Xircom An Intel Company GEM3501 User Manual

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Core Engine GSM/GPRS Modem Developer Guide Preliminary Draft: 7/6/2001 
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Part Number: 07100026, Revision: 002 
Confidential
 
© 2001 Xircom, Inc., an Intel company All rights reserved.  
All trademarks and copyrights are the property of Xircom, Inc., an Intel company 
8.3.4 Antenna Polarization 
Antenna polarization is normally defined as vertical, horizontal, slant left, slant right, or 
circular.  For portable devices, polarization purity is not required nor desired.  Due to the 
random positions that a portable device can be used in, and due to the fact that a 
significant de-polarization of the predominantly linear polarization of the serving base 
station will occur in most user environments, it is important that a portable device have an 
antenna that will respond well to all polarizations.  This is generally known as “dirty” 
polarization and can be described as a polarization ellipse with an axial ratio (ratio of the 
maximum to minimum response of the polarization ellipse) of 7 to 9 dB.
 
8.4 Antenna Location and Network Communication 
The antenna location for modem installation is dependent on the individual site conditions. 
As a rule, the antenna should be positioned so that a reliable radio connection can be 
made with the GSM network. The following guidelines will assist the installer in making 
this determination.  
Where the reliability of the signal strength would be in question, one or more base 
stations would enhance quality of the signal.  
Where possible, the modem location should be selected so that the antenna has an 
unobstructed line of sight to the selected base-station(s)  
The antenna should be located to maximize the signal strength and quality received 
from the selected base-station(s).  
It is recommended that the installer obtain GSM Network coverage maps from the 
GSM operator indicating that the installation site is in a covered area. It is also 
recommended that coverage and signal quality be verified prior to installation, using a 
GSM handset.  
If possible, the modem and its associated antenna should be deployed inside an 
environmentally controlled protected structure (such as an office building).