Cellular networks’ infrastructure antennas

Since 1996 we have been manufacturing PCBs for infrastructure antennas for cellular telephone networks and our products are in operation across the world. In 1996 we were asked to manufacture a nine foot long PCB, one of the early GSM900 base station antennas and since 1999 have focused solely upon the provision of a specialist PCB manufacturing service for the worlds antenna community. As mobile technology has developed to 2G/3G and now 4G, we have also continued to develop our own manufacturing technology to keep pace with the requirements of the industry. We have participated in award-winning research into the causes of Passive Intermodulation (PIM), innovated in developing a low friction interface for RET phase shifters, TrackSlip [link to trackslip innovation page] and even developed a recycling solution for our industry’s manufacturing waste and end of life product, REEETrack. This focus and specialism has resulted in Trackwise being recognised as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of antenna PCBs. In 2007 Trackwise set up a joint venture in India with Epitome Components Ltd – Trackwise Epitome India – to serve antenna manufacturers wishing to localise production of their products in India. Epitome Components Ltd are India’s largest manufacturer of single and double sided PCBs and this mass-manufacturing competence has been combined with our expertise and experience in manufacturing antenna and RF PCBs to form a high volume, cost effective service for antenna manufacturers in India. Alpha Wireless – helps operator increase sector capacity We are very proud to have supported Alpha Wireless from their earliest prototype antennas through to their current successes in the global market. A real trial in Vilnius, Lithuania has illustrated the benefit to overall network performance of using Alpha Wireless antennas. The network operator was experiencing unacceptable interference in parts of its network. They identified this as interference between antenna radiation patterns emanating from neighbouring cells. By re-placing their existing antennas with Alpha Wireless antennas, the operator was able to significantly reduce the interference, and therefore improve network throughput by 30%, and sector capacity by 12%, in affected cells. All antennas radiate unwanted signals. These unwanted signals (such as sector antenna upper sidelobes) create interference and therefore suppressing these unwanted signals reduces interference. Most antenna vendors only suppress the first upper sidelobe. However, when an antenna is tilted, the second, third and subsequent sidelobes can also create interference. Alpha Wireless antenna suppress all upper sidelobes, significantly reducing the interference, and therefore improving network throughput and sector capacity. Trackwise’ patented TrackSlip™ low friction surface finish is a key enabler within the Alpha Wireless phase shifter, used for varying antenna tilt angle. ‘The answer is more innovation’ Quintel Solutions We are very proud to have supported Quintel Solutions Ltd from their earliest prototype antennas while still part of QinetiQ, through to their current successes in the global market. As wireless operators worldwide upgrade their existing networks to deliver LTE services, questions arise regarding how to achieve optimal spectrum usage, performance tradeoffs and site logistics. A recent study demonstrates an increase throughput of 2 x for LTE at the cell edges using Quintel’s patented QTilt™ technology compared with using common tilting. The innovative QTilt technology allows for multiple independently tilting (RET) beams to be supported for different information/signals sources carried on the same antenna array and—as a minimum—doubling the output of standard antennas. Trackwise’ patented TrackSlip™ low friction surface finish is a key enabler within the QTilt™ phase shifter.

For more information on Cellular networks’ infrastructure antennas talk to Trackwise Ltd