Ensuring high-quality indoor and outdoor coverage is an important

consideration when planning network upgrades that offer new

services and higher data rates to customers and increased revenue

to operators. CommScope’s ION®-M (intelligent optical network) series

radio-over-fiber system is a wide-band, technology-agnostic

distribution platform that offers operators a robust yet cost-effective

solution for any of their coverage needs.

Optimized Multi-Band Multi-Operator Cost-Effective Solutions

Andrew Solutions™

ION®-M Series

ION®-M has two basic components: a centralized master

unit and multiple remote units. The master unit transmits and

receives RF (radio frequency) signals via coaxial cable to/

from the collocated operator base stations while controlling

the entire ION®-M system, including the provisioning of the

backhaul connectivity to the OMC (operation and mainte-

nance center). The remote units are connected via optical fiber

to the master unit, which can support up to 124 remote units.

The remote units are available in single- or multi-band configu-

ration for a variety of frequency combinations (6 frequency

bands simultaneously over

one fiber), power classes,

and system designs. Up to

four remote units can be

connected to a single opti-

cal transceiver at the master

using a single fiber. Multi

sector sites can be support-

ed by multiple RUs fed from

a single fiber using WDM-

technology. In single band

scenarios a unique multi-

sector RU provides coverage for up to three sectors. RF signals

are transported fully transparent on a single fiber at 1310 nm

and 1550 nm over up to 20 km. In the event of fiber short-

age, both CWDM (coarse wavelength division multiplexing)

or DWDM (dense wavelength division multiplexing) are sup-

ported to exploit existing fiber plants at its most capability.

Multiple operators using multiple technologies can transmit

their services simultaneously from a cluster of base stations to

a number of remote locations over the same fiber. Depending

on the master unit’s configuration and RF planning, the number

of remote units assigned to a single sector can be adjusted to

accommodate for changing traffic demand.

In ION®-M re-sectorizing requires only marginal changes at

the master unit. The built-in AGC (automatic gain control) fea-

ture compensates for optical link loss, guaranteeing constant

gain over a changing link budget, making installation and

maintenance quick and easy. Setting up the ION®-M system

is easy, thanks to a web-based GUI (graphical user interface).

All remote units can be commissioned remotely through a

built-in test head, and the entire system can be monitored and

configured remotely via A.I.M.O.S. (Andrew integrated man-

agement and operation system).

Multi-Band, Multi-Operator: A Multi-Solution

Basic Functions

ION®-M is a flexible radio-over-fiber platform for all conceiv-

able optical distribution scenarios, which guarantees the

best coverage with the

lowest interference.

Cutting-edge technology

fuels the ION®-M’s high-

power, robust design

making it suitable for

both indoor and outdoor

applications. As a multi-

band, multi-operator

system, the ION®-M

adapts easily to whatever system architecture and power level

are required in the frequency range from 70 MHz to 2700

MHz. The system is

future-proof, ready for

evolution to advanced

modulation schemes

like HSPA+ (high speed

packet access), EV-DO

(evolution-data opti-

mized) and LTE (long

term evolution).

MU

BTS

BTS

BTS

WLAN

BTS

WLAN

MU

BTS

BTS

BTS

WLAN

BTS

WLAN

MU

BTS

BTS

BTS

WLAN

BTS

WLAN

MU

BTS

BTS

BTS

WLAN

BTS

WLAN

2

The ION®-M’s control architecture is based on the “distributed

intelligence” concept meant to guarantee service

availability even in the event of single control failure.

The autonomous processing capability of the remote unit

(remote RF head) splits the system’s basic functioning from

the supervision overlay.

The master unit controller collects and consolidates system

settings and information, presents it at the user interface and

sends it to the alarming system of the OMC. The ION®-M is

a fully managed system with interfaces at different manage-

ment levels:

• Equipment management (locally or via remote connection)

• Element management (remotely via web or A.I.M.O.S. OMC)

• Network management (via A.I.M.O.S. or by providing an SNMP

interface to any NOC [network operations center])

The master unit controller provides an intuitive, web-based equipment management interface, supporting total equipment management and configuration. Due to the implemented web server architectures, the system and all interfaces can be accessed by any of the following methods:

• Via a keyboard and monitor as part of the master unit

• Via a laptop attached to the master unit controller

• Via a remote connection to the master unit controller

The master unit controller hosts in parallel the interface to Andrew’s OMC A.I.M.O.S. This IP-based interface supports LAN (local area network) and RAS (remote access server) connections to A.I.M.O.S. Today the encapsulated protocol of this interface is proprietary but will be standard SNMP (simple network management protocol) in the future. The mas-ter unit also provides a fully configurable relay contact alarm board for simple local alarming (to BTS or a visual alarming panel, for example).

