current in the antenna system will be setup and electrical and magnetic field
around the dipole antenna. The energy living the dipole antenna will create a radiation
pattern, which is considered the basic in antenna theory.
Basically there are only two types of antennas: The dipole antenna
(Hertzian) and the vertical antenna (Marconi). All antennas can be
broken down to one of these types (although some say that there is
only one - the dipole). In addition to this we have a theoretical perfect
antenna (non-existent) that radiates equally in all directions with
100% efficiency. This antenna is called an isotropic radiator.

In real life the radiation pattern of an antenna could look like this.

(2.0) Radiation Pattern :

The relative distribution of radiated power as a function of direction space is the radiation
pattern of an antenna.

(3.0) Antenna Gain and directivity:

To be meaningful, gain has to relate to some reference. The reference could be an

isotropic antenna. An isotropic antenna is a theoretical reference, though of as a point in
mid air, radiating an all direction. you can say that gain is the amount of
power you can reach in one direction at the expense of the power lost
in the others. Since it radiates in all direction it has unity gain. Gain related to an
isotropic antenna is expressed in dBi.

Also a well-defined dipoled design can be used as a reference. Gain related to dipole is
expressed in dBd. The dipole reference is 2.14 dB gain compared to an isotropic
reference.
Thus:

(Gain in dBi) = (Gain in dBd) + 2.14dB

As an antenna is passive element the only way to obtain a gain in one direction to reduce
power in other direction. This could be more accurately said as concentration of the
signal i.e. hired the concentration, higher the gain will be.

Directivity: Refer 3 page 268 and problem also

(4.0) Beam Width:

Antenna gain is defined by the horizontal and vertical beamwidth along the efficiency of
the antenna and in general lesser the beam width higher the gain will be.

The beamwidth is defined the appending angle b/w the two pints on each side of the main
lob direction where the radiated power is 3 dB lower than in the main direction. Both the
horizontal and vertical beam width are of prime importance in selecting an antenna
system.

By using the 650 or 900 antenna excessive overlap is avoided as excessive overlap can
cause higher bit error rate and can degrade quality because of lot of hand over b/w
adjacent sectors. Please note that a better gain will also be achieved for a reduced beam
width.

Beside horizontal beamwidth, vertical beamwidth is of great importance to RF Engineers

as in combination will knowledge of both, overall gain of an antenna can be defined if
antenna efficiency is known.

(5.0) Null-Fill:

Null-Fill can be imp. For improving coverage close to site as Null-Fill is intended to
direct sum additional energy towards the ground by reducing signal nulls below the
horizon. These nulls result from stacking a number of vertical elements to achieve gain.
Null-Fill, fills the nulls in the pattern to cover the areas below the antenna that otherwise
might be sacrificed as energy is focussed towards the horizon for max. Distance
coverage. Properly adjusting the face amplitude of each elements current feeding is one
way to reduce these nulls, thus creating Null-Fill. Note that as energy is refocused to
nulls there is loss in the main beam antenna gain. Also it is to be noted that it is extremely
difficult to maintain same Null-Fill across the entire band of frequency.

Typical Null-Fill value to look for would be in the –14 dB to –18dB range below the
main beam max. Gain

Null-Fill= Null level/main lobe level.

(6.0) Intermodulation:

Intermodulation interference is the interference caused by the harmonics of the

transmitted frequency. The based station antenna produces these intermodulation because
of large no of soldering joints or galvanic corrosion in them. The problem even worse on
duplex system (transmit and receive from the same antenna) because the isolation
provided by separate transmits and receive antenna is sacrificed.

If the system is not duplexed, the spacing b/w separate transmit and receive antennas
typically providers an extra 30 dB to 50dB of isolation for the receiver. If
Intermodulation that forms on the transmit antenna were at the power level of –80 dBm
to –90dBm, the antenna isolation would reduce the received Intermodulation to an
insignificant level in case of nonduplexed antenna system.

(7.0) Front to Back Ratio :

The Front to Back Ratio is an important aspect of horizontal beamwidth. The F/B
typically varies 20dB and 45dB, which is very useful for rejecting c0-channel and
adjacent channel interference as signal coming from the back of antenna may cause
multipath interference which will increase bit error rate.

Front to Back Ratio = Back lobe level / Front lobe level.

Polarization
Radio waves are built by two fields, one electric and one magnetic. These two field are
perpendicular to each other. The sum of the fields is the electromagnetic field. Energy
flows back and forth from one field to the other - This is what is known as "oscillation".

The position and direction of the electric field with reference to the earth’s surface (the
ground) determines wave polarization. In general, the electric field is the same plane as
the antenna's radiator.
Horizontal polarization —— the electric field is parallel to the ground.
Vertical polarization -- the electric field is perpendicular to the ground.

There is one special polarization known as Circular polarization. As the wave travels it
spins, covering every possible angle. It can either be right-handed or left-handed circular
polarization depending on which way its spinning.
Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR)

VSWR is a measure of impedance mismatch between the transmission line and its load.
The higher the VSWR, the greater the mismatch. The minimum VSWR, i.e., that which
corresponds to a perfect impedance match, is unity.

