Application Note

Tower Mounted Amplifier

TMA (Tower Mounted Amplifier) have been used in Base stations as a cost
effective way of improving receiver sensitivity and consequently the overall
network performance. In fact nowadays TMAs are an essential component of
most wireless networks. TMAs improve the uplink sensitivity of the base
stations by boosting the receive signal and therefore overcoming the receive
path loss. This overcomes the link budget imbalance between the uplink and
downlink and hence improves the overall network performance.
In general, using a TMA helps the operators to enhance the capacity and
coverage in their networks.
This application note discusses the performance particulars of the TMA and
the way it helps to improve network performance.

Tower Mounted Amplifier (TMA)

TMA is a low noise amplifier (LNA) installed as close as possible to the

antenna and usually consists of a preselector filter. As way of improving
the system performance, TMA helps in increasing the cell coverage, data
throughput and site ability to maintain connection within and across the
cells. Also using a TMA reduces the power requirements from the
consumer mobile handset thus increasing the battery life which is critical
with today’s data intensive applications. When the TMA is used, the BTS
requests less power from the handset and this increases the handset’s
battery life. The reduction of power in the handset also reduces the
intercell interface which increases the capacity of the adjacent cell. The
most important parameters which need to be considered when choosing
the TMA are the gain, noise figure and intermodulation. Here we explain
how these parameters can affect the overall RX chain performance.

Receiver sensitivity

The TMA increases the receive sensitivity by improving the path loss and
therefore the system noise figure which have a direct impact on the
sensitivity. Below we explain how the TMA has effect on improving the
sensitivity of the uplink path.
Having a specific Signal to noise ratio (SNR), receiver sensitivity is the
minimum input signal (Smin) required to generate a specified output signal.
The sensitivity is defined as:

𝑆𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝐾𝑇𝐵 × (𝑆𝑁𝑅)𝑚𝑖𝑛 × (𝑁𝐹)

Where (𝑆𝑁𝑅)𝑚𝑖𝑛 is the minimum required signal to noise ratio, KTB is the
mean thermal noise and NF noise figure of the system.

P a g e 1|8
 Amongst these three effective factors on the receive sensitivity, operators
have no control over the first two. The SNR is a function of BTS design,
and the thermal noise is a function of nature’s noise which is spread more
or less uniformly over the spectrum (It is -174dB at ambient temperature
over 1Hz of bandwidth). Therefore the only factor that the operators can
use to improve the network sensitivity is the system noise figure.

Below we will discuss how adding the TMA after the antenna can improve
the system noise figure and therefore the sensitivity of the RX path.

Figure 1. The block diagram of a cascaded network consist of multiple stages within a RX path

In a system that consists of cascaded blocks i.e the RX path in figure.1, the
cascaded noise figure is calculated using Friis equation:

𝑁𝐹2 − 1 𝑁𝐹3 − 1 𝑁𝐹𝑛 − 1

𝑁𝐹𝑡𝑜𝑡 = 𝑁𝐹1 + + +⋯
𝐺2 𝐺1 𝐺2 𝐺1 𝐺2 … 𝐺𝑛−1

Where 𝑁𝐹𝑛 and 𝐺𝑛 are the noise figure and the power gain of the 𝑛 stage
respectively. It should be mentioned that any loss in the chain is
considered as 1⁄𝐺 in the equation. Looking at the equation we can see in
a cascaded network, the noise figure contributed by each stage decreases
as the gain of the preceding stage increases. Therefore the first few stages
have the most critical effect on the noise figure and the sensitivity. In
particular, the first stage i.e a TMA with very low noise figure and high gain
will add the most benefit in lowering the system’s overall noise figure.
Besides, if any stage shows loss, the noise figure of the following stage
increases. This occurs for example when lossy cables and connectors are
placed between the antenna and the basestation.

Figure.2 shows an example of two situations where a TMA is not

implemented (a) and implemented (b) in the RX path between the antenna
and basestation receiver. In this example, If we consider the ideal RX
sensitivity of -121.3dBm at the antenna port, path loss of 4.2dB between
the antenna and BTS (Including feeder cables, BTS bias Tee and BTS
connection jumper) and BTS noise figure of 5dB for both cased, the actual

P a g e 2|8
 sensitivity of the receiver would be -112.1dBm (without using the TMA) and
-118.4dBm (with using the TMA). This is explained below;
In Figure.2(a), the total noise figure of RX system = Total attenuation of
Passive components between antenna and TBS + basestation noise figure

𝑁𝐹𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝐿𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ + 𝑁𝐹𝐵𝑇𝑆

𝑁𝐹𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 4.2 + 5 = 9.2𝑑𝐵

Figure 2. The receive path where a TMA is (a) not used and (b) is used between the antenna
and BTS receiver.

