MASTHEAD AMPLIFIER FAMILY

GSM-PCS1900 MHz Masthead Amplifiers

REMEC Masthead Amplifiers
help reduce the cost of base station
deployment by extending cell
coverage by 20-40%.

They also significantly improve call

quality and reduce the number of
dropped calls which is the number
one reason for customer “churn”.

FEATURES
• Market leading low
noise performance
• Simple to install
• Rugged and highly reliable

REMEC MHAs
improve in-building
coverage and reduce overall
system bit error rate which
becomes increasingly
important for data
applications.
These units have the best
noise and lightning
protection performance
available and are IP68 rated
for full water submersion.
Time and time again
network trials have proven
these units to significantly
improve network
performance, providing the
largest improvement
margins in competative
bench marking. Over fifty
networks world wide have
improved their performance
using REMEC MHAs.
• Excellent lightning
protection
• Full water immersion (IP68)
specification
• By pass in power down
mode
USER BENEFITS
• Extends cell coverage
20%-40%
• Significantly reduces roll
out costs
• Improves call quality
• Reduces dropped calls
• Better in-building coverage
• Increases handset battery
life
• Reduces bit error rate -
vital for data applications

Building solutions
through teamwork.
MASTHEAD AMPLIFIER FAMILY

GSM-PCS1900 MHz Masthead Amplifiers

TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
OPERATING BANDWIDTH 5 MHz 15 MHz 20 MHz 25 MHz 30 MHz
BANDS D,E & F A, B & C A & D, D & B D & E, E & C D&F
B & E, F & C

RECEIVE PATH
FREQUENCY RANGE 1850 - 1910 MHz 1850 - 1910 MHz 1850 - 1910 MHz 1850 - 1910 MHz 1850 - 1910 MHz
NOISE FIGURE (typical) <2.0 dB <1.4 dB <1.4 dB <1.5 dB <1.6 dB
GAIN VARIATION (over freq and temp) 12.0 ± 1.0 dB 12.0 ± 0.8 dB 12.0 ± 0.8 dB 12.0 ± 1.0 dB 12.0 ± 1.0 dB
GAIN VARIATION (over freq) ± 0.15 dB ± 0.25 dB ± 0.25 dB ± 0.25 dB ± 0.4 dB
OUTPUT 1dB COMPRESSION ≥ +10 dBm ≥ +10 dBm ≥ +10 dBm ≥ +10 dBm ≥ +10 dBm
OUTPUT IP3 ≥ +22 dBm ≥ +22 dBm ≥ +22 dBm ≥ +22 dBm ≥ +22 dBm
LOSS IN BYPASS MODE (ambient) <2.6 dB <1.65 dB <1.7 dB <2.0 dB <2.0 dB
RETURN LOSS (VSWR) >18dB active (<1.29:1) >18dB active (<1.29:1) >18dB active (<1.29:1) >18dB active (<1.29:1) >18dB active (<1.29:1)
>14dB bypass (<1.5:1) >14dB bypass (<1.5:1) >14dB bypass (<1.5:1) >14dB bypass (<1.5:1) >14dB bypass (<1.5:1)

GAIN REDUCTION
>60 dBc 100kHz – 50 MHz 100kHz – 50 MHz 100kHz – 50 MHz 100kHz – 50 MHz 100kHz – 50 MHz
from Rx edge from Rx edge from Rx edge from Rx edge from Rx edge
>20 dBc Rx edge-25 MHz - - - -
>15 dBc - Rx edge-25 MHz Rx edge-25 MHz Rx edge-25 MHz Rx edge-25 MHz
>10 dBc Rx edge-10 MHz - - Rx edge-10 MHz -
>6 dBc - Rx edge-15MHz Rx edge-15MHz - Rx edge-13MHz
>6 dBc - Rx edge+18MHz Rx edge+13MHz - Rx edge+6MHz
>10 dBc Rx edge+10 MHz - - Rx edge+10 MHz -
>15 dBc - Rx edge+25 MHz Rx edge+25 MHz Rx edge+25 MHz Rx edge+25 MHz
>20 dBc Rx edge+25 MHz - - - -

