RFS to showcase advanced antenna solutions to simplify the evolution to 5G at MWC 2018

As operators continue to invest in new hardware as a means of keeping pace with growing capacity demands, it’s become all the more important to introduce high performing infrastructure designed for today’s complex macro-environment. RFS CEO, Herbert Merz commented, “To help address this and satisfy our customers, we have extended our product range looking at the specific challenges operators face with LTE-A and 5G infrastructure and designing an innovative portfolio to solve these, driving further efficiency and reducing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for existing and next-generation network deployments. 

MWC will see RFS showcase three flagship products:

• Active Passive Antenna

RFS is introducing the first Active Passive Antenna (APA) with interleaved radiating layers for 3.5GHz mMIMO. As a key enabler of 5G, mMIMO systems will be used on both small cell and macro sites, however, operators face the challenge of deploying the infrastructure to support this on crowded cell sites. RFS will exhibit a prototype APA at MWC and demonstrate how it solves many of the technical and economic challenges operators face with mMIMO on LTE-A and 5G networks.  

• Multi-band Antennas

Revealed for the first time at MWC will be RFS’s new multi-band antenna range to support the newly reallocated L band for LTE applications. This new product range holds the greatest potential for operators as it not only allows the addition of the 1.4GHz band, but has an evolution path to support 3.5GHz and 2.3GHz TDD applications. 

The design features and capabilities of the high-performance, multi-band platform allow operators to expand capacity and coverage, as well as integrating new frequencies, delivering a product that not only supports the frequencies of today but can easily adapt to integrate the next-generation frequencies as networks evolve. 

• Microwave Antenna Systems

To offer a more efficient microwave backhaul solution to meet the needs of growing 4G, and 5G networks, RFS will demonstrate its new Dual Band Microwave Antenna system which combines two frequency bands into a single antenna. RFS’s Dual Band system provides benefits both on reducing CAPEX due to lower transportation and installation costs; and on savings OPEX due to a reduction in tower leasing costs. 

RFS will also be showcasing an expansion of its existing SerenityLine family of microwave antennas, built to meet ETSI Class 4 standard to increase the link capacity of a network by deploying new microwave links where high levels of interference are present; to help mobile operators satisfying their customer connection expectations.

Alongside the above newly developed products, RFS will be discussing its broader portfolio of end-to-end solutions for indoor and outdoor capacity extension and network densification with small cells, uniquely positioning RFS as a full-service strategic partner to operators and OEMs. 

A range of demos and solutions will be showcased on hospitality stand 2LV24, Hall 2. To set up a meeting at MWC 2018 with RFS to discuss the evolution from 4G to 5G and how RFS can help, contact Véronique De Fournoux: veronique.de_fournoux@rfsworld.com 

Trademarks: RFS® is a registered trademark of Radio Frequency Systems. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.