: PA-50R Series Firewall Antenna Specifications
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PA-50R Series Firewall Antenna Specifications

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PA-50R Series Firewall Antenna Specifications

View the PA-50R Series firewall antenna specifications, including frequency range and third-party antenna recommendations for each model.
The following table describes PA-50R Series firewall antenna specifications and requirements.
For separately purchased antennas, refer to the manufacturer's datasheet for specifications and other information.
SpecificationDescription
Antennas
PA-52R-5G—2x2 MIMO antenna
PA-54R-POE-D-5G—4x4 MIMO antenna
PA-56R-POE-5G—4x4 MIMO antenna
Frequency range
615-960MHz / 1500-1600MHz / 1710-2690MHz / 3300-5000MHz
Refer to the following sections to view third-party antenna recommendations for each firewall.

PA-52R-5G

View the Palo Alto Networks recommended antenna and third-party antenna requirements for the PA-52R-5G firewall.

PAN-PA-5G-ANT-2X2-5M-SMAM

The PAN-PA-5G-ANT-2X2-5M-SMAM is a high-performance 2x2 omni-directional MIMO antenna suitable for wall and pole mount applications with 5 meter (16.4 ft) cables. All measurements are for the 4G/5G antenna elements (Elements 1 and 2) measured in free space with 0.5 meter (1.5 ft) of CS32 cable.
Cellular Bands and Frequency Performance
Frequency Range (MHz)Operational Cellular BandsElementPeak Realised Gain (dBi)Nominal Radiated EfficiencyTypical VSWR
617–960
Low Bands:
B5, B8, B12, B13, B14, B17, B19, B20, B26, B27, B28, B71, n105, B106
Elements 1 and 23> 60%< 2.5:1
1427–2700
Mid Bands / Supplemental Downlink:
B1, B2, B3, B4, B7, B9, B11, B21, B23, B25, B30, B35, B38, B39, B40, B41, B66, B74, B75, B76
Elements 1 and 26> 60%< 2.5:1
3400–4200
C-Band / Mid-Band 5G:
B22, B42, B43, B48 (CBRS), n77, n78
Elements 1 and 25> 60%< 2.5:1
4900–6000
High-Band 5G / Unlicensed:
n79
Elements 1 and 25> 60%< 2.5:1

Third-Party Antenna Requirements

If you purchase a third-party antenna, refer to this list of WWAN and GNSS recommendations to ensure compatibility and performance with the PA-52R-5G.
Recommended WWAN Antenna Requirements
ParameterRequirement SpecificationsDetails
Antenna systemExternal multi-band 2×2 MIMO antenna system (Ant1/Ant2)
  • Ant1: Main RF (Rx/Tx)
  • Ant2: Auxiliary RF (Diversity/MIMO)
Operating bands
  • Antenna 1: All supporting Tx and Rx frequency bands
  • Antenna 2: All supporting Rx frequency bands
Full coverage required across supported cellular spectrums.
VSWR
  • Recommended: < 2:1
  • Worst case: < 3:1
Evaluated across all bands including band edges. Measured at the RF connector including mismatch/antenna losses, but excluding cable loss.
Total radiated efficiency> 50% on all bandsPrimary evaluation parameter. Peak gain alone is not an accurate indicator of performance when integrated into a host device.
Radiation patternNominally omni-directional radiation pattern in azimuth planeProvides balanced horizontal coverage.
Envelope correlation coefficient (ECC)
  • Rx bands < 960 MHz: < 0.5
  • Rx bands > 1.4 GHz: < 0.2
Measured between Ant1 and Ant2.
Mean effective gain (MEG)3 dBiSpecified for MEG1 (Ant1) and MEG2 (Ant2).
MEG imbalance
  • MIMO operation: < 2 dB
  • Diversity operation: < 6 dB
Measured between Ant1 and Ant2.
Maximum antenna gainMust not exceed regulatory antenna gain limits
Isolation (S21)> 10 dB between Ant1 and Ant2
Max input power10 dBmMaximum allowable RF input power at the antenna port.
Power handling> 1 WTested using a 1 W CW signal over 4 hours at the middle of each supported Tx band.
Recommended GNSS Antenna Requirements (EM8695)
ParameterRequirement SpecificationsComments
Frequency range
  • GPS/QZSS L1: 1575.42 MHz
  • GPS/QZSS L5: 1176.45 MHz
  • Galileo E1: 1559–1591 MHz
  • Galileo E5a: 1164–1189 MHz
  • BeiDou B1C: 1559–1591 MHz
  • BeiDou B11: 1559–1563 MHz
  • BeiDou B2a: 1166–1186 MHz
  • GLONASS G1: 1597.5–1605.9 MHz
Covers GNSS L1 (1563–1587 MHz) and L5 (1164–1189 MHz) frequency bands with buffer zones.
Field of view (FOV)
  • Azimuth: Omni-directional
  • Elevation: –45 to +90 degrees
Ensures broad sky coverage.
Polarization (average Gv/Gh)> 0 dBVertical linear polarization is sufficient. Any polarization other than LHCP is acceptable.
Free space average gain> –6 dBi (preferably > –3 dBi) over FOVGv and Gh averaged over –45 to +90 degrees elevation and ±180 degrees azimuth.
Gain orientationMaximum gain and uniform coverage at high elevation angles and zenithHigh gain in the azimuth plane is not desired.
Average 3D gain> –5 dBiTotal 3D gain metric.
Isolation> 15 dB between GNSS and Ant1Evaluated across all uplink bands and GNSS Rx bands.
Typical VSWR< 2.5:1Antenna port return loss specification.

