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A Brief Overview

About

AWT Global has been established in 2012 together


with AceWaveTech (AWT), a well-known Korean
corporation, designing and manufacturing leading
edge high-tech wireless products since 2002.
Products include Passive Intermodulation (PIM)
Testers, RFID Analyzers, Waveform Analyzers, Radar
Signal Generators, Radar Target Simulators, HighSpeed Signal Sampling and Recording Systems, and
systems up to 40 GHz, as well as customer specific
system developments.
AWT Globals Headquarters are located in
Hackettstown, New Jersey

Passive Intermodulation (PIM)


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AceWaveTech AWT Global

Passive Intermodulation (PIM)


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Markets we serve
Telecommunications
Defense
Aerospace
Test & Measurement

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Customers

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Products
PIM Analyzers

Shielding
Solutions

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Radar
Products

T&M
Analyzers

Passive
Components

Contact

Headquarters:

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Phone:
Email:

Hackettstown
New Jersey 07840
USA
+1 (973) 321-3423
sales@awt-global.com

Web:

www.awt-global.com

Passive Intermodulation
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Topics

Passive Intermodulation (PIM)


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Modulation Schemes
PIM Spectrum
Calculating PIM
dBm vs. dBc
PIM Standard IEC 62037
PIM vs. VSWR Measurements
Causes of PIM
Component Surfaces
Rusty Bolt Effect
Q&A

Modulating RF Signals
Modulation combines two or more
signals. Modulating RF with other signals
adds information on the carrier. The RF
carrier adopts the characteristics of the
information signal .
Simple: Amplitude Modulation (AM)
Frequency Modulation (FM)
Advanced: Phase Shift Key (PSK)
QPSK ( 2bits / symbol)
Complex: QAM 16 ( 4 bits / symbol) HSPA
QAM 64 ( 6 bits / symbol) LTE
QAM256 ( 8 bits / symbol)

Complex signal modulation is required


to transport huge amounts of data.
Passive Intermodulation (PIM)
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Amplitude
Modulation

Frequency
Modulation

Phase Shift Key


Modulation

16 QAM
(Quadrature Amplitude
Modulation)

QAM 16 Constellation Diagram


Modern Modulations Technologies use for
example Quadrature Amplitude
Modulation.

2
II

I
1

With QAM, signal phase and amplitude


vector must appear within a specific
area during a specific time to depict a
certain symbol.
Interferences cause misinterpretation of
symbols. This generates BER and slows the
system down.

III

VI
3

1001 0000 1110

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QAM16 Constellation Diagram

and there is more


QAM 64 & QAM 256

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QAM-256
Every yellow dot represents a specific 8 bit
Symbol, examples: 01101110, 11101001.

Any interference with the Rx signal can alter the


I/Q amplitude position of the original signal,
leading to a very different bit pattern. Result is a
failed transmission. Issues are detected (f. e.
CRC) and a re-sent a bit stream is requested.
Frequent re-sent requests reduce however
bandwidth. Depending on the systems decision
algorithm, it will decide to use a less powerful
modulation (e.g. QAM-16). In serious cases the
system might even block the channel
completely. Obviously, this is not acceptable to
wireless operators because in busy networks it
translates directly into significant revenue loss.

Passive Intermodulation (PIM)


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Passive Intermodulation
Equally to modulation that is required for
data transmission, Passive Intermodulation
(PIM) is also a result of mixing two (or
more) different frequencies.
However
Other than intentional modulation, PIM
acts completely uncontrolled.
PIM is caused by non-linear behavior of
system and components.
This non-linear behavior may distort Rx
signals, producing (unwanted) signal
components that are not present in the
original signal.

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PIM !

Topics

Passive Intermodulation (PIM)


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Modulation Schemes
PIM Spectrum
Calculating PIM
dBm vs. dBc
PIM Standard IEC 62037
PIM vs. VSWR Measurements
Causes of PIM
Component Surfaces
Rusty Bolt Effect
Q&A

Passive Intermodulation Spectrum 1

f1 f2

IM2

f
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Passive Intermodulation Spectrum 2

f1 f2

IM3

IM3

IM2

f
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Passive Intermodulation Spectrum 3

f1 f2

IM3
IM5
IM2

IM4
IM6

IM9
IM11
IM13

IM7

IM3
IM5
IM7
IM9

IM8

f
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Passive Intermodulation Spectrum 4

IM3
IM5
IM2

IM4
IM6

IM9
IM11
IM13
IM8

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IM7

IM3
IM5
IM7
IM9

PIM Multiplies Bandwidths


If the bandwidths of f1 and f2 are 1 MHz then

Bandwidth of IM3 is 3 MHz


Bandwidth of IM5 is 5 MHz
Bandwidth of IM7 is 7 MHz

f1

f2

fIM3

fIM5
fIM7

f
Passive Intermodulation (PIM)
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Topics

Passive Intermodulation (PIM)


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Modulation Schemes
PIM Spectrum
Calculating PIM
dBm vs. dBc
PIM Standard IEC 62037
PIM vs. VSWR Measurements
Causes of PIM
Component Surfaces
Rusty Bolt Effect
Q&A

How To Calculate Intermodulation Products?

