Microwave Backhaul Solutions: Think network availability.

Andrew Solutions

When you think about network availability, are you gambling with it or planning for it?
The ever-increasing demand for microwave backhaul throughput coming from both conventional macro and newer micro-cell and smaller base station links has changed the way networks are planned, deployed and upgraded. As traffic increases, spectrum becomes more congested and interlink interference becomes a more important consideration. Facing these new realities, operators are struggling for solutions that wont break their budgets.
Consider the broader cost picture.
Using antennas from lower-quality manufacturers may yield some initial savings, but higher operational costs and reduced durability against the elements soon erase those savings and more downtime can cost you customers, who are much harder to replace than antennas. In addition, aesthetic and weight restrictions present hurdles to multiple large antenna deployments that cant be overcome at any cost. Its a gamble, and, in the long run, gambling with your networks availability is a losing bet.

Your networks future needs a reliable backhaul strategy.

The new challenges presented by modern realities demand a fresh look at your network strategy. You need the tools at your disposal to effectively deal with the conditions your network faces. Thats where CommScope can help. With more than 75 years of innovation and leadership, we offer a complete range of microwave backhaul solutions, manufactured to the highest engineering standards to work seamlessly together. CommScope freely shares our expertise to deliver the ideal solution for your challenges, whether its immediately boosting network capacity, planning a clear upgrade path for the future, or both and with strategically located manufacturing facilities across the globe, we can deliver those solutions when and where you need them, minimizing landed costs and lead times.

A winning strategy takes a lot of thought and one reliable partner.

Think high-quality solutions.
There are a lot of manufacturers offering low-priced backhaul solutions, but they often come with hidden features like noncompliance, inferior quality, poor integration and reduced durability. Many use outmoded technology, so these solutions also include large, heavy antennas that are difficult to install and maintain, and are more prone to failure and as antennas are deployed in more unconventional locations, environmental survivability becomes critical. CommScopes microwave antenna team focuses on developing smaller, lighter antennas that perform better and occupy a smaller footprint, boosting capacity and reducing installation challenges and maintenance costs. Lighter designs, higher build quality, exceptional survivability and total compliance mean more uptime for your network. Best of all, you can trust CommScope to stand behind every solution we deliver guaranteed.

Up to 70%
THE PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP THAT COMES AFTER THE INITIAL PURCHASE.

Think long-term savings.

A backhaul microwave antennas price tag is just part of the overall cost picture. When you consider the total cost of ownership, youll find that up to 70% of the money you spend on backhaul comes after the purchase. Larger, lower-cost antennas increase operating expenses in additional tower space leasing, zoning issues, more challenging installations, increased maintenance and more expensive downtime. At CommScope, we dont believe in ad-hoc backhaul solutions. Every component is engineered to save you money where it matters not only in the purchase, but in the 70% of costs that come after your initial investment. You realize long-term savings in reduced tower space, spectrum charges and maintenance costs, and that puts you closer to your goal of maximizing spectrum utilization and addressing growing traffic demand.

Think forward-looking designs.

With the rise of data demand across the world, efficient use of spectrum has become a paramount concern. Your network doesnt have much of a future if the antenna is obsolete before its installed. If your backhaul solution is patched together from multiple manufacturers, network expansion or upgrades become expensive or impossible and many low-cost manufacturers dont offer support after the sale. CommScope is a global leader in developing innovative solutions that meet your networks needs today while providing a reliable, cost-effective path for expansion and upgrades. We connect you to the next generation of technology with innovative solutions.

SUPER HIGH PERFORMANCE ANTENNAS Sentinel antennas from Andrew Solutions

Sentinel is the first solution to put nextgeneration performance within easy reach. Offering groundbreaking radiation pattern improvement in full compliance to ETSI Class 4 specifications, Sentinel delivers better spectrum utilization for greater link density. Improvements of up to 40% or more are typical. Plus, Sentinel offers 10dB or more off-axis interference discrimination so you can use a smaller antenna in conjunction with higher modulation schemes and enjoy all the cost benefits that come with that choice. Sentinels small footprint comes with the durability to withstand winds up to 250 km/h. Sentinel is designed to integrate with radio outdoor units to provide a versatile solution for every backhaul challenge.

40%

HIGHER LINK DENSITY

the capacity boost your network could experience with Sentinel SUPER HIGH PERFORMANCE antennas.

SENTINEL ANTENNAS MORE LINKS SMALLER PACKAGE BETTER RADIATION PATTERN

Think antenna solutions for every challenge and every budget.

Our Andrew Solutions portfolio includes antennas suited for any network challenge and all environmental conditions. While superior performance is always at the top of the list, other considerations like size, cost and survivability come into play as well and CommScope has the solutions to suit any combination of these factors.

ExtremeLine antennas
In response to rises in wind speeds across the world we have developed our most rugged family of point-to-point backhaul antennas. ExtremeLines superlative survivability delivers peak performance in the most remote and environmentally hostile places on Earth.

Available in long lengths and with a variety of VSWR performance and jacketing options, HELIAX offers the perfect solution for your challenge.

Pressurization equipment
CommScope helps your network connections defeat performancesapping moisture with a broad family of pressurization solutions. We help your lines stay dry so your network stays at peak performance. From a wide variety of dehydration solutions to gas distribution manifolds, we offer the technology and support you need to operate with confidence.

