Radio communication network

for offshore production platforms

in fields IVANA, IKA/IDA and MARICA

KOMTEH
C O M M U N IC A T IO N

T E C H N O L O G IE S

Zagreb, March 2004.

Introduction
An attempt was already made to solve the network using one coastal repeater (Sv. Martin, 230 m) and one
repeater situated on Osorščica (Lošinj island, 575 m). VHF band was proposed.
Due to some misestimating, the solution looks feasible, but resolute recalculation shows that at least one
link, Sv. Martin – Marica, is not possible to establish.1
Furthermore, all calculations were based on RX sensitivity parameter set to 0,5 µV (equal to –113 dBm),
while in our experiences, for the band selected and North Adriatic region, even 1,5 µV (equal to
–103,5 dBm) is rather optimistic. Proposed antenna arrays characteristics are wide – that is emphasizing
the problem.
There is no infrastructure on Osorščica site – Ministry of Interior has installed a solar powered repeater,
using helicopter, as there is a pedestrian path only. GSM operator, planning to build an antenna mast
there, has a serious obstacle in local environmentalists, who are eager to protect their island landscape. It
is difficult to forecast the outcome of the dispute. Marica field may be reached just from there or using
another coastal site – Goli (538 m, at Labinština, Istria).
Consequently, we have prepared our network solution, based on local VHF repeaters for respective fields:
Ivana (5 platforms), Ika/Ida (7 platforms) and Marica (2 platforms), the three repeaters being intercon-
nected by UHF links using repeater site Goli.

Network topology
Each field is covered by its local VHF repeater, equipped with an omnidirectional antenna system. The
three repeaters are connected by UHF links using repeater site Goli (45°01'13"N, 14°07'37"E, 538 m
ASL). For the time being, VHF repeaters are presumed to be at Ivana A, Ika A and Marica.
Schematic at the following page represents UHF link paths (1:500.000).

UHF links
Basic parameters assumed are: TX power 10 W, RX sensitivity 1,5 µV (equal to –103,5 dBm).
Antenna height on Goli is 15 m above the ground, while antennas at platforms are supposed to be moun-
ted at 35 m above the sea level. Instead of antenna arrays proposed in former solution, single antennas are
sufficient for UFH band solution:
• Ivana A – Goli and Ika A – Goli links are to be equipped with 12-element yagies, vertical polarizati-
on, on both sides. Having in mind sea corrosion environment, advisable are Sigma AN12U, 12 dBd,
beamwidth 34°
• Marina – Goli, being the most demanding path, my be alternatively equipped with parabolic grid
antennas like Andrew Gridpack KP6-403B (diameter 2 m), 16,3 dBi, beamwidth 22°, or with pairs of
AN12U bayed, resulting the similar gain and beamwidth.
Terrain profiles and radio transmission calculations for these three links are attached.

1
Terrain profile and the calculation are attached; forecasted percentage of time below RX treshold is
above 13 %.
 Radio trase repetitora Goli, 538 m

Goli

245°
185°
72,3 km
214°

65°
Ivana A

88,5 km

105,8 km

34°

Ika A

5°

Marica
1: 500 000
 650

600

550

500

450

400

350

300

250

Elevation (m)
200

150

100

50

-50
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70
Path length (72.29 km)
Goli Frequency (MHz) = 450.0 Ivana A
Latitude 045 01 13 N K = 1.33, 0.66 Latitude 044 44 42 N
Longitude 014 07 37 E %F1 = 100.00, 30.00 Longitude 013 17 54 E
Azimuth 245.26° Azimuth 64.68°
Elevation 538 m ASL Elevation 0 m ASL
Antenna CL 15.0 m AGL Antenna CL 35.0 m AGL
RADIO TRANSMISSION CALCULATION

Goli – Platforma Ivana A

1. TX output power 10.0 W / 40.00 dBm

2. RX sensitivity 1.5 µV / –103.47 dBm
3. Frequency 450.00 MHz
4. Path length 72.29 km
5. Gain, antenna A 14.15 dBi
6. Gain, antenna B 14.15 dBi
7. Coax cable A attenuation .03 dB/m
8. Coax cable B attenuation .03 dB/m
9. Coax cable A length 20.00 m
10. Coax cable B length 20.00 m
11. Free space loss 122.70 dB
12. Diffraction loss .00 dB
13. Reflection loss 4.53 dB
14. Miscellaneous losses 1.00 dB
15. Loss tolerance .00 dB
16. Coax cables A and B loss 1.08 dB
17. Total antennas gain 28.30 dB
18. Total path losses and gains 101.01 dB
19. RX input level, fading excluded –61.01 dBm
20. Fading for more than 20 % of time .50 dB
21. Signal/Noise ratio for more than 20 % of time 61.96 dB
22. Fading margin above RX threshold 42.46 dB
23. Percentage of time below RX threshold .05354 %
24. Field strength at point B 74.20 dB(µV/m)
 650

