Bringing 3G to Hong Kong's MTR
Andrew Corporation will install the world's first third generation (3G) wireless network of its kind for use in a public transportation system under a two-year contract to upgrade the Hong Kong mass transit railway's underground communications network.
The distributed communications system that Andrew is installing into the MTR, Hong Kong's metro system, will enable passengers with mobile wireless devices to enjoy access to advanced multimedia and information services, such as gaming and real-time streaming video, in addition to traditional voice calling and text messaging services. This 3G ready network will be the first in a public transportation system based on the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) standard. The UMTS standard was developed to support 3G technology and is most commonly used in Europe and Asia.
Andrew's 3G experts engineered the Hong Kong system to address the unique requirements of a 3G network's high frequency ranges. Andrew's design will counteract signal losses and provide better coverage throughout the Metro through use of high-performance tuned radiating cables, large diameter feeder cables, new and relocated antennas at critical signal sites, new amplifiers and reconfigured transmission paths. The Andrew system will encompass all underground stations and tunnels in five MTR lines and the Airport Express. Completion of the entire project including maintenance is expected in 2006.
The equipment Andrew will supply, install, test, and commission includes:
-- 3G-compliant radio frequency and optical amplifiers
-- Node M43 repeaters
-- EOCell(TM) RF-over-fiber system
-- RCT7-CPUS series tuned RADIAX(R) radiating cable
-- HELIAX(R) foam coaxial cable, connectors and accessories
-- 3G/2G crossband combiner
-- 3G combiners and
-- Splitters and couplers
The new 3G network continues Andrew's work with the MTR. In 1994, Andrew installed the 2LCX integrated radio network to provide GSM, CDMA, and TDMA services. Andrew also installed the paging facilities system in 1994 and has maintained both systems since then.
Source: press release
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