Powerwave walk-in Microflex enclosure offers secure waterproof protection for wireless equipment

COMMUNICASIA 2010, SINGAPORE: Powerwave Technologies Inc. has introduced its Walk-in MicroFlex cabinet, a multi-purpose cell site enclosure that provides network operators and technicians with a flexible, secure and compact housing solution for wireless infrastructure and other equipment with requisite accessibility for ease of maintenance.

Offering the same small footprint and rigorous protection afforded by Powerwave’s VersaFlex above-ground and underground shelters, the Walk-in MicroFlex cabinet is ideal for site deployments requiring one-to-two cabinets – with expandability to four or more.

The Walk-in MicroFlex cabinet features a welded aluminum uni-frame that is both aesthetically pleasing and weather-tight to ensure critical equipment is protected even in the most extreme environments, such as wind-driven rain, and salt fog in coastal deployments.

Advanced materials around all door and ceiling hatches provide superior water-tight protection, and a single-handle, pad lockable, six-point locking mechanism provides security and uniform sealing pressure. Powerwave’s Walk-in MicroFlex cabinet also features an emergency ventilation system that automatically switches from AC power to DC cooling mode in the absence of utility power.

Powerwave’s Walk-In MicroFlex also features a unique flexible design, enabling the unit to be configured and re-configured to meet specific and evolving customer requirements at the factory, warehouse, or in the field – dramatically simplifying inventory logistics and reducing parts count and overall inventory costs.

This configuration flexibility supports a wide range of wireless infrastructure components, power supplies, batteries, radios, and any Electronic Industries Association (EIA) 19-inch or 23-inch standard form factor equipment – further extending the flexibility of the cabinet and enabling operators to diversify operations by housing lightweight mobile data center equipment.

The Walk-In MicroFlex cabinet can also function as a key component to assist wireless operators in complying with the Federal Communications Commission’s mandate for eight hours of backup power. All power options ensure hydrogen safety with passive ventilation via a semi-permeable Teflon membrane.

Powerwave’s MicroFlex cabinet line continues to experience widespread industry adoption; among the growing number of customers selecting MicroFlex is a major wireless network operator in Malaysia.

The operator selected the MicroFlex dual-bay outdoor radio/power cabinet in part because the solution met key functional operating parameters such as energy efficiency – thanks to the system’s thermal management system featuring a closed loop air-to-air heat exchanger system, helping to lower total operating expenditures.

Other major factors influencing selection by the Malaysian operator included the solution’s modularity in design, which supports the ability to add additional cabinets as future growth requirements dictate.

“Compact and lightweight, our Walk-in MicroFlex cabinet accommodates small lease spaces while providing unprecedented levels of flexibility to support a wide array of deployment scenarios,” said Khurram P. Sheikh, chief product and development officer, Powerwave Technologies. “The cabinet’s unique ruggedized design keeps the elements out, while providing the requisite ease of access for maintenance.”