In September, an Inteto Connect and POYNTING team conducted a series of field tests at the Huguenot Tunnel in South Africa. This collaborative effort aimed to evaluate the performance of new antenna technology in a real-world tunnel environment, further enhancing cellular communication solutions for challenging spaces like tunnels and mines.
POYNTING Antennas has a long history of designing and supplying antennas for mining and tunnel communication systems. Our products are used internationally, especially in environments where maintaining communication is critical, such as underground tunnels and mines. One of the most successful technologies is the circular polarized antenna, which has proven effective in such conditions. With this history of success, we saw the Huguenot Tunnel test as an opportunity to evaluate one of our newer models, the POYNTING HELI-33 Circular Polarized Cellular Antenna, in a real-life tunnel setting.
The purpose of the field test in the Huguenot Tunnel was to assess the feasibility and performance of circular polarized antennas in providing cellular coverage within tunnels. These antennas are designed to perform well in environments where traditional antennas struggle due to signal interference or obstacles.
The testing involved driving through the tunnel while making phone calls from inside the vehicle to colleagues located outside the tunnel. Additionally, speed tests were conducted to measure the availability and strength of 4G/5G signals in the tunnel. The aim was to replicate real-world scenarios, ensuring that the technology would provide reliable coverage for both voice calls and data services.
The installation of the test equipment was expertly handled by Inteto Connect’s installation team, led by Gino Scaglia. The installation involved setting up a donor antenna outside the antenna, lined to a repeater and the distribution antenna into the tunnel. The LPDA-500 antenna captures the signal from a nearby base station, which is then amplified by the Remotec repeater and transmitted into the tunnel through the HELI-33 circular polarized antenna. This setup was used to compare performance with the more modern hybrid solution.
The LPDA-500 is one of POYNTING’s latest log-periodic dipole array antennas, offering high-gain and ultra-wideband coverage, operating between 617 to 7200 MHz. This antenna supports current 5G and Wi-Fi 6E frequencies, making it well-suited for future communication needs as well.
The Remotec 10-Watt Tri-band Cellular repeater uses a traditional approach for signal amplification.
The HELI-33 Circular Polarized Antenna is part of POYNTING’s HELI series. It is specifically designed for cellular and IoT/M2M applications, excelling in challenging environments like tunnels and mines. The antenna operates across a wide frequency range of 617 to 4200 MHz, making it suitable for both current and future cellular technologies.
Its circular polarization allows the signal to propagate around obstacles, ensuring reliable coverage in non-line-of-sight situations, such as tunnels with curves or where heavy equipment may block the signal. The antenna’s design also minimizes signal interference, making it ideal for critical applications in environments with low PIM (Passive Intermodulation) requirements.
With a peak gain of 10 dB across its operational band, the Heli-33 ensures strong and consistent performance, providing a reliable solution for communication in tunnels, mines, and industrial environments.
Baseline tests without any antenna equipment installed were done. During these initial tests, phone calls and speed tests showed a significant drop in signal when entering the tunnel. After about 100 to 200 meters into the tunnel both voice and data services became completely unavailable, underscoring the challenge of providing cellular coverage in tunnel environments.
After the antenna installations, the results showed a significant improvement. We were able to make phone calls at distances exceeding 2 kms and achieved data connectivity with speeds of up to 1 Mbps at these distances. These results demonstrated the reliability and effectiveness of the Heli-33 circular polarized antenna for tunnel applications in real-world conditions.
This field test represents a significant milestone in the use of circular polarization for cellular coverage in tunnels. To our knowledge, it is the first-ever demonstration of this technology in such an environment. The success of the HELI-33 antenna in the Huguenot Tunnel showcases its potential for improving communication in similar challenging settings worldwide.
If you would like to explore how you can improve cellular communication in your tunnel or similar environment, feel free to contact us for more information on our solutions.
