UK start-up says it can send multiple RF waves down multi-mode fibre
A UK company that has developed a way of sending RF signals down multi-mode fibre says its distributed antenna system, which is scheduled to be available as a product later in 2006, will answer in-building cellular and WiFi coverage problems in a more flexible and cost-effective way than current solutions.
A distributed antenna system hooks up mini-antennas around a campus or site, all of which receive a signal from a “home” base station. To date, providers of such systems have had to send the RF waves down single-more fibre, rather than the more commonly installed multi-mode fibre which is probably carrying Ethernet in your office as you read this.
Zinwave, a UK start up backed by private equity and based on research developed by Cambridge University and University College London, has developed a system that combines multi-more antennas that can deliver WiFi, 2G and 3G RF coverage, with the ability break out the RF signals from a pico or micro cellular base station.
As such, Zinwave says it can deliver in-building coverage more efficiently over existing infrastructure, without having to install either more base stations for additional coverage or alternative cabling to support a distributed anteanna architecture.
Issues of in-building coverage are going to become more of a problem in two ways, Mike Baker, ceo of Zinwave, says. First off is the issue of management, as IT managers, building owners and operators try to service more types of signal (Digital PMR, WiFi, 2G, 3G, WiMax etc). Second, as many of these step up the frequency wave bands to 2GHz and above, attenuation increases. Added to these factors is the increasing tendency to build big, steel encased and concrete buildings.
Advocates of a distributed antenna system say it means the building manager can keep power levels down, manage frequencies in the building more efficiently, and cost–effectively cover large buildings in excess, say, of 25,000 square feet.
“Up to this point distributed antenna systems have had to be supported by single mode fibre, as signal losses over multi-mode fibre have been too high – but buildings with fibre tend to have multi-mode fibre. So the advantage of our approach is we can extend that signal, but over multi-mode fibre,” Baker says.
Beneficiaries of a major funding round in February 2005, Zinwave is looking for partners among systems integrators, OEMs and mobile opertators. It expects to have a shippable product in