Andrew INCELLERAU1 User Manual

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Installation and Users Guide

Copyright Andrew Corporation
ERAU Version 1.5
May 2002

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Users Guide - Andrew InCell™ Fiber Optic Distributed Antenna System

Proprietary Information

This document is the property of Andrew Corporation. The information contained herein is
proprietary to Andrew, and no part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written
permission of Andrew.

Disclaimer

Andrew reserves the right to make changes, without notice, to the specifications and materials
contained herein. While we have worked diligently to insure every element presented is correct,
we shall not be responsible for errors. For the latest product information and technical
specifications, please see the contact information below.

 Copyright Andrew Corporation, July 2001, Printed in USA, All rights reserved.

FCC Notice

This equipment complies with Part 22 of the FCC rules. Any changes or modifications not
expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

Warning

In order to comply with FCC rules for RF exposure, the following must be observed:

1. The antenna for this device must have a gain of no more than 5.5 dBi.

2. The antenna must be installed such that a minimum separation distance of 20 cm. is
maintained between the antenna and any persons.

Trademarks

InCell™ is a trademark of Andrew Corporation. All other trademarks belong to their respective
owner.

Contact Information

For more information about Andrew’s capabilities to extend RF signals coverage into structures,
including office buildings, shopping complexes, warehouses, tunnels, and mines, please contact
us using the information below:

Andrew Corporation
Distributed Communications Systems
2601 Telecom Parkway
Richardson, Texas 75082

Attention: Mr. Matt Melester
E-mail:[e-mail]
Fax: [phone]
Voice: [phone]

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Users Guide - Andrew InCell™ Fiber Optic Distributed Antenna System

Andrew Corporation

Andrew Corporation is a global designer, manufacturer, and supplier of communications
equipment, services, and systems. Andrew products and expertise are found in communications
systems throughout the world; including wireless and distributed communications, land mobile
radio, cellular and personal communications, broadcast, radar, and navigation. The Andrew
"Flash" trademark seen on the cover can also be seen in every corner of the world on broadcast
towers and microwave antennas, HELIAX® and RADIAX® cables, communications and
computer networking equipment. The mark of Andrew for more than 60 years, it is the
benchmark of quality wherever it appears. It is a symbol of commitment to customer satisfaction
from the 4,500-plus employees of Andrew Corporation. We are listed on the NASDAQ stock
exchange under symbol “ANDW.” To learn more about us, please visit our web site at

www.andrew.com.

Andrew In-Building Wireless Experience

The Andrew Corporation Distributed Communications Systems (DCS) group has over 15 years
experience designing, installing, and managing large complex RF distribution systems for
metropolitan railways, building owners, and public mobile radio and telephone operators
throughout the world. For clients who do not need turnkey solutions, we offer product sales or
product sales with engineering support services.

Andrew offers a range of products to meet requirements of the in-building market. In the early
1980’s Andrew developed leaky cables as an adjunct to our coaxial cable business. This product
quickly led us to pursuing and executing wireless RF coverage in confined spaces such as
metros, road tunnels, and buildings. Through these projects, our Distributed Communications
Systems division acquired critical experience in project management and RF engineering of
these systems.

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Users Guide - Andrew InCell™ Fiber Optic Distributed Antenna System

Section 1:

InCell Fiber Optic Distributed Antenna System Description

InCell Fiber Optic Distributed Antenna System Description

InCell™ Specifications Page 1-8

Page 1-5

InCell Theory of Operation

Downlink Signal Flow Page 1-10

Uplink Signal Flow Page 1-10

Page 1-9

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Users Guide - Andrew InCell™ Fiber Optic Distributed Antenna System

InCell Fiber Optic Distributed Antenna System Description

The Andrew InCell™ Fiber Distributed Antenna System is designed to provide improved RF
performance in buildings that suffer from poor wireless coverage. The InCell™ interfaces
directly with a BTS or off-air antenna and distributes RF signals to indoor antennas that provide
improved downlink and uplink performance. The InCell™ system uses multiple Enhanced
Remote Antenna Units (ERAU) located within the building to optimize communications with
handheld mobile phones and wireless office equipment. Each ERAU is connected to a central
distribution unit (CDU) by two low-loss, single mode fiber optic cables that provide downlink
signals to the remote antenna and uplink signals from the mobile phone or wireless office
equipment.

