RFS Announces AWS-tailored Antenna Series
Radio Frequency Systems (RFS) says that it has launched a new platform of Optimizer base station antennas. The Optimizer 'S-series' of broadband antennas supports the full PCS and AWS spectrum bands: 1710 to 2170 MHz. According to Andrew Stronski, RFS Area Product Manager for Base Station Antennas, the split nature of AWS spectrum--where the uplink is allocated 1710-1755 MHz and the downlink 2110-2155 MHz--provided a unique challenge.
"Simple physics imposes slightly different RF behavior at the lower and upper end of the frequency band," he said. "However, for optimum network performance it's essential that the uplink and downlink are balanced. At the time the AWS spectrum was announced, there wasn't a single antenna on the market that met the demands of commercial carriers."
In accordance with carrier specifications, the S-series achieves an azimuth horizontal beamwidth difference of less than seven-degrees between uplink and downlink; plus a gain difference of less than 1 dB. In addition, it features improved side lobe suppression (typically greater than 20 dB), variable electrical downtilt (0 to 10 degrees), and a stable vertical beamwidth across the band.
The RFS Optimizer S-series of base station antennas is initially available in two lengths (4.4 and 6 feet), plus two configurations: a single cross-polarized panel, or dual cross-polarized arrays side-by-side in a single radome ('quad' variant). "The quad antenna is effectively a double antenna in a single radome that's only six inches wider than the single panel," said Stronski. "This provides carriers with ultimate flexibility at a given base station site, without incurring additional fees for installing another antenna."
Posted to the site on 29th September 2006
