Chapter 2 Planning a CCU/Repeater Installation
Remote 900 MHz Antenna Placement
Antenna placement is one of the most important factors in determining your overall
system performance. Careful consideration must be given to proper antenna placement.
Follow the general guidelines below when determining the ideal location for a remote-
mounted 900 MHz antenna.
• Mount the antenna vertically.
• Mount the antenna in a location where there is a clear, unobstructed, 360-degree view
of the horizon. The antenna receives and transmits in all directions. Objects like
building walls, nearby metal surfaces, or other obstructions will interfere with the
proper operation of the antenna.
• Do not mount the antenna on a rooftop where nearby buildings are higher than the
installation location.
• Do not mount the antenna near existing RF radiating antennas. If existing RF
radiators are nearby, the horizontal separation distance to the radiator must be a
minimum of 100 feet and/or 10 feet of vertical separation. In instances where nearby
RF radiators are present, conduct an intermodulation interference study to evaluate
the potential for interference and any effects it may have on system performance.
Consult your Itron systems engineer for more information.
• Height is preferred for optimal performance. Itron recommends you install the
antenna no higher than 100 feet. If the antenna is going to be more than 100 feet
above the collector, Itron recommends using a Tower CCU 100.
A side arm antenna installation must be done if the 900 MHz antenna is mounted where it
does not have an unobstructed 360-degree view. Refer to the following guidelines for a
side arm antenna installation.
• For the 900 MHz antenna the minimum standoff distance is 24 inches, where the
interfering structural members are four inches or less in diameter and spaced more
than eight feet apart.
• For structural members between 4 and 10 inches in diameter, use a sliding scale of 2
to 5 feet. (For example, a 24-inch standoff at 4-inch diameter to a 60-inch standoff at
10-inch member diameter.)
• Inform Itron about any conditions that may impact the collector or repeater
performance.
Grounding the Antenna System
To minimize the potential for a lightning event, it is essential that remote/external antenna
systems be properly grounded. Proper grounding prevents the accumulation of static
charges on the antenna system, and also provides a direct discharge to ground for any
acquired charges.
10 TDC-0971-011 CCU 100 and Repeater 100 Installation Guide
Proprietary and Confidential
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