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Satellite Solutions Group

RFI Site Survey Report

Customer:
Site Location:

CITIGROUP
ALL

Surveyor Name:
Proposed Satellite:

INTELSAT IS-1002 @ 359 Degrees

C or Ku Band:

C-Band

Antenna Size:

2.4 and 3.8m

Down-Link Carrier
Frequency

3740.775 MHz

Survey Date:
Verizon Business
Satellite Solutions Group
th
1901 10 Street, Suite 100
Plano, Texas 75025
USA
972-578-7188
Version 10/08/2008

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Table of Contents
1

INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW ..............................................................................................................3

1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6

SCOPE .............................................................................................................................................................3
PURPOSE .........................................................................................................................................................3
SURVEY SCHEDULING ....................................................................................................................................3
VERIZON BUSINESS CONTACT INFORMATION .................................................................................................3
SURVEY DOCUMENT FORMAT ........................................................................................................................3
REQUIRED ITEMS FOR THIS RFI SURVEY ........................................................................................................4

CHECK LIST OF ITEMS TO BE COMPLETED...........................................................................................6

2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5

CHECK LIST 1 - FOR BOTH NEW AND EXISTING SITES .....................................................................................6

CHECK LIST 2 - ADDITIONAL CHECK LIST FOR EXISTING OPERATIONAL SITES ..............................................7
CHECK LIST 3 DRAWINGS (ALL SITES) ........................................................................................................8
CHECK LIST 4 - IF RF INTERFERENCE IS DETECTED .......................................................................................8
OVERALL ASSESSMENT ..................................................................................................................................8

GENERAL RFI PROCEDURE .........................................................................................................................9

RFI AT FREQUENCY OF PROPOSED CARRIER .....................................................................................10

RFI WIMAX INTERFERENCE......................................................................................................................11

SUGGESTED RFI TEST EQUIPMENT LIST ..............................................................................................13

MONITORING RECEIVE SCPC ERRORS WITH AN IDIRECT MODEM............................................14

SITE DRAWINGS.............................................................................................................................................16
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
8.6
8.7

ANTENNA DRAWING ....................................................................................................................................16

HORIZON PROFILE DRAWING .......................................................................................................................16
ATTACHMENT A - ANTENNA SITE LAYOUT ..................................................................................................17
ATTACHMENT B ANTENNA OBSTRUCTIONS ..............................................................................................18
ATTACHMENT C - LIST OF OBSTRUCTIONS ...................................................................................................19
ATTACHMENT D ON-SITE PICTURES..........................................................................................................20
ATTACHMENT E ON-SITE SPECTRUM ANALYZER PLOTS ...........................................................................20

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1 Introduction and Overview

1.1

Scope
This RFI survey report is designed to cover the technical aspects of detecting any RFI interference.
A complete and accurate RFI survey is important for correct operation of the site. This report should
cover most sites, however any other issues not covered in this report should also be noted on
additional pages.
The completed RFI Survey should be discussed with the customer and any on-site personnel that will
be involved with help on performing this. Any problems should be discussed and resolved before
leaving the site. Make sure the customer understands our expectations, requirements, and plans for
the installation.

1.2

Purpose
Summary of the major items that are important to this survey, please confirm the following:

1.3

Interference detected in the general frequency spectrum. (provide 16 Plots)

Interference is detected at the proposed carrier frequency. (provide 8 Plots)

Confirm if there is WiMax interference (provide 8 Plots)

Confirming which direction the interference is coming from

Confirming if the antenna can be moved to a new location to reduce interference.

Confirming any alternate solutions to reducing interference

Fully complete the Check Lists that are in section 2

Survey Scheduling
All initial coordination, communication and scheduling with the site should be done with the Verizon
Business Project manager and not directly with the site. All clearances should be obtained first before
planning any site visit.
This Site Survey Report is confidential and all copies should be submitted back to the Verizon
Business project manager or to the address on the front of this document.

1.4

Verizon Business Contact Information

If additional information is required to perform this site survey, please contact your program manager
or the various Verizon Business personnel below:
SSG Plano Texas: Main Phone: 1 972-578-7100
1.5

Survey Document Format

The document is supplied in Word format; it should be edited with the relevant data and pictures
inserted in Attachment E. If this is not possible please provide separately pictures in .jpg format.
Sketches can also be drawn in Visio (if available), converted to a .jpg format and inserted.
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Digital photographs are required to clarify the data collected in the site survey. The minimum number
of photographs to include with this survey is about 12. The total number will depend on the
complexity of the site and is left to the judgment of the surveyor. As a minimum, provide the following
view. Insert the photographs into this document and submit as one package.

Photograph showing the exterior of the building from ground level.

