S-VistaMAX
A Solar-Powered Solution
150 Cardinal Crescent
Saskatoon SK
Canada S7L 6H7
306 955 7075
Suite 3, 30 Cowper St.
Parramatta, NSW
Australia
+61 (2) 8835-4984
4210 Commerce Circle
Victoria BC
Canada V8Z 6N6
250 881 1982
S-VistaMAX
1
Solar Power and WiMAX
Solar power and WiMAX are similar in that they both provide a service which would not
otherwise be possible due to lack of cabled infrastructure. Combining both of these
technologies together allows for the deployment of broadband networks in areas with little or
no access to electricity. In this document, we will discuss the benefits, applications and power
requirements of providing solar power to Vecima Networks’ VistaMAX base stations.
2
Benefits of Solar-Powered VistaMAX Base Stations
The benefits gained from using Vecima Networks’ solar-powered VistaMAX base stations can
be divided into the following five categories:
Location:
The installation of a base station at the location which gives maximum coverage
may not be always possible due to the lack of an adequate power source but with a solarpowered VistaMAX base station, the only constrain would be whether or not the location is
available. This is extremely helpful when installing the VistaMAX base station in rural areas
where power availability is low.
Reliability: The solar power base station is a
stand alone system which means that it would be
independent from the power grid. That would
provide for a more reliable communication
network especially in developing countries where
the power infrastructure is not reliable, or in
critical
applications
where
communication
systems can not fail.
Flexibility: Powering the VistaMAX base
station with solar power would mean that it would
require no fixed installation which would provide
for a flexible, mobile network that can be
relocated as needed.
Ecological Footprint:
Solar power uses the sun as a renewable energy source. The
utilization of the sun’s energy does not emit any greenhouse gases leading to a reduction in
the ecological footprint of powering the base station. This would allow for a more
environmentally friendly network.
Cost-effectiveness:
By installing a solar power system you can avoid both the cost of
running power lines to areas that do not have existing power and the cost of purchasing and
running a generator to power the VistaMAX base station. Additionally, solar power is
renewable energy so there are no reoccurring costs from consuming power. Solar power
systems are installed once and require little to no maintenance which further reduces running
costs over the lifespan of the deployment.
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S-VistaMAX
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Solar-powered WiMAX Applications
Remote Applications:
In some remote and rural areas power is either lacking or only
hazardous voltages are available that would require the purchasing of large transformers. In
this case installing a solar-powered VistaMAX base station would solve the problem.
Generators can be used but in addition to the rising cost of fuel, generators would also require
regular maintenance which would increase the operating cost of the base station.
Emergency Communications: In Public safety and disaster recovery communication is
critical. In case of a failed or damaged power grid all communication networks powered by the
grid would fail. A solar powered WiMAX communication network would provide the necessary
communication to and from the affected area. In vital areas a permanent solar powered
VistaMAX network can be deployed while in less crucial areas a temporary network can easily
and quickly be set up.
Project Applications:
Projects that frequently change locations require the flexibility of
having one system that can provide connectivity and be quickly redeployed. Road construction
and scientific research projects are examples of such projects as they usually last for a certain
amount of time in a certain location and then move to another location. These locations are
typically remote with no connectivity like road construction on remote highways or research
projects in Antarctica. Having a solar powered VistaMAX base station would provide
connectivity for researchers and it would allow construction crew to adjust speed limits and
estimated traffic delays on their equipment. After the project is finished, the solar-powered
VistaMAX base station can easily be deployed in the next project site.
4
Backhaul Options for Internet Connectivity
The choice of a bachkhaul would depend on the type of application that the solar-powered
VistaMAX base station is used for and the available options at the location of the base station.
For remote locations the only option is to
provide internet connectivity over a satellite
connection via a VSAT terminal. In other
locations Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH)
or Synchronous Optical Networking (SONET)
can be used if available. Using SDH or SONET
would be more advantageous than using a
satellite connection as they would provide
higher throughputs but a satellite connection
provides greater mobility and flexibility. AvL
Technologies, Gilat Satellite Networks, iDirect
Technologies and Cisco Systems are
examples of companies that manufacture and
sell VSAT terminals.
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S-VistaMAX
5
Base Station Configuration and Power Requirement
The VistaMAX base station consists of a WiMAX Network Management Server (NMS8000),
an eight port Ethernet switch (WES800) which provides power over Ethernet to up to eight
different base station sectors. The considered configuration is for a 1, 2, 4, and 8 sector base
station at both the 1.9 GHz and the 3.5 GHz frequency range. Please refer to Table 1 for the
power requirement of each of the base station components.
The power system consists of three different modules, solar panels, battery array and a
charger controller. The battery array module provides power to the VistaMAX base station
while being supplied with power from the solar panels. The charger controller regulates the
power supplied to the batteries and the base station.
Table 1: VistaMAX Base Station Power Requirements
Sectors
0
1
2
4
8
Operating
Current
(Amps)
0.89
1.26
1.63
2.4
3.87
Peak
Current
(Amps)
OBR3500 (3.5 GHz)
Peak
Operating
Power
Power (W)
(W)
2.19
2.56
2.93
3.7
5.17
42.72
105.12
60.48
122.88
78.24
140.64
115.2
177.6
185.76
248.16
OBR1900 (1.9 GHz)
1
1.31
2.75
62.88
132
2
1.71
3.16
82.08
151.68
4
2.54
3.97
121.92
190.56
8
4.18
5.61
200.64
269.28
*Total power includes NMS power of 400W at 48V and 8.3Amps
Total Operating
Power (W)*
Total Peak
Power (W)*
442.72
460.48
478.24
515.2
585.76
505.12
522.88
540.64
577.6
648.16
462.88
482.08
521.92
600.64
532
551.68
590.56
669.28
Solar Panel - Copyright © 2005 David Monniaux
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