Trott’s RF Interference services help our clients with predicting, preventing, and mitigating interference to their communications systems. These services are also widely used for site managers as a preventive measure for the addition of wireless tenants or proposed changes by existing tenants. It is vital for both the site manager and tenant to determine if plans may negatively impact an existing wireless tenant before deploying costly resources.

The primary preventive interference techniques is an Intermodulation (i.e. Intermod or IM) Study. An IM study is a mathematical exercise to identify the relationships between all frequencies (transmit and receive) at a site, and determine if two or more transmit frequencies could theoretically mix to produce an interfering signal on a receive frequency. The IM study will produce possible combinations of transmit frequencies that have the “potential” to create interference at the site. These potential combos (IM products) can be mitigated through proper filtering and antenna mounting location recommendations. These actions can attenuate the potential interfering signals to insignificant power levels at the possible mixing source.

Trott can also assist in investigating an existing interference situation. By combining an IM Analysis of the frequencies at or near the site with on-site frequency scans, Trott can help wireless users and site owners / managers locate an interferer. IM Studies and RFE Analyses are key tools for Wireless Site Owners / Managers to safely and responsibly add new wireless tenants while protecting existing tenants. IM Studies are especially vital with communication sites that host public safety land mobile radio systems.