Wireless Facility Engineering Review - Berkeley, California...Wireless Facility Engineering Review...
Transcript of Wireless Facility Engineering Review - Berkeley, California...Wireless Facility Engineering Review...
Wireless Facility Engineering Review
AT&T Application for Site (CNU 4216) 1861 Solano Avenue, Berkeley, CA
Dieter J. Preiser, PMP 9/2/2012
RCC Consultants, Inc. ‐ Western Regional Office 266 E. 33rd Street, San Bernardino, CA 92404 909.881.0250 Tel, 909.881.8979 Fax
RCC Consultants, Inc. Page 2
AT&T Application for Site (CNU4216) 1861 Solano Avenue, Berkeley, CA
RCC Consultants, Inc. has been engaged by the City of Berkeley to conduct a peer review,
consistent with recognized industry standard practices, of the proposal from AT&T to construct
and operate a new wireless base station facility at 1861 Solano Avenue, Berkeley, CA. RCC has
performed many similar peer reviews for municipal clients throughout the US, including several
in the San Francisco Bay area.
This report supersedes, RCC’s previous report for this location, dated December 12, 2012, as
AT&T has modified the proposed antenna locations on the subject building.
Surrounding Environment
The proposed site is the Oaks Theater, located on the north side of Solano Avenue between The
Alameda and Colusa Avenue in a commercial zone. A residential neighborhood is located
immediately to the north of the property.
Durant Avenue
RCC Consultants, Inc. Page 3
Figure 1 ‐ Aerial View of the Vicinity
Background
AT&T is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to operate in portions of the PCS
(1950 MHz), Cellular (870 MHz), AWS (1730/2130 MHz) and LTE (700 MHz) frequency bands.
ATT deploys three different technologies in its wireless infrastructure: GSM, UMTS and, most
recently, LTE to deliver voice and data services. This application is for the construction and
operation of a new wireless facility to support services in these frequency bands using the
technologies stated. Details are provided below.
Proposed Site Configuration
The applicant has proposed to install antenna systems and equipment in the existing building.
Specifically ATT is proposing to:
1. Install a total of twelve (12) antennas in three sectors and ancillary equipment for GSM,
UMTS and LTE services:
1861 Solano Avenue
RCC Consultants, Inc. Page 4
• Sector A – four (4) each antennas with orientation of 60° at a height above ground of
47’‐1” to the center line.
• Sector B – four (4) each antennas with orientation of 250° at a height above ground
of 47’‐1” to the center line.
• Sector C – four (4) each antennas with orientation of 160° at a height above ground
of 47’‐1” to the center line.
These antennas will be installed at or below parapet height within fiberglass
reinforced panel screens painted to match the existing building color.
2. Each antenna is a Powerwave Model P65‐15‐XLH‐RR broadband antenna with
dimensions of 51”H x 12”W x 6”D.
3. Twelve equipment cabinets and smaller, miscellaneous equipment boxes will be located
on a raised platform in a designated area of 8’‐2” x 36’‐0” within the stairwell of the
building.
Figure 2 – Antenna Installation Locations
Antenna Sector C at 160 degrees
Antenna Sector B at 260 degrees
Antenna Sector A at 60 degrees
RCC Consultants, Inc. Page 5
Methodology
In conducting a peer review, RCC reviews and analyzes site application documents against
wireless industry standards and best practices. In this case, RCC considered the application
and supplemental materials submitted by AT&T, including the plans by Steamline Engineering,
dated January 16, 2012, the RF report by Hammett and Edison, Inc., dated May 2, 2012, and the
coverage maps and field tests data, dated July 9, 2012. The coverage maps depict the modeled
coverage from adjacent sites, and the combined modeled area coverage including the new site
(marked as Figures 3, and 4, respectively).
