Telecom network vendor Alcatel-Lucent announced it will launch a radio interface for distributed antenna systems (DAS) to cut operational costs by 90 percent.
The DAS Radio Frequency Module, a wideband low-power LTE interface card from Alcatel-Lucent, will allow global telecom network operators to improve signal performance, reduce power consumption, space and operational costs by 90 percent when connecting subscribers at large public venues such as shopping malls, hotels and office blocks.
The wideband low-power LTE interface card removes the need for bulky radio technology in a public installation. The DAS RFM connects to Alcatel-Lucent’s 9926 digital baseband unit, working with the analog DAS through RF signals that consume one-eighth of the power and heat dissipation of an average remote radio head, reducing space requirements and optimizing costs.
Mobile services providers in the United States and China are investing in the distributed antenna systems to address demand for ultra-broadband access in public locations. To connect to a DAS today, service providers must deploy remote radio heads alongside duplexers and attenuators to reduce output power, as well as cooling equipment in areas where there is often limited space.
Bell Labs says the new DAS RFM can achieve:
# up to 30 percent cost savings in terms of the wireless and DAS equipment required
# up to 81 percent cost savings in terms of power and cooling
# up to 91 percent cost savings in terms of construction
# up to 78 percent cost savings in terms of energy
# up to 91 percent cost savings in terms of space
Alcatel-Lucent said the 9926 digital baseband unit, connecting into a number of distributed radios, can divert capacity where needed when there are spikes in traffic, redistributing capacity to other radios when no longer required.
“In the most densely populated areas where DAS technology is commonly deployed, space is a premium and lease costs are high. Alcatel-Lucent’s product will reduce the amount of equipment needed and with neutral host capabilities it can connect to any DAS,” said Nick Marshall, research director of ABI Research.
By providing a simple RF signal, the Alcatel-Lucent DAS RFM maintains the host neutrality of a DAS system, allowing multiple operators to share a DAS system and recognize associated cost-savings.
Alcatel-Lucent’s DAS RFM significantly reduces space, power and cooling requirements when connecting to a Distributed Antenna System. It operates in both indoor and outdoor racks. Up to 40 radio sectors with the associated baseband processing, can be fitted into a standard 19 inch indoor cabinet.
Alcatel-Lucent is offering DAS RFM in two wideband hardware versions, one for low band and one for high band radios. Each radio covers between 6 and 10 bands.
Baburajan K
editor@telecomlead.com
