4G Fiberglass Antenna Installation Guide

　　4G Fiberglass Antenna Installation Guide

　　The installation quality of 4G fiberglass antenna directly affects the communication performance. Following a scientific installation process is the basis for achieving its best signal coverage. From environmental assessment and tool preparation before installation, to positioning, fixing and connection during installation, to debugging and maintenance after installation, each link is crucial to the long-term stable operation of the antenna.

　　Preparation before installation

　　Environmental assessment and installation location selection

　　Communication demand analysis: Determine the coverage and direction requirements of the antenna according to the application scenario (such as vehicle-mounted, base station, IoT node). For vehicle-mounted antennas, signal obstructions (such as high-rise buildings and mountains) on the vehicle's driving route must be considered, and the central position of the roof should be preferred to obtain 360° horizontal unobstructed radiation, which is 5-7dB higher than the signal strength installed on the edge of the roof.

　　Electromagnetic environment detection: Use a spectrum analyzer to scan the 2G/3G/4G/5G frequency bands in the installation area to ensure that the interference level at the selected location is less than -85dBm. Avoid installing near strong interference sources (such as radar stations and radio transmission towers), as their interference signals may increase the 4G signal bit error rate from 10⁻⁵ to 10⁻³, seriously affecting the communication quality.

　　Physical space adaptation: Measure the spatial dimensions of the installation location to ensure that the antenna has enough vertical and horizontal space to expand. For base station antennas, the distance between the antenna and surrounding obstacles (such as building exterior walls and tree branches) should be ≥2λ (about 86cm in the 700MHz frequency band) to reduce the loss caused by signal reflection and scattering.

　　Tool and material preparation

　　Installation tools: prepare electric drill (with M6 - M8 drill bit), torque wrench (accuracy ±5%), screwdriver set, wire crimping pliers, wire stripping pliers, level, tape measure, etc. For high-altitude operations, protective equipment such as safety ropes and lifting platforms are required.

　　Installation materials: Select the appropriate bracket (such as wall-mounted, pole-mounted), fixing bolts (made of stainless steel 304), gaskets (rubber and metal combination), waterproof tape (butyl rubber), sealant (silicone sealant, weather resistance ≥ 10 years), feeder (RG-58 or RG-6, length according to actual needs), connector (N type, SMA type, etc., matching the antenna and equipment interface) according to the antenna type.

　　... The torque of the M6 bolt is 12 - 15N・m, and the torque of the M8 bolt is 20 - 25N・m. Ensure that the bracket has no loose displacement at a wind speed of 120km/h. After installation, check the shaking of the bracket to ensure that it is firm and reliable.

　　Connection between antenna and bracket

　　Installation adaptation: Select the corresponding installation method according to the antenna type, such as the omnidirectional antenna is connected to the bracket through the bottom flange, and the directional antenna is fixed through the side clamp. Ensure that the connection surface between the antenna and the bracket is clean and free of dust and oil to ensure the tightness of the connection.

　　Angle adjustment: For directional antennas, use a compass or GPS positioning device to align the main lobe direction of the antenna with the target base station (azimuth deviation ≤ 2°). Every deviation of 1° will cause the signal strength to attenuate by about 3dB. Accurate alignment can increase the received power (RSRP) from - 105dBm to - 99dBm. After adjustment, tighten the clamp bolts and control the torque to 15 - 20N・m.

　　Connection and wiring of feeder

　　Connector installation: Use wire strippers to strip the outer skin of both ends of the feeder (the length is generally 1-2cm according to the connector specifications) to expose the inner conductor and shielding layer. Crimping or welding the connector and feeder to ensure a firm connection (pulling force ≥50N) and insertion loss ≤0.15dB. Use lead-free solder for welding, and the solder joints should be smooth and free of cold solder joints.

　　Feeder wiring: Lay the feeder along the building keel or cable trough to avoid parallel connection with high-voltage cables (such as 220V power cables) (spacing ≥30cm) to reduce electromagnetic interference. The bending radius of the feeder is ≥10 times the cable diameter (RG-58 cable ≥50mm) to prevent damage to the internal structure of the cable and increase signal loss. Use cable ties to fix the feeder every 1-2m to ensure neat wiring.

　　Waterproof treatment: At the connection between the connector and the feeder, wrap waterproof tape (stretched to 1.5 times the original length) and insulating tape in turn, and apply sealant on the outermost layer to form a three-layer protection. The waterproof rating must reach IP67 and can withstand immersion in water for 30 minutes at a depth of 1 meter without water ingress.

　　Commissioning and maintenance after installation

　　Signal strength test

　　Device connection: Connect the antenna to the 4G communication device (such as router, base station module) through the feeder to ensure that the device is powered on normally. Use communication test software (such as Cellular - Z, LTE - Discovery) to scan the surrounding base stations to check whether the antenna can receive signals normally.

　　Signal indicator evaluation: Measure indicators such as received power (RSRP) and signal quality (SINR). In urban environments, RSRP should be ≥ - 95dBm and SINR ≥ 15dB to ensure the 150Mbps rate of 4G LTE Cat.6. If the signal strength does not meet the standard, check the antenna installation angle and whether the feeder connection is loose, and readjust it if necessary.

　　Main points for regular maintenance

　　Appearance inspection: Wipe the surface of the antenna with a soft cloth every month to remove dust, bird droppings and other debris to avoid affecting signal penetration. Check whether the antenna cover has cracks or deformation. If damaged, replace it in time to prevent the internal components from getting wet.

　　Connection tightening: Check the connecting bolts between the antenna and the bracket, the feeder and the connector every quarter, and tighten them again with a torque wrench to prevent loosening due to vibration. Check whether the outer skin of the feeder is damaged. If damaged, repair or replace it in time.

　　Performance retest: Use communication test software to retest the signal strength and quality every six months and compare it with the initial installation data. If the signal attenuation exceeds 10%, check whether it is caused by changes in the surrounding environment (such as obstruction by new buildings) or aging of the antenna, and take optimization measures in time.

　　By strictly following the above installation guidelines, the 4G fiberglass antenna can operate stably in various complex environments, ensure efficient coverage and reliable connection of the communication network, and provide a solid communication foundation for applications such as smart transportation and smart cities.