PIM Mitigation
Passive intermodulation (PIM) is a radio frequency distortion that diminishes the effective range of your antennas and the quality of your wireless network. Multiple antennas, dissimilar metals, loose or vibrating components, and ungrounded equipment are all possible sources. PIM is an issue for all radio transmitters, but is especially problematic for those in the 700-800 MHz frequency range; such as those used by most public agencies and emergency services.
Commercial carriers have been updating their construction standards for the past decade to combat PIM, but PIM avoidance is rarely considered when designing and building public radio systems despite those same systems being at greater risk. This means the antenna site is built using materials and methods that exasperate PIM interference. These issues are made worse by a trend of public radio systems being installed by unqualified contractors who, in effort to deliver the lowest possible bid, build sites which do not meet current applicable standards.
American Infrastructure & Tower’s (AIT) team is experienced in identifying and remedying sources of PIM on both commercial and public/government antenna sites. Indeed, we have seen such improved output from some antenna sites that the customer was able to remove other sites because the effective range had been increased so much that fewer towers were needed to cover the service area.
AIT offers PIM mitigating methods & materials as an added value on our installation & maintenance contracts, but also offers PIM identification and remediation as a standalone service. Additionally, we can provide consulting services to ensure your next request-for-bids is structured to ensure PIM mitigating materials & methods are appropriately applied by contractors.
