Create Physical Separation

Do not test donor and service antennas in the same room, beside the same window or in direct line of sight. Use physical distance and the building structure to create additional attenuation.

Use Vertical Separation Where Possible

A donor antenna on the roof or upper exterior facade and service antennas lower inside the building can benefit from floor slabs, concrete and other structural attenuation.

Point Antennas Away from Each Other

The directional donor antenna should face the target base station outside the building, while indoor service antennas should be oriented away from the donor direction wherever practical.

Verify at the Final Mounting Positions

Isolation must be assessed after the antennas and actual RF cables are installed. A temporary bench test in one room does not represent final site behaviour.

Account for RF Cable Loss

• Avoid unnecessary cable length.
• Use application-appropriate low-loss 50 Ω RF cable.
• Do not sharply bend or mechanically crush the cable.
• Protect outdoor connections against water and moisture ingress.

Connect to the Correct Repeater Ports

• Start threaded connectors carefully to avoid cross-threading.
• Do not leave RF connectors loose.
• Minimise unnecessary adapters and intermediate connections.
• Check connector surfaces for corrosion or physical damage.

Ceiling Omni Antennas in Open Areas

Open offices, shops and halls can use ceiling omni antennas for surrounding coverage when mounting height and placement are appropriate. Metal ceilings, columns and ventilation ducts should be considered.

Directional Antennas in Corridors and Long Areas

Long corridors and areas where coverage needs to progress in a specific direction can use directional panel antennas for more controlled RF distribution.

Account for Wall and Floor Losses

Reinforced concrete, structural walls, fire doors, metal cladding and low-emissivity glazing can substantially reduce cellular-signal propagation inside a building.

Divide RF Distribution in Large Buildings

Large or multi-floor buildings may require splitters/taps and multiple service antennas. Cable and passive losses in each branch must be included in the design.

Weak Donor Signal

In rural or distant sites, the signal at the donor-antenna location can be weak or low quality. A stronger or more directional donor-antenna solution and a better mounting location may be required.

Too Many Strong Cells Reaching the Repeater

In dense urban RF environments, an omni donor antenna can receive several strong cells at once. A directional antenna can help improve target-cell selection and reduce unwanted directions.