White Paper

Network Modernization
Four practical solutions for cost-effectively modernizing your network
October, 2013
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Introduction 3
Network modernization challenges 3
An overview of solutions 4
Simplifying the top of the tower 4
Choosing the right ber connectivity 5
Solving PIM 7
The advantages of a pre-assembled approach 7
Conclusion 8
Contents
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Introduction
The task of modernizing a network is becoming increasingly more complex. Every network
must be updated to replace aging technology, but the modernization process is an evolving
target. As consumers purchase newer, more advanced mobile devices, the demand to increase
bandwidth only compounds that need.
To meet increasing capacity requirements all the way up to 4G, wireless service providers are
upgrading from conventional sites to top-of-the-tower remote radio unit (RRU) sites. With the
pressure to add capacity, improve performance and cut operating costsall while nding an
affordable, reliable upgrade pathmore and more providers are turning to ber-to-the-antenna
(FTTA) connectivity. As technology continues to evolvepumping more data through towers
using less spectrumradio frequency (RF) performance standards are becoming more stringent.
If you are tackling the formidable task of modernizing your network, a comprehensive, well-
informed viewpoint is your most valuable asset.
Network modernization challenges
Although the network modernization process has many moving components and layers
of complexity, there are several major challenges broadly experienced by the majority of
providers:
Multiple spectrum bands and technologies
Protecting your current system
Deploying RRUs at the top of the tower
Ensuring future readiness
Time to market

