If you’re well-versed in today’s wireless industry, you know Passive Intermodulation (PIM) is a big part of keeping wireless networks up and running, with the ability to meet the high data demands of today’s wireless users. PIM testing, however is not cheap making the PIM tester rental option more and more attractive/feasible.
What is PIM?
PIM occurs when two or more high power RF signals encounter non-linear electrical junctions or materials in an RF path. These non-linear junctions behave like a mixer causing new signals to be generated at mathematical combinations of the original RF inputs. When these PIM signals fall in the Rx band of the cell site the noise floor rises causing increased dropped calls, reduced data transmission rates and decreased system capacity. The impact of PIM on the network performance can be severe, especially for systems such as CDMA, UMTS or LTE. Because of this, network operators must conduct regular and extensive PIM tests.
How to PIM test?
“PIM Testers professional measurement instruments which are characterized by very low self intermodulation and high power level signal output. Their high accuracy receiver allows fast and precise measurements of the 3rd, 5th and 7th order intermodulation of passive devices under high-power conditions, e.g. connectors, cable assemblies, antennas, filters, etc. ” [1]
While PIM testing is a must, it is not always cheap. But because wireless networks have to make sure PIM isn’t interfereing with service, they must find a way to get it done. To alleviate some of these high costs associated with PIM testing, companies have begun to rent PIM testing equipment. For example, Microlease leases test equipment, such as the newly-released Anritsu MW8209A PIM Master as a rental option.
The MW8209A passive intermodulation (PIM) analyzer covers the 900 MHz band and is designed to address the growing requirement for the measurement of PIM in E-GSM networks, including UMTS Band VIII and LTE Band 8. Fully optimized with Anritsu’s proprietary Distance-to-PIM technology, the MW8209A can determine if the cause of PIM is at the base station or in the surrounding environment.
“Distance-to-PIM also helps field engineers, technicians and contractors to pinpoint passive intermodulation faults, eliminating the unknown of whether the PIM source is from the antenna system or surrounding environment. The simple, immediate and accurate technology simultaneously informs the user of the distance and magnitude of all the PIM sources, both inside the antenna system and beyond the antenna.In addition, Distance-to-PIM testing provides the detail and insight that can expedite repairs, control repair costs, and help plan budgets. Historical data can also be used to monitor a site and determine if corrections need to be made before a failure results in dropped or blocked calls.”
The Anritsu MW8209A PIM Master is available to rent now with next day delivery from industry leader Microlease and also available with flexible financial options which enable firms to benefit from the latest equipment while spreading costs and easing cash flow. “Anritsu is delighted that its Premier PIM test systems are now available to rent or lease from Microlease, Europe’s leading rental company,” said Steve Wilding, UK Sales Manager for Anritsu. By offering the MW8209A as a rental option, users can benefit from immediate access to the Anritsu Company’s innovative technology in a flexible way that helps provide an accurate and cost-effective means of measuring PIM in E-GSM networks, ” says Microlease’s Head of OEM Relationships, Gavin Lessing-Caller.
Summitek, owned by Kaelus, is another company that sells and rents PIM testing equipment. “The company offers a wide variety of solutions for making this difficult measurement. As wireless networks focus on quality of service to minimize churn, passive intermodulation has become a critical parameter in base station design. Offering an integrated system design, combined with a powerful interface, Summitek / Kaelus solutions enable users to thoroughly evaluate their product designs from the development phase right through production level testing.” Summitek/Kaelus PIM testing equipment can be found for rent at companies like US Instrument Services, for upwards of $2800 per month. Buying some of Summitek’s equipment out-right can cost more than $25,000, thus making renting even more attractive. [3]
[1] Rosenberger Site Solutions, PIM Testers, http://www.dupontmaterials.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=670
[2] Microlease, Anritsu PIM Master available as rental option from Microlease, http://www.microlease.com/static.aspx?href=press/26-March-2012.html&language=en-US
[3] testequipmentconnection.com, http://www.testequipmentconnection.com/manufacturer/Summitek
