RF Engineer role

Describes the role of a RF engineer within the FSR system.

The RF Engineer has certain responsibilities once the RF design has been accepted and is identified as SOLD and the PO has been entered.

The Spectrum Manager assigns a Utility Code and Frequency and uploads that information to the FlexNet Solution Request (FSR). The identified RF Engineer now has a series of tasks to complete.
  1. Schedule a Site Walk and coordinate access sites based upon the information presented in the FSR document or via the MTS or salesperson.
  2. Use the SOLD design as a blueprint to ensure that the projections of the meter coverage will meet the SLA or other requirements. These items are determined during the site walk and documented in the Site Walk SOW which will be presented to the installation contractor to follow:
    • The actual longitude and latitude of the tower or pole matches design input.
    • The physical address matches the design.
    • The projected height in the design matches the physical and available space to mount the antennas.
      Note: If the projected height is outside the specification ranged agreed upon by the Sensus Design group, the RFE must provide a written notice to the Design group before completing the Site Walk SOW.
    • The projected azimuth is attained at the height described in the RF Design (following the RF Design teams discrepancy guidelines).
    • The physical location of BTS matches and does not impact the length or type of cabling or further impact to coverage projections.
    • The environmental impact to the design such as building shadows, foliage, trees higher than the antenna and so on.
  3. If a discrepancy is found a redesign may be required. The RFE will provide the Site Walk SOW to the RF Design group to determine the potential impact and will inform the Project Manager that a discrepancy has been found.
    1. The RF Design group will then determine whether or not a redesign is required.
    2. The RF Design group will provide feedback to the RF Engineer, the Project Manager, the MTS, and any other associated parties.
    3. The RF Design group will repost the updated design and add comments into the FlexNet Solution Request.
    4. The RF Engineer will redo the Site Walk.
  4. If no discrepancy is found, and the Site Walk SOW is completed satisfactorily, the RF Engineer presents the Site Walk SOW to the Project Manager to begin installation. If issues are found during the installation process, the RF Engineer will be the point of contact and convey any possible impact to the RF Design group. The Project Manager associated with the project will be responsible for providing the completed Site Walk SOW to the customer or distributor.
  5. The RF Engineer uploads the Site Walk SOW to the RF Server under the Site Walk folder.
  6. The RF Engineer is the point of contact during the installation to ensure the site is built to specifications and will notify the Project Manager when the installation is complete. The RF Engineer and Project Manager work together to schedule a site certification.
  7. Once the site certification is complete, the RF Engineer upload all documentation to the RF Server under the customer's folder. If a discrepancy is found during the certification process, the RF Engineer notifies the Project Manager of a potential impact to performance.