In a galaxy not so far away...: Lucent unveils new power system at PCS '97

Lucent Technologies' Microelectronics Group unveiled the latest addition to its Galaxy Power Systems line at PCS '97.

The GPS 4848 is a 48 V, 4800 A power system that features a 200 A switch-mode rectifier design. The new system is designed to handle any 48 V application for both wireless and wireline carriers, said Paige Protzman, product marketing manager for large battery products in Lucent's Microelectronics Group. On the wireless side, the product primarily targets mobile switching center and mobile telephone switching office applications.

"This [48 V system contains] higher power than a switch-mode rectifier you'd typically see," she said.

Switch-mode rectifiers operate like a light switch as they convert incoming AC to the DC required by telecommunications equipment. The 4848 most likely represents the high-end output for switch-mode rectifiers, Protzman said, adding that ferroresonant rectifiers may be more appropriate for higher outputs.

The 4848 occupies much less space than a 48 V system with ferroresonant rectifiers. Each 4848 rectifier weighs about 65 lbs. A ferroresonant rectifier weighs about 720 lbs, she said.

The 4848 allows the rectifiers and the DC output to occupy space in the same cabinet. Its modular design--including the ability to easily add or change components without shutting down the power system--should appeal to growing wireless carriers, Protzman said.

"Modularity is attractive when you're building out a network," she said.

Lucent expects the new power system to help expand the Galaxy line, which has been focused on 24 V applications. "Based on activity, both [24 V and 48 V] are appropriate in the industry," Protzman said.

Bellcore announced last week at PCS '97 that it has joined forces with CNET, the Plano, Texas-based division of Glenayre Technologies that develops wireless network planning and engineering software.

The two companies will combine their software packages to produce end-to-end solutions for wireless network engineering. Bellcore will integrate CNET's Wireless Network Graphics System (WiNGS), an RF planning tool, with its own Wireless Integrated Simulation, Emulation and Engineering services.

"We have an end-to-end series of products that delivers business, circuit, traffic and radio engineering for carriers. CNET is supplying the RF planning piece," said Jon Jervert, director of wireless network engineering at Bellcore.

While WiNGS contributes new features to Bellcore's offering, CNET's association with Bellcore will broaden its exposure. "Partnerships are a high priority for us right now to take our products to the next level," said John Reynolds, vice president of sales and service at CNET.

The partnership will not only bring CNET's package to more wireless companies, it will also extend the package to wireline customers, a market segment that CNET has yet to crack. "These types of partnerships will be doorways for us to bring our other products to new customers," said Reynolds.

Bellcore initially will co-market WiNGS but also will contribute to future product developments, said Jervert.

The partnership comes as CNET announces new levels of integration between its WiNGS solution and its Basic Operating System software, a network management system. The resulting integration, Traffic Trending 1.2, lends an alarm generation feature to network planning and management that helps users proactively avoid network problems, said Brandon White, development team leader at CNET.