With wireless operators deploying increasingly powerful remote radio units (RRUs) at the top of cell towers, and with those RRUs being further distanced from the power distribution points, delivering electric power efficiently becomes more challenging and costly. To help solve the problem, CommScope has introduced PowerShift™, a whole new way of managing power to RRUs at macro and micro cell sites.
CommScope believes PowerShift is the wireless industry’s first intelligent, plug-and-play direct current (DC) power supply solution for RRUs. PowerShift can help operators re-utilize existing power cable infrastructure, eliminate the need for deploying higher gauge conductors when installing new cabling and increase the useable length for cables by over four times. It can also extend RF battery uptime by up to 35 percent.
In the majority of macro cell site installations today, the operator has installed an RRU close to the antenna to decrease RF signal loss and achieve other performance benefits. Separated from the baseband unit, each RRU needs its own power, typically between 300-600 watts but which can exceed 1,000 watts. In this site architecture, power cables deliver the energy from the power distribution point, which is usually at the bottom of the tower.
CommScope’s PowerShift solution automatically delivers the most efficient voltage to the RRU, utilizing technology CommScope developed with the power supply experts at General Electric. The innovative PowerShift solution requires no manual calibration when managing power supply. It is currently available for trial with general availability expected in the first quarter of 2016. The benefits for operators can include:
- Reduced capital expenditures through the use of smaller diameter power cables, especially the ones already deployed on-site in RRU upgrade scenarios
- Decreased operating expenditures due to lower overall power consumption, more efficient inventorying, standardized installation and lower shipping costs
- Decreased weight and wind load on towers with smaller diameter cables
- Extended RF battery uptime of up to 35 percent more by taking full advantage of the existing battery back-up system