IM3=

2x F1 F2

IM3=

2x F2 F1

IM5=
IM5=

3x F1 2x F2
3x F2 2x F1

IM7=
IM7=

4x F1 3x F2
4x F2 3x F1

and so on

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Intermodulation Order is determined by


the sum of the frequency factors:

IM 3 = 2 x F1 1 x F2
3 = 2

A simple IM example (50 & 60 MHz, = 10MHz)


F2

F1

IM3-

IM3+
IM5+

IM5-

IM7+

IM7-

20

30

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40

50

60

70

80

90

PIM units are expressed in dBm or dBc


dBc

dBm
Reference
0 dBc

The m in dBm
stands for
milliwatts

The c in dBc
stands for
carrier
-163 dBc

-174 dBm / Hz
(-144 dBm / 1 kHz)

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Whether expressed in dBc


or dBm, carrier power c
must always be provided
with the value.

PIM

-120 dBm

20 W Carrier

Reference
0 dBm
(1mW)

PIM

20 W Carrier

43 dBm

(-187 dBc / 1 kHz)


@ 43dBm

PIM specifications to look for at data sheets


3rd Order IMD Test Method:
Two 43dBm Carriers
3rd Order IMD
-120dBm @910 MHz

-165 dBc typ; <-160 dBc, with 2


1900 MHz 20 W tones @25C

Passive Intermodulation (PIM)


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Topics

Passive Intermodulation (PIM)


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Modulation Schemes
PIM Spectrum
Calculating PIM
dBm vs. dBc
PIM Standard IEC 62037
PIM vs. VSWR Measurements
Causes of PIM
Component Surfaces
Rusty Bolt Effect
Q&A

IEC 62037 International PIM Test Standard


Excerpt Page 7

Excerpt Page 10

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Purpose of IEC62037 is to standardize


measurements, and them repeatable.
This independently of the technology used
in the network.

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Impedance:
50 Ohms

20 W

Components and connector contact areas


are to be properly energized for conform
measurements. Only continous CW
measurement signals of 2x 20W offer
suficient power.

2W

At 50 Ohms impedance 20W systems


deliver 31.6V average, while 2W sources
provide only 10 Volts, just one third.

Volts

PIM Testing with 2W 20W carriers

Power

PIM Testing Field Practices


Static
What:
How:
Result:

Components, cables
Apply 2 x 20W power, measure 30 seconds to fully energize the DUT. The PIM reading should be
at least 3-4 dB better than the required limit.
The test finds bad material, scratched & dirty component surfaces.

Dynamic 1 Mechanical Stress


What:
How:
Result:

Cables
Apply 2 x 20W power, wiggle cable 10 times. PIM must not change.
This test detects loose contacts, quality of cable assembly, finds cracks & bad solderings.

Dynamic 2 Tapping
What:
How:

Cables, connectors
Apply 2 x 20W power, use rigid device but not metal (e.g. skrew driver handle), tap connectors
10 times lighty. PIM vs Time display should not show spikes when tapping.

Results:

Finds contaminations, dust, chips and other alien bodies in the connectors.

Passive Intermodulation (PIM)


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Topics

Passive Intermodulation (PIM)


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Modulation Schemes
PIM Spectrum
Calculating PIM
dBm vs. dBc
PIM Standard IEC 62037
PIM vs. VSWR Measurements
Causes of PIM
Component Surfaces
Rusty Bolt Effect
Q&A

VSWR vs. PIM Measurements

Impedance Mismatch

Intermodulation Effects

Power

Power

100%

100%

Reflected Power

Diverted Power

Effective Transmitted
Power

Effective Transmitted
Power
IM3

IM3

IM5

Frequency

Power is reflected to the high


power RF amplifier, impacting Tx.
Transmission signal emitted by the
antenna lower than HPA output.
Weaker subscriber signal power.

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IM5

Rx

Tx

Frequency

Power diverted to other frequencies.


Distortes Rx Signals
Low data rates, dropped calls.