To understand the definition above we must understand what impedance is. Impedance in
antenna terms refers to the ratio of the voltage to current (both are present on an antenna)
at any particular point of the antenna. This ratio of voltage to current varies on different
parts of the antenna, which means that the impedance is different on different spots on the
antenna if you could pick any spot and measure it.

As stated before, the impedance for the entire chain from the radio to the antenna must be
the same, and almost all radio equipment is built for an impedance of 50 ohm

If any part of this chain fails to show a 50 ohm impedance due to e.g. bad connections,
incorrect antenna length, etc., the maximum power will not be radiated from the antenna.
Instead part (or all) of the wave is reflected back down the line. The amount of the wave
reflected back depends on how bad the mismatch is.

The combination of the original wave traveling down the coaxial cable (towards the
antenna or opposite during receive) and the reflecting wave is called a standing wave.
The ratio of the two above described waves is known as the Standing Wave Ratio.

The result is presented as a figure describing the power absorption of the antenna. A
value of 2.0:1 VSWR, which is equal to 90 % power absorption, is considered very good
for a small antenna: 3.0:1 is considered acceptable (-6dB) which is equal to 75 % power
absorption.

VSWR can also be taken as measure of return loss of the antenna.

VSWR = Reflected power / Transmitted power

Return loss : 20 log (VSWR+1) /(VSWR –1)

In base station antenna it is desirable to have low value of VSWR, normally upto 1.3, as
low VSWR means high quality.

Smith Chart
One common way of visualizing the VSWR is a polar plot called Smith chart. From this
plot the VSWR value, the return loss and the impedance for the different frequencies can
be derived. Therefore it is an important instrument for understanding antennas.
Return Loss

This is basically the same thing as VSWR.

If the antenna absorbs 50 % of the signal and 50 % is reflected back, we say that the
Return Loss is -3dB. A very good antenna might have a value of -10dB (90 % absorbed
& 10 % reflected).

When studying a graph showing Return Loss/VSWR, a deep and wide dip of the curve is
good since this shows an antenna with good bandwidth (spread band). Consequently, the
narrower the dip is, the bigger risk that also desired channels will be reflected away
(narrow band).
Conversion of Return Loss (dB) to VSWR:

Antenna Tilt

When the antenna is mounted vertically, the main lobe of the antenna radiation pattern
will be following a horizontal line, starting at the center point of the antenna.

For reasons, such as co-channel interference and time dispersion problems, It can be
interesting to tilt the antenna and let the main lobe point a few degrees downwards.

Down tilting should be done with great care, as the cell pattern is disturbed and
unpredictable reflexes might be generated. Also, coverage at the cell border will be
reduced.

Antenna Characteristics

No that two simple antennas have been described, it is already apparent that antennas
differ in the amount of radiation they emit in various directions. This is a good time to
introduce some terms to describe and quantify the directional characteristics of antennas
to demonstrate methods of graphing some of them. These terms will be applied to the
isotropic and half wave dipole antennas. Here and will also be applied to other antenna
types as each in introduce.
Radiation Pattern
The diagram use in this book follow the three-dimensional coordinate system shown in
figure (8.3). as shown in figure, the X-Y plane is horizontal, and the angle φ is
measured from the X-axis in the direction of Y-axis. The Z-axis is vertical and the
angle θ is usually measured from the horizontal plane towards the zenith. This
vertical angle measured upward from the ground, is called the angle of elevation.
Most work wit the antenna uses positive angles of elevation, but some times (as
when the transmitting antenna is on a tall tower and the receiving antennas close to
it and much lower) we are interested in angles below horizon . Different
manufacturers handle below horizon angles differently as shown in fig. 8.4 and
described in the following paragraphs.

Reference 3 Figure8.3 Three dimensional co-ordinate system FIGURE 8.3

Figurw 8.4 shows two ways in which the radiation pattern of a dipole can be represented.
The three dimensional picture in fig. 8.4 (a) is useful in showing the general idea the feel
for the charactesticsof the antenna. The two views in fig.8.4 (b) and (c), on the other
hand, are less intuitive but can used to provide quantitative information about the
performance of the antenna.

Figure 8.4 Radiation pattern of half - wave dipole

It is latter type antenna pattern that is usually found in manufacturers, literature, and it is
the type of depiction that will be used in this book.

Notice that polar graph paper is used in figure 8.4b & c. the angle is measured in one
plane from a reference axis. Because the 3 D space around the antenna is being
represented in to 2 – D, atleast two views are required to give the complete picture. It is
imp. To choose the axes carefully to take advantage of whatever simitary exists. Usually
the horizontally and vertical plane are used; most of the antenna is mounted either
vertically or horizontally, so the axis of antenna itself can be used as one of the reference
axes.
The two graphs in figure 8.4(b & c) can be thought of as slices of the three
dimensional pattern of figure 8.4(a). By convention, the horizontal plane diagram is
oriented so that the direction of max. Radiation (or one of these direction, if antenna is
bidirectional like a dipole) is toward the top of the page, and the vertical plane drawing,
not surprisingly, has the zenith at the top. All manufacturers draw the horizontal scales in
the same way, with a o degree top but practices differ from the vertical angle scale. The
three numbering method shown on fig. 8.4b or all in use by various manufacturers. No
confusion should result if you simply remember that the top of the diagram represents the
zenith (“up” in the drawing represent “up” in the real life). Sometimes the radiation plot
for the angles below the horizontal is omitted.

