Copper-free data and power link transforms traditional antenna technology

The HUBER+SUHNER Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and Power-over-Fibre solution brings pre-, during, and post-installation benefits to telecommunications providers working in the 5G and data centre space. Using fibre optics as a means of power for the antenna brings cost and timing savings during installation and operation, as no power distribution is needed on a building’s roof.

“As the volume of data and transfer speeds continue to increase, so too does the requirement for accurate time synchronisation, with GNSS timing signals in use within many applications, from data centres to central offices,” says Product Manager Dominik Tibolla at HUBER +SUHNER. “Using the GNSS signal from satellites enables the acquisition of precise and accessible timing information from atomic clocks, whilst combining this with the distribution over fibre, lower attenuation over longer distances is enabled.”

Traditionally, power is carried over copper technology with a GNSS antenna. This often requires a power cable to be attached to the signal distribution cable. The GNSS and Power-over-Fibre solution from HUBER+SUHNER eliminates the need for a separate power cable by utilising the fibre optic connection to the antenna as a means of power and signal distribution.

GNSS and Power-over-Fibre solutions go beyond where existing technology could reach. It enables an increased distance of a few kilometres between the source and receiver system, compared to a few meters previously. Satellite signals cannot usually reach indoor locations due to the blocking effect of the building structure but combining this with fibre distribution internally, the HUBER+SUHNER GNSS and Power-over-Fibre solution distributes the GNSS signals to all corners of a building interior, providing a more secure, reliable, and flexible connection.

Using the fibre as a means of power distribution also offers unlimited safe and secure timing signal reference distribution, with reduced interference. Providers can also take advantage of its ability to make use of existing infrastructure, by only having to pay for what is used within the network and being ‘future-proof ready’, with easy and flexible expansion opportunities.