Blue Danube Systems has introduced its second-generation 5G-ready Massive MIMO system, the BeamCraft 600 series. BeamCraft 600 supports simultaneous beamforming over multiple frequency bands and across multiple cellular standards, allowing operators to deliver increased capacity through a single compact system. Leveraging powerful embedded software extensible via cloud-based intelligence, BeamCraft systems can dynamically direct radio frequency (RF) beams where mobile traffic is high and unlike competing Massive MIMO products, they require no change to existing cell sites and are compatible with today’s smartphones.
To support the ever increasing demand for mobile data, operators have needed to add more cell sites, acquire and deploy additional spectrum, and support multiple wireless standards resulting in more equipment per site and contributing to significant OPEX and CAPEX increases. BeamCraft 600 allows operators to gain an immediate capacity boost using existing network assets by replacing 3G/4G radio and antenna systems with a single unit thereby reducing the equipment on site – in some cases by as much as 66%. For operators with broad spectrum holdings, this system can enable Massive MIMO deployment where it may not have even been possible before.
Based on Blue Danube’s innovative HDAAS Hybrid Massive MIMO technology, the 96-element BeamCraft 600 supports up to two active mid bands using 16 software configurable beams, double the capacity of the company’s previous generation but still within the same light weight 14” wide form factor. Additionally, an integrated passive low-band option is also available to further conserve antenna mount positions. Blue Danube has deployed active solutions in 3 mid bands to date (AWS, PCS, DCS) and will trial the multi-band BeamCraft 600 in second quarter 2018. Additional products supporting higher frequency bands including TDD will be available in second half 2018. Click here to learn more about BeamCraft 600.
