A new series of bi-directional amplifiers (BDA) and duplexers from wireless technology group, Radio Frequency Systems (RFS) offers a convenient and inexpensive means of overlaying universal mobile telecommunication services (UMTS) on existing second-generation (2G) in-building RF distribution systems.
“RFS has had the foresight to build in future-proofing in its 2G in-building RF coverage solutions–as a result, these are sufficiently broadband to support the simple overlay of new third-generation (3G) UMTS services,” said Peter Raabe, RFS Global Product Manager for Wireless Distributed Communications Systems. “In many cases though, the UMTS RF power levels may prove inadequate, due to the higher insertion losses of the 2G network cabling. The new RFS I-BDA2100 and I-DUX2G/3G combination is one of the first on the market to offer a cost-effective and simple means of overcoming this situation.”
The series comprises two band-specific UMTS bi-directional amplifiers (I-BDA-2100-1 and I-BDA2100-2), plus a broadband duplexer (I-DUX2G/3G-1). The new BDAs supply 35 dB nominal gain in RF downlink and uplink, and are provided in two output power ratings, 18 dBm and 9 dBm. Used in combination with the new duplexer, the bi-directional amplifiers may be used to support a ‘3G on 2G’ overlay on an existing broadband in-building system.
Both I-BDA-2100 models support the full UMTS band, and provide automatic gain control in accordance with the Third Generation Partnership Project’s (3GPP) specified UMTS requirements. Manual gain control is also provided for final system levelling. The unit’s 10-30Vdc power requirements can be realized ‘locally’ via the unit’s power port, or ‘remotely’ via the RF coaxial feeds, permitting the units to be cascaded in a wide range of combinations.
The I-DUX2G/3G-1 duplexer is uniquely broadband, with its 2G port supporting frequencies between 800 and 1880 MHz. It provides particularly low insertion loss at both the 2G and 3G ports, and comes complete with two separate on-board dc power input ports, allowing even greater flexibility in system power configuration.