User Manual

1-7
BTS installation location
Table 1.1 describes some of the locations you might want to consider for a BTS.
Note: Regardless of the location you choose, plan to provide a weatherproof housing unit for
the network switch, the power supply, and the TVS equipment.
Placement of base stations and switches on network
Make sure your network design places the base stations behind a switch so that the base
station only sees Ethernet traffic addressed to it. The switch you choose needs to be able to
handle the Ethernet traffic on your network
Assessing network access provider equipment needs
Before you install and deploy the base station, ensure you have made provisions for the
following components:
• Power and data connection between the base station and your network
• Global position system (GPS) for proper TDD functions. You must use the GPS supplied
with the Expedience system.
• Antenna system for transmitting and receiving signals for the base stations.
Table 1.1 Advantages/disadvantages of location choices
Location Advantages Disadvantages
On tower, at
antennas
Installing at the antennas offers
cost savings, due to the fact that
you can use a shorter coaxial cable
to connect the base stations to your
cells. This also offers the ability to
transmit at higher power levels,
since there is lower signal loss in
shorter cables.
When you install base stations near
the top of the tower, installation and
maintenance are more difficult.
At base of
tower
Placing the base stations at the base
of a tower offers simpler
installation and maintenance than a
base station installed on the tower,
at the antennas.
Base station installation and
maintenance are simpler than other
options;
If you install at the base of the
tower, you need to run a coaxial
cable from the base stations to the
antennas. This cable must be of
sufficient size to reduce signal loss,
which may increase costs.
Installation still requires you to
install the antennas and coaxial
cable.
On rooftop You can use a shorter coaxial cable
to connect base stations to
antennas. As such, you can
probably operate at higher power
levels, and still stay within signal
loss criteria.
Rooftop access is usually available,
making installation and
maintenance easier. Also, a housing
unit for the backbone network
switch, power supplies, and other
equipment is typically available.
You need to obtain permission to
use a rooftop, and comply with
building codes.