600

550

500

450

400

350

300

250

Elevation (m)
200

150

100

50

-50
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Path length (88.49 km)
Goli Frequency (MHz) = 450.0 Ika A
Latitude 045 01 13 N K = 1.33, 0.66 Latitude 044 21 50 N
Longitude 014 07 37 E %F1 = 100.00, 30.00 Longitude 013 29 46 E
Azimuth 214.66° Azimuth 34.22°
Elevation 538 m ASL Elevation 0 m ASL
Antenna CL 15.0 m AGL Antenna CL 35.0 m AGL
RADIO TRANSMISSION CALCULATION

Goli – Platforma Ika A

1. TX output power 10.0 W / 40.00 dBm

2. RX sensitivity 1.5 µV / –103.47 dBm
3. Frequency 450.00 MHz
4. Path length 88.49 km
5. Gain, antenna A 14.15 dBi
6. Gain, antenna B 14.15 dBi
7. Coax cable A attenuation .03 dB/m
8. Coax cable B attenuation .03 dB/m
9. Coax cable A length 20.00 m
10. Coax cable B length 20.00 m
11. Free space loss 124.45 dB
12. Diffraction loss .00 dB
13. Reflection loss 4.28 dB
14. Miscellaneous losses 1.00 dB
15. Loss tolerance .00 dB
16. Coax cables A and B loss 1.08 dB
17. Total antennas gain 28.30 dB
18. Total path losses and gains 102.51 dB
19. RX input level, fading excluded –62.51 dBm
20. Fading for more than 20 % of time .85 dB
21. Signal/Noise ratio for more than 20 % of time 60.10 dB
22. Fading margin above RX threshold 40.96 dB
23. Percentage of time below RX threshold .20494 %
24. Field strength at point B 72.69 dB(µV/m)
 650

600

550

500

450

400

350

300

250

Elevation (m)
200

150

100

50

-50
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Path length (105.84 km)
Goli Frequency (MHz) = 450.0 Marica
Latitude 045 01 13 N K = 1.33, 0.66 Latitude 044 04 19 N
Longitude 014 07 37 E %F1 = 100.00, 30.00 Longitude 014 00 37 E
Azimuth 185.07° Azimuth 4.99°
Elevation 538 m ASL Elevation 0 m ASL
Antenna CL 15.0 m AGL Antenna CL 35.0 m AGL
RADIO TRANSMISSION CALCULATION

Goli – Platforma Marica

1. TX output power 10.0 W / 40.00 dBm

2. RX sensitivity 1.5 µV / –103.47 dBm
3. Frequency 450.00 MHz
4. Path length 105.83 km
5. Gain, antenna A 16.30 dBi
6. Gain, antenna B 16.30 dBi
7. Coax cable A attenuation .03 dB/m
8. Coax cable B attenuation .03 dB/m
9. Coax cable A length 20.00 m
10. Coax cable B length 20.00 m
11. Free space loss 126.01 dB
12. Diffraction loss 5.20 dB
13. Reflection loss 5.00 dB
14. Miscellaneous losses 1.00 dB
15. Loss tolerance .00 dB
16. Coax cables A and B loss 1.08 dB
17. Total antennas gain 32.60 dB
18. Total path losses and gains 105.69 dB
19. RX input level, fading excluded –65.69 dBm
20. Fading for more than 20 % of time 1.43 dB
21. Signal/Noise ratio for more than 20 % of time 56.35 dB
22. Fading margin above RX threshold 37.78 dB
23. Percentage of time below RX threshold .62866 %
24. Field strength at point B 65.22 dB(µV/m)
RECALCULATION

VHF link: Sv. Martin – Marica platform

 500

450

400

350

300

250

200

Elevation (m)
150

100

50

-50
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110
Path length (118.98 km)
Sv. Martin Frequency (MHz) = 160.0 Marica
Latitude 045 07 32 N K = 1.33, 0.66 Latitude 044 04 19 N
Longitude 013 44 38 E %F1 = 100.00, 30.00 Longitude 014 00 37 E
Azimuth 169.67° Azimuth 349.85°
Elevation 230 m ASL Elevation 0 m ASL
Antenna CL 50.0 m AGL Antenna CL 35.0 m AGL
 RADIO TRANSMISSION CALCULATION

Sveti Martin – Platforma Marica

1. TX output power 25.0 W / 43.98 dBm

2. RX sensitivity 1.5 µV / –103.47 dBm
3. Frequency 160.00 MHz
4. Path length 119.00 km
5. Gain, antenna A 16.30 dBi
6. Gain, antenna B 16.30 dBi
7. Coax cable A attenuation .03 dB/m
8. Coax cable B attenuation .03 dB/m
9. Coax cable A length 60.00 m
10. Coax cable B length 20.00 m
11. Free space loss 118.04 dB
12. Diffraction loss 25.60 dB
13. Reflection loss 0.00 dB
14. Miscellaneous losses 1.00 dB
15. Loss tolerance 1.00 dB
16. Coax cables A and B loss 2.40 dB
17. Total antennas gain 32.60 dB
18. Total path losses and gains 115.44 dB
19. RX input level, fading excluded –71.46 dBm
20. Fading for more than 20 % of time 3.18 dB
21. Signal/Noise ratio for more than 20 % of time 48.83 dB
22. Fading margin above RX threshold 32.00 dB
23. Percentage of time below RX threshold 13.63014 %
24. Field strength at point B 52.78 dB(µV/m)