The Andrew InCell™ Fiber Optic Distributed Antenna System (DAS) is used to provide a
wireless RF network infrastructure within buildings, high rises, shopping malls, airports and
other confined structures where outside wireless signals do not penetrate or propagate well. The
InCell system allows mobile phone users to use their phones in indoor areas that previously
could not communicate with the wireless phone system.

Key InCell™ features:

• Technology transparent – InCell operates with all commonly used commercial and

essential wireless protocols (analog, TDMA, GSM, CDMA, SMR, UMTS)

• Available in most common frequency bands in single in band and dual band models

• High downlink output power and low uplink noise figure result in large coverage area for

each indoor antenna

• Predictable performance reduces design and implementation time.

• Uses single mode fiber optic cable for wide bandwidth and lowest loss

• Supports multiple frequency bands over the same fiber cable

• Easy to install, only 1 small cable required to each remote antenna head

• Flexible installation, cabling and configuration works in multiple applications

• Direct optical modulation of laser diode, no frequency up and down conversion

• Continuous system built-in-test function provides remote alarm and local indicators in

case of faults in the equipment or the fiber optic cables

The InCell DAS uses low-loss fiber optic cables to distribute the wireless signal throughout the
building to multiple remote antennas located throughout the building. The single mode fiber
optic cables used in the InCell system ensure that each of the Enhanced Remote Antenna Units
has predictable coverage area and RF performance, regardless of how far the remote antenna is
from the central RF hub. The basic InCell system consists of one Central Distribution Unit
(CDU) that interfaces to six (6) Enhanced Remote Antenna Units (ERAUs). Figure 1 shows one
CDU, and one ERAU.

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Users Guide - Andrew InCell™ Fiber Optic Distributed Antenna System

Figure 1-1. InCell™ System Showing CDU and One ERAU

The InCell DAS is designed to interface to the external wireless infrastructure in one of two
ways:

• The InCell DAS can directly interface to an indoor base station through a coax jumper

• The InCell DAS can interface to outdoor base stations by means of an off-air antenna

interface consisting of a donor antenna, cables and a bi-directional amplifier.

The InCell DAS system converts the wireless signals from the base station and the mobile phone
into optical signals, uses low loss fiber optic cables to distribute the optical signals throughout
the building, and then converts the signals back to RF signals for wireless transmission.

The InCell DAS is designed to cover large areas with a minimum amount of hardware and
cabling, reducing system cost, installation time and maintenance. Very large InCell systems may
be built by combining multiple CDUs using standard power dividers. A system with 64 CDUs
can support 384 remote antennas.

Unlike other competing products, this product is designed for multi-operator, multi-service
capabilities with higher output levels and lower system sensitivities. This equates to greater
coverage range per antenna unit and hence lower implementation costs.

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Users Guide - Andrew InCell™ Fiber Optic Distributed Antenna System

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*Indoor Antenna and Cables

Not Included In Basic System

Figure 1-2. Basic 6-Channel InCell System

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Users Guide - Andrew InCell™ Fiber Optic Distributed Antenna System

InCell™ Specifications

Technical Performance

The InCell technical specifications are summarized in Table 1-1.

Table 1-1. InCell™ Performance Specification

Enhanced Remote Antenna Unit (ERAU) Specifications

Andrew Corporation

Wireless Service Standard InCell Part Number

SMR,iDEN,AMPS,CDMA,TDMA, GSM AE04A-D0602-001

800 MHz PCS

Specifications

Frequency Range (MHz) 853-894 808-849 1850-1910 1930-1990

Maximum Input Power (dBm) 0 dBm -40 dBm limited 0 dBm -40 dBm limited

Return Loss (dB) > 16 dB >16 >16 > 16

Adjacent Passband Rejection (dB) > 50 > 50 > 50 > 27

Link Gain (dB) 25.0 ± 1.0 12.0 ± 1.0 30.0 ± 1.0 13.0 ± 1.0

Max Passband Variation (dB) 5.0 5.0 2.5 2.5

Output Power (Watts) 0.75 x 1.0 x

Output Third Order Intercept Point (dBm) 35 dBm x 37 dBm x

Spurious Response (dBm) < -13 - SMR x < -13 for PCS x

x < -36 for GSM x

Spur Free Dynamic Range (dB) x ≥ 75 x ≥ 75

Noise Figure (dB) ≤ 45 ≤ 16 ≤ 45 ≤ 14.5

Downlink wide band noise (dBm/Hz) < -121.5 dBm/Hz < -121.5 dBm/Hz

Optical Wavelength (nm) 1310 nm 1310 nm

Input Voltage Requirements 40 - 60 VDC

Typical Power Consumption 50 Watts

Power Supply Redundancy None

Backup Power Supply External

Downlink Uplink Downlink Uplink

POWER SPECIFICATIONS

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Users Guide - Andrew InCell™ Fiber Optic Distributed Antenna System