>80 dBc Tx to 4GHz Tx to 4GHz Tx to 4GHz Tx to 4GHz Tx to 4GHz

>15 dBc 4 to 12.75 GHz 4 to 12.75 GHz 4 to 12.75 GHz 4 to 12.75 GHz 4 to 12.75 GHz
Rx TO Tx REJECTION
(over operating band) >90 dB >90 dB >90 dB >90 dB >90 dB

TRANSMIT PATH
FREQUENCY RANGE 1930 - 1990 MHz 1930 - 1990 MHz 1930 - 1990 MHz 1930 - 1990 MHz 1930 - 1990 MHz
INSERTION LOSS <0.7 dB <0.5 dB <0.5 dB <0.5 dB <0.5 dB
RIPPLE ± 0.15 dB ± 0.1 dB ± 0.1 dB ± 0.1 dB ± 0.1 dB
MAXIMUM POWER HANDLING 50 dBm CW 50 dBm CW 50 dBm CW 50 dBm CW 50 dBm CW
RETURN LOSS (VWSR) >18dB(<1.29:1) >18dB(<1.29:1) >18dB(<1.29:1) >18dB(<1.29:1) >18dB(<1.29:1)
(2Tx carrier at +43dBm
<-120 dBm <-120 dBm <-120 dBm <-120 dBm <-120 dBm
products in Rx band)

SUPPLY (standard unit - see LNA voltage selections for other options)*

VOLTAGE +15V ± 1V DC +12V ± 1V DC +12V ± 1V DC +15V ± 1V DC +12V ± 1V DC

90mA normal 125mA normal 125mA normal 90mA normal 125mA normal
CURRENT (nominal)
175mA alarm 175mA alarm 175mA alarm 175mA alarm 175mA alarm

ENVIRONMENTAL
OPERATING TEMPERATURE -40 ºC to+65ºC -40 ºC to+65ºC -40 ºC to+65ºC -40 ºC to+65ºC -40 ºC to+65ºC
RELATIVE HUMIDITY 5 TO 95% 5 TO 95% 5 TO 95% 5 TO 95% 5 TO 95%
ENCLOSURE IP68 IP68 IP68 IP68 IP68
EMC ETS 300 342-3 ETS 300 342-3 ETS 300 342-3 ETS 300 342-3 ETS 300 342-3
LIGHTNING PROTECTION
BTS port 8/20µS 10kA Pulse 8/20µS 10kA Pulse 8/20µS 10kA Pulse 8/20µS 10kA Pulse 8/20µS 10kA Pulse
(IEC-801-5) (IEC-801-5) (IEC-801-5) (IEC-801-5) (IEC-801-5)
ANT port DC grounded DC grounded DC grounded DC grounded DC grounded
MTBF >500,000 hrs >500,000 hrs >500,000 hrs >500,000 hrs >500,000 hrs

MECHANICAL
312x162x77mm 312x162x77mm 312x162x77mm 312x162x77mm 312x162x77mm
SIZE
(ex. Connectors) (ex. Connectors) (ex. Connectors) (ex. Connectors) (ex. Connectors)
VOLUME 3.9 ltr 3.9 ltr 3.9 ltr 3.9 ltr 3.9 ltr
WEIGHT <4.5 kg <4.5 kg <4.5 kg <4.5 kg <4.5 kg
CONNECTORS 7/16 DIN female 7/16 DIN female 7/16 DIN female 7/16 DIN female 7/16 DIN female
 MASTHEAD AMPLIFIER FAMILY

