ADC Universal Radio Head FlexWave User Manual

FlexWave™ Universal Radio Head

Flexible Outdoor Coverage and Capacity

Host UnitRemote Unit

FlexWave™ – ADC’s Next Generation of Wireless Solutions
for Improving Wireless Capacity, Coverage, Flexibility
and Customer Retention

ADC’s FlexWave™ Universal Radio Head (URH) is the most flexible, scalable and
complete solution for addressing coverage and capacity needs for current and
emerging wireless networks. The URH improves wireless network coverage and
capacity by extending services from existing cell sites, to hard-to-reach areas by
distributing coverage from a centralized radio suite.

Utilizing a centralized distributed architecture, service providers are able to recognize
significant CAPEX savings through a shared Base Station Hotel (multiple BTS co-located
together), as well as a shared Remote Radio Transceiver approach. The URH’s flexibility
and scalability offers service providers an optimal solution for multiple applications
such as; dense urban centers, dense suburban areas, campuses, enterprise buildings,
subways and tunnels. The URH’s distributed architecture and small form factor allows
service providers to cost-effectively increase coverage and capacity in these hard-to­reach areas.

Spec Sheet

www.adc.com • [phone] • 1-800-366-3891

FlexWave™ Universal Radio Head

Flexible Outdoor Coverage and Capacity

Features and Benefits:

Flexible Architecture •

Supports multiple frequency bands and wireless protocols in one enclosure –

Scalable and modular –

Multiple non-contiguous segments of 1.5 to 35 MHz each –

BTS interface supporting RF and OBSAI/CPRI standards (Future) –

Transport rates supporting Dark Fiber and Millimeter Wave –

Field upgradeable –

User Friendly•

Embedded element management system, supporting web based access and SNMP –

Fully sealed, maintenance free for harsh outdoor applications –

Cost Effective•

Efficient use of CAPEX equipment and real estate –

Universal Radio Head

™

FlexWave

Overview

With the increasing popularity and reliance on
wireless voice and data services, subscribers
expect to have coverage at anytime, anywhere.
In addition to increased wireless device usage,
wireless service providers implementing 3G
technologies have recognized a reduction in
coverage patterns within existing coverage
footprints, opening coverage “holes” within the
network. To resolve this issue, it requires service
providers to extend coverage and/or increase
capacity within the non-coverage areas. This has
been traditionally accomplished by adding new
macro cell towers; however, with city centers
becoming more congested and local government
zoning regulations becoming more stringent,
obtaining permits for new macro cell sites is
becoming increasingly difficult. The URH offers
service providers a flexible, small form factor
solution to extend coverage and capacity where
needed, as well as support for the increasing
number of protocols and frequencies available
today and in the future.

Application

The URH uses patented digital-over-fiber
technology to distribute RF to desired locations.
The URH digitizes the entire designated RF band
and digitally transports it over dark fiber or
millimeter wave (MMW) links and reconstructs
the signal at full bandwidth, regardless of
modulation technology, at the remote location.
ADC’s digital RF transport allows RF signals to
be replicated at full dynamic range, independent
of the link length, for improved data throughput.
As service providers migrate to 3G and 4G
networks, high-data rate broadband services,
networks utilizing a URH backbone will be ready.

The URH offers a flexible architecture to distribute
wireless coverage and capacity. Its versatility
and small form factor allow service providers
to quickly deploy networks in areas where zoning
restrictions often hinder installation of traditional
macro cell towers and base stations.

Centralization of base station capacity can also
be realized using the URH. This allows service
providers to further benefit by reducing capital
expenditures and annual operating costs.

4/08 • 105502AE

www.adc.com • [phone] • 1-800-366-3891

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FlexWave™ Universal Radio Head

Digital

Base

Station

800 MHz

Base

Station

1900 MHz

Base

Station

OBSAI to

SeRF Converter

RF to SeRF

Converter

RF

RF

RF to SeRF

Converter

SeRF
Board

BackhaulData

Multiplexed

SeRF over

Fiber

Multiplexed

SeRF over

mm-wave

SeRF

SeRF

SeRF

Multiband,

protocol-agnostic

Universal Radio

Head

Multiplexed

SeRF over

mm-wave

OBSAI (Future)

Flexible Outdoor Coverage and Capacity

Universal Radio Head

™

System Description

The URH is a flexible and cost effective solution
for Distributed Antenna System applications:
Microcell and/or CPRI/OBSAI Remote Radio Head
applications:

Next Generation DAS; optimized for •
multiple frequency bands, scalable
RF bandwidth & transport rates

Flexible SeRF technology; serial RF •
processing, enabling scalable frequency
bands and bandwidths

Digitial RF Transport; Digitally transports •
RF from the BTS to remote locations for
distribution of RF signals.

Future Enhancements
Will Include:

CPRI/OBSAI; flexibility to support BTS •
interface standards

Microcell; fully contained capacity •
solution utilizing cost efficient low
bit-rate IP backhaul

IP ready platform; smooth integration •
to IP front/backhaul networks

FlexWave

4/08 • 105502AE

www.adc.com • [phone] • 1-800-366-3891

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