Photograph of the ground or roof showing where the mount will or is placed.
Picture showing where the antenna will be grounded (cold water pipe, building steel, etc.).
Picture showing any staging areas needed for assembly or lifting of the antenna if it has to be
moved

All completed RFI site surveys will be stored on the SSG server in Plano.
1.6

Required Items for this RFI Survey

Spectrum Analyzer, HP or suggested model Anritsu Model MS2711D (100 kHz to 3.0GHz and
Includes GPS Option for precise site location).
LNA or LNB. Suggested Norsat C-Band LNB part number 3120. (3.4 GHz - 4.2 GHz)
DC Block and Power Source if using an older Analyzer. (Not required with the Anritsu
MS2711D).
Terrestrial Interference Survey Horn, 18db of gain, 3.4 GHz - 4.2 GHz with WCA Adapter (Model
TISH-40 by Dawn Satellite in Picture below) & Tripod OR provide by ARRA.
Camera (Digital Camera preferred)
Compass and Inclinometer
Laptop Computer for storing and adding captions to plots (technician supplied)
RF and IF Filters for trouble-shooting existing systems with RFI interference. Suggested RF Filter
7893D from MFC and IF Filter part number 9101-0007-0001 form iDirect.

Anritsu Model MS2711D Portable Spectrum Analyzer Includes GPS Option.

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Typical C-Band Horn

Dimensions of an Antenna Horn if one has to be temporally made

Terrestrial Interference Survey Horn, 18db of gain, 3.3 GHz - 4.9 GHz (Model CPR229-880 by ARRA in
Picture Above)

434-1116mail

Suunto Tandem Compass Combo to determine direction and elevation angles.

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2 Check List of Items to be Completed

2.1

Check List 1 - for both New and Existing Sites

See Sections 3, 4 and 5 for Spectrum Analyzer Configuration Parameters

Customer :
Plots
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16

Span in
MHz
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
500
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24

20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20

25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32

40
40
40
40
40
40
40
40

Site Location:
Frequency in GHz (L-Band *)
Direction
General Spectrum
to North
3.8GHz (1.350GHz L-Band)
0
3.8GHz (1.350GHz L-Band)
45
3.8GHz (1.350GHz L-Band)
90
3.8GHz (1.350GHz L-Band)
135
3.8GHz (1.350GHz L-Band)
180
3.8GHz (1.350GHz L-Band)
225
3.8GHz (1.350GHz L-Band)
270
3.8GHz (1.350GHz L-Band)
325
3.8GHz (1.350GHz L-Band)
0
3.8GHz (1.350GHz L-Band)
45
3.8GHz (1.350GHz L-Band)
90
3.8GHz (1.350GHz L-Band)
135
3.8GHz (1.350GHz L-Band)
180
3.8GHz (1.350GHz L-Band)
225
3.8GHz (1.350GHz L-Band)
270
3.8GHz (1.350GHz L-Band)
325
At the Proposed Frequency
Frequency of Proposed Carrier
0
Frequency of Proposed Carrier
45
Frequency of Proposed Carrier
90
Frequency of Proposed Carrier
135
Frequency of Proposed Carrier
180
Frequency of Proposed Carrier
225
Frequency of Proposed Carrier
270
Frequency of Proposed Carrier
325
WiMax RFI Survey
3.515GHz (1.635 GHz L-Band)
0
3.515GHz (1.635 GHz L-Band)
45
3.515GHz (1.635 GHz L-Band)
90
3.515GHz (1.635 GHz L-Band)
135
3.515GHz (1.635 GHz L-Band)
180
3.515GHz (1.635 GHz L-Band)
225
3.515GHz (1.635 GHz L-Band)
270
3.515GHz (1.635 GHz L-Band)
325

Pictures
Required
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No

Check
X

No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No

Mark with an X all provided plots and pictures.

Note L-band Frequency when using an LNB with an L.O. of 5150 MHz (Subtract the actual RF
frequency from 5150MHz to obtain the L-Band frequency)
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2.2

Check List 2 - Additional Check List for Existing Operational Sites

The following check list is to determine if the existing system is or has experience any RF Interference.
If possible connect up the Spectrum Analyzer on a sample port or RX monitor port of the existing system
and take plots as defined below. Do NOT disrupt the operation of the existing system.

Plots

1
2
3
4

Span
in MHz
500
100
20
40

Frequency in GHz (L-Band *)

General Spectrum
3.8GHz (1.350GHz L-Band)
3.8GHz (1.350GHz L-Band)
Frequency of Existing Carrier
3.515GHz (1.635 GHz L-Band)

Item
Status of Existing Operational System
1

Name of existing Satellite In Use and its Orbital

Position

What is the existing Operational Receive

Frequency(s) (C-Band or Ku-Band)

What is the existing operational Receive Polarity

(LHCP or RHCP)

Is the Antenna Feed Linear or Circular Polarization

Has there been any Interference Issues with the

current System (Yes or No) If Yes please provide
details.
Antenna Size and Manufacturer

6
7

Direct of
Existing
Antenna

Pictures Required
at Antenna
Pointing Direction
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Response (If more room is

required please provide on a
separate sheet)

Check
X

Check
X

Any RF or L-Band Filters in use (Yes or No) if Yes

please provide details.