Figure 3 – Modeled Existing Coverage at 850 MHz from Adjacent Sites
1861 Solano Avenue
RCC Consultants, Inc. Page 6
Figure 4 – Modeled Post‐Implementation Coverage at 850 MHz
Justification for the Site Modification
AT&T has stated that the design objective for this site is to eliminate a coverage gap that exists
in the area surrounding Solano Avenue/Contra Costa Avenue, in particular as it relates to in‐
building coverage. Although substantial outdoor coverage exists as indicated by the blue
shaded area in Figure 3, the adjacent six existing sites are too far removed from the intended
coverage area to provide reliable in‐transit and in‐building coverage. AT&T also submitted
actual drive test and call failure data that supports the contention of a network gap in the
subject area. It is RCC’s opinion that AT&T has demonstrated a coverage gap in its network in
the area in terms of in‐transit and in‐building service, and that this gap will be substantially
mitigated by the activation of service from the subject site.
1861 Solano Avenue
RCC Consultants, Inc. Page 7
Alternatives
AT&T had previously provided an analysis of three alternative sites it has considered, including:
• Alternative 1: 1760 Solano Avenue
• Alternative 2: 1820 Solano Ave.
• Alternative 3: 1850 Solano Ave.
None of these were found to be suitable. (See RCC’s previous report, dated December 12,
2011.)
Radio Frequency Emissions Safety
RCC has reviewed the report prepared by Hammett and Edison, Inc. on behave of AT&T, dated
May 2, 2012, and concurs with its conclusion that the proposed antenna installation will comply
with the Federal Communications Commission’s guidelines for radio frequency emissions
exposure as detailed in their Office of Engineering & Technology Bulletin No. 65, “Evaluating
Compliance with FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic
Fields,” August 1997 (“OET Bulletin 65”). Based on the OET Bulletin 65, the Maximum
Permissible Exposure (“MPE”) for the general population/uncontrolled exposure is 0.47 milli‐
Watt per square centimeter (mW/cm²) in the 700 MHz band (LTE), 0.58 milli‐Watt per square
centimeter (mW/cm²) in the Cellular spectrum, and 1 mW/cm² in the PCS and AWS spectrum.
Permissible levels for exposure under occupational conditions, such as may be encountered by
maintenance personnel, are five times higher.
RCC Co
Summary
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Page 8
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Wireless Facility Engineering Review
AT&T Application for Site (CNU 4216) 1861 Solano Avenue, Berkeley, CA
Dieter J. Preiser, PMP 12/12/2011
RCC Consultants, Inc. ‐ Western Regional Office 266 E. 33rd Street, San Bernardino, CA 92404 909.881.0250 Tel, 909.881.8979 Fax
RCC Consultants, Inc. Page 2
AT&T Application for Site (CNU4216) 1861 Solano Avenue, Berkeley, CA
RCC Consultants, Inc. has been engaged by the City of Berkeley to conduct a peer review,
consistent with recognized industry standard practices, of the proposal from AT&T to construct
and operate a new wireless base station facility at 1861 Solano Avenue, Berkeley, CA. RCC has
performed many similar peer reviews for municipal clients throughout the US, including several
in the San Francisco Bay area.
Surrounding Environment
The proposed site is the Oaks Theater, located on the north side of Solano Avenue between The
Alameda and Colusa Avenue in a commercial zone. A residential neighborhood is located
immediately to the north of the property.
Durant Avenue
Figure 1 ‐ Aerial View of the Vicinity
1861 Solano Avenue
RCC Consultants, Inc. Page 3
Background
AT&T is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to operate in portions of the PCS
(1950 MHz), Cellular (870 MHz), AWS (1730/2130 MHz) and LTE (700 MHz) frequency bands.
ATT deploys three different technologies in its wireless infrastructure: GSM, UMTS and, most
recently, LTE to deliver voice and data services. This application is for the construction and
operation of a new wireless facility to support services in these frequency bands using the
technologies stated. Details are provided below.
Proposed Site Configuration
The applicant has proposed to install antenna systems and equipment in the existing building.
Specifically ATT is proposing to:
1. Install a total of twelve (12) antennas in three sectors and ancillary equipment for GSM,
UMTS and LTE services:
• Sector A – four (4) each antennas with orientation of 60° at a height above ground of
43’‐4” to the center line.
