RFS Unveils HYBRIFLEX, the World's First Lightweight Aluminum Hybrid Feeder Cabling Solution for Remote Radio Heads

COLOMBES, France, April 22, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- With HYBRIFLEX, its revolutionary new RRH hybrid feeder cabling solution, Radio Frequency Systems (RFS), the global wireless and broadcast infrastructure specialist, becomes the first company to combine optical fiber and DC power for Remote Radio Heads (RRHs) in a single lightweight aluminum corrugated cable. RFS' patented solution enables the cabling expenditure reductions, ease-of-installation and operational efficiency mobile operators need to evolve their networks while limiting their power consumption and carbon footprint at cellular sites.

Upgrading technology, reducing operating expenditures (OPEX) and decreasing CO2 emissions at cellular sites are constant challenges for operators around the globe. As part of their efforts, many operators are deploying a distributed base station architecture where RRHs are installed next to the antenna on the tower or rooftop rather than deploying old-style macro base stations. Installing RRHs close to antennas reduces costs by cutting power consumption - typically in half - but means RF transmission, power and grounding cables must all be brought to the RRH on the tower or rooftop.

Recognizing operators' challenges, RFS developed HYBRIFLEX, which allows operators to connect up to three sectors with a single composite optical fiber and power cable with the grounding function incorporated directly in the cable.

"RFS' innovative single-cable architecture allows operators to reduce the number of RRH cables required from nine to one," explains Marc Kaeumle, Vice President, RF Transmission and Distribution at RFS. "Along with decreasing the load on the tower or rooftop, HYBRIFLEX dramatically simplifies and cuts the cost of installation while enabling significant savings. For example, installation of stripped fiber optic cable pairs directly to the RRH eliminates the need for expensive junction boxes and limits wind load. In addition, by enabling simple, flexible and cost-effective deployment of RRHs close to antennas, HYBRIFLEX helps operators reduce power consumption at their cellular sites - an important step toward achieving their CO2 reduction objectives," concludes Kaeumle.

HYBRIFLEX's unique design and structure offer additional important benefits:

    - To simplify inventory management of cable accessories,
      HYBRIFLEX is designed according to standard RF feeder diameter. This
      means commonly available RFS CELLFLEX LCF 1/2-inch and LCF 7/8-inch
      feeder accessories can be used in all HYBRIFLEX installations.

    - For maximum flexibility, HYBRIFLEX can be connectorized
      on-site. Alternatively, pre-connectorized solutions and services are
      available to help standardize the RRH cabling process.

    - To ensure an extremely lightweight cable, the armor is
      aluminum. Aluminum also offers the fragile fiber optic cables inside
      more protection than polyethylene tubes and at a much lower cost than
      cable trays.

Incorporating the grounding function, which is critical to RRHs, also eliminates the need for and cost of cable grounding.

Trademarks: Radio Frequency Systems(R), RFS(R) and CELLFLEX(R) are registered trademarks and HYBRIFLEX(TM) is a trademark of Radio Frequency Systems. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About RFS

Radio Frequency Systems (RFS) is a global designer and manufacturer of cable, antenna and tower systems, plus active and passive RF conditioning modules, providing total-package solutions for wireless infrastructure.

RFS serves OEMs, distributors, system integrators, operators and installers in the broadcast, wireless communications, land-mobile and microwave market sectors. As an ISO compliant organization with manufacturing and customer service facilities that span the globe, RFS offers cutting-edge engineering capabilities, superior field support and innovative product design. RFS is a leader in wireless infrastructure.

    For more information: http://www.rfsworld.com
    Photos are available from:
    http://tinyurl.com/RFS-unveils-HYBRIFLEX
    Photo Captions
    RFS HYBRIFLEX 1-sector and 3-sector cables
    RFS HYBRIFLEX transverse sections

SOURCE Radio Frequency Systems France