Monday, March 21, 2011

BelAir's Small Cell Base Station Combines LTE and Wi-Fi

BelAir Networks introduced its BelAir100LP LTE Picocell designed to help mobile carriers quickly and cost-effectively build large-scale, small cell networks. The new product represents an evolution of the company's existing strand Picocell, which incorporates HSPA or CDMA radios along with 802.11n Wi-Fi, and is currently in live network trials with major operators. AWS spectrum band is also supported on BelAir Networks indoor and outdoor APs and base stations.



Key features include:

  • Multiple mounting options – pole and wall-mount or patented strand mount via aerial, pedestal, cabinet or vault hybrid fiber coax (HFC) infrastructure


  • Backhaul flexibility – patented high-performance switched mesh, fiber, Ethernet or HFC


  • Licensed and unlicensed access radios – LTE + dual 802.11n Wi-Fi radios with chip-based beamforming


  • Internal array beam steering antennas working in conjunction with chip-based beamforming to deliver improved throughput at a greater distance


  • Powering via AC, DC or cable plant


  • Virtual AP capabilities enabling multiple operators to share common wireless network infrastructure while offering a customized user experience through direct integration with their specific back end systems (AAA, Policy Management) on a per SSID basis.


"In live network trials with Tier One operators, we've proven that combining licensed and unlicensed wireless technologies in a small cell base station is a very effective way to handle growing mobile data traffic," said Bernard Herscovich, President and CEO, BelAir Networks. "The BelAir100LP features a modular platform to accommodate operators' LTE preferences and leverages patented innovations that address the installation challenges – including backhaul, power and mounting – that have impeded widespread picocell adoption to date."
http://www.belairnetworks.com