InCell Theory of Operation

Since no two indoor coverage requirements are the same, in-building RF coverage solutions may
involve one or a combination of RF coverage methods. Andrew can provide several solutions to
optimize the indoor RF coverage for a wide range of indoor applications. The InCell™ Fiber
Optic DAS complements other Andrew in-building RF coverage methods such as passive and
active leaky feeder RF distribution networks using Radiax cable, passive distributed antenna
systems and active distributed antenna systems. In-building wireless systems are typically
connected to an off-air donor antenna and repeater or to a BTS system located within the
building.

The InCell™ DAS uses low loss single mode fiber optic cables to distribute the uplink and
downlink signals throughout buildings or between multiple buildings.

The InCell system uses direct analog modulation of the RF signal onto the optical signal through
a laser diode. The modulated optical signal from the laser travels over the fiber optic cable to a
photo diode, which converts the optical signal back to an electrical signal. There is no frequency
conversion (mixing the signal up and down to an IF frequency). Because of the direct RF to
optical conversion, the InCell system is technology transparent, easily passing analog, TDMA,
CDMA and 3G type signals.

Central

Distribution Unit

(CDU)

RF

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- 1 system -- up to 6 antennas

- 1 main hub x 6 antennas = 6 antennas

- D/L + U/L: Direct RF to optical to RF conversion

- Typically only 1 antenna per RAU

- No long coax cables needed—resulting in improved coverage area

Up to 6 RAUs

Single Mode Fiber

D/L
U/L

O

E

Figure 1-3. High Level InCell Block Diagram

Remote

Antenna Unit

(RAU)

DUPL

Coax

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Users Guide - Andrew InCell™ Fiber Optic Distributed Antenna System

Downlink Signal Flow

The downlink signal is the signal that is transmitted from the base station and received by the
mobile phone. In the InCell™ Fiber Optic Distributed Antenna System, the CDU receives the
downlink RF signal from a base station, converts the signal into six identical optical signals and
distributes the optical signals to ERAUs that are located throughout a building. The ERAU
receives the optical downlink signal and converts it back to an RF signal, which is then broadcast
to mobile phones located within the building.

If the InCell system is connected directly to indoor base station equipment, the downlink is
supplied to the CDU via a coax cable to the base station. If the InCell system uses an off-air
antenna and repeater to interface to an external base station, the RF downlink signal is
transmitted through the air, received by an off-air donor antenna and amplified using a bi­directional amplifier prior to entering the CDU.

The wireless downlink signal is received through the Type N connector on the rear panel of the
CDU and is split into six identical RF signals, one for each port of the CDU. A laser diode at
each CDU port converts the RF signal into an optical signal. The optical signal for each CDU
port is transmitted through the D/L fiber optic bulkhead connector, through a single mode fiber
optic cable to the D/L fiber optic bulkhead connector on the ERAU.

The ERAU converts the optical downlink signal back to an RF signal using a photodiode. The
RF downlink signal is amplified, filtered and then passed through the ERAU Type N connector
to a directional or omni antenna where it is transmitted to the mobile phone.

Uplink Signal Flow

The uplink signal is the signal that is transmitted from the mobile phone and received by the base
station. In the InCell system, an indoor antenna receives the uplink RF signal from the mobile
phone and passes the uplink signal to the ERAU through the Type N connector located on the
rear panel of the ERAU. The ERAU amplifies and filters the uplink RF signal and then converts
the RF signal into an optical signal using a laser diode. The optical signal passes through the
U/L fiber optic bulkhead connector, through a single mode fiber optic cable to the U/L fiber
optic bulkhead connector on the CDU.

The CDU converts the received optical uplink signal back to an RF signal with a photodiode.
The uplink signals from each of the six remote antennas are received by the six CDU ports and
are combined together to pass through the Type N RF connector on the back of the CDU and
then up to the base station.