PA-54R-POE-D-5G

View third-party antenna requirements for the PA-54R-POE-D-5G firewall.

Third-Party Antenna Requirements

If you purchase a third-party antenna, it must meet the following WWAN requirements to ensure compatibility and performance with the PA-54R-POE-D-5G.
Recommended WWAN Antenna Requirements
ParameterRequirement SpecificationsDetails
Antenna system
  • NR/LTE: External multi-band 4x4 DL MIMO antenna system (ANT1, ANT2, ANT3, ANT4)
  • 3G: External multi-band antenna system with diversity (ANT1, ANT3)
If an antenna includes GNSS, it must also satisfy dedicated GNSS antenna requirements.
Frequency ranges
  • ANT1: 617–5925 MHz
  • ANT2: 1164–5000 MHz
  • ANT3: 617–5000 MHz
  • ANT4: 1427–5925 MHz
Specified across supported cellular and GNSS bands.
VSWR
  • Recommended: < 2:1
  • Worst case: < 3:1
Measured at the RF receptacle across all bands including band edges.
Total radiated efficiency> 50% on all bandsPrimary parameter for evaluating the antenna system (measured at RF receptacle excluding cable loss).
Radiation patternNominally omni-directional radiation pattern in the azimuth planeProvides uniform horizontal coverage.
Envelope correlation coefficient (ECC)
  • Rx bands < 960 MHz: < 0.5
  • Rx bands > 1.4 GHz: < 0.2
Measured between receiving antennas.
Mean effective gain (MEG)Receiving antennas: –2 to –3 dBiSpecified for receiving antenna elements.
MEG imbalance
  • MIMO operation: < 2 dB
  • Diversity operation: < 6 dB
Measured between any two antenna elements.
Isolation
  • Band B41 / UL MIMO: > 20 dB between transmitting antennas
  • All other bands/scenarios: > 10 dB across all antennas
Prevents potential ACLR and EVM performance issues during transmission.
Max input powerANT1, ANT2, ANT3, ANT4, GNSS: 10 dBmCritical: In-band GPS signal on ANT2 must be < 0 dBm to avoid damaging the internal LNA.
Power handling> 1 WEndurance measured over 4 hours using a 1 W continuous wave (CW) signal at mid-band frequencies.
Impedance50 Ω (nominal)All SMA ports.
ConnectorSMA (M)WWAN and GNSS.
GNSS active bias3.15 Vdc (50 mA max)
Consult a professional for best device location and antenna siting. Any installation should comply with all national and local regulations.

PA-56R-POE-5G

View third-party antenna requirements for the PA-56R-POE-5G firewall.

Third-Party Antenna Requirements

If you purchase a third-party antenna, it must meet the following WWAN requirements to ensure compatibility and performance with the PA-56R-POE-5G. Two antennas are required for dual SIM dual active (DSDA) operation.
Recommended WWAN Antenna Requirements
ParameterRequirement SpecificationsDetails
Antenna system
  • NR/LTE: External multi-band 4x4 DL MIMO antenna system (ANT1, ANT2, ANT3, ANT4)
  • 3G: External multi-band antenna system with diversity (ANT1, ANT3)
If an antenna includes GNSS, it must also satisfy dedicated GNSS antenna requirements.
Frequency ranges
  • ANT1: 617–5925 MHz
  • ANT2: 1164–5000 MHz
  • ANT3: 617–5000 MHz
  • ANT4: 1427–5925 MHz
Specified across supported cellular and GNSS bands.
VSWR
  • Recommended: < 2:1
  • Worst case: < 3:1
Measured at the RF receptacle across all bands including band edges.
Total radiated efficiency> 50% on all bandsPrimary parameter for evaluating the antenna system (measured at RF receptacle excluding cable loss).
Radiation patternNominally omni-directional radiation pattern in the azimuth planeProvides uniform horizontal coverage.
Envelope correlation coefficient (ECC)
  • Rx bands < 960 MHz: < 0.5
  • Rx bands > 1.4 GHz: < 0.2
Measured between receiving antennas.
Mean effective gain (MEG)Receiving antennas: –2 to –3 dBiSpecified for receiving antenna elements.
MEG imbalance
  • MIMO operation: < 2 dB
  • Diversity operation: < 6 dB
Measured between any two antenna elements.
Isolation
  • Band B41 / UL MIMO: > 20 dB between transmitting antennas
  • All other bands/scenarios: > 10 dB across all antennas
Prevents potential ACLR and EVM performance issues during transmission.
Max input powerANT1, ANT2, ANT3, ANT4, GNSS: 10 dBmCritical: In-band GPS signal on ANT2 must be < 0 dBm to avoid damaging the internal LNA.
Power handling> 1 WEndurance measured over 4 hours using a 1 W continuous wave (CW) signal at mid-band frequencies.
Impedance50 Ω (nominal)All SMA ports.
ConnectorSMA (M)WWAN and GNSS.
GNSS active bias3.15 Vdc (50 mA max)
Consult a professional for best device location and antenna siting. Any installation should comply with all national and local regulations.