Hardware simplifies and speeds lab evaluation of next generation in-building cellular networks

Benetel’s latest remote radio unit (RRU) addresses the migration from closed proprietary interface protocols and shows the company’s commitment to promoting widespread adoption of emerging open standards. Supporting the open radio access network (ORAN) 1.0 interface specification, the BNTL-RAN100-3-1L RRU will encourage innovation and provide communication system integrators and network operators with far greater system flexibility.

The lab-oriented unit gives engineering teams access to all the core features necessary to undertake initial experiments with ORAN-based network infrastructure – particularly in relation to providing superior indoor cellular coverage. The BNTL-RAN100-3-1L is intended for 7.2 split front haul network implementation and has a connection data rate of 10Gbps. Running off a 12VDC supply and drawing less than 40W of power during operation, this compact (240mm x 240mm x 60mm), highly robust unit supports 2×2 multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) streams. It supports a 20MHz bandwidth and a +21dBm per antenna port transmission output.

Thanks to a modular architecture, engineers using the new unit have scope to swap different radio modules from the Benetel portfolio to optimize designs for specific frequency and transmit power criteria. The result is a highly versatile platform which reduces engineering overheads, allows far greater design reuse and accelerates time to market, as well as offering the ability to rapidly scale up production as demand dictates.

“Operators and service providers are recognizing the value that ORAN can bring to their future business operations, as it will allow them to break away from their current reliance on proprietary interface specifications and better attend to the actual needs of their customer base,” states Richard Houlihan, Director of Product Management at Benetel. “Thanks to our technical staff’s unmatched expertise in analog-mixed signal technology, this new RRU is real game changer. It presents operators with a foundation upon which to check the validity of different network implementations, develop exciting new end-to end solutions, and tap into the growing ecosystem that is building up around ORAN.”

He adds: “Following on from this release, we will be adding further capabilities to the product series over time. Among these will be IEEE 1588v2 synchronization, Power-over-Ethernet and 5G radio modules”.

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