New 9500ci/STi-R 3D Paper CAD Model...

[MEM-TEK]

Hi everyone,

I spent some time creating new 3D CAD drawings of the antennas found in the 9500ci and STi-R. Both antennas are identical. The 3D CAD drawings of the actual antenna dimensions have been incorporated into a revised PDF document which you can download, print, and then cut out in order to assemble a 3D paper version of either the 9500ci or STi-R antenna.

The obvious purpose of the 3D paper antenna model is to allow you to check all possible installation positions for the remote antenna included with either the 9500ci or the STi-R radar detectors. The other purpose of the 3D model is to show you the actual antenna positions as well as the internal flares of the radar horns for the X band and the K-Ka band radar antennas.

Here is a side view of the K-Ka band radar antenna used within the 9500ci and STi-R. The X band antenna is very similar:


The K-Ka radar antenna features a predominately downward flare. Note the shaded antenna regions labeled as the "antenna neck" and the "antenna throat". Maximum antenna sensitivity will be rather close to the angle shown in the antenna neck since this angle is 1/2 of the angle between the antenna's top and bottom walls. Why is this so? Because radar entering the antenna at this angle will encounter the antenna's top and bottom walls at what appears (to the incoming radar wavefront) to be identical yet opposite top and bottom wall angles. This is important since it prevents phase shift of the incoming radar wave (causing a loss of sensitivity) as it enters the throat of the antenna and then proceeds onward towards the antenna's neck. So, this magic angle of 8 degrees relative to horizontal is something to keep in mind when installing a 9500ci or STi-R remote antenna.

Here is a CAD isometric cutaway view of the antennas within either a 9500ci or STi-R remote antenna. Note that both antennas feature low noise amplifiers (LNAs) which strongly amplify incoming radar signals and which also provide very good reverse isolation to prevent microwave radiation leakage from further within the two antennas:


Finally, following is both a link to and a screen capture of the new PDF document which you can print out, cut out, fold, and then tape together to create a 3D model of the 9500ci/STi-R remote antenna assembly:

Printable 3D PDF Template of the 9500ci and STi-R Remote Antenna Module



Following is a photo of the older cut out and assembled 3D PDF template. The new template, as shown above, has additional features to indicate the optimal tilt angle for either the X band or the K-Ka band internal antennas. So, depending on your remote 9500ci or STi-R antenna's installation height and mounting constraints, you should be able to quickly figure out if you need to angle the antenna either up or down for optimal performance, or whether you need to flip the antenna upside down and then appropriately angle the antenna for optimal performance:


I hope this information allows you to both optimally install and adjust the angle of either your 9500ci or STi-R remote antenna. Please feel free to fire away with any questions.

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[€]

Yes, I have a question.

I see you assume that RED line is horizontal.
Isn't it rather that the GREEN one is horizontal and RED is angled few degrees up?

[Atlas]

Nice job MEM. Thank you, putting in my 9500ci and LI this weekend and the mock up came in very handy.

[swarga]

Is the laser receiver portion populated on the 9500ci version of the module? IOW, is the 9500ci receiver module identical to the STi-R receiver module and the 9500ci control logic simply ignores any signals from the LIDAR section? Or do they actually leave out the LIDAR-related components when they build the 9500ci version of the module?

[djrams80]

Is the laser receiver portion populated on the 9500ci version of the module? IOW, is the 9500ci receiver module identical to the STi-R receiver module and the 9500ci control logic simply ignores any signals from the LIDAR section? Or do they actually leave out the LIDAR-related components when they build the 9500ci version of the module?

There is no laser sensor in the 9500ci radar antenna.

[focalcivic]

Mem, or someone can you post a pic of the antenna with its mounting system?

[MEM-TEK]

Yes, I have a question.

I see you assume that RED line is horizontal.
Isn't it rather that the GREEN one is horizontal and RED is angled few degrees up?

Hi €,

Yes, the green line is exactly horizontal. Actually, the red line starts off (going into the horn) with a mere 1 degree downward angle. Half way down the horn the red line angles down by another 2 degrees or so. Since the front half of the horn top wall is angled up by a mere 1 degree, I decided to discard this feature while whipping up the CAD model since its effect is negligible. Everything else in the CAD model including all other horn dimensions and wall angles is very accurate but of course not absolutely perfect.

[MEM-TEK]

Is the laser receiver portion populated on the 9500ci version of the module? IOW, is the 9500ci receiver module identical to the STi-R receiver module and the 9500ci control logic simply ignores any signals from the LIDAR section? Or do they actually leave out the LIDAR-related components when they build the 9500ci version of the module?

Escort actually leaves out all of the lidar related components including the RF shield. Here is a photo of the underside of the front of the 9500ci antenna where the laser detection circuitry and RF shield would normally be installed in a STi-R or STi. I think RacerX confirmed that the the 9500ci interface will not alert to laser using a STi-R antenna.

[TSi+WRX]

Good stuff, MEM.

That should help a lot of people contemplating self vs. "pro" installs.

[swarga]

Thanks, MEM-TEK!!