ISE Magazine, August 2018
ISE ICT SOLUTIONS EDUCATION30By Kevin Borders Small cells provide coverage and capacity for LTE or 3G 4G networks and are essential tools for successful deployment of 5G These potent devices are transforming networks and deployment practices Where dozens of macros once covered a community thousands of Small Cells may now be needed True network transformation will occur when deployment becomes routine Network builders have already overcome many deployment challenges but one hurdle still looms large not all sites have access to utility power Network planners select Small Cell sites based on RF coverage However these ideal coverage spots do not always have ready access to electricity Power utility work can put timelines at risk Faced with this undesirable reality some network builders have turned to a different option supplying the Small Cell power themselves A technique called Remote Line Power RLP limits utility power to a centralized location Special power equipment converts the utility power into safe current levels for delivery over conventional outside plant OSP cables to many Small Cell sites Network builders install new twisted pair OSP cables alongside the fiber backhaul cables minimizing installation cost for supplying power to each site Each central location includes an OSP cabinet equipped with power conversion and cable management equipment Known as Remote Power Nodes these cabinets can be pole or pad mounted and equipped with batteries to provide backup power for all the Small Cells At the Small Cell site special converters deliver power from the cables to the Small Cells Engineered for the rugged OSP environment and sealed to meet IP 67 these devices are designed for ease of use and quick installation Solutions for twisted pair copper and coax cables can be configured for strand pole or wall mounting and supply power for either AC or DC powered Small Cells In a 4000 site installation in Southern California where most of the Small Cell sites are remotely powered RLP was proven to speed up the deployment and minimize TCO Deployment timelines are no longer subject to utility companies construction schedules Routine deployment is near and RLP is helping make it possible Kevin Borders is Vice President of Marketing for Alpha Technologies He has more than 35 years of experience in telecommunications and power For more information please email kevin borders@ alpha ca or visit www alpha ca Follow Alpha Technologies on Twitter https twitter com alpha_ tech_ ltd ADVERTORIALRemote Line Power Enables Routine Deployment of Small CellsTE33 Remote Power Node EnclosureStrand Mounted Down Converter and Small Cell
You must have JavaScript enabled to view digital editions.
