Alcatel-Lucent Intros Radio Interface for DAS

Alcatel-Lucent introduced a radio frequency module for distributed antenna systems (DAS) for connecting subscribers at large public venues.

The Distributed Antenna System Radio Frequency Module is a wideband low-power LTE interface card which removes the need for bulky radio technology in a public installation. It connects to Alcatel-Lucent's 9926 digital baseband unit, working directly with the analog DAS through RF signals that consume just one-eighth of the power and heat dissipation of an average remote radio head, reducing space requirements and optimizing costs. The 9926 digital baseband unit, connecting into a number of distributed radios, can divert capacity where needed when there are spikes in traffic, redistributing capacity to other radios when no longer required.

Up to 40 radio sectors with the associated baseband processing, can be fitted into a standard 19 inch indoor cabinet. The Alcatel-Lucent DAS RFM is offered in two wideband hardware versions, one for low band and one for high band radios. Each radio covers between 6 and 10 bands. Based on the latest Alcatel-Lucent RF platform it leverages common hardware and software and can quickly be adapted to various market frequency demands using pluggable cards.

Based on a study from Bell Labs, the company calculates its new DAS RFM offers up to 30 percent cost savings in terms of the wireless and DAS equipment required, up to 81 percent cost savings in terms of power and cooling, up to 91 percent cost savings in terms of construction,  and up to 78 percent cost savings in terms of energy.

"Alcatel-Lucent has been working closely with operators on how to improve LTE deployment in dense urban environments by leveraging their DAS infrastructure. This product was developed on the latest leading edge RF Platform that operators use for their Macro today allowing them full benefit and feature parity with their Macro sites. It is designed for use with any vendors' analog DAS," said Glenn Booth, Senior Vice President and General Manger of Alcatel-Lucent's LTE Business Unit said: .