Distributed Intelligence Minimizes Disruptions

Flexibility to Support Multiple Network ConfigurationsThe ION®-M’s available performance margin, the optical link

budget, and the system flexibility allows to built up various

network configurations. Regarding the link between master

unit and remote unit, it is possible to configure the system

according to the following methods:

• Point-to-point connection

• Star configuration

• Daisy-chain configuration

A sector (BTS/Node B port) can be assigned to a single

remote unit, a single optical link (maximum four remote units),

or multiple remote units. The criteria for the number of remote

units assigned to a sector is mainly determined by the maxi-

mum raise of noise power acceptable at the BTS/Node B.

Because of MCPA (multi-carrier power amplifier) technology,

the ION®-M series is ideally suited for multi-carrier (multi-user)

wide-band applications. But it also supports high reliability

networks such as GSM-R or TETRA with multiple redundancy

scenarios on equipment or network level.

Network Management System

3

ION®-M master unit was developed by Andrew engineers as

a scalable solution with maximum flexibility. The master unit

is modular, meaning it can start as a self-contained, subrack

system and grow to a rack-based system for larger networks.

This flexibility allows operators to install ION®-M as a cost-

effective solution to a problematic coverage area (for exam-

ple, a metropolitan rail system) with all of the components

100 percent reusable and re-configurable.

The various 19-inch subrack configurations make the most of

available space and provide optimum support to the different

network and BTS architectures. Reliability and a high GoS

(grade of service) are achieved with redundant power sup-

ply and optical link concepts, distributed intelligence, and a

highly sophisticated control,

alarming, and supervision

system that also simplifies

installation and commission-

ing. Optional plug-in boards

provide relay alarm inputs/

outputs that can communi-

cate with external equipment

or act as a simple alarming

interface to a base station.

ION®-M Master Unit

CommScope has addressed all

issues with a DAS interconnect-

ing in one integrated solution.

On top of the clear reliable

installation it provides functional-

ity for a fast and easy system

setup and system monitoring. The

built-in calibration, supervision and

troubleshooting functionality ensures

high performance DAS operation and

enables remote commissioning.

The i-POI® integrates in one single module all BTS condition-

ing HW as well as a signal combining, splitting,

monitoring and various test options. There are

modules for all conceivable frequencies and

services: 700 MHz, 850 MHz, 900 MHz,1900

MHz and AWS, GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, UMTS

and LTE (SISO and MIMO) and many more. For

installation at the head-end the i-POI® mounts into

the same rack as the DAS master unit to build a

multi-sector / multi operator system.

The consistent and highly integrated design of

the i-POI® makes it pos-

sible to combine all con-

ceivable band / service

configurations in one sub-

rack, addressing the high

demands of today’s complex DAS networks. Up to 8 i-POI®

modules can be plugged into one subrack. The i-POI® is

available for all common mobile frequencies and is easy to

install. It’s hot-plug-in functionality enables a system upgrade

or repair even on an operating live system. One single

module can serve different base station configurations as

duplexed, non-duplexed, with or without diversity.

An Intelligent Point of Interface - The i-POI®

built-in calibration, supervision and

troubleshooting functionality ensures

high performance DAS operation and

4

ION®-M remote units are available in single- or multi-band

and micro or macro RF power classes. High efficiency MCPA

technology empowers the remote units for multi-carrier and

multi-user applications.

Depending on the configuration the remote unit can transport

up to 8 bands simultaneously providing a cost-effective solu-

tion for distributing capacity from one or more base stations.

ION®-M Remote Unit

5

Remote Unit Housing-VariationsCommScope’s ION®-M remote units are designed for most

different applications and environmental conditions. Therefore

they all have different looks and dimensions, so that they

seamless fits into the environment in which they are needed.

