RFS' DC-FIT DC-connector solution dramatically simplifies upgrades of existing wireless cell sites

COLOMBES, FRANCE: On the occasion of the 2010 Mobile World Congress, Radio Frequency Systems (RFS), the global wireless and broadcast infrastructure specialist, is introducing DC-FIT, the world’s first DC-Connector solution, featuring innovative new technology that substantially reduces installation time and costs when upgrading existing wireless cell sites to Remote Radio Head (RRH) technology.

To continue offering premium services to their customers, while dealing with the challenges of exploding mobile broadband requirements and the growth of low-ARPU subscribers, mobile operators worldwide are constantly upgrading their networks using the latest available technologies.

These activities involve upgrading or replacing old-style base stations with the latest base station architecture where the RF filter and power amplifier of the base station, also called a Remote Radio Head (RRH), are installed next to the antenna at the top of the tower.

Obtaining approval for extending telecommunications networks is becoming increasingly difficult as people are often sensitive to the idea of new antenna sites. As a result, using and optimizing existing sites is the first natural approach.

However, existing sites are typically already crowded and overloaded with equipment. Dismantling cell sites is time consuming and, in many cases, not acceptable as operators cannot generate revenue from a site that is off-air.

This is why RFS is introducing DC-FIT, an innovative DC-Connector solution that enables mobile operators worldwide to dramatically reduce their roll-out time and operational expenses when they upgrade their existing wireless cell sites to RRH technology.

“To easily, quickly and cost efficiently upgrade existing wireless cell sites to RRH technology, the use of existing coaxial feeders as RRH power supplies and as housing for the fiber optical data connection is the answer,” says Marc Kaeumle, VP RF Transmission and Distribution at RFS. “With RFS’ DC-FIT solution, installation time and costs are substantially reduced. When making use of existing coaxial feeder lines, rollout planning is simplified and site preparation time can be reduced by 30 to 50 percent,” he adds.

This innovative concept was developed by RFS at the request of a leading international mobile operator who selected RFS as its trusted partner to design a solution that enables reuse of existing foam dielectric cables as the RRH power supply. The strong collaboration between RFS, the operator and a leading international wireless infrastructure integrator, who acted as turnkey contractor to the operator, was fundamental to making this project a success.

RFS has obtained an exclusive license agreement from the operator to promote and market the concept worldwide. This makes the DC-FIT solution an official RFS global exclusive offering that no other vendor may produce.

The RFS DC-FIT solution is already available for coaxial cables with a 7/8”, 1-1/4” or 1-5/8” nominal diameter. The first prototypes were developed in only two months, and already more than 1,000 RFS DC-FITs have been sold.