User's Manual

Exalt Installation and Management Guide
EX-i Series GigE (FDD) Digital Microwave Radios
28 202675-008
2016-06-01
as possible to the rear panel of the radio. Included in the diplexer kits to accommodate the final
connection to the radio are 6" (152.4mm) and 1' (304.8mm) RF cables for connection to properly
specified waveguide adapters.
Antenna Alignment
Antennas must be installed at both ends of the planned link to commence precision alignment. Refer to
the Exalt white paper, Antenna Alignment.
Antennas are typically aligned using the radio hardware for precise alignment. However, there are
many very useful tools available to aid in this process, inclusive of devices specifically designed for
the purpose of aligning antennas. Some examples are:
• XL Microwave Path Align-R
• Teletronics 17-402
Use of these devices may be extremely advantageous as compared to using the radio, because they
employ many unique facilities to aid in this process. Using these tools also makes it possible to align
the antennas before the radio equipment is delivered. However, many installers successfully use the
radios as the means for antenna alignment.
There are two primary facilities when using the radio to align the antenna:
• RSL voltage test point using a volt meter (recommended)
The RSL test point DC voltage is inversely proportional and numerically calibrated to the received
signal level. The voltage rises as the antennas are less in alignment, and falls as antennas are more
in alignment. The voltage measurement corresponds to the received signal level in measurements
of dBm (a negative number for RSL measurements). For example, an RSL of -60dBm yields an
RSL voltage measurement of 0.60VDC; an RSL of -45dBm measures 0.45VDC.
• GUI RSL reading indicates the current RSL in dBm.
Alignment of the antennas using the RSL test point can be accomplished in the following ways:
• Radio near or at antenna location
– Temporarily connect the radio to the antenna using a short piece of transmission line, so that
the radio is very close to the antenna location
– Run wires, as necessary, from the RSL test point to the volt meter so that the antenna
installer can directly view the volt meter
• Run separate wires from radio mounted location to antenna location
– Temporarily connect a set of wires from the RSL test point to the antenna location, to allow
the radio installer to use a local volt meter
Note: Using this method, the final RSL voltage readings during alignment may be different
(better) than the planned RSL, due to the short RF transmission line. Use the path calculation
tool to determine the RSL that should result in this temporary configuration to ensure proper
ideal alignment.
Note: Due to the resistance of the cable, the RSL readings might be impacted. Use the
thickest wiring possible. Test the impact of the voltage reading due to the wiring by
comparing a direct measurement at the RSL test point as opposed to the end of the wiring.