In fig. 8.4a the dipole itself is drawn to help visualize the antenna orientation.
This is not done in the polar plots, however. These radiation pattern are valid only in the
far field region, an observer must far enough away from the antenna that any local
capacitive or inductive coupling is negligible. In practice this means in distance of atleast
several wavelength, and generally an actual receiver is at a much greater distance then
that. From the distance antenna would be more accurately represented as a dot in the
center of the graph. The space close to the antenna is called the near field region and does
not have the same directional characteristics.

The distance from the center of the graph represents the strength of the radiation in a
given direction. The scale is usually

Refer 3 Page 266 and problem also

Cellular and PCS antenna and fig also

Page 303

Specification page 308

Summary page 311

Period 4
Interference

a) Co- channel interference

 b) Adjacent channel interference
Co-channel interference is the term used for the interference in a cell by carriers with
the same frequency present in other cells. Since the same carrier frequency is used for
the (wanted) carrier, as for the interferer, I, quality can arise if the signal from the
interferer is too strong. The GSM specification states that the signal strength ratio, C/I
must be larger than 9 dB.

C/I >12 dB (without frequency hopping)

C/I >9 dB (with frequency hopping)

Adjacent carrier frequencies i.e. frequencies shifted + 200kHz with respect to the
carrier cannot be allowed to have too strong signal strengths either. Even though they
are at different frequencies, part of the signal can interferer with the wanted carriers
signal and cause quality problems.

Adjacent frequencies must be avoided in the same cell, but preferably also in
neighboring cells.

Inter Symbol Interference (ISI)

It is caused by excessive time dispersion. It may be present in all cell re-use patterns.
ISI can be thought of as co-channel interference. However in this case the interferer,
R is a time delayed reflection of the wanted carrier. According to GSM specification,
the signal strength ratio C/R must be larger than 9 dB (compare with the C/I
criterion). However, if the time delay is smaller than 15 microsecond, i.e.4 bits or
approximately 4.4 KM, the equalizer can solve the problem. (Pg-33, Radio wave
propagation).

Frequency Reuse

Frequency can be reused throughout a service area because radio signals typically
attenuate with distance to the base station( or mobile station ). When the distance
between cells using the same frequencies becomes too small, co-channel interference
might occur and lead to service interruption or unacceptable quality of service.

As long as the ratio Frequency reuse distance/Cell radius =D/R

Is greater than some specified value, the ratio

Received radio carrier power/ Received interferer radio carrier power =C/I

Will be greater than some given amount for small as well as large cell sizes when all
signals are transmitted at the same power level. The average attenuation of radio signals
with distance in most cellular systems is a reduction to about 1/16 of the received power
for every doubling of distance (1/10000 per decade).

The frequency reuse distance is also known as separation distance. C/I is also known as
the signal to noise ratio.

This is a cost efficient way to achieve high traffic capacity in a cellular system. The
frequency reuse pattern and the way the radio network is designed are key factors for
good performance .The RND is based on 4/12 frequency reuse pattern on the BCCH with
the following structure

1.Three cells per site, the direction of the antennas are separated by 120 Degrees and the
cells are arranged in cover leaf fashion.

2.Each cell uses 65 Degrees X-pol antennas for both transmitting and receiving.

3.The radio frequency is divided into 4 main groups A, B, C, D. Each main group is
divided into 3 subgroups A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3 etc totally this gives 12 different
frequency groups.

A 4/12-reuse pattern gives a higher margin for interference than a 3/9 reuse pattern which
only has 9 freq. In a group.

GSM Technical Characteristics

The main technical characteristics of the GSM system are:

GSM-900 band
GSM-1800 band
GSM-1900 band

This table list the physical parameter of the GSM-900, GSM-1800 and GSM-1900
system.

P-GSM 900 E-GM 900 R-GSM 900 GSM 1800 GSM 1900

Uplink Freq. 890-915 880-915 886-915 1710-1785 1850-1910

Range MHz MHz MHz MHz MHz

Downlink 935-960 925-960 931-960 1805-1885 1930-1990

Freq. range MHz MHz MHz MHz MHz

Channel 200 KHz 200 KHz 200 KHz 200 KHz 200 KHz
Spacing
Freq. channel 124 174 144 374 299

Duplex 45 MHz 45 MHz 45 MHz 95 MHz 80 MHz

Spacing

Channel Separation
The distance b/w adjacent frequencies on the uplink or the downlink is called channel
separation. The channel separation is 200 KHz. The separation is needed to reduce
interference from one carrier to another neighboring frequencies.

Duplex distance
The distance b/w the uplink and downlink frequencies are known as duplex distance. The
distance is different for different frequencies bands.