摘要 |
A 3G network (100) and method are provided that reduce loses between a base transceiver station (node B 102) and an antenna (114). Generally, the network (100) includes a tower (112) having a tower-top (110) on which the antenna (114) is supported, a node B (102) and a separate amplifier (124) on the tower-top near to the antenna, the amplifier in a communication path between the node B and the antenna. In one embodiment, the network (100) further includes a backhaul (122) on the tower-top (110) near the antenna (114), the backhaul configured to couple signals between the node B (102) and a radio network controller (RNC 108). Preferably, the backhaul (122) is integrated with the node B (102). In another version, the backhaul (122) is configured to couple communication signals between the node B (102) and the RNC (108) via a 3G network (128). More preferably, a photovoltaic cell (132) on the tower (112) supplies electrical power to the node B (102), the amplifier (124) and the backhaul (122), thereby providing a self-contained tower-top node (134).
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