Power Class Overview APAC/CALA/EMEA Frequencies

ION®-M Remote Units

VHF

LMR4

00

TETR

A450

TETR

APOL

CDMA

450

800

DDLT

ECE

LL85

0An

alog

GSM/

EDGE

CDMA

UMTS

*

LTE

GSM-

R

EGSM

900

GSM/

EDGE

UMTS

*

LTE

GSM1

800

GSM/

EDGE

LTE

UMTS

2100

UMTS

*

LTE

2600

LTE

Case Product CodeCorresponding Extension Unit

Low

Powe

r

31 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Q ION-M2 ---33 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 19’’ ION-M2 19’’ ------ 40 40 40 40 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Q ION-M4 ------ 40 40 40 40 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 19’’ ION-M4 19’’ ---

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 36 36 36 35 --- --- --- --- --- L ION-M9ION-M18 EU / ION-M21 EU

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 38 37 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Q ION-M9R ---

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 36 --- --- 39 40 --- --- --- Q ION-M18ION-M9 EU / ION-M21 EU

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 40 39 --- L ION-M21ION-M9 EU / ION-M18 EU

--- 40 40 40 40 42 --- --- --- --- --- --- 39 40 40 --- --- --- --- --- ML ION-M4/8/9 EP ------ 40 40 40 40 --- --- --- --- --- --- 36 36 36 --- --- --- --- --- --- Q ION-M4/9 (RP11) ------ --- --- --- --- --- 40 40 40 39 40 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ION-M85/18/21 ------ --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 36 40 40 40 40 40 40 --- M ION-M9/18/21 ---

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 36 40 40*** 40 40*** 40 40*** --- M ION-M9/18/21 EPION-M8/26 EU / ION-M26/26 EU

--- --- --- --- --- --- 36 36 36 36 36 --- --- --- --- 36 36 37 37 --- ML ION-M85/18/21 Lt ---

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 33 33 33 36 36 37 37 --- R3 ION-M9/18/21 Lt ---

Mediu

m Po

wer

--- --- --- --- --- --- 43 43 43 42 42 --- --- --- --- 43 43*** 43 43*** --- M ION-M85P/18P/21P ------ --- --- --- --- --- 43 43 43 42 42 --- 39 40 40 43 43 43 43 --- ML ION-M85P/9/18P/21P ---

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 36 40 40 43 43*** 43 43*** --- M ION-M9/18P/21P ---

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 39 40 40 43 43*** 43 43*** --- M ION-M9/18P/21P EPION-M8/26 EU / ION-M26/26 EU

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 39 40 40 43 43 43 43 42 ML ION-M9/18P/21P/26 EPION-M18P EU

/ ION-M8 EU / ION-M26 EU

--- --- --- --- --- 42 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 42 M ION-M8/26 ------ --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 42 M ION-M26/26 ---

ION®-M Extension Units

VHF

LMR4

00

TETR

A450

TETR

APOL

CDMA

450

800

DDLT

E

GSM-

R

EGSM

900

GSM/

EDGE

UMTS

*

LTE

GSM1

800

GSM/

EDGE

LTE

UMTS

2100

UMTS

*

LTE

2600

LTE

Case Product CodeCorresponding Remote Unit

Low

Powe

r --- --- --- --- --- --- 36 36 36 35 --- --- --- --- --- L ION-M9 EU ION-M18 / ION-M21--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 39 38 --- --- --- Q ION-M18 EU ION-M9 / ION-M21--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 40 40 --- --- --- M ION-M18 EU ION-M9/18/21 EP--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 40 39 --- L ION-M21 EU ION-M9 / ION-M18

Mediu

m Po

wer

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 43 43 --- --- --- M ION-M18P EUION-M9/18P/21P EP

ION-M9/18P/21P/26 EP

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 42 M ION-M26/26 EUION-M9/18/21 EP

ION-M9/18P/21P EP ION-M9/18P/21P/26 EP****

--- --- --- --- --- 42 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 42 M ION-M8/26 EUION-M9/18/21 EP

ION-M9/18P/21P EP ION-M9/18P/21P/26 EP*****

All values are composite output power.