In Figure.2(b) where a TMA with 12dB gain and 1.7dB noise figure is
placed between antenna and receive BTS as close as possible to the
antenna,

𝐹𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ+𝐵𝑇𝑆
𝐹𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝐹𝑇𝑀𝐴 +
𝐺𝑇𝑀𝐴
8.3
𝐹𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 1.47 + = 1.98
16
𝑁𝐹𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 2.8𝑑𝐵

Where 𝐹 is the non-decibel value of 𝑁𝐹 and 𝐺 is the gain. In this case the
system’s 𝑁𝐹 = 2.8𝑑𝐵. As we can see by adding an active element
(TMA) after the antenna, the total noise figure of the system is reduced
from 9.2dB to 2.9dB. This is equivalent to the sensitivity improvement of

P a g e 3|8
6.3dBm. In this case the ideal sensitivity is reduced by just 2.9dB
comparing to 9.2dB when no TMA is being used. This results in an
improved link balance, larger cell/sector coverage area and improved user
experience with less data drop out and improved battery life.
Table.1 shows an example of noise figure improvement by using a TMA at
1880MHz when different feeder cables are used. The TMA is assumed to
have 12dB of gain and 1.7dB noise figure. As can be seen in the table
adding a TMA in the RX path can improve the noise figure from 4 to
6.12dB at different scenarios in this example.

Table 1. The calculation of noise figure improvement by using a TMA in the RX path at
1880MHz with different feeder cables between the antenna and the BTS

Uplink Noise Figure Analysis 1880 MHz Feeder With Unit

Only TMA
TMA Gain: 0 12.00 dB
TMA NF: 0 1.70 dB
7/8” Feeder Loss
 100 ft @ 1880 MHz: -1.80 dB
 200 ft @ 1880 MHz: -3.60 dB
1 5/8” Feeder Loss
 100 ft @ 1880 MHz: -1.00 dB
 200 ft @ 1880 MHz: -2.00 dB
BTS/RRH Bias Tee Loss: -0.10 dB
BTS/RRH Connection Jumper -0.50 dB
BTS/RRH NF: 5.00 dB
Uplink Noise Figure (NF) Comparison No With
TMA TMA
7/8” Feeder @ 100 ft: 7.20 2.46 dB
7/8” Feeder @ 200 ft: 9.00 2.88 dB
1 5/8” Feeder @ 100 ft: 6.40 2.32 dB
1 5/8” Feeder @ 200 ft: 7.40 2.50 dB

TMA Vs GMA

In the previous section we showed the benefits of installing the LNA as

close as possible to the antenna. However, the low noise amplifier is
sometime installed on the ground level which is called GMA (Ground
Mounted Amplifier). GMA has the benefit of being easier to install and not
occupying the precious tower space.
When the LNA is installed closer to the BTS, the loss of the RX path,
typically 2-4dB, is directly added to the noise figure and consequently
reduces the sensitivity. Therefore GMA is more limited in the performance
improvement it can add to the system.
On the other hand, because there is no pressure in considering size and
weight the GMA can be optimised for the performance. For example,
superconductors and cryogenic cooling can be used to partially offset the
disadvantage of ground level location at the expense of higher power
consumption.

P a g e 4|8
TMA Architecture
TMA consists of a low noise amplifier (LNA) and very selective filters in the
RX path. The filters are used to reject the unwanted signals within the RX
band and also to protect the LNA from the transmit power of the radio
presented at both BTS and antenna ports.
A band selective filter is also used in the TX path which also prevents the
oscillation within the LNA due to the close loop effect, Figure.3 (a). The TX
filter also helps to reject any additional wider-band noise from degrading
the RX input. It should be mentioned that no amplification is applied to the
TX path.
In some configurations, a non apmlified path can be integrated to the TMA
as a bypass or passthrough path and is used to provide an option for
failsafe operation and diagnostics, Figure.3 (b).

Figure 3. (a) The TMA architecture (b)The TMA with the RX passthrough

AISG Feature
The AISG (Antenna Interface Standard Group), defines the standards for
communication between the base stations and tower-mounted equipment
in order to optimize the performance and enable the remote supervision of
the RF path. The AISG standard is used in the TMA in controlling the LNA
gain and providing error/alarm message as feedback. It is also used in
monitoring and adjusting the beam (tilt) in Remote Electric Tilt (RET)
antennas.
The TMA gain and alarm and the antenna tilt is controlled remotely by a
controller at the base station and the control signal is called AISG signal.
While the coaxial cables between the BTS and the antenna (feeder cables)
are carrying the high power RF signals, the AISG signal is carried out
through RS-485 control cables. Nowadays, the common way of
establishing the communication between the base station controller and
the tower mounted equipment ie TMA and antenna is to use the AISG
modem to modulate the 9.6kbit/sec AISG control signals of the RS-485
cable at the bottom of the tower onto a 2.176MHz carrier and send it on the
RF feeder cable. The ON-OFF Keying (OOK) is used to modulate the
2.176MHz carrier signal and therefore these modems are called AISG
OOK modems.
A second AISG modem is used at the top of the tower to get the control
carrier from the RF feeder cable and convert it to the logic levels for the
TMA or antenna control. The second modem can be integrated in to the
TMA. In this case, the TMA also outputs the AISG control signal on a RS-
485 cable for connecting to the RET antennas.

