Proposed Cellular 5G C Band FRP Panel Specification and White Paper

With the new 5G C band antennas coming out, the time has come to address a new FRP (Fiber Reinforced Polymer) panel for antenna concealment.   The new panel is composed of S glass reinforcements as composed to the traditional E glass reinforcing fabrics.   The spec is here: 

Proposed_CBand_FRP_Panel_Specification

E glass based FRP panels have been in use for antenna concealment for decades.  FRP laminates offer good RF performance across the cellular bands from 600 MHz to 2500 MHz. They also are very strong with high flexural and shear modulus figures, making them the choice of most engineers.   Traditional FRP panels are solid laminate plates composed of thermosetting resins and E glass reinforcement fabrics.  With the expansion into the lower portion of the satellite C band (3700 MHz- 4000 MHz), new challenges arise for RF performance.  The proposed new FRP panel spec uses S glass along with a specific resin and fabricating process.  Predicted mechanical and RF plots are included.  

 

Cellular 5G C Band FRP Panel White Paper

Here is the summary of the white paper: 

Introduction

As the cellular carriers acquire more radio spectrum in a portion of satellite C band and presumably to higher frequencies, new fiberglass (FRP) panels need to be developed.  In this paper we look at traditional FRP panels and propose some new composite technologies to address both radio frequency (RF) and structural requirements.

For a copy of the white paper, fill out the form below:  

 

New FRP Building Code Coming

We are hearing that the ASCE is close to completing the final version of the upcoming FRP building code. The code is basically an updated version of the LRFD Pre-Standard released by ASCE and the ACMA in 2010. So it is conceivable that there could finally be a FRP code in 2020 or soon at least.

FRP Profiles for FRP Building Code
FRP Pultruded Profiles

This is a long time coming and especially for the pultruded FRP world. We understand some of the pultrusion manufacturers are working on an LRFD manual for when the code is ready. Up to the release of the new code, design data is a little nebulous for engineering companies. This is because they have to accept and use the manufacturing data and not actually refer to a code. Some jurisdictions can have issues with this.

PulCalc clients have been asking when/if FRP manufacturers will address LRFD for FRP designs. Well it depends on when/if the FRP pre-standard actually becomes an actual FRP building code. The possible new FRP building code will be a major change to the construction industry.

So looking forward to future news and we will update this blog as it comes in. Stay tuned.