Wideband RF lightning protector with DC-feed

9 April 2003 Circuit & System Protection

Kathrein Grintek Antennas has long been one of the leading suppliers of antennas as well as active and passive RF devices to the local telecommunications industry and has, over the years, won lucrative export orders in the face of stiff international competition. The company designs and manufactures a variety of GSM base station antennas and RF products such as splitters, diplexers filters, and tap-off couplers for indoor GSM distribution and various GSM amplifiers.

The cellular infrastructure used to use a single frequency band but these days, the systems are dual band, or existing systems are upgraded to dual or multiband capability. With co-location and shared infrastructure now, it is also no longer acceptable to use narrowband devices. To reduce the cost and up the speed of the rollout of GSM 900, GSM 1800 and UMTS systems, feeders are shared.

GSM base stations use a lightning protector on each feed cable to the antennas to protect the expensive RF electronic equipment inside the shelter against lightning strikes. For co-location sites, wideband lightning protection units are required.

The Kathrein Grintek Antennas lightning protector has been developed in a high pass filter configuration to remove the surge arrestor from the RF path. This design approach results in very low passive intermodulation products and reduces static build-up. The DC-feed can be used to inject DC power onto the feeder where needed for tower mounted active-equipment. Both a 2 A and a 15 A version are available.

Lightning tests were conducted at a qualified institution to the lightning strike specification listed below:

* Lightning current capability: 30 kA 8/20 ms pulse (once); 20 kA 8/20 ms pulse (10 consecutive pulses);

* Residual energy RF port: 10 µJ, 20 kA 8/20 µs pulse;

* Residual voltage: 70 V max at DC port; 50 V max at RF port.

Kathrein Grintek Antennas has extensive experience in the manufacture and practical application of telecommunications products. In addition to its antennas and RF products, it can offer customers support and advice regarding the implementation of RF devices and antennas in their networks.

For more information contact Grintek Antennas, 012 674 3500, [email protected]

Further reading:

Clearing the Static: Key principles of ESD control in electronics manufacturing
Actum Electronics Circuit & System Protection
Effectively managing electrostatic discharge is essential in electronics manufacturing to ensure not only product reliability, but also worker safety.

Read more...

---

Clearing the Static: Three steps for a dry ESD packaging system
Actum Electronics Circuit & System Protection
For optimal storage, it’s essential to complete the dry-packaging system by adding Desiccant Packs and Humidity Indicator Cards.

Read more...

---

Ensuring safety with earth leakage protection
NewElec Pretoria Circuit & System Protection
Earth leakage protection helps mitigate the risks of electric shocks, fires, and equipment damage by swiftly identifying faults and disconnecting the power supply, thus safeguarding both human lives and machinery.

Read more...

---

Suppressing EMI with filters
Vepac Electronics Circuit & System Protection
EMI/RFI filters play an important role in reducing the high-frequency noise that is generated by various electrical and electronic devices.

Read more...

---

Patch attenuates like a shielding cabinet
Würth Elektronik eiSos Circuit & System Protection
Würth Elektronik has launched its hybrid WE-EMIP EMI absorber sheet, a convenient solution for reducing electromagnetic interference by up to 40 dB.

Read more...

---

Clearing the Static: Ionisation equipment
Actum Electronics Circuit & System Protection
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) ionisation equipment is designed to neutralise static charges that accumulate on surfaces in environments where ESD-sensitive components or materials are handled. These ...

Read more...

---

Motor and feeder protection for LV and MV environments
NewElec Pretoria Circuit & System Protection
This relay from NewElec is a micro-controller-based precision instrument with ANSI protection elements, advanced control features, and switchgear controller logic integrating motor and feeder control functions.

Read more...

---

Clearing the Static: How to protect PCBs from electrostatic discharge and moisture
Actum Electronics Circuit & System Protection
Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are essential components in most electronic devices. They are sensitive to environmental factors like electrostatic discharge (ESD) and moisture, which can cause significant ...

Read more...

---

Clearing the Static: ESD chairs: Essential tools in controlled protected areas
Actum Electronics Circuit & System Protection
Static poses a significant risk in various industries, particularly those involving sensitive electronic components and equipment. To mitigate these risks, electrostatic discharge (ESD) chairs play ...

Read more...

---

Clearing the Static: ESD dissipative floor mats
Actum Electronics Circuit & System Protection
Dissipative floor mats are specialised mats designed to protect sensitive electronic equipment and components from electrostatic discharge (ESD), by quickly drawing the static electricity off workers before they touch such items.

Read more...

---