P a g e 5|8
TMA with diversity feature

In the applications where the RF or baseband diversity is required, the

TMA can be designed to provide the appropriate diversity signals. Figure.4
shows the block diagram of a TMA which preserves the receive and
transmit diversity with minimum loss. ANTA and ANTB are the main and
diversity ports of the antenna and in both uplink and downlink directions.

Figure 4. The TMA architecture with diversity feature

Multiband TMAs for Equipment Sharing Scenarios

Due to the increasing restriction on Tower infrastructure deployments by

local municipal policies and the towers physical limitations, operators are
facing difficulties in adding new antenna systems to their existing sites.
Network equipment sharing between multiple operators or multiple
technologies can be seen as a cost-effective solution to the deployment of
current and next generation base stations.
Network sharing can take many forms including feeder sharing, antenna
sharing, band-combining, RAN sharing, etc in Inter or Intra-operator
sharing scenarios. Depending on the level of sharing, different equipment
are required to support the market. Multi-band TMAs are one of the
equipment developed to address the equipment sharing market with
structures advanced to support various sharing scenarios.
Filtronic’s involvement in multiple projects for equipment sharing market
has resulted in developed expertise and wide range of products including
multi-band TMAs to support various sharing scenarios.
Filtronic has developed a wide range of multi-band TMAs to support
various network sharing scenarios with offering the optimum performance.

P a g e 6|8
 When only the feeders are shared between multiple base stations /
eNodeBs, Multi-band TMA can be designed in a duplex form with separate
RF paths for each band at the antenna port, Figure.5 (a). In the scenarios
where both feeders and antennas are shared (the single band antennas
are replaced with multiband antennas), Multi-band TMAs can be designed
with one RF path at the antenna and BS ports (diplexed), Figure. 5 (b).

Figure 5. The Multiband TMA with (a) duplexed and (d) diplexed structure

In the multiband TMA structure, duplexed or diplexed, the RET control can
be given to each individual BTS / eNodeB by using two separate AISG
modems, Figure.6. This gives more flexibility and control over the network
performance when the equipments are shared between multiple operators.

Figure 6. The multiband TMA with duplexed and diplexed structure and individual RET control
for each BTS / eNodeB

P a g e 7|8
 TMA Examples

Filtronic offers a wide range of tower mounted amplifiers for different

scenarios in the wireless infrastructure market. The TMAs are designed for
single or multiple frequency operation within 800, 900, 1200, 1800, 2100
and 2600MHz bands.
For example, SXC064 is a dual TMA for 2600MHz band with 12dB of gain
and excellent noise figure of 1.3dB. The unit provides extremely low loss
over the RX band with very high OIP3 of a 26dB. It also provide the LNA
bypass path for failsafe operation and diagnostics.
As another example, SXC092 is a twin dual band TMA which provides
12dB of gain across two operational bands of 1800 and 2600MHz. The
TMA has an excellent noise figure and very low loss across both bands.
There is also AISG modem and PCU integrated with this TMA.
Filtronic also offers a triple band TMA, SXD003, for operation in 1800,
2100 and 2600 bands. The unit has excellent noise figure, 12dB of gain,
High OIP3 and low RX loss across all operational bands.
Similarly there are a wide range of TMAs for different frequency bands to
fulfil the requirements for different scenarios. For more information please
review our product portfolio.

General Features of Tower Mounted Amplifier

Covers wide range of wireless frequency bands; 800, 900, 1200, 1800,
2100 and 2600MHz
Supports different technologies; GSM, UMTS, CDMA, WCDMA and LTE
Excellent noise figure
12 ± 1dB of gain across all frequency bands
Minimal RX insertion loss over all frequency bands
Very high output intercept point (OIP3)
AISG Modem
N x 7/16 DIN female connectors

Conclusion

Filtronic offers a wide range of TMAs for the wireless infrastructure market.
The wide range of TMAs covers different scenarios of equipment and
technology sharing. The TMAs are designed with an excellent noise figure,
high gain, high OIP3 and minimum insertion loss within RX path.

EMEA Americas
Filtronic Wireless Ltd. Filtronic Wireless Inc.
3 Airport West 700 Marvel Rd
Lancaster Way Salisbury [Link]
Yeadon MD 21801
United Kingdom
fwlsales@[Link]
United States of America
+44 113 220 0000 +1 410 202 8811