PathAlign-R Spectracom Corporation
2200 / 2240 / 2241 PathAlign-R Manual
3.5.4 Aligning Antenna Links Using Frequencies Outside of the PathAlign-R Band
Range
An antenna system whose link frequency is designed outside the frequency band edge of the
Path Align‐R can still have its path alignment correctly adjusted, as long as the antenna system
uses a waveguide which can operate at both the link frequency and a nearby frequency covered
by the Path Align‐R.
The main purpose of path alignment is to physically align the antenna’s azimuth and elevation
for maximum signal transfer (minimum path loss). All that is required is that a signal can be
transmitted and received over the link so that the path loss can be measured and the antenna
adjustment optimized. The Received Signal Level (RSL) can be as low as ‐90 dBm and the Path
Align‐R can still optimize the link. If the test signal presented to the antennas is not the same
frequency the antenna has been ideally tuned for (to give minimum VSWR), but is within the
waveguide’s frequency pass band, this test signal will still be transmitted and received over the
link, with only a few dB difference in path loss from the intended link frequency…the link can still
be optimized.
As an example, take a link designed to operate at 5.315 GHz using WR‐159 waveguides. 5.315
GHz is between the lower and upper frequencies of Band 2’s range on the Path Align‐R, but the
WR‐159 waveguide can also accommodate 5.800 GHz (a frequency available in the upper
range of Band 2). Using the Path Align‐R, set to 5.800 GHz, with the WR‐159 waveguide, will
allow precise alignment of this 5.315 GHz link.
Of the fourteen EIA designated waveguides that span the 1.45–26.5 GHz microwave frequency
range, thirteen can be used with the model 2240/2241 (ten for the model 2200) Path Align‐R for
link alignment. In the following section is a chart displaying the thirteen waveguides through
which the Path Align‐R can launch a signal and achieve optimum path alignment.
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