Satellite Technology Feature Article
October 01, 2008
PCTEL Unveils Smart GPS Reference Timing Antenna
By Arun Satapathy, TMCnet Contributor
PCTEL (News - Alert), Inc. today introduced its new Smart GPS reference timing antenna solution with an integrated GPS receiver. The unit eliminates the need for expensive coaxial cable, signal splitters and in-line amplifiers and provides built-in surge protection.
Like PCTEL’s other designs, this new solution combines a high-performance antenna with a receiver. It helps in providing optimal coverage and multipath rejection and is coupled to a low-noise amplifier with pre-selector and an inter-stage filter for minimizing RF interference. It suits high RF noise environments encountered in base station installations for Cellular and WiMAX (News - Alert) applications.
The increase use of data services over cellular networks has necessitated IP (Internet Protocol)-based back haul. Several next-generation wireless technologies including WiMAX are being designed using IP from end-to-end to handle VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and other data applications, including streaming video and music. This network evolution creates a need to derive network timing from an external source.
“This fundamental shift in technology has led to a need for timing and synchronization on a much wider basis across wireless broadband networks” said Jeff Miller, general manager of PCTEL’s antenna products group. “Our new line of smart GPS timing antennas reflects our commitment to closely work with our customers in meeting evolving market requirements.”
PCTEL’s antenna solution incorporates a 12-channel GPS receiver with 1 Pulse (News - Alert) per Second NMEA 0183 protocol and can support RS232 or RS422 data interfaces. This antenna solution is available with a variety of rugged mounting options.
PCTEL, Inc. provides propagation and optimization solutions for the wireless industry. The company designs and develops software-based radios for wireless network optimization and develops and distributes innovative antenna solutions. PCTEL's MAXRAD antenna solutions address public safety applications, unlicensed and licensed wireless broadband, fleet management and network timing.
Its portfolio includes a broad range of antennas for WiMAX, Land Mobile Radio, GPS, telemetry, RFID, WiFi (News - Alert), indoor cellular, and mesh networks. The company's SeeGull scanning receivers, receiver-based products and CLARIFY interference management solutions are used to measure, monitor and optimize cellular networks.
Arun Satapathy is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Arun's articles, please visit his columnist page.
Edited by Eve Sullivan
