Powerwave Nexus FT Urban wireless repeaters address coverage demands

APCO 2010, HOUSTON, USA: Powerwave Technologies Inc., a global leader in end-to-end wireless coverage and capacity solutions, announced the expansion of the company’s leading Nexus FT high-power broadband repeater platform to include new single- and dual-band models that deliver comprehensive mobile broadband coverage and which feature an aesthetically sensitive design to meet even the strictest requirements for use in residential and urban environments.

Repeater products provide cost-effective wireless coverage solutions for a multitude of environments – such as subways, airports, office buildings, shopping malls, stadiums and other large venues, cities or communities where structures or natural obstructions interfere with wireless signals. Housed in a fiberglass enclosure that measures 18”W x 25”H x 11”D, Powerwave’s Nexus FT Urban repeaters provide high quality, efficient, multi-service coverage packaged in an environmentally conscious design.

Able to support 700 MHz and 800 MHz public safety bands and 700 MHz, 850 MHz, 1900 MHz, and AWS commercial bands, the repeaters cater to operators’ needs for high power, multi-standard network equipment to improve and extend access to 3G services and to prepare for future 4G deployments.

Powerwave’s repeater systems are comprised of head-end optical components and high efficiency linear power amplifiers that provide operators with a reliable, cost-effective and future-proof solution for extending the capacity and reach of their existing GSM, iDEN, PCS, CDMA, UMTS, EVDO, LTE and public safety networks, while providing flexibility for future communications protocols. End users enjoy high-quality mobile coverage for voice and data usage, and are assured that full 3G and 4G capabilities can be realized in coverage areas.

"As 3G and 4G media rich applications continue to proliferate, network data loads continue to soar,” said Khurram P. Sheikh, chief product and development officer, Powerwave Technologies. "While coverage and capacity needs must be met, aesthetics must also be taken into consideration when deploying wireless networks in public right-of-way locations.

“Powerwave Nexus FT Urban repeaters are approved by municipalities with strict aesthetic requirements such as New York City – enabling wireless infrastructure to better blend into outdoor settings, without compromising performance and capacity.”

With Powerwave repeaters, there is no need for expensive transmission lines, special cabinets, oversize battery backups or extra cooling – and the company’s multi-band, multi-operator offerings take cost-efficiency to a whole new level by enabling network sharing for reduced capital/operational expenses, discrete, individual control for each operator, and a reduced impact on the scenic character of the community.

In addition, Powerwave’s Nexus FT repeaters reduce power requirements at the remote site, which makes them ideal for “green” deployments – while the 700 MHz line provides the public safety community with a state-of-the-art solution for communications coverage during normal operations and during periods requiring emergency response.

Featuring a modular and robust design, the repeaters offer both a compact footprint and boast the industry’s smallest maintenance-free passive cooling package with no fans required. Powerwave Nexus FT repeaters offer the lowest total cost of ownership in the market; with “field friendly” simplified band upgrade capability, operators can implement new modulation schemes without impacting coverage footprint – reducing costs associated with network upgrades.

The product can be deployed up to 20km (12 miles) from an existing base station to deliver an efficient, multi-service solution for today’s current and emerging 4G networks. Leveraging energy-efficient, multi-carrier power amplifiers (MCPAs) to reduce power requirements at the remote site, Nexus FT repeaters are ideal for multi-operator and multi-band deployments.

Powerwave’s Nexus FT repeaters can be managed remotely through Powerwave’s Netway Vision, an SNMP-based platform that centrally monitors and manages critical network interconnected remote controlled devices. An option is also available that enables the Nexus FT to be managed via a third-party SNMP-compliant NMS software package.

All models offer an IP65 and NEMA 4 protection rating, and are fully weather- and lightening-protected for pole, rooftop or tower-top deployments.

Powering some of today’s most well-known venues – from the Olympic Athletic Center of Athens, to several casinos in Las Vegas, subways and airports throughout North America – Powerwave repeaters are an integral component of today’s most advanced wireless networks.