BROWSING: PIM

Can you plan your way out of PIM?

Maybe not completely—but some proactive work can help identify when PIM problems are likely Interference from passive intermodulation often doesn’t show up as a major issue until a new site starts taking on significant amounts of traffic, or perhaps when a popular new device adds...

Locating and mitigating PIM in 5G systems

PIM is an escalating issue in 5G midband networks deployed in TDD spectrum Passive intermodulation is interference that is generated when two or more simultaneous signals interact in a nonlinear environment, where passive components (as opposed to transmitting ones) can cause new, unwanted signal noise...

Editorial Report: More spectrum, new challenges: PIM in the age of 5G

PIM interference is a significant challenge in 5G networks due to increased complexity and diverse spectrum bands. In RCR Wireless News' latest report, we highlight the causes, impact, and mitigation strategies related to PIM interference. Read the report to learn more about: 5G networks' density, increased bandwidth, and mid-band...

Four PIM considerations in 5G systems

Passive intermodulation (PIM) is interference that is generated when two or more simultaneous signals interact in a nonlinear environment, where passive components (as opposed to transmitting ones) can cause new, unwanted signal noise to be generated that impacts the performance of the RF system.  Why...

Three RF issues in midband spectrum

When it comes to 5G, no band is perfect. In low bands, 5G coverage is maximized and cell sizes can be quite large, the performance of 5G New Radio is limited because of smaller available channel bandwidths. Meanwhile, high-band, millimeter-wave 5G deployments have a...

Reducing PIM on cell site towers in the 5G era (Reader Forum)

External passive intermodulation (PIM) has always been a concern when deploying wireless networks. However, PIM has become even more of a challenge with the introduction of new 5G technologies and infrastructure. In the simplest definition, PIM occurs when two or more wireless signals mix together and...

For FirstNet contractors, the right PIM hunting training and tools are crucial

  As AT&T continues to ramp up its build-out of the First Responders Network Authority’s Band 14 spectrum, adding that beachfront 700 MHz spectrum to existing systems poses some deployment challenges. The FirstNet build-out is happening rapidly. AT&T says that it has deployed Band 14 spectrum...

Test and Measurement: 5G is gaining momentum, Rohde & Schwarz says

Test company Rohde & Schwarz says that 5G momentum is contributing to its bottom line, with revenues up nearly 5% from last year. The company, which is private and does not report its results publicly, nonetheless typically provides a yearly update on its finances. Rohde...

Test and Measurement: IT network ‘brown-outs’ are costly and common, Netrounds finds

Losing a network connection entirely is a worst-case scenario for an enterprise, but service "brown-outs" -- defined as unexpected and unintentional drops in network quality -- are expensive for businesses to deal with, according to a new survey by network and service assurance company...

Anritsu Webinar: Field Testing Next-Generation 5G Deployments

2019 will be the year 5G finally starts to become a reality with large-scale field deployments. As the industry starts to converge on installation and maintenance best practices, the next-generation of test equipment is needed to support the unique technology used in 5G networks...

NEX10® Webinar: Small, Robust and PIM Stable RF interface for Mobile Networks.

High performance interconnectivity solutions are vital to the overall system performance of modern day mobile network. With 5G on the horizon and demands of higher data and higher performance on the rise, the radio and antennas are ever increasing in numbers, but at the...

Anritsu Webinar: Using Live Traffic Over a CPRI Link to Identify and Locate Passive Intermodulation

Anritsu’s patented PIM over CPRI option is a new, non-intrusive method of measuring passive intermodulation (PIM) using live traffic over the Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) link. It is set to change the dynamics of PIM detection by enabling users to test at ground...

EXFO Case Study: A new approach to quickly diagnose RF interference and PIM issues

The MNO’s RAN performance team noticed that the operations support system (OSS) flagged the presence of an RF noise issue in the network based on high uplink (UL) received signal strength indicator (RSSI) levels. In order to take a closer look and attempt to diagnose...

Structured cabling takes cost, complexity out of enterprise DAS

  SOLiD’s GENESIS DAS: An enterprise-friendly approach to in-building wireless The vast majority of mobile data usage comes from inside buildings as enterprises increasingly depend on smartphones and tablets to get the job done. Despite this trend, there’s a huge, underserved commercial building market--office buildings, retail...

Remote diagnosis of cellular infrastructure enters the 21st century

  It’s now possible to solve interference and other issues without spending countless hours on the road. Interference has always been a curse for the cellular industry. It degrades network performance, can render a base station or some portion of it unusable and impacts subscribers' quality...

5 factors driving the need for better spectrum awareness

NETWORK-BASED DRIVERS FOR BETTER SPECTRUM AWARENESS There are multiple reasons why operators and regulators are interested in more comprehensive and efficient approaches to spectrum monitoring and the identification, location and mitigation of interference. These range from enabling new spectrum sharing approaches, to enabling the internet...

What are common RF noise sources?

What are common RF noise sources? In response to the Federal Communications Commission’s inquiry on whether it should study changes in the radio frequency noise floor, a number of commenters identified common sources of RF noise and interference that they encounter. The most common RF...

FirstNet opportunities and integration challenges (content provided by Westell)

FirstNet driving the networking big boom Network coverage for public safety communications and first responders has become a growing and critical focus for integrators, building owners and enterprise customers. The evolution of modern day networking technologies and the realization that not all networks are created...

CPRI testing made simple (sponsored content)

CPRI testing at the base station reduces truck rolls, tower climbs and OpEx Carriers are increasingly turning to centralized Radio Access Network (C-RAN) architecture and CPRI (Common Public Radio Interface) to provide network flexibility, to be able to scale quickly, and to be able to...

Test and Measurement: Measurement Computing acquires Data Translation

Measurement Computing, which produces hardware and software for data acquisition and logging for test and measurement, acquired competitor Data Translation for an undisclosed sum. Data Translation focuses on PC-based data acquisition and designs modules compatible with a range of technologies, including USB, PCI, LXI and Ethernet as...

PIM explained: passive intermodulation

PIM, or passive intermodulation, is a type of interference that has become increasingly important to detect and mitigate because LTE networks are particularly sensitive to it. PIM Explained: what is PIM? PIM is a form of signal interference, and it can be caused either by metal...

Anritsu combines PIM and sweep testing in one instrument

Anritsu has combined the two primary types of field testing, sweep testing and testing for passive intermodulation, into one instrument for the first time. The company said the move will allow it to cut down on the number of instruments being used for cell site testing...

White Paper: PIM Requirements Must Increase to Support Evolving DAS Systems

Several years ago passive intermodulation (PIM) was a virtually unknown performance metric in distributed antenna systems (DAS). Today it is recognized as one of the most critical requirements for optimum system performance. Hypersensitive antennas and radios, multiple frequency overlays, and more components in the RF path create...

HetNet News: Stadium DAS, public safety, carrier Wi-Fi

Stadium DAS deployments continue Infrastructure providers say the DAS RFPs keep coming from public venues, especially sports arenas. This week JMA Wireless said that Crown Castle will deploy JMA's Teko distributed antenna system at Rutgers University's High Point Solutions Stadium. The Rutgers DAS will be ready...