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2.3

Check List 3 Drawings (all Sites)

Item

Description of an alternate Antenna Location

Has Section 8 Been Completed (Yes or No)

2.4

Check
X

Check List 4 - IF RF Interference is Detected

If there is any RF interference that has been detected while performing check lists 1 and 2, please then
advise if there is a suitable location where the antenna can be located that will be more shielded from the
source of the interference.

Item

Description of an Alternate Antenna Location

Is the Original Proposed Antenna location free from

Interference (Yes or No)

Can the Antenna be located in an Alterative

location that would be screened from the
Interference source (Yes or No) if Yes Please
provide details
Provide description and drawings of the Alternate
location or Locations.

2.5

Response (If more room is

required please provide on a
separate sheet)

Check
X

If an Existing iDirect Site, please provide an SCPC

error report from the iDirect modem (See Section 7)

Overall Assessment

Please provide an overall assessment pointing out the major issues

Technicians Name _____________________

Date _____________

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3 General RFI Procedure

1.

Use a DC Block to connect power to the LNA/LNB. When connecting the LNA/LNB power it
is important to make sure that no DC feeds back to the Spectrum Analyzer.

2.

Set the initial setting of the spectrum analyzer at:

Center Frequency:
Span:
Resolution Bandwidth:
Video Bandwidth:
Sweep Time:
Scale Log per Division:
Attenuation Level:
Reference Level:

3.8GHz (1.350GHz L-Band)

500MHz
100 kHz
1 kHz
1 Second
5 dB
10 dB
As required to center trace

3.

Starting at 0 degrees (North) azimuth and elevation of 0 degrees

4.

Set polarization to Vertical

5.

Take a spectrum analyzer plot. Depending on the model of spectrum analyzer this can
either be digital plot (.jpg ) which is preferred or worse case a digital picture of the spectrum
analyzer. Please note the direction in degrees and the polarization on each plot.

6.

Take a digital picture in the same direction away from the antenna to show the surrounding
area. Note the direction on the picture.

7.

Repeat for ever 45 degrees.

8.

Repeat for Span 100 MHz. (Total 16 Plots)

9.
In case the antenna needs to be moved please note the configuration of the surrounding
area. ( Roof or Ground location) Please fill out section 6 below with all relevant details.
10.
Take note if it is possible to construct an interference shield around the antenna. Note any
issues or problems in doing this. Ask the customer if this would be possible.

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4 RFI at Frequency of Proposed Carrier

1.

Set Spectrum analyzer as follows:

Center Frequency :
Span
:
Resolution Bandwidth:
Video Bandwidth:
Sweep Time:
Scale Log per Division:
Attenuation Level:
Reference Level:

At the proposed carrier frequency

20 MHz
100 kHz
1 kHz
1 Second
5 dB
10 dB
As required to center trace

2.

Point the RF Horn Starting at 0 degrees (North) azimuth and elevation of 0 degrees. Note If performing this procedure at an existing site and the antenna is not going to be re-aligned
to a different satellite, then a signal feed from the existing antenna or modem can be used
instead of using a feed horn. If Interference is detected the feed horn should be used to
determine the direction of the interference.

3.

Set polarization to Vertical

4.

Take a spectrum analyzer plot. Depending on the model of spectrum analyzer this can
either be digital plot (.jpg ) which is preferred or worse case a digital picture of the spectrum
analyzer. Please note the direction in degrees and the polarization on each plot.

5.

Take a digital picture in the same direction away from the antenna to show the surrounding
area. Note the direction on the picture.

6.

Repeat for ever 45 degrees. (8 Plots)

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5 RFI WiMax Interference

7.

Set Spectrum analyzer as follows:

Center Frequency :
Span
:
Resolution Bandwidth:
Video Bandwidth:
Sweep Time:
Scale Log per Division:
Attenuation Level:
Reference Level:

3.515GHz (1.635 GHz L-Band)

40 MHz
100 kHz
1 kHz
1 Second
5 dB
10 dB
As required to center trace

8.

Point the RF Horn Starting at 0 degrees (North) azimuth and elevation of 0 degrees

9.

Set polarization to Vertical

10.

Take a spectrum analyzer plot. Depending on the model of spectrum analyzer this can
either be digital plot (.jpg ) which is preferred or worse case a digital picture of the spectrum
analyzer. Please note the direction in degrees and the polarization on each plot.

11.

Take a digital picture in the same direction away from the antenna to show the surrounding
area. Note the direction on the picture.

