A new triple-band base station antenna solution set that offers unrivalled speed of deployment and flexibility will be unveiled by wireless technology group, Radio Frequency Systems (RFS), at Mobile World Congress 2008 in Barcelona.
Founded on uniquely factory-fitted and calibrated tri-band antenna/ACU sets, the solution boasts end-to-end compliance with the latest revision of the 3GPP-ratified Antenna Interface Standards Group open communications standard (AISG v2.0). This compliance underscores precision control and monitoring of all beam tilts and tower-top components.
"UMTS network overlays in more mature wireless markets present unique challenges, in terms of maximising deployment speed, minimising capex, and addressing the wide variations in deployment requirements," said RFS Area Product Manager, Rémi Deniel. "RFS's new triple-band solution set meets these challenges head-on. It provides the greatest configuration flexibility, plus unique labour-saving features to reduce field-install errors, and minimise capex and roll-out duration."
At Mobile World Congress 2008, the RFS exhibit will feature a fully operational triple-band solution set. This will comprise the new RFS triple-band base station antenna (BSA), coupled with the ‘Optimizer Universal' site-configurable antenna control unit (ACU), plus tower-mount amplifiers (TMA), modem bias-tee and control network interface (CNI). All elements in the solution set are overseen by RFS's intuitive and user-friendly Network Element Manager (NEM) PC-based software interface.
Available in three lengths (1.6, 2.1 and 2.6 metre), RFS's new triple-band BSA comprises two broadband high-band arrays (1710 to 2170MHz) and one low-band array (870 to 960MHz), all in a compact slim-line package. Courtesy of the antenna's unique and world-patented ‘side-by-side' multi-band architecture, the 17.5dBi high-band gain is consistent across both the high bands, and across all three models.
Compact and aesthetically attractive, the RFS tri-band antenna offers excellent upper side-lobe suppression, exhibiting first upper side-lobe levels of better than 18dB on the low band, and 15dB on both high bands.
For premium optimisation and network management, the RFS tri-band antenna permits independent variable electrical tilt (VET) of 2 to 10 degrees across all three bands. Beam tilt is controlled by RFS's new ‘Optimizer Universal' ACU, which is available off the shelf in two models: one compliant with AISG v1.1, and the second compliant with AISG v2.0. Each antenna dipole set is controlled by one ACU (to a maximum of three ACUs per BSA), providing independent tilt control plus a degree of scalability in VET application across the multi-band network.
Importantly, the ‘Optimizer Universal' ACU is the only ACU on the market that permits field-configuration of communication protocols. Simple connection to a tower-base PC permits the ACU's communication protocol to be changed from AISG v1.1, to AISG v2.0, plus a wide range of OEM proprietary protocols–all without modification to the base ACU hardware.
RFS offers the triple-band antenna pre-fitted with the ‘Optimizer Universal' ACU, ensuring significant site installation advantages. "RFS can offer the ACUs pre-fitted to the antenna, with the ACUs preconfigured and the antenna/ACUs sets factory calibrated," said Deniel. "This cuts site work, avoids errors in configuration and calibration, and reduces the skill levels required in the field. It makes the overlay happen faster and more accurately."