Blue Danube unveils multi-band Massive MIMO systems
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Blue Danube unveils multi-band Massive MIMO systems

Blue Danube Systems has launched its second generation 5G-ready Massive MIMO system called the BeamCraft 600 series.

As a provider of wireless access solutions, Blue Danube’s Beamcraft 600 supports simultaneous beamforming over multiple frequency bands and mobile standards, allowing operators to deliver increased capacity through a single compact system. 

Massive MIMO works on the premise of increasing the number of transmitters and receivers, which in turn increases sensitivity in the network, improves coverage in remote areas and ultimately the throughput.

Using embedded software extendable via cloud-based intelligence, BeamCraft systems can direct radio frequency (RF) beams where mobile traffic is high and unlike competing Massive MIMO products, they require no change to existing cell sites and are compatible with today’s smartphones.

 “Blue Danube’s portfolio of Massive MIMO products enables operators to flexibly customize RF energy to optimize capacity, coverage and cell edge performance.” said Mark Pinto, CEO and president of Blue Danube Systems. “Our 5G-ready architecture allows beam-based network management leading to virtualization of the network RF functions. By avoiding the rigidity imposed by other radio architectures, we are enabling a completely flexible RAN ecosystem.”

Driven by the growing demand for increasing traffic, operators need to add more cell sites, acquire and deploy additional spectrum, and support multiple wireless standards resulting in more equipment per site and contributing to operating expenditure (opex) and capital expenditure (capex) increases.

BeamCraft 600 gives operators an immediate capacity boost using existing network assets, by replacing 3G/4G radio and antenna systems with a single unit and reducing equipment on site by as much as 66%.

“With FDD representing at least 85% of the global commercial networks, mid band FDD Massive MIMO solutions will be critical as operators transition to 5G. The vast majority of the world’s leading operators have multiple 3G and 4G LTE bands in this frequency range. Blue Danube’s multi-band solution offers a compelling upgrade option for current networks, unlocking the potential of operators’ most valuable FDD spectrum asset,” added Julian Bright, analyst at Ovum.

Based on Blue Danube’s HDAAS Hybrid Massive MIMO technology, the 96-element BeamCraft 600 supports up to two active mid bands using 16 software configurable beams. In addition, an integrated passive low-band option is also available to further conserve antenna mount positions. Blue Danube has deployed active solutions in 3 mid bands to date (AWS, PCS, DCS) and will trial the multi-band BeamCraft 600 in Q2 of 2018. 

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