12.

Repeat for ever 45 degrees. (8 Plots)

Example of Typical WiMax Interference

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Examples of Typical WiMax Interference

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6 Suggested RFI Test Equipment List

Item
Anritsu Spectrum Analyzer
Test Horn
Test Horn Adapter
Cable and Connectors
LNB

RF Filter
IF Filter
Compass
Laptop Computer
Documentation

Description
Model MS2711D (100kHz to
3.0GHz) with GPS Option
From ARRA
From ARRA
Anritsu
Norsat LNB, 3120 C-Band Int.
PLL, 3.4 to 4.2 GHz, LO
Stability=+/- 5 Khz ppm, NF=
20K
MFC RF Filter
IF Filter from iDirect
Suunto Tandem Compass
Combo
Technician Supplied
SSG RFI SITE Survey
Template

Model
MD3711D

MFG Number
MD3711D
CPR229-880
CPR229-880
08-05972-002
3120

7893D

7893D
9101-0007-0001
PVCOMAF

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7 Monitoring Receive SCPC Errors with an iDirect Modem

When there is interference, the SCPC error count increases. Normally this should be zero but will
increase depending on the degree of interference. To display the SCPC error count, perform the
procedure below. This will give an updated count ever 20 seconds.
A computer or Laptop computer must be used to gain access to the iDirect modems console port. A
standard Cisco Blue cable can be used for this and a Windows HyperTerminal session on the PC. Any
terminal software can be used providing it can be set to 9600Bps N, 8 and 1 with no flow control.

Step 1
Turn on all VSAT equipment ensuring all indicators are showing fault free operation. Connect a laptop or
PC using the serial cable from the PC COM port (using the DB9 to RJ45 adapter or can be a standard
Cisco blue cable) to the iDirect Modem console port.

Figure 1
Step 2
Open a HyperTerminal session on your PC. Create a new connection using the using COM port 1
connected to the modem. The serial settings will be default (9600bps, 8 data bits, No Parity, 1 stop bit,
No flow control). .

Step 4
The modem should respond with the login prompt.

iDirect Linux 2.4.24-uc0-iDirect0

Kernel 2.4.24-uc0-iDirect0 on an armv5b
iDirect login: root
Password:(Obtain from the VSAT NMC or SSG)
Linux iDirect 2.4.24-uc0-iDirect0 #1 Fri Apr 29 16:01:03 GMT
2005 armv5b unknown
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# telnet 0
Entering character mode
Escape character is '^]'.
Username: admin
Password: ********* (Obtain from the VSAT NMC or SSG)

From the command line the command rmtstat must be entered to start monitoring the status.
The status will update every 20 seconds.
The display shows remote status information such as receive level and delta SCPC errors.

> Remote Status: t:001281106133 SNR=10.04 TxPower=-16.60 dBm

RxPower=-25.10 dBm DigitalRxPower=29.92 Temp=61.8 COF= -3171
TDM_Lost=1064 FllDac=2057 delta_scpc_errors=0
LAN Port: 100 Mbps Full Duplex(AutoNegotiation: Complete) on phy
0
The command rmtstat can be typed again to stop the updates.
It is suggested that this procedure can be used while testing various options to reduce the interference.

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8 Site Drawings
(Take pictures and obtain floor plans and drawings from customer)
8.1

Antenna Drawing
Obtain site drawings or sketch the outdoor site layout on Attachment A. Indicate the antenna
location, building, cable tray, staging area, and any obstacles using accurate dimensions.

8.2

Horizon Profile Drawing

Draw the horizon line on Attachment B as seen from the antenna location. Give descriptions for any
obstacles with height and azimuth degree and include the satellite arc, marking the location of the
satellite to be used.

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8.3

Attachment A - Antenna Site Layout

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8.4

Attachment B Antenna Obstructions

On the Look Angle Chart below, plot the magnetic azimuth and elevation angle of the objects
+/- 30 degrees on either side of the line-of-sight to the satellite. The large arrow is the azimuth to the
satellite. Define the dimensions of each box to accurately depict the obstruction view. Use S to denote
the satellite and X to denote any obstruction.
Degrees elevation = ____

Degrees azimuth = ____

________
Magnetic azimuth to satellite

EXAMPLE
For a satellite at 14 degrees elevation and 218 degrees azimuth
Degrees elevation = 2 degrees

Degrees azimuth = 5 degrees

2 0
1 8
1 6
X
1 4
X
1 2
1 0
X
8
6
X
4
2

X
S
X
X

X X X
X

X
X X X

X
X X X

X
X X

218 degrees
Magnetic azimuth to satellite
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8.5

Attachment C - List of Obstructions

Azimuth

Elevation

Description

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8.6

Attachment D On-Site Pictures

8.7

Attachment E On-Site Spectrum Analyzer Plots

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