Site Investigation Survey

Perform site hunting/searching a number of candidates sites within limited distance around the nominal point/coordinate. The nominal point defined and created by Radio Network Design Process. RF Survey must take into consideration potential coverage area, antenna height, antenna directions, upcoming obstructions, leasing contract, access for equipment delivery, installation, etc. A candidate site selected is suitable to provide coverage according to the requirement for the nominal radio network design. The surroundings of the selected site have to be assessed and the degree importance regarding coverage and capacity must be evaluated for each sector. This information will be used for more detailed planning to balance traffic requirements and coverage ranges.

Microwave network between base stations require medium transport to bridges concatenated multitude base stations traversed to BSC (in GSM Standard) or Node B to RNC (UTRAN) in specific network topologies. One of the Initial aspect design of network topologies is LOS Survey. LOS between two sites can be confirmed via either map-based studies or direct survey. A path profile is established from topographical maps, which, by reference to the contours of the map, can be translated into an elevation profile of the land between the two sites in the path.

The Fresnel Zone calculation can then be applied, and an indication of any clearance problem gained taking the earth’s curvature into consideration. The straight line is then drawn on the map (or digital map) and points at each kilometers are marked on this line. The surveyor then drives along the marked line, goes to each points to verify the height above the average mean sea level and cross checks with the map. A check is also made to see whether there are any obstructions.