RF System Problem Detection - PIM vs Sweep


RF System
Detection
SystemProblem
Problem
Detection

Open Circuit
Short Circuit
Deformed Coax Cable
Loose connection
Water ingress
Corrosion
Poor material / components
Contaminations (filings, wire edge, plating flecks)
Poorly fitting coaxial cable and connector surface
Spark marks in surface (from hot disconnects)
Dielectric material between coax-cable & connector surface
Split in flare due to over-tightening
Cracked Solder Joint
Unmatched connector parts
Internal antenna faults, loose screws, cracked joints
Small cracks in coaxial cable
Loose braid in jumper cable
Cell ageing
Passive Intermodulation (PIM)
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PIM
PIM
indirect
indirect
probably
yes
probably
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes

VSWR
VSWR
yes
yes
yes
probably
probably
probably
probably
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
no

Topics

Passive Intermodulation (PIM)


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Modulation Schemes
PIM Spectrum
Calculating PIM
dBm vs. dBc
PIM Standard IEC 62037
PIM vs. VSWR Measurements
Causes of PIM
Component Surfaces
Rusty Bolt Effect
Q&A

Causes of PIM Metal Chips

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Causes of PIM Dust & Dirt

Passive Intermodulation (PIM)


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Causes of PIM Scratches & Oxidation

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Causes of PIM Holes in Braid

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Causes of PIM Cracks in Tinned Braid

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Connector Surfaces I
Atomic lattice dimensions of metals is
often no more than 25 Angstroms.
Mechanically produced surfaces do not
have this degree of smoothness.

When connected, surfaces will first


touch on just a few asperities. Due to
localized high pressure, asperities
deform when connectors are tightened.
Deformations are however limited to
some load-bearing areas, or a-spots.
a-spots have an overall area several
orders of magnitude smaller than the
apparent contact surface
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Only a small portion of a connector surface


touches the opposite connector surface. A-spots
are load bearing areas .

Connector Surfaces II
Structural material discontinuity causes
also a discontinuity in electron flow.

Regardless of the contact material,


discontinuity in electron flow is
characterized by:
Constriction Resistance due to
bending of current lines of flow in
the vicinity of an a-spot.
Tunnel Resistance due to the
conduction through thin insulating
contaminant layers via tunnel
effect.
Contact Capacitance between the
two essentially parallel
equipotential surfaces.
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RC Model of an a-spot. Since the length of the


constrictions are very short, inductive effects are
small compared to capacitive and resistive products

Skin Effect
Due to the skin effect, RF current densities
occur only within a few skin depths at the
surface of the conductor.
At 1 GHz, on a silver plated surface,
approximately 98% of the
current density occurs within
approximately 0.01 mm of depth.
For comparison: the average human hair
has a diameter of only 0.08mm
Scratches on the material, even on a
microscopic scale, interrupt homogeneous
flow of electrons and with that are sources
of PIM.

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Skin Effect

Current Flow
@ 1GHz

Plating is most important for flow of


electron flow. At 1 GHz 98% of the current
density occurs in only 0.01 mm material
depth.

Components that can cause PIM


Connectors

Cables
Splitters
Hybrids
Filters
Antennas

Attenuators
DC blocks
Lightning Arrestors

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Causes of PIM
Dissimilar metals

Ferromagnetic metals (nickel, steel, iron)


Corrosion of components in the RF path
Irregular contact areas
Mechanical damage
Resistive Components

Poorly designed components

Passive Intermodulation (PIM)


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Topics

Passive Intermodulation (PIM)


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Modulation Schemes
PIM Spectrum
Calculating PIM
dBm vs. dBc
PIM Standard IEC 62037
PIM vs. VSWR Measurements
Causes of PIM
Component Surfaces
Rusty Bolt Effect
Q&A

What have these images in common?

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Causes of PIM Rusty Bolt Effect


The Rusty Bolt Effect is a source of radio
interference caused by corroded parts in the
line of transmission. These parts act as a
diode.

Metal objects in the antenna path


Antenna structures
Antenna joints
Cables and connector corrosion
Concrete rebars
Suspended sealing grids

Remedies:
Remove the corroded object.
If the rust is superficial clean object.
Place an insulator between the two metal
objects which cause the problem.
Use antenna with more directional
characteristics.
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Rx
Tx

PIM

Conclusion

Passive Intermodulation (PIM)


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Modulation Schemes
PIM Spectrum
Calculating PIM
dBm vs. dBc
PIM Standard IEC 62037
PIM vs. VSWR Measurements
Causes of PIM
Component Surfaces
Rusty Bolt Effect

Questions
&
Answers

Passive Intermodulation (PIM)


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Thank You !

Passive Intermodulation (PIM)


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