Andrew Solutions, the CommScope, Inc. division for wireless communication systems and products is helping operators evolve their wireless networks with its SmartBeam base station antenna system, an agile network solution that makes adding capacity and optimising coverage cost-effective and responsive to customer demand.
Wireless operators have an inexpensive and highly effective tool in SmartBeam to achieve load balancing across a cell site or even a whole network cluster of cell sites.
“SmartBeam’s network capacity and performance improvement capabilities will enable operators to get the most out of their 3G, LTE, and WiMAX networks,” said Philip Sorrells, vice president of product line management, Base Station Antenna Systems, Andrew. “SmartBeam’s breakthrough beam fanning technology frees network planners from the relatively limited choices they have in sectorisation. With SmartBeam, planners can truly build a network right the first time.”
SmartBeam offers three levels of base station antenna pattern adjustments—beam tilting, panning, and fanning—which can be conducted from a central office via Andrew’s ANMS™ (Antenna Network Management System). When used in combination, the three pattern adjustments enable wireless operators to easily re-distribute capacity across a network cluster of sites based on changing traffic patterns. The result is a significant improvement in capacity efficiency while delaying or preventing the expensive addition of new cell sites or radios. An agile system with SmartBeam antennas can also enhance network quality by providing the capability to deliver stronger signal strength, minimised interference, reduced number of dropped calls, and higher data rates.
Vertical beam tilting
SmartBeam works by utilising Next Generation Actuators installed under the antenna radome, which enable the three pattern adjustments. Remote electrical tilt BSAs currently deployed in many wireless networks essentially perform vertical beam tilting. SmartBeam, however, adds the horizontal panning and beamwidth fanning that make the next generation of network optimisation capabilities truly possible. Beamwidth fanning can result in antenna patterns narrowed or broadened from 35 to 105 degrees. Andrew currently offers seven SmartBeam base station antenna models with one, two or three pattern adjustment capabilities.
Trials of SmartBeam antennas are underway with wireless operators in many global markets.