ValuLine antennas
This family of exceptional solutions offers superior singleand dual-polarized performance with a low profile and a special focus on overall value. Theyre the ideal choice for high-density environments where size and appearance matter. Covering a wide range of frequency bands between 5.925 to 43.500 GHz, ValuLine is designed to easily integrate with radio outdoor units to provide a versatile solution for every backhaul challenge.

320

KM/H (200 MPH)

The rated wind survivability of SOME Extremeline antennas thats something you wont find in a low-cost alternative.
Whether your network has to operate on the windswept peak of the highest mountain, in the face of category 5 hurricanes or in a corrosive industrial or seawater environment, ExtremeLine can help your network weather the storm and the aftermath.

Interconnect
CommScopes family of flextwist and rigid waveguide products includes waveguideto-coaxial transitions, termination loads and couplers to provide a complete range of connectivity solutions between 3.40 and 40.00 GHz. All solutions are designed to work together, in all temperatures and every environment.

Terrestrial microwave (TMW) antennas

Our complete catalog of TMW solutions covers all the bases, so theres no challenge we cant meet. CommScope delivers superior solutions in our ultra-high performance antennas, high cross-polar discrimination antennas, high performance parabolic and standard parabolic microwave antenna ranges.

Think superior connectivity solutions.

When it comes to connecting antennas to radios, CommScope makes every connection count with high-quality, highstrength cabling solutions that protect and enhance the performance of your network.

HELIAX elliptical waveguide

Our broad family of HELIAX cabling and connector solutions is the ideal feeder for systems operating between 3.40 and 26.50 GHz. Every cable and connector is designed for fast, easy installation, fewer handling problems and top performance in all temperatures and all environments.

Think structural strength.

Your network is only as strong as the towers, poles and rooftop sites that link it together. Thats why our Andrew Solutions portfolio includes a full offering of structural components, supports and mounts to keep your antennas, waveguide and other critical components where they need to be.

Think network planning.

When it comes to building an effective network strategy, the most important step comes before the first antenna goes up or the first cable is connected. Its the planning step and doing it well means greater capacity, less interference and more reliable microwave backhaul over the long term. CommScope creates and delivers strategic planning tools that pave the way for a successful implementation and deployment of our solutions in any network. Its about planning ahead, thinking ahead and seeing ahead of every network challenge.

When you think about your microwave network availability, think CommScope.
You face a critical decision, and you deserve the peace of mind of working with a partner who understands the state of the industry and has a clear vision of what comes next. No one can predict the future, but with CommScope as your partner, youll be prepared for whatever the future brings. Thats the difference between taking a gamble and having a strategy.

Tower mounts
CommScope offers leg-mounted and face-mounted solutions built of reinforced steel. Their versatile, universal design makes them easy to install and use.

Monopole mounts
In tight spaces where size and appearance matter most, CommScope offers monopole mounting solutions that include chain mounts and stiff mounts with reinforced steel, providing a low-profile look while delivering superior performance.

iQ-link suite of planning tools from Comsearch, a CommScope company

iQ-link is a family of solutions that makes it easy to quickly plan and manage efficient microwave backhaul links. This proprietary software suite, available with enterprise or individual user licenses, easily imports existing planning data to help plan new or upgraded network paths.

CommScope solutions meet your priorities ALL your priorities.

Every backhaul solution we build is engineered to balance cost, performance and reliability to deliver value that never compromises your network availability. Its the kind of dedication CommScope is known for, and why youll find our solutions at the heart of the worlds most vital communications networks.

Rooftop mounts
Precision engineered for lighter weights and greater strength, these reinforced steel mounting options help you meet the weight and zoning challenges often associated with rooftop sites.

MORE THAN

300,000

Waveguide mounts
No matter where your antenna is sited, you can count on the strength of steel supports from CommScope to manage your critical waveguide installations. We offer a full line of brackets, bridges and mounts to keep your connections sound.

THE NUMBER OF LINKS WORLDWIDE PLANNED AND DEVELOPED WITH THE IQ-LINK SOFTWARE SINCE 1990.
iQ-link supports the full range of globally used frequencies for microwave backhaul to help reduce wasted spectrum and is ideally suited to optimize networks to maximize the performance and cost advantages of Sentinel antennas. When dollars count, iQ-link is the key to squeezing every last penny out of your networks performance.

Think about it. Lets have a conversation.

Were proud to be a part of your networks story.

Here at CommScope, we embrace our role as a trusted resource, partner, and facilitator. We create the infrastructure that connects the world and evolves with every advance in technology. By investing all of our capabilities, resources, relationships, and products into your toughest challenges, we continue our long history of solving problems togetherpaving the way for new ideas and fresh ways of thinking. Were a trusted resource and partner around the world because were invested in you: your people, your networks, your success. It inspires us to build relationships and infrastructure connect people and technologies across protocols, oceans, and time zones and share what we learn along the way. Well never stop connecting and evolving networks for the business of life at home, at work, and on the go. This is our promise to you. This is CommScope.

www.commscope.com
Visit our Web site or contact your local CommScope representative for more information.
2013 CommScope, Inc. All rights reserved. All trademarks identified 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 specifications or warranties relating to CommScope products or services. BR-105544.2-EN (4/13)