CommScope today launched PowerShift to assist wireless operators to deploy remote radio units (RRUs) at the top of cell towers.
PowerShift – developed in association with GE — is the wireless industry’s first intelligent, plug-and-play direct current (DC) power supply solution for RRUs, said CommScope.
CommScope claims that PowerShift can assist telecom operators to re-utilize existing power cable infrastructure, eliminate the need for deploying higher gauge conductors when installing new cabling and increase the useable length for cables by over four times. It can also extend RF battery uptime by up to 35 percent.
“Network operators are targeting energy consumption reductions of up to 25 percent over the next decade and beyond, and CommScope is responding with the industry-first PowerShift solution,” said Stan Catey, senior vice president and general manager, Cable Products, CommScope.
PowerShift is designed for the advanced cell site architectures used for 4G/LTE and beyond, and to help customers increase battery backup time, save Capex and/or Opex and build future-ready networks.
Usually the telecom network operator installs RRU close to the antenna to decrease RF signal loss and achieve other performance benefits. Separated from the baseband unit, each RRU needs its own power, typically between 300-600 watts but which can exceed 1,000 watts.
CommScope’s PowerShift solution automatically delivers the efficient voltage to the RRU. PowerShift solution requires no manual calibration when managing power supply. CommScope said it’s offering PowerShift for trial. Commercial availability of PowerShift is expected in the first quarter of 2016.
Baburajan K
editor@telecomlead.com
