MASTHEAD AMPLIFIER FAMILY

900MHz MHA Family from REMEC ALP Enabled

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

900MHz MHA Family from REMEC

TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
OPERATING BANDWIDTH

12.5 MHz

15 MHz

17.5 MHz

25 MHz

RECEIVE PATH
FREQUENCY RANGE
NOISE FIGURE (ambient)
GAIN VARIATION (over freq and temp)
GAIN VARIATION (over freq)
OUTPUT 1dB COMPRESSION
OUTPUT IP3
LOSS IN BYPASS MODE (ambient)
RETURN LOSS (VSWR)

880-915 MHz
<1.5 dB
12.0 0.8 dB
0.25 dB
+10 dBm
+22 dBm
<1.6 dB
>18dB active (<1.29:1)
>14dB bypass (<1.5:1)

880-915 MHz
<1.6 dB
12.0 0.85 dB
0.3 dB
+10 dBm
+22 dBm
<1.8 dB
>18dB active (<1.29:1)
>14dB bypass (<1.5:1)

880-915 MHz
<1.6 dB
12.0 0.85 dB
0.3 dB
+10 dBm
+22 dBm
<1.8 dB
>18dB active (<1.29:1)
>14dB bypass (<1.5:1)

880-915 MHz
<1.6 dB
12.0 1.0 dB
0.5 dB
+10 dBm
+22 dBm
<1.7 dB
>18dB active (<1.29:1)
>14dB bypass (<1.5:1)

>40 dBc
>6 dBc
>6 dBc
>40 dBc

100kHz 50 MHz
from Rx edge
Rx edge-15 MHz
Rx edge-8 MHz
Rx edge+6 MHz
Rx edge+15MHz

100kHz 50 MHz
from Rx edge
Rx edge-15 MHz
Rx edge-8 MHz
Rx edge+3.5 MHz
Rx edge+15MHz

100kHz 50 MHz
from Rx edge
Rx edge-15 MHz
Rx edge-6 MHz
Rx edge+3.5 MHz
Rx edge+15MHz

100kHz 50 MHz
from Rx edge
Rx edge-13 MHz
Rx edge-7 MHz
Rx edge+10 MHz
Rx edge+13MHz

>80 dBc
>15 dBc

Tx to 4GHz
4 to 12.75 GHz

Tx to 4GHz
4 to 12.75 GHz

Tx to 4GHz
4 to 12.75 GHz

Tx to 4GHz
4 to 12.75 GHz

Rx TO Tx REJECTION
(over operating band)

>80 dB

>80 dB

>80 dB

>80 dB

925-960 MHz
<0.50 dB
0.1 dB
50 dBm CW

925-960 MHz
<0.55 dB
0.1 dB
50 dBm CW

925-960 MHz
<0.60 dB
0.1 dB
50 dBm CW

925-960 MHz
<0.60 dB
0.1 dB
50 dBm CW

>18dB(<1.29:1)

>18dB(<1.29:1)

>18dB(<1.29:1)

>18dB(<1.29:1)

<-110 dBm

<-110 dBm

<-110 dBm

<-110 dBm

GAIN REDUCTION
>60 dBc

TRANSMIT PATH
FREQUENCY RANGE
INSERTION LOSS
RIPPLE
MAXIMUM POWER HANDLING
RETURN LOSS (VSWR)
INTERMODULATION (2Tx carrier
at +43dBm products in Rx band)

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

+12V 1V DC

+12V 1V DC

+12V 1V DC

+12V 1V DC

CURRENT (nominal)