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Users Guide - Andrew InCell™ Fiber Optic Distributed Antenna System

Section 2:

InCell™ Equipment Description

CDU Description Page 2-2

CDU AC Power Interface Page 2-3

CDU RF Interface Page 2-3

CDU Optical Interface Page 2-3

CDU DC Power Output Interface Page 2-3

CDU Front Panel Page 2-3

CDU Rear Panel Page 2-4

InCell ™ Enhanced Remote Antenna Unit (ERAU) Page 2-6

ERAU RF Interface Page 2-6

ERAU Auxiliary DC Power Input Page 2-8

ERAU Page 2-8

Environmental and Mechanical Specifications Page 2-10

CDU Outline Drawing Page 2-11

ERAU Outline Drawing Page 2-12

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Users Guide - Andrew InCell™ Fiber Optic Distributed Antenna System

CDU Description

The Central Distribution Unit (CDU) is the central hub of the InCell Fiber Optic Distributed

Antenna System. The CDU is housed in a standard 1U tall, 19” rack mount chassis for mounting
in equipment racks or telecom racks. The CDU interfaces to the external wireless infrastructure
through either an in-building base station or through an off-air interface that sends and receives
signals to an outdoor base station that is located nearby the building.

The CDU simultaneously passes the RF downlink signal from the base station to the indoor
mobile phone and the passes RF uplink signal from the indoor mobile phones to the base station.
The CDU splits the downlink RF signals for distribution to six Enhanced Remote Antenna Units
(ERAUs) via fiber optic interfaces. The CDU also receives and combines the uplink signals
from the six ERAUs for distribution to the base station.

For system fault detection, the CDU generates and distributes an RF pilot tone that is used to
continuously monitor uplink and downlink signal paths between the CDU and each of the six
ERAUs. Faults with any of the six ERAUs or the any of the six optical downlink cables or six
optical uplink cables cause fault indicators on the CDU to light up and also switches remote
alarm signals on the CDU.

The CDU is delivered with rack mount hardware to support mounting in standard equipment
racks as mentioned above. The CDU may also be mounted to a wall using optional wall mount
brackets.

Figure 2-1. InCell™ Central Distribution Unit (CDU)

CDU features are listed below:

• CDU functions as the heart of the distributed antenna system (DAS)

• Multiple CDUs may be used together to create large DAS systems

• CDU has a pilot tone oscillator that provides continuous system fault detection

• Provides DC power to six ERAUs up to 1000’ away, CDU uses universal AC power

• Easily installed in standard 19” equipment rack or telecom rack

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Users Guide - Andrew InCell™ Fiber Optic Distributed Antenna System

CDU AC Power Interface

To allow operation in a wide number of applications and locations, the CDU operates from
international AC power. The CDU uses 100 to 240 VAC, 47 to 63 Hz. The CDU uses 10 watts
of power. When a full system with all six of the RAUs is connected, the CDU uses 40 watts of
power. When an external power supply for the ERAU is used, the CDU uses 10 watts of power.

CDU RF Interface

The CDU RF interface is through a Type N connector located on the rear panel of the CDU. The
Type N RF connector is a bi-directional RF interface that simultaneously passes the RF downlink
signal from the base station to the mobile phone and the passes RF uplink signal from the mobile
phone to the base station.

CDU Optical Interface

The CDU optical interface is through six sets of fiber optic connectors located on the front panel
of the CDU. The six remote antenna ports provide the uplink and downlink signal paths to the
six Enhanced Remote Antenna Units. Each optical port consists of a pair of fiber optic links.
The downlink path carries the optical signal from the base station to the ERAU for transmission
to the mobile phone. The uplink path carries the optical signal from the ERAU to the CDU to
transmit the signal from the mobile phone to the base station.

The CDU fiber optic ports are all SC/APC type connectors and the InCell DAS uses single mode
fiber optic cables to provide low loss, wide bandwidth signal capabilities.

CDU DC Power Output Interface

Each of the six CDU antenna ports can provide remote DC power to one RAU through a
composite fiber optic and copper cable. The CDU provides +24 VDC and GND signals through
the six power connectors located on the front panel of the CDU. To use these DC power ports to
provide power to an ERAU, two copper wires must be used, typically in the form of the
composite cable.

