Protection of mobile radio stations
January 2014
Electrical Power & Protection
With the commercial introduction of UMTS technology in 2003, mobile data communication gained in importance besides voice communication. As the demand for data volumes grew, so did the global demand for bandwidth.
The increasing use of smartphones and other mobile terminal equipment leads to a significantly higher utilisation of existing conventional mobile networks.
The motivation for mobile network operators to rely on modern and innovative technology are the high investment costs for new network infrastructures and system technology, as well as high maintenance and operating costs for existing mobile radio stations. Their aim is to reduce maintenance and operating costs and increase the availability and reliability of mobile radio stations.
Mobile network operators and system technology manufacturers worldwide increasingly use remote radio head/unit technology for UMTS (3G) and LTE (4G). Remote radio heads/units (RRHs/RRUs) are a refinement of the third mobile radio generation.
Remote radio head technology is not only used for commercial mobile radio applications, but also for the digital radio systems of security authorities (BOS) such as police and emergency medical services since these systems require high reliability and availability.
Mobile radio stations with remote radio heads/units
Remote radio heads/units incorporate the high frequency technology which was originally integrated centrally in the base station. The signal is generated directly at the antenna and then transmitted. Therefore, the RRHs/RRUs are installed directly at the antennas, thus reducing loss and increasing the transmission speed. Another benefit is that less air conditioning is required due to the self cooling of the remote radio heads. Optical fibre cables allow transmission of data between the base station and the remote radio heads/units for up to 20 km. The use of remote system technology and modern base-stations saves energy as well as lease and location related costs due to the reduced number of technical rooms.
External lightning protection
The antennas of such systems are often installed on rented roof space. The operator of the antennas and the building owner usually agree that the placement of the antennas must not present an additional risk for the building. For the lightning protection system, this means that no partial lightning currents may enter the building in case of a lightning strike.
To learn more about radio base-station protection using Dehn’s DEHNvap CSP combined surge arresters, download the full White Paper http://instrumentation.co.za/+C18490
For more information contact Alexis Barwise, Dehn Protection South Africa, +27 (0)74 505 0312, [email protected], www.dehn-africa.com
Further reading:
Schneider Electric introduces next-generation BlokSeT switchboard
Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric has launched its next-generation BlokSeT low-voltage switchboard in West Africa, offering high reliability, predictive maintenance capability and digital integration for critical infrastructure and industrial applications.
Read more...
Powering South Africa’s renewable energy expansion
Electrical Power & Protection
ACTOM Distribution Transformers, the sole NECRT contract holder for Eskom, is powering South Africa’s renewable energy expansion through robust neutral earthing transformer solutions deployed across solar and wind projects in southern Africa.
Read more...
You can’t digitise a blackout
Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Across East Africa, smart meters and AI promise cleaner, more reliable power, but digital tools cannot optimise a grid too weak to carry the load. Schneider Electric’s Symphrose Ochieng sets out why operators should strengthen physical infrastructure first, then add digital capability in phases.
Read more...
Battery energy storage is key to powering South Africa’s manufacturing sector
Electrical Power & Protection
South Africa’s shift to renewables is creating a significant opportunity in battery energy storage, but local manufacturers face an uphill battle against cheap imports and stop-start demand. Richard van Moltke of ACTOM Static Power examines what it will take to build a sustainable local battery storage industry.
Read more...
Decarbonisation is reshaping mining strategy in Africa
Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing Electrical Power & Protection
Mining companies across Africa are embedding decarbonisation into operational strategy, driven by investor, regulatory and customer pressure to reduce emissions while improving resilience.
Read more...
How to tell whether your mini-substation is new or refurbished
Electrical Power & Protection
Cosmetically refurbished mini-substations are being misrepresented as new equipment and sold back into the market, posing serious reliability and safety risks for mining, industrial and commercial operations. Trafo Power Solutions explains what to look for and what questions to ask before purchasing.
Read more...
Optimising energy reliability for African manufacturing
Electrical Power & Protection IT in Manufacturing
Unreliable power can cost African manufacturers as much as 31% in sales. Behind-the-meter power offers manufacturers in sub-Saharan Africa control, visibility and resilience in their energy provisioning.
Read more...
Electrical solutions for FMCG manufacturing giant
Electrical Power & Protection
An electrical upgrade at a leading fast-moving consumer goods facility demonstrates how ACTOM Kenya turned a fragile, reactive power infrastructure into a resilient, data-driven backbone for production. The project is also a case study in bridging legacy equipment with modern automation without disrupting operations.
Read more...
Yokogawa digital plant to accelerate green hydrogen revolution
Yokogawa South Africa
Editor's Choice Electrical Power & Protection IT in Manufacturing
Yokogawa explains how a digital plant approach and autonomous operations can integrate the full green hydrogen value chain, from renewable power generation to end-use applications, and why digitalisation and system integration are central to making green hydrogen viable in South Africa.
Read more...
Power and energy meter with Modbus RTU interface
Vepac Electronics
Electrical Power & Protection
The eCap universal power and net quality meter measures voltages, currents, power, power factor, energy, frequency and total harmonic distortion, with fully galvanically isolated transmission via an integrated Modbus RTU/RS485 interface.
Read more...
printer friendly version