125mA normal
175mA alarm

125mA normal
175mA alarm

125mA normal
175mA alarm

125mA normal
175mA alarm

-40 C to+65C
5 TO 95%
IP68
ETS 300 342-3

-40 C to+65C
5 TO 95%
IP68
ETS 300 342-3

-40 C to+65C
5 TO 95%
IP68
ETS 300 342-3

-40 C to+65C
5 TO 95%
IP68
ETS 300 342-3

ANT port

8/20S 10kA Pulse

(IEC-801-5)
DC grounded

8/20S 10kA Pulse

(IEC-801-5)
DC grounded

8/20S 10kA Pulse

(IEC-801-5)
DC grounded

8/20S 10kA Pulse

(IEC-801-5)
DC grounded

MTBF

>500,000 hrs

>500,000 hrs

>500,000 hrs

>500,000 hrs

312x162x103mm
(ex. Connectors)
5.2 ltr
<5.9 kg
7/16 DIN female

312x162x103mm
(ex. Connectors)
5.2 ltr
<5.9 kg
7/16 DIN female

312x162x103mm
(ex. Connectors)
5.2 ltr
<5.9 kg
7/16 DIN female

312x162x103mm
(ex. Connectors)
5.2 ltr
<5.9 kg
7/16 DIN female

ENVIRONMENTAL
OPERATING TEMPERATURE
RELATIVE HUMIDITY
ENCLOSURE
EMC
LIGHTNING PROTECTION
BTS port

MECHANICAL
SIZE
VOLUME
WEIGHT
CONNECTORS

MASTHEAD AMPLIFIER FAMILY

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
The REMEC MHA is one of the few available which
is fully sealed and certified to IP68 requirements including
full water immersion testing to a depth of 1 metre.
The REMEC MHA has also been fully certified by
Culham Laboratories for lightning protection which is
an important consideration in many territories.
The standard unit achieves 10kA tested with an 8/20S
pulse to IEC-801-5. However, 20kA protection is available
as an option.
Power to the MHA is provided by a Power Distribution Unit
(PDU). Bias Tees route the power and control signals
through the centre conductor of the RF antenna cables,
eliminating the need to install separate cables. The PDU
also monitors MHA performance and produces alarms that
are forwarded to the operations and maintenance centre
(OMC).
Within the REMEC MHA, parallel low noise
amplifiers allow the unit to operate at a reduced gain if a
component fails. A bypass switch ensures that, in the
unlikely event that the MHA powers down, the base station
and antenna system remain operational.
The REMEC MHA is simple to install, requires no
maintenance and is highly reliable. Field support teams are
available to conduct comprehensive training courses and
provide assistance during installation.

OPTIONS
When using your own power supply unit or another supply
direct from the BTS you need to specify the LNA alarm
window and voltage requirement. The REMEC MHA
supports three standard alarm windows and a wide
operating voltage range. The MHA will be configured to
your specified requirement prior to delivery.

In these instances we strongly recommend selecting our

ALP controlled 2-12dB variable gain LNA which can be
adjusted on site using a laptop PC or remotely via the
universal controller. (See accessory data sheet for further
details).
Lightning protection
The standard REMEC MHA provides for lightning
protection of up to 10kA tested to IEC-801-5. In countries
where severe electric storms are experienced you may wish
to have an increased level of protection. In these cases we
are able to offer an MHA with lightning protection of
20kA.
High impact resistant lids
Where problems are experienced with vandalism we are able
to offer units with high impact resistant, bullet proof lids.
Customer specified logo
Many customers would prefer to have their network or
company logo embossed on the MHA lid. We are pleased to
offer this as an option.
VSWR Alarm Monitoring
The VSWR alarm circuit continuously monitors the return
loss in the Tx path (including the antenna). If the return loss
degrades below a predetermined limit then an alarm is
raised via ALP to the universal controller.
Automatic Fault Feeder Diagnosis
Using a communications package and laptop pc, through
ALP, MHAs are able to diagnose feeder line intermittent
faults.
Extended Warranty
Various extended warranty packages are available.

Antenna Port

LNA Alarm window configuration

1

Nominal Current

125mA

155mA

90mA

Alarm Current

175mA

205mA

175mA

Alarm Window No.

Rx
Filter
LNA &
Bypass
Switch

Tx
Filter

LNA Voltage selection*

REMEC MHAs are available with 9 to 15 VDC
operating voltage.
When using the REMEC Power Distribution Unit,
the MHA will be supplied with our standard settings.
(See accessory data sheet for further details).

COSTED OPTIONS
2-12dB variable gain LNA
For many site situations it is beneficial to be able to set the
LNA gain to a particular level to take into account the
attenuation of the specific RF feeder cables.
This enables site by site optimisation.

Rx
Filter

Bias Tee
BTS Port &
DC Feed

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

are available on individual
data sheets

Site Test Equipment

Cross Band Couplers

REMEC Worldwide Locations

Remec CSH
Remec Magnum
San Jose, CA, USA

USA

UK

Remec Corporate
Remec Microwave
Remec Wireless
Remec Veritek
Humphrey
San Diego, CA, USA

CHINA

Remec Nanowave
Toronto, Canada
Remec
Waco, TX, USA
Remec
Palm Bay, FL, USA

FAR EAST

Remec Inc, SA
San Jose, Costa Rica
Remec Manufacturing
Tijuana, Mexico

REMEC Sales Offices

UK
Smeaton Close
Aylesbury
Buckinghamshire
HP19 8SU

USA
9404 Chesapeake Drive
San Diego, CA 92123

FAR EAST
Suite 2-05, 2nd Floor
Wisma Ali Bawal 2
11 Jalan Tandang
46050 Petaling Jaya
Selangor Darul Ehsan
Malaysia

CHINA
Room 1419 China Travel
Service Tower
No 2 East Beisanhuan Road
Chaoyang District
Beijing 100028
Peoples Republic of China

Tel: +44 (0) 1296 319319

Fax: +44 (0) 1296 319200

Tel: +1 858 560 1301

Fax: +1 858 560 0291

Tel: +603 7785 1270

Fax: +603 7785 1249

Tel: +8610 64646111

Fax: +8610 64646333

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

Building solutions
through teamwork.

VISIT OUR WEB SITE:

www.remec.com