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Re: [TowerTalk] Cellular Base Station Power Levels

To: Jim Brown <jim@audiosystemsgroup.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Cellular Base Station Power Levels
From: Dave Fuller <rfcdma@spinn.net>
Date: Thu, 12 May 2005 13:25:54 -0600
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
For the PCS frequencies the max transmitter power is 8 or 15 watts 
depending on the equipment per carrier.  Antenna gain is typically 16 to 
18 dBi per sector.  Usually 3 sectors.  The average power usually runs 
about a fifth to tenth of that.    Most systems have at least 2 carriers 
(wideband channels) per sector and some as many as 5 carriers in a busy 
market. 

For 15 watts max per sector per carrier  you have  41.7 dBm to antenna 
maybe 1.5dB   min feedline and connector loss  and 17 dBi for antenna 
which gives you
57.2 dBm.  This is 524 watts per sector per carrier at max output 
power.  Remember the power output of todays CDMA carriers for both 
cellular and PCS is widely variable based on traffic loading.  I would 
say you could have an average over the day of 1/5 the max output which 
puts you right at 100W per sector per channel.   Typical sector 
beamwiths (hoizontal) on those antennas are 65 degrees at 3dB points.    
The vertical beamwidth is only 3 degrees or less and often the antenna 
is downtilted to keep interference from adjacent cells or cells on the 
horizon.   The design of CDMA systems is an exercise in interference 
management.

Let me know if you have more questions or the info not clear.

-Dave WD7Z



Jim Brown wrote:

>For an "RFI for audio guys" applications note I am writing, I would 
>like to know the approximate transmit power levels for cellular base 
>stations. I'm guessing around 100w ERP on peaks?  
>
>Jim Brown  K9YC
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>
>See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless 
>Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any 
>questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>
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>
>  
>
_______________________________________________

See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather 
Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions 
and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.

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