GlenMartin, Inc.
13620 Old Hwy 40 • Boonville, MO 65233
Telephone (660) 882-2734 • Fax (660) 882-7200

www.glenmartin.com

PRESS RELEASE

For more information, please contact:
Beau Aero , (660) 882-2734 x209

Tower Maintenance Key to Wireless Network Reliability

Boonville, MO (January 7th, 2009) –
By: Chris Martin, P.E., CTO

Wireless network reliability depends significantly on a stable and ultra-reliable system of tower structures distributed strategically throughout a coverage area. These systems operate together as a machine moving back and forth actively supporting each other. They resist constantly changing climatic events. Depending on design, materials, and size; the type of structure chosen may make a substantial difference in overall operating efficiency.

Maintenance intervals directly relate to the number of moving parts. Guyed towers, monopoles and self-supporting towers are three of the most common types of towers manufactured in the United States. Guyed communication antenna tower systems, require more maintenance than a monopole or self-supporting three or four leg tower system, due to the fact its base is smaller and cables are used to keep the tower standing.

The key to reliable wireless tower network infrastructure is scheduled maintenance intervals with historical record management. This brief article will address some valuable ideas on collecting valuable tower data and maintaining this information. Further, we will briefly explore the future of maintenance and automation as it relates to these structures.

The latest revision of the EIA/TIA-222-G, the national standard for steel antenna towers, provides a comprehensive maintenance outline. Contained within the standards is a detailed maintenance outline found in Annex J for the steel antenna towers. This standard is available for the public at http://global.ihs.com.

Section 14.0, entitled Maintenance and Condition Assessments, indicates the following maintenance intervals for steel antenna towers.

The maintenance required for the guyed towers are as follows:

A three-year-interval for guyed towers and five-year-interval for self-supporting towers.
After severe wind and/or ice storms or other extreme conditions.
Shorter inspection intervals may be required for Class III structures and structures in coastal regions, in corrosive environments and in areas subject to frequent vandalism.

Guidelines outlined in Annex J provide a good basis for establishing a conditional assessment of the structure. However, a more competent and proactive approach is perform a visual and practical maintenance check of all towers each year. In the absence of structural details, a detailed tower mapping may be required. A mapped tower is a detailed outline of the geometric characteristics of a tower. Establishing an easy mapping and data collection tool can be as easy as utilizing a Microsoft Excel spread sheet.

Maintaining a historical record of a tower’s condition is equally important as collecting the physically mapped data. A classified conditional assessment outlined and controlled within a database provides the owner with an accurate historical record of the towers operational characteristics. Collection data can easily be synchronized with enterprise database systems. Correspondingly, these details can be pulled to internal web pages for quick and easy querying/filtering of data. Unique alerts and updates can easily be established. These features ultimately give one the ability to develop their own preventive maintenance program custom tailored for their specific tower portfolio.

The future of tower maintenance will extend far beyond physical collection of information. This information can be extremely useful in maintaining a stable and active system. Smart or intelligent structures have the ability to react to changes in climatic differences in loading. Ultimately the ability to control a structures movement can extend the overall life and reduce operating cost related to tower maintenance.

“Intelligent structures offer an entirely new approach to controlling traditional loads seen from wind, seismic and dynamic load appurtenances,” according to Vadim Levthchouk, Ph. D., P.E., system control engineer with GlenMartin Inc., a global tower solutions provider, headquartered in Boonville, Mo.

Traditional approaches have included adjustment in geometry, cross sectional area and strength of material. Dynamic stiffness control offers the unique ability of controlling ever changing variables through a more intelligent approach. Even extreme events could be remarkably resisted with good measurement and control.

As communication systems migrate in their application and functionality, structures will continually grow in importance. Maintaining high reliability through this path of migration and technological advancement will be key to future success.

More information about the company and its products can be found online at www.glenmartin.com, or by contacting us at (660) 882-2734 x209.