* HSPA+ measurements (including 64QAM) have been conducted. For further information contact PLM.** Please note: Additional Combining Unit (CU) required. Indicated output power on Remote Units without CU, losses must be considered.*** Assuming ≥5 MHz carrier bandwidth.**** Subpopoulations only with ION-M26 EU possible ***** Subpopoulations only with ION-M8 EU possible

6

ION®-M Remote Units

LMR7

00

CELL

700

LTE

LMR8

00An

alog

iDEN

TETR

A

P25

CELL

850

Analo

g

GSM/

EDGE

CDMA

UMTS

*

LTE

LMR9

00

AWS1

700

CDMA

UMTS

*

LTE

PCS1

900

GSM/

EDGE

CDMA

UMTS

*

LTE

Case Product CodeCorresponding Extension Unit

Low

Powe

r --- --- 40 40 40 40 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- L ION-M80 ------ --- --- --- --- --- 40 40 40 40 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- L ION-M85 ------ --- 30 30 30 30 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 19’’ ION-M4/8 19” ------ --- 40 40 40 40 --- --- --- --- --- 40 --- --- --- 43 43 43 42 M ION-M80/90/19P ---

Mediu

m Po

wer

--- 43 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- M ION-M7P ------ --- 43 43 43 43 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Q ION-M80P ------ --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 43 --- --- --- --- --- --- M ION-M17P ------ --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 43 43 43 42 M ION-M19P ION-M17P EU--- 43 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- M ION-M7P/7P ------ 43 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 43 43 43 --- --- --- --- M ION-M7P/17P ---

--- --- --- --- --- --- 43 43 43 42 42 --- --- --- --- 43 43 42 42 M ION-M85P/19PION-M17P EU / ION-M7P/7P EU

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 43 43 --- 43 43 43 42 M ION-M17P/19P ------ --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 43 --- --- --- --- --- --- ION-M17P/17P/17P

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 43 --- 43 --- --- --- --- MION-M17P/17P/17P

Pseudo Omni---

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 43 43 43 43 MION-M19P/19P/19P

Pseudo Omni---

--- 43 --- --- --- --- 43 43 43 42 42 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- M ION-M7P/7P/85P ------ 43 --- --- --- --- 43 43 43 43 --- --- --- --- --- 43 43 43 43 ML ION-M7P/7P/85P/19P ------ 43 --- --- --- --- 43 43 43 43 43 --- 43 43 43 43 43 43 43 ML ION-M7P/85P/17P/19P ---

High

Pow

er

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 46 46 --- --- --- --- --- M ION-M17HP ------ --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 45.5 45.5 45.5 44.5 M ION-M19HP ION-M17P EU--- --- --- --- --- --- 43 43 43 42 42 --- --- --- --- 46 46 45 45 M ION-M85P/19HP ------ --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 42.5 42.5 42.5 45.5 45.5 45.5 45.5 M ION-M17P/19HP ION-M7P EU--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 45.5 45.5 45.5 42.5 42.5 42.5 42.5 M ION-M17HP/19P ---

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 ML ION-M17HP/19HP ---

--- 45.5 --- --- --- --- 45.5 45.5 45.5 45 45.5 --- --- --- --- 42.5 42.5 42.5 42.5 W ION-M7HP/7HP/85HP/19P ---

--- --- --- --- --- --- 46 46 46 46 --- --- 46 46 --- 46 46 46 45 W ION-M85HP/17HP/19HP ---

ION®-M Extension Units

LMR7

00

CELL

700

LTE

LMR8

00An

alog

iDEN

TETR

A

P25

Cell8

50An

alog

GSM/

EDGE

CDMA

UMTS

*

LTE

LMR9

00

AWS1

700

CDMA

UMTS

*

LTE

PCS1

900

GSM/

EDGE

CDMA

UMTS

*

LTE

Case Product CodeCorresponding Remote Unit

Mediu

m Po

wer --- 43 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- M ION-M7P EU ---

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 43 --- --- --- --- --- --- M ION-M17P EUION-M19P

ION-M19HP ION-M85P/19P

--- 43 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- M ION-M7P/7P EU ION-M85P/19P

Power Class Overview CALA/NA Frequencies

All values are composite output power.

* HSPA+ measurements (including 64QAM) have been conducted. For further information contact PLM.** Please note: Additional Combining Unit (CU) required. Indicated output power on Remote Units without CU, losses must be considered.*** Assuming ≥5 MHz carrier bandwidth.

7

WARNING: These remote units are NOT CONSUMER devices. They are designed for installation by FCC LICENSEES and QUALIFIED INSTALLERS. You MUST have an FCC LICENSE or express consent of an FCC LICENSE to