The CDU power connector at each port is a two-pin Molex connector with interlocks to ensure a
good mechanical and electrical connection between the front panel connector and the DC power
connector on the composite cable connector. Note: An external +40-60 VDC power supply
must be used in conjunction with the ERAU.

CDU Front Panel

The figure below provides a detailed view of the CDU front panel, showing the six remote
antenna interface ports. Each of the six ports is identical and provides DC power for the remote
antenna as well as an optical downlink interface and an optical uplink interface with the
Enhanced Remote Antenna Unit.

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Users Guide - Andrew InCell™ Fiber Optic Distributed Antenna System

Each of the six remote antenna ports also has one Link Alarm LED and one Power Alarm LED.
These indicators provide the status of the Enhanced Remote Antenna Unit and the fiber optic
uplink and downlink signal paths. The status indicators are discussed in the maintenance section
of this manual.

U/L

PORT 1

D/L PWR U/L

PORT 2PORT 3PORT 4

D/L PWR PWR

U/L D/L

U/L D/L

PWR U/L

PORT 5 PORT 6

D/L PWR

D/LU/L PWR

InCell

LINKPOWER

POWER

LINK

POWER LINK

LINKPOWER

POWER

LINK

POWER LINK

Figure 2-2. Central Distribution Unit Front Panel

Fiber Optic Connectors

From/To RAU

PORT 1

U/L

LINKPOWER

PWRD/L

Remote +24

DC

Power

Out/To

RAU

Status Indicators

D01-013

Figure 2-3. Details of CDU Port Connectors ( 1 of 6 Ports)

CDU Rear Panel

The rear view of the CDU shows the Type N RF input/output connector as well as the AC power
connection and the on/off switch. The D type connector on the left is for the CDU remote alarms
and the D type connector on the right is for the optional remote monitoring serial interface. The
details of the remote alarms are discussed in the maintenance section of this manual. See Figures
2-4 to 2-7.

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Users Guide - Andrew InCell™ Fiber Optic Distributed Antenna System

_

REMOTE ALARM REMOTE MONITORING

ILLUMINATOR MODEL:

CENTRAL DISTRIBUTION UNIT

_______________________________

2000-1100-001 REV -

PART NO.:

UL FILE NO.:

FCC ID:

SERNO.:

Figure 2-4. CDU Rear Panel

RF RF

POWERRF RF

I

O

100-240 VAC, 47-63 Hz

40W, 0.6A MA X

D01-015

Figure 2-5. Type N RF Input/Output Connector

POWER

I

O

100-240 VAC, 47-63 Hz

40W, 0.6A MAX

D01-016

Figure 2-6. AC Power Connection and On/Off Switch

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Users Guide - Andrew InCell™ Fiber Optic Distributed Antenna System

REMOTE ALARM

D01-014

Figure 2-7. The D-Type Connector For CDU Remote Alarm Outputs

InCell ™ Enhanced Remote Antenna Unit (ERAU)

The Enhanced Remote Antenna Unit (ERAU) is the InCell™ component that is distributed
within a building to provide the RF signal interface to the mobile phones. The ERAU interfaces
to small indoor antennas to transmit the downlink signal to the mobile and to receive the uplink
signal from the mobile phone. Typical in-building distributed antenna systems consist of
multiple ERAUs connected to the CDU. ERAUs are generally hidden above a ceiling, behind a
wall or placed in rafters. Refer to Figure 2-8 for a picture of the ERAU.

The ERAU weighs 23 pounds and is 5.77” x 20” x 16.72”.

ERAU features are listed below:

• The ERAU provides high output power and low sensitivity to cover large areas

• The ERAU is small and easy to install in ceilings, on walls, poles, rafters

• Uses Type N female connector for input/output interface to antennas

• Accepts remote power or local power from DC power supply

• ERAU operates from a wide range of DC inputs: uses +40 to +60 VDC

ERAU RF Interface

The ERAU RF interface is through 2 Type N connectors located at the bottom panel of the
ERAU. One RF connector passes RF downlink signal from the base station to the mobile phone
and the other passes RF uplink signal from the mobile phone to the base station.

The ERAU is typically connected to an indoor omni or directional antenna. For flexibility, the
ERAU can also be connected to a leaky feeder cable such as the Andrew RADIAX® or Andrew
Flat Strip RADIAX®. In addition, the ERAU RF port may be connected to a two or 4-way
power divider/combiner and used to interface to multiple antennas.

2-6