RF-over-fiber for Cellular & Mobile Radio

PPM's RF-over-fiber technology allows the baseband processing equipment and the RF antenna equipment of a 2G, 3G, TETRA or other RF system base station to communicate over high-speed optical fibers.

Without RF-over-fiber, these two units had to be physically close to maintain the integrity of the RF signal. The separation of the baseband and RF parts of the base station enables network operators to deploy base stations with more freedom and fewer restrictions, resulting in significant capital expenditure and operational cost savings.

Currently, the distance between the antenna and the base station in a radio cell is limited by the attenuation in the co-axial cable link. By replacing this link with an optical cable, this distance can be greatly extended - up to tens of kilometres. This has significant cost implications for operators.

Because the antenna can now be remotely located from the actual cell site, it is possible to reduce the number of cell sites by co-locating them in a single housing.

PPM's links are designed to be used with little or no previous knowledge of optical fibre installation and use.

RF-over-fiber transmitter and receiver modules are available in a number of housing formats:

• Plug-in modules, for use in PPM's 19" rack case
• OEM Modules for incorporation into manufacturers' equipment
• Outdoor Housing for accommodation of OEM Modules in environmentally sealed enclosure

In addition to providing the fibre optic transmitters and receivers, PPM can supply pre-terminated fibre optic cables for internal, external and riser applications. These ruggedised cable assemblies are delivered complete with pulling boots and installation instructions, removing the need for on-site fusion splicing and connector termination.

PPM fiber optic links offer the following benefits :

• Low signal loss
• Lower cost alternative to coaxial
• Operates over distances to 15km
• Can operate over existing fiber backbone
• No cable leakage
• Immunity to electrical interference
• Small footprint antenna and BTS units PSU redundancy as standard
• Battery backup option at head end
• Remote alarms to indicate end failure
• Automatic or fully managed signal redundancy/switchover