QUESTION |
ANSWER |
What are SmartBeam antennas? |
- SmartBeam antennas are the next generation antennas with internal
actuators and either 1°, 2° or 3° of freedom. These antennas
provide flexibility to remotely change the site configuration and allow
reducing OPEX and CAPEX, as well as improving network quality and increasing
capacity efficiency.
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Why should I use SmartBeam antennas? |
- SmartBeam antenna systems provide additional remote optimization
options and significantly increase network quality.
- They significantly reduce operational costs (OPEX) and reduce site
access issues by eliminating many site visits.
- By improving capacity efficiency through Load Balancing, SmartBeam
antenna systems reduce capital expenses (CAPEX), by delaying the need
to buy more radios or adding sites.
- SmartBeam antenna systems remove any need for actuator installation,
because all actuation systems are internal and part of the overall
antenna system.
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| What does RET, RAS and RAB mean? |
- RET Remote Electrical Tilt; The ability to remotely change the beamtilt.
- RAS Remote Azimuth Steering; The ability to remotely change the beam
direction. Also called Panning.
- RAB Remote Azimuth Beamwidth; The ability to remotely change the
width of an antenna beam. Also called Fanning.
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What is the range of flexibility? |
- The RAB or fanning range for the 3-way antenna is 35–105°.
- The RAS or panning range for 2-way and 3-way antennas is +/ 30°.
- The RET or electrical tilt range varies from antenna to antenna.
Some models have a range from 0–10°.
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What is 1°, 2° or 3° of freedom or 1-way, 2-way, 3-way? |
- Antennas with 1° of freedom (or 1-way models) have RET capability.
- Antennas with 2° of freedom (or 2-way models) have RET and RAS capability.
- Antennas with 3° of freedom (or 3-way models) have RET, RAS, and RAB capability.
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| How can the antenna configuration be changed without going to a site? |
- SmartBeam antennas have integrated actuators under the radome, which
allow changing the elevation beam tilt, azimuth boresite direction,
and azimuth beamwidth.
|
| What actuators are inside SmartBeam antennas? |
- SmartBeam antenna systems utilize Next Generation Actuators (NGAs)
which define the new standard for working in harsh environments like
cellular network towers. NGAs are made in Switzerland in a fully automated
production line with precise laser product control. These actuators
utilize award wining motors and parts which are so reliable that they
are approved for the avionic industry and perfectly suited for any
tower or rooftop design.
|
How do I control SmartBeam antenna systems? |
- SmartBeam antenna systems can be controlled by any Andrew RET controller,
including the ATC200-LITE-USB and the ATC300-1000. Andrew recommends
using the ATC300-1000 in order to provide even more benefits like Load
Balancing and reduce costs for site visits even more. A whole cluster
of ATC300-1000s is controlled by Andrews innovative Antenna Network
Management Software (ANMS™) software, which allows managing a whole
regional cellular network from one screen.
|
| Which bands are supported? |
- SmartBeam antennas are available for several different frequency
bands. The supported band can be determined by the part number.
SBH Single band model for high band (1710–2170 MHz)
SBHH Quad model with two times high band (1710–2170 MHz)
SBW2 Single band model for 2300–2700 MHz
SBLH Dual band model for 824–960 MHz and 1710–2170 MHz
|
| What does the SmartBeam part number mean? |
- SmartBeam antennas are available for several different frequency
bands. The supported band can be determined by the part number.
- SBH-2D3318 High band SmartBeam antenna with 2° of freedom, 33° fixed
azimuth beamwidth and 18 dBd of gain.
- SBH-2D6516 High band SmartBeam antenna with 2° of freedom, 65° fixed
azimuth beamwidth and 16 dBd of gain.
- SBHH-1D6516 Quad high band SmartBeam antenna with two times 1° of freedom
(2 x electrical tilt), 65° fixed azimuth beamwidth and 16 dBd of
gain.
- SBW2-2D6516 SmartBeam antenna for 2300–2700 MHz with 2° of freedom, 65° fixed
azimuth beamwidth and 16 dBd of gain.
- SBH-3DA High band SmartBeam antenna with 3°
of freedom and flexible beamwidth and gain.
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| How does the gain and beamwidth affect each other in the three way SmartBeam antennas? |
- The 3D SmartBeam antennas are capable of azimuth beamwidth adjustments
ranging from a 35° setting resulting in a high gain to a 105° setting
resulting in a lower gain. This provides full flexibility to optimize
the signal-to-noise ratio, e.g. change to narrow beam in order to focus
the full signal strength into a stadium for a sporting event, as well
as widen the beam to cover a wider area after the event. With this
flexibility, highest capacity efficiency is realized along with the
best and most cost efficient utilization for expensive site and radio equipment.
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| How can I order SmartBeam antennas? |
- Please contact your local sales representative.
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Can SmartBeam antennas be integrated into a network with
already deployed antennas? |
- Yes. SmartBeam antennas work smoothly in a network with other antennas.
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How do I mount SmartBeam antennas? |
- SmartBeam antennas are delivered with a matching mount, which can
be used to mount the antenna to a pole.
|
How do I know which side is the front of a SmartBeam antenna? |
- The brackets on the back of the antenna and the black arrow on the
bottom of the antenna clearly define the main boresite pointing direction.
|
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How do I update SmartBeam firmware?
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- Andrew controllers provide an automatic firmware update option.
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SmartBeam