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An overview of solutions
There are many paths to network modernization, but providers must choose solutions that
cost-effectively address their unique capacity needs and establish a foundation for addressing
future technology evolutions. In this white paper, well focus on four practical solutions for
modernizing both existing and new towers:
Simplifying the top of the tower with multiport antennas
Choosing the right ber connectivity
Effectively addressing passive intermodulation (PIM)
Pre-assembled and factory-installed deployments
The key objectives of a successful migration
What is the best network modernization strategy for you? What are the best outcomes from
any combination of approaches? To start, your solution should:
Minimize weight and wind load on strained towers
Achieve the performance required to justify the investment
Decrease capital and operational expenses (CapEx and OpEx)
Reduce the risk of installation errors
Be easy to upgrade and maintain
Be repeatable and scalable
Simplifying the top of the tower
When you focus on the critical assets and technology at the top of the tower, the path to
network modernization can be challenging. One of the most difcult challenges is predicting
future architecture. This is, arguably, the most complicated variable, often hiding costs for
installs and maintenance, and often increasing the chances for error. The physical challenges
of wind load and tower safety with added weight are also major concerns. Equipment may not
be exible enough to support current and future applications and services.
These issues and uncertainties add risk to the implementation process. As a result, providers are
placing a premium on exible solutions.
The antenna approach
The top of the tower is especially challenging for new antennas. Crowded tower tops not only
increase leasing costs, but often lead to installation headaches that drain resources. Antennas
in close physical proximity to each other can distort patterns and impact signal performance.
Service is also susceptible to interference between bands.
The use of multiple antennas also makes a wireless system vulnerable to failure. Each additional
antenna or associated piece of equipment adds another layer of complexity and, with it,
an opportunity for disruptive and costly equipment failure. Simply put, the more individual
components added to the top of the tower, the more susceptible you make your network to
downtime. Of course, recurring disruptions in service or performance issues can signicantly
impact a providers image, as well as the likelihood of reduced revenues from dropped
subscribers who want fast and dependable service. Faced with loaded towers, interference
issues and the threat of downward-trending revenue, wireless service providers want solutions
that can safely and easily blend technologies, simplify tower architecture and perform reliably.
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Multiport antennas are ideal for simplifying and facilitating several bands and technologies.
Multiple ports add the capability to support a variety of technologies in a single panel. Instead
of numerous dedicated technologies apportioned between an array of antennas, providers
gain a more versatile network structure capable of supporting multiple technologies and
operator sharing.
From a structural perspective, multiport antennas can help reduce tower load. From a nancial
perspective, this approach also reduces CapEx.
The ultra-wideband option
Wireless service providers are looking for ways to roll out new services that support the
latest wireless device capabilities while continuing to provide services for older technologies.
Uncertainty about future frequencies makes this challenge more complex. Along with this
uncertainty is the practical matter of tower space: its often very difcult to nd a viable spot for
installing new equipment.
Ultra-wideband technology is an ideal solution for providers facing these issues. This
technology provides a clear path to the future with multiport antennas, dual-band tower-
mounted ampliers (TMAs) and combining solutions that allow for sharing of antennas and
feeders. Ultra-wideband solutions provide exibility for multiple services operating from one
antenna. This capability makes it much easier to overlay LTE onto 2G and 3G networks
that are using GSM and UMTS bands. In areas where LTE in lower bands may need to be
deployed in the future, this technology allows for a solid investment that reaps immediate
benets while signicantly reducing costs for future antenna upgrades.
For example, one base station antenna can be used in place of six to provide services for GSM,
CDMA, W-CDMA and LTE standards in 698960 MHz and 17102690 MHz bands. Many
older antennas were deployed when PIM wasnt a concern, which means the equipment is not
meeting todays PIM specication requirements for fast data rates and throughput. Older antennas
can be replaced with new ultra-wideband models to support old and new services in virtually any
frequency used within 698960 and 17102690 MHz bands. This solution saves tower space
and offers the exibility needed for future frequency wins.
At its core, ultra-wideband technology allows wireless service providers to implement new
frequencies without adding more antenna faces. Its ideal for complex networks that feature a
variety of technologies and physical layers. Key benets include:
Increased speed to market and a cleaner, more visually attractive site
The ability to support all major air-interface standards in almost any frequency range
A reduced number of network antennas for lower tower leasing costs
Greater performance in capacity-sensitive, data-driven environments
Choosing the right ber connectivity
As newer RRU technology replaces conventional base transceiver station (BTS) units on the cell
tower, more advanced optical ber is replacing coaxial cable as the top choice for todays
antenna applications, especially in outtting and retrotting hardware for FTTA applications.
In a typical FTTA conguration, baseband units (BBUs) communicate with RRUs via Internet
Protocol (IP) signaling over ber-optic cable. A short-length coaxial cable jumper is used only
for RF transmission between the RRU and the antennaan approach much different than a
conventional radio transceiver connected to antennas via one long coaxial cable.
UltraBand
TM
Antennas give you global
performance in one package.
698960 MHz + 17102690 MHz
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This conguration offers several advantages. First, it eliminates the need for long, heavy coaxial
cables. Second, it reduces weight load. Third, it minimizes RF losses. Finally, BBU cooling needs
are greatly reduced; less air conditioning equipment means less space and power requirements.
There are two basic ways to approach tower connections: a single hybrid cable containing
both ber and power, or separate power and ber cables run in parallel (Figure 1). A hybrid
conguration combines power and ber conductors in a single, high-performance cable for
greater efciency, capacity and savings. Hybrid cabling has many other practical benets,
including lower install costs, quicker deployments, greater durability, easier upgrade paths
and redundancy.
Figure 1
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A hybrid system should be robust and exible enough to withstand the test of time and
accommodate future changes. Select a cable with ber counts that provide double or triple
redundancy, along with power conductor counts and sizes that support your anticipated RRU
quantity and future power requirements. The next consideration is choosing the breakout system
that best facilitates connectivity with the RRU. Traditional junction boxesor a new streamlined
method using pre-connectorized canisters integrated directly into the trunk cableare two
popular breakout methods. The advanced canister option eliminates the need for a junction
box and allows a provider to use a single, universal hybrid ber trunk cable that mates to RRU
specic cable tails. These tails are congured at one end to match the specic ber and
power inputs of the different RRU brands and models in the industry and plug into the canister
at the other.
When changes are made at the tower top, only a simple change of cable tails is required.
Expansion is also accomplished in similar fashion. Redundant power and ber elements from
the trunk are simply connected through the pre-connectorized canister or junction box with tails
and run to the new RRU.
Solving PIM
When assessing network modernization options, every wireless service provider must address
the pervasive and growing challenge of PIM. PIM is the result of two or more wireless signals
mixing together to create undesired frequencies that cause interference or degrade the
transmission of signals. With todays newer technologies, PIM can pose a signicant threat to
network quality.
When resolving PIM issues, providers should consider two major factors: RF cable assemblies
and challenges at the top of the tower. The integrity and quality of your RF cable assembly
technology is a crucial factor in minimizing PIM. Many tower components can contribute to
PIM, especially as they age, becoming more susceptible to corrosion. Its important to choose
components that are pre-tested and PIM certied. We will explore PIM in greater detail in a
subsequent white paper as part of our Network Modernization series.
The advantages of a pre-assembled approach
Beyond addressing PIM, providers must constantly replace aging technology. Advances in
mobile devices and the race to increase bandwidth make it an ongoing necessity to update
existing towers and build new ones. Todays extremely complex tower tops present a signicant
challenge in this area. A pre-assembled sector solution can help overcome it by applying
cost-savings, consistency and performance benets.
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2013 CommScope, Inc. All rights reserved.
All trademarks identied by or are registered trademarks or trademarks, respectively, of CommScope, Inc.
This document is for planning purposes only and is not intended to modify or supplement any specications or warranties relating to CommScope products or services.
WP-106918-EN (10/13)
CommScope is an innovator in this area, offering Andrew

SiteRise, the worlds rst pre-

assembled tower tops for RRU site architectures. The pre-assembled sector solution is radio
access network (RAN) vendor-neutral. It supports up to four RRUs per sector and virtually
all radio frequency bands, from 700 MHz to 2690 MHz. Since only one assembly unit is
mounted to the tower per sector, SiteRise decreases OpEx by reducing long-term leasing,
maintenance and labor costs.
Conclusion
Every provider should consider the complexity and cost of network modernization. It raises
many questions:
What is the most cost-effective path to FTTA?
What is the right approach to connections?
What are the pros and cons of ber versus hybrid?
How can we minimize the PIM issue?
How can you simplify the top of the tower?
How can you prepare for future frequency bands?
A comprehensive, holistic network modernization strategy tailored to your specic requirements
will help you maximize performance and durability while paving the way for future upgrades.
Fortunately, there are viable, proven solutions that can help you modernize your network
affordably and efciently.
Interested in more information about network modernization?
This is the rst in a new series of Network Modernization white papers published by
CommScope. Subsequent papers will delve into greater detail on many of the technical
aspects, logistics and costs of the modernization process.