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

The REMEC MHA is one of the few available which We can supply a setting system which enables field service
is fully sealed and certified to IP68 requirements including engineers to set the LNA gain remotely by accessing the
full water immersion testing to a depth of 1 metre. DC connector on the Bias Tee unit.
(See accessory data sheet for further details).
The REMEC MHA has also been fully certified by
Culham Laboratories for lightning protection which is
an important consideration in many territories.
• Lightning protection
The standard unit achieves 10kA tested with an 8/20µS
The standard REMEC MHA provides for lightning
pulse to IEC-801-5. However, 20kA protection is available
protection of up to 10kA tested to IEC-801-5. In countries
as an option.
where severe electric storms are experienced you may wish
Power to the MHA is provided by a Power Distribution Unit to have an increased level of protection. In these cases we
(PDU). Bias Tees route the power and control signals are able to offer an MHA with lightning protection of
through the centre conductor of the RF antenna cables, 20kA.
eliminating the need to install separate cables. The PDU
• High impact resistant lids
also monitors MHA performance and produces alarms that
Where problems are experienced with vandalism we are able
are forwarded to the operations and maintenance centre
to offer units with high impact resistant, bullet proof lids.
(OMC).
• Customer specified logo
Within the REMEC MHA, parallel low noise
Many customers would prefer to have their network or
amplifiers allow the unit to operate at a reduced gain if a
company logo embossed on the MHA lid. We are pleased to
component fails. A bypass switch ensures that, in the
offer this as an option.
unlikely event that the MHA powers down, the base station
and antenna system remain operational. • VSWR Alarm Monitoring
The VSWR alarm circuit continuously monitors the return
The REMEC MHA is simple to install, requires no
loss in the Tx path (including the antenna). If the return loss
maintenance and is highly reliable. Field support teams are
degrades below 7dB the alarm current is pulsed at
available to conduct comprehensive training courses and
nominally 1Hz.
provide assistance during installation.
• Automatic Fault Feeder Diagnosis
OPTIONS Using a communications package and laptop pc, MHAs are
able to diagnose feeder line intermittent faults.
When using your own power supply unit or another supply
direct from the BTS you need to specify the LNA alarm • Extended Warranty
window and voltage requirement. The REMEC MHA Various extended warranty packages are available.
supports three standard alarm windows and a wide
operating voltage range. The MHA will be configured to
your specified requirement prior to delivery. Antenna Port

• LNA Alarm window configuration

Alarm Window No. 1 2 3

Rx
Nominal Current 125mA 155mA 90mA Filter

Alarm Current 175mA 205mA 175mA LNA &

Tx
Bypass
Filter
Switch
• LNA Voltage selection*
REMEC MHA’s are available with 9 to 15 VDC Rx
operating voltage. Filter

When using the REMEC Power Distribution Unit,

the MHA will be supplied with our standard settings.
(See accessory data sheet for further details). Bias Tee

COSTED OPTIONS BTS Port &

DC Feed
• 7-22dB variable high gain LNA
For many site requirements it is beneficial to have a high
gain LNA which can be programmed on site to suit the RF
loss associated with particular cable lengths. In these
instances we recommend that our customers select our
high variable gain LNA options.

Building solutions
through teamwork.
MASTHEAD AMPLIFIER FAMILY

Accessories available as
part of the REMEC
MHA Family
• Indoor or Outdoor Power
Distribution Unit (PDU)
• Indoor or Outdoor Bias Tee units
• Cable Kits
• Mounting Kits
• Setting Systems for Variable Gain
MHAs
More details about accessories
• Site Test Equipment
are available on individual
data sheets • Cross Band Couplers

REMEC Worldwide Locations

Remec CSH
Remec Magnum
San Jose, CA, USA
Remec Corporate
Remec Microwave
Remec Wireless
Remec Veritek
Humphrey
UK San Diego, CA, USA
CHINA
Remec Nanowave
USA Toronto, Canada
Remec
Waco, TX, USA
Remec
FAR EAST Palm Bay, FL, USA
Remec Inc, SA
San Jose, Costa Rica
Remec Manufacturing
Tijuana, Mexico

REMEC Sales Offices

UK USA FAR EAST CHINA
Smeaton Close 1420 Valwood Parkway Suite 2-05, 2nd Floor Room 1419 China Travel
Aylesbury Suite 200, Carrollton Wisma Ali Bawal 2 Service Tower
Buckinghamshire Dallas, Texas 75006 11 Jalan Tandang No 2 East Beisanhuan Road
HP19 3SU 46050 Petaling Jaya Chaoyang District
Selangor Darul Ehsan Beijing 100028
Malaysia People’s Republic of China
Tel: +44 (0) 1296 319319 Tel: +1 972 247 6611 Tel: +603 7785 1270 Tel: +8610 64646111
Fax: +44 (0) 1296 319200 Fax: +1 972 247 7620 Fax: +603 7785 1249 Fax: +8610 64646333

This document gives only a general description of the product(s) and shall not form part of any contract.

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Building solutions www.remec.com
through teamwork.