Remote Visibility Into Transmit Performance

4042E & 4043E Ethernet RF Sensors

Monitor what matters on the transmit side before issues become service impacting.

The 4042E and 4043E Ethernet RF sensors deliver continuous transmit path visibility into transmit path performance between site visits using standard Ethernet connectivity.

4043E | Transmitter output monitoring
Monitors each transmitter individually. Measures forward power, reflected power, and VSWR to confirm every transmitter is producing expected output within a defined frequency range.

4042E | Combined and per-channel monitoring
Monitors the combined RF output of multi-carrier systems, with per-channel and composite power and VSWR to identify insertion loss, combiner drift, or antenna and feedline issues at the site level.

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Know When Transmit Performance Starts Changing

Forward, reflected power, and VSWR

Verify output and spot mismatch changes early.

Per-channel or composite visibility

See individual carriers or the combined signal based on site design.

Alarms and trends without site visits

Detect change between visits and reduce urgent dispatches.

RF Monitoring Measurement Types

RF monitoring can be implemented in different ways depending on where you need visibility in the RF path. Site design, system complexity, and operational goals all influence how measurements are made. Understanding these approaches helps ensure the right level of insight without unnecessary complexity.

Channelized Monitoring

Focuses on individual transmitters or carriers. Each channel is measured independently, making it easier to isolate changes that may be hidden in a combined signal.

This approach is often used when:

Individual transmitter performance must be verified

Carriers operate at different power levels

Isolating a single source of change is a priority

Directional (Composite) Monitoring

Measures the combined transmit output at a single point in the system. Forward power, reflected power, and VSWR provide a clear view of overall transmit path health and antenna or feedline match.

This approach is often used when:

Multiple carriers are combined through a shared RF path

Site level performance is the primary concern

Simplicity and broad coverage are preferred

Using Both Approaches

Many systems use both channelized and composite monitoring to balance detail and efficiency. Channelized measurements help isolate individual changes, while composite monitoring provides a fast indicator of overall site health.

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Your Antenna Path Is the Common Failure Point

Small issues in the antenna and feedline often develop gradually. These changes can increase loss and mismatch long before a transmitter fault or outage is obvious.

Water & Moisture

Moisture intrusion increases loss and shifts return loss, reducing delivered transmit power.

photographic Connector corrosion Oxidation at antenna or jumper connections-1

Corrosion & Connectors

Corroded connectors degrade impedance match, increasing reflections and RF loss.

photographic Wind ice and vibration on antenna feed lineAntennas shift Mounts flex Ice loads change electrical length-2

Weather & Movement

Wind, ice, and vibration shift hardware, changing match and transmit efficiency over time.

photographic rf Cable and component aging on feedlines

Aging Cables

Cable aging increases loss and noise until coverage degradation becomes service impacting.

Monitoring & Integration

Bird Ethernet RF sensors are built for continuous, remote visibility into transmit performance. Measurements are available through a built-in Web UI or integrated into existing network management systems using standard SNMP.

How You Access the Data

Web UI: View live forward power, reflected power, and VSWR. Configure sensors, channels, and thresholds through a secure browser-based interface.
SNMP Integration: Use SNMP GET and SET commands plus traps to feed measurements and alarms into your existing NMS.

Alarms & Visibility

Configurable Alarms: Set per-channel or composite thresholds with optional delay and latching to avoid nuisance alerts.
Trending Over Time:Track gradual changes in transmit performance and identify degradation before it becomes service impacting.

Security & Access Control

Role-Based Access: Password-protected configuration with separate administrator and standard user permissions.

View Datasheet View 4042E Manual View 4043E Manual

Frequently Asked Questions

Have more questions? Get Expert Help>

What’s the difference between 4042E and 4043E?

How do I know if I need per-channel monitoring or composite monitoring?

Can 4042E and 4043E be used together?

Do Ethernet RF sensors replace field testing?

Do I need Bird software to use the sensors?

Why do connector input and output matter when ordering a sensor?

How do I determine RF direction on transmit sensors (4042E / 4043E / 4042E-PTT)?

What is the most common ordering mistake on transmit sensors?

How is this different from the 4046E?

Compare Ethernet RF Sensors

Compare Ethernet RF sensor models by what they monitor and their RF measurement range.

View All Ethernet RF Sensors

Not Sure Which Sensor You Need?

Not sure whether you need per-channel monitoring, composite monitoring, or a combination of both? Sensor selection depends on site architecture, transmitter layout, and what level of visibility you want into the RF path.

Bird’s Applications Engineering team can review your site and recommend the right Ethernet RF sensor configuration for your system.

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