LIGHTNING AND SURGE PROTECTION FOR MOBILE RADIO SYSTEMS

Modern communication via smartphone, computer or tablet has become an integral part of social and professional life. social and professional life. Statistically, 97% of 14 to 39-year-olds already own a smartphone. Due to this popularity, the mobile network is becoming increasingly dense, the availability ever higher and the utilisation ever greater.

For nationwide mobile phone coverage in Germany, there must be almost 50,000 radio cells. However, if there are failures of the systems and thus a restriction of availability, non-commercial users in particular, such as the police or emergency services, can no longer avert major damage. Ensuring the proper functioning of the system technology must therefore be the top priority and must be safeguarded without compromise.

Mobile radio sites are primarily exposed to damage from lightning or surges that endanger the power supply and thus the availability. In order to be able to ensure sufficient protection of the radio transmission technology, CITEL Electronics already supports its customers in the planning for the construction of the network infrastructure. Based on the relevant lightning protection zone concept DIN EN 62305, CITEL combines the necessary protection elements from its own product range individually as required.




CONVENTIONAL MOBILE RADIO SYSTEM

Conventional mobile radio systems use coaxial cables (corrugated cables) to transmit signals from the antenna to the radio base station (RBS) on the ground. The complete radio transmission technology is located in the base station. In the event of a lightning strike, lightning currents are to be expected on the cable shield of the coaxial cables.

For the best possible protection, coaxial surge protection devices must therefore be installed on the mast and on the base station. In addition, there are quite a few secondary systems in the base station, such as cooling or an emergency power supply, which may also need to be protected with additional surge protection devices.

The AC power supply of the base station is optimally protected by AC combined arresters type 1+2+3.

Installation site Properties / NoteItem DesignationItem number
RBS (Radio Base Station) RF surge protection device; DC-7GHzP8AX25-6G-N/FF68014
Control cabinet (RF) RF surge protection device; DC-7GHzP8AX25-6G-N/FF68014
Main distribution (AC) Combined arrester Type 1+2+3; 40mm Bus bar systemsZPAC1-8VG-SUM64086
Main distribution (AC) Combined-Arrester Type 1+2+3; DIN railDAC1-13VGS-31-27564086


MOBILE RADIO SYSTEM WITH REMOTE RADIO HEAD (RRH)

In mobile radio systems with remote radio head systems (RRH), the outsourced radio technology is placed in direct proximity to the antennas on the mast. This means that the RF signal can be generated directly at the antenna and transmitted without loss. From the RRHs to the base station, the signal is transmitted via a loss-free fibre optic link. This significantly reduces the signal attenuation and improves the transmission quality accordingly.

The RRHs are supplied with DC voltage directly at the mast. To protect the sensitive electronics, DC combined arresters type 1+2 are installed directly at the RRHs and at the transition to the base station. In addition, the outsourced technology significantly reduces costs for cooling and the space required in the base station.

The AC power supply of the base station is protected as before by AC combined arresters type 1+2+3.

Installation site Properties / NoteItem DesignationItem number
RRH (Radio Remote Head) 48 VDC Combined-Arrester Type 1+2DS252C-48DC/G3415
Controll cabinet (DC) 48 VDC Combined-Arrester Type 1+2DS252C-48DC/G3415
Main distribution (AC) Combined-Arrester Type 1+2+3; 40mm Bus bar systemZPAC1-8VG-SUM64086
Main distribution (AC) Combined-Arrester Type 1+2+3; DIN railDAC1-13VGS-31-27564086


SURGE PROTECTION FOR MOBILE RADIO SYSTEMS ON BUILDINGS (RRH)

Many of the aforementioned mobile radio systems are installed on rented roof areas and share the existing building infrastructure. Especially in inner cities, this variant is used due to the limited space. In the case of an existing external lightning protection system, the mobile radio system is integrated into the lightning protection concept. In this case, type 1+2+3 combined arresters are installed at the zone transitions, e.g. the building feed.

Within the building, type 2 or type 2+3 surge arresters complete the protection concept. Depending on whether the signal transmission to the antenna takes place with coaxial conductors or with RRH systems, lightning and surge arresters are installed accordingly. appropriate lightning and surge arresters are installed. The following example shows a building with RRH technology.

Installation site Properties / NoteItem DesignationItem number
RRH (Radio Remote Head) 48 VDC Combined arrester Type 1+2DS252C-48DC/G3415
Control cabinet (DC) 48 VDC Combined arrester Type 1+2DS252C-48DC/G3415
Control cabinet (AC) Combined-Arrester Type 2+3, HutschieneDAC50VGS-31-275821130244
Main distribution (AC) Combined-Arrester Type 1+2+3; 40mm Bus bar systemZPAC1-8VG-SUM64086
Main distribution (AC) Combined-Arrester Type 1+2+3; DIN railDAC1-13VGS-31-27564086


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