PIM Hunting

1-Port PIM Hunting 

The purpose of FirstNet work is to build a broadband reserved solely for police officers, firefighters, and other first responders. This will reduce their response time allowing them to do their job more efficiently.

AT&T is the designated carrier for FirstNet. Two-man crews are required to perform PIM Mitigation for troubled FirstNet sites after cell site deployments. Because of the high PIM failures associated with Bands 14 and 17, PIM mitigation has become a serious need.

There are many different methods to locate PIM, one being visual inspection coupled with tapping or manipulation to test the parts suspected to be the cause of PIM. When the cause is unknown, technicians can use PIM hunting test equipment to pinpoint the source of PIM within centimeters. This is done by a PIM tester that uses two high-power test signals to broadcast through the site antenna revealing any PIM sources in the RF path. By using a PIM probe connected to a spectrum analyzer, a technician can see the precise location of the PIM source. This is seen when the PIM probe comes close to the PIM source and increases the PIM value by as much as 30 dB.

Avalon Test Equipment is one of two companies authorized to perform one-day training classes for External PIM Hunting. We are in the AT&T MOP and training certificates are mandated.

Avalon carries PIM hygiene products including PIM tape and PIM blankets for FirstNet™ testing. We also offer a complete PIM hunting kit for rent or sale covering everything you need to keep your crews running. Test with Confidence®.