• Sector B – four (4) each antennas with orientation of 250° at a height above ground
of 47’‐1” to the center line.
• Sector C – four (4) each antennas with orientation of 160° at a height above ground
of 43’‐4” to the center line.
These antennas will be installed at or below parapet height within fiberglass
reinforced panel screens painted to match the existing building color.
2. Each antenna is a Powerwave Model P65‐15‐XLH‐RR broadband antenna with
dimensions of 51”H x 12”W x 6”D.
3. Twelve equipment cabinets and smaller, miscellaneous equipment boxes will be located
on a raised platform in a designated area of 8’‐2” x 36’‐0” within the stairwell of the
building.
RCC Consultants, Inc. Page 4
Figure 2 – Antenna Installation Locations
Methodology
In conducting a peer review, RCC reviews and analyzes site application documents against
wireless industry standards and best practices. In this case, RCC considered the application
and supplemental materials submitted by AT&T, including the coverage maps provided that are
reflecting the modeled area coverage from adjacent sites and the combined modeled area
coverage including the new site (marked as Figures 3 and 4, respectively).
Antenna Sector C at 160 degrees
Antenna Sector B at 260 degrees
Antenna Sector A at 60 degrees
RCC Consultants, Inc. Page 5
Figure 3 – Modeled Existing Coverage at 850 MHz from Adjacent Sites
1861 Solano Avenue
RCC Consultants, Inc. Page 6
Figure 4 – Modeled Post‐Implementation Coverage at 850 MHz
Justification for the Site Modification
AT&T has stated that the design objective for this site is to eliminate a coverage gap that exists
in the area surrounding Solano Avenue/Contra Costa Avenue, in particular as it relates to in‐
building coverage. Although substantial outdoor coverage exists as indicated by the blue
shaded area in Figure 3, the adjacent six existing sites are too far removed from the intended
coverage area to provide reliable in‐transit and in‐building coverage. It is RCC’s opinion that
AT&T has demonstrated a coverage gap in its network in the area in terms of in‐transit and in‐
building service, and that this gap will be substantially mitigated by the activation of service
from the subject site.
RCC Consultants, Inc. Page 7
Alternatives
AT&T has provided an analysis of three alternative sites it has considered.
Alternative 1: 1760 Solano Avenue
This is an existing site for T‐Mobile, Verizon and Sprint and would have been a preferred site
from a coverage standpoint. However, AT&T indicated that the landlord was not interested in
negotiating a lease.
Alternative 2: 1820 Solano Ave.
This two story building is 26’ to 28’ in height which would not offer sufficient antenna height to
effectively meet the coverage objectives. RCC has analyzed the coverage maps which are
based on an effective antenna height of 30”. The coverage achievable with this height
limitation is substantially less that that available from the proposed site or from the Alternative
1 site.
Alternative 3: 1850 Solano Ave.
This single story commercial building would also place a significant restriction on effective
antenna height feasible without additional structural height increase. RCC has analyzed the
coverage maps based on a 28’antenna height and finds the coverage substantially less that that
available from the proposed site or from the Alternative 1 site.
Radio Frequency Emissions Safety
RCC has reviewed the report prepared by Hammett and Edison, Inc. on behave of AT&T and
concurs with its conclusion that the proposed antenna installation will comply with the Federal
Communications Commission’s guidelines for radio frequency emissions exposure as detailed in
their Office of Engineering & Technology Bulletin No. 65, “Evaluating Compliance with FCC
Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields,” August 1997 (“OET
Bulletin 65”). Based on the OET Bulletin 65, the Maximum Permissible Exposure (“MPE”) for
the general population/uncontrolled exposure is 0.47 milli‐Watt per square centimeter
RCC Co
(mW/cm
Cellular s
exposure
personne
Summary
RCC Cons
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Date: De ________Dieter J.
nsultants, Inc.
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Page 8
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