Passive Intermodulation (PIM) Reduction Kits

Passive intermodulation can be a major impediment to maintaining network performance, particularly on towers with many frequency bands and close antenna spacing. 3M's PIM reduction kit is an easy-to-install solution to reduce conducted PIM and time on the tower for reliable service without disruptive downtime. The PIM reduction kit is a solution for today's biggest signal integrity challenge. Combining 3M's trusted expertise in EMI/EMC applications and adhesives, this out-of-the-box solution helps reduce conducted PIM without significantly increasing costs, labor, or disruptive downtime, making it an effective, robust solution to PIM issues in wireless network infrastructure. These kits are ideal for water-resistant and humidity-resistant seals and offer excellent resistance to UV exposure and a wide variety of weather conditions.

PIM is a major source of noise and signal interference, particularly for 5G networks. PIM occurs when two or more signals at a cell site mix in a non-linear system or device to produce undesired signals that, depending on their strength and proximity to the original signal, can cause interference. This interference can reduce wireless coverage and performance, and ultimately degrade the customer experience. While PIM can be found in many locations within and outside of the system, external PIM sources can be particularly difficult to find, much less address. Common sources include loose metal-to-metal contact or junctions of unmatched metals, oxidation, rust and more, all of which can be found anywhere outside the system. In addition, external PIM can be further broken down into two more categories: radiated and conducted PIM, both of which are unique and require different solutions.

These kits from 3M are the first known solution for conducted PIM. Where conventional PIM mitigation solutions shield the PIM source, the PIM reduction kits absorb PIM-creating currents (not affected by shielding) before they reach a potential non-linear junction. This means users can address potential conducted PIM that otherwise would have been left unabated. Regardless of where it comes from, PIM can have a huge impact on network performance, reducing receive sensitivity, data rates, reliability, capacity, and more. PIM is not a problem that will go away on its own. As wireless networks densify, additional spectrum is allocated, and site colocations continue to increase, PIM will only get worse unless promptly and properly addressed.

Rooftop-mounted antennas come with their own set of challenges including tight spacing and interference, causing materials in the surrounding area. With unique conducted PIM mitigation, accessibility, and reworkability, the 3M PIM reduction kit helps to maintain network performance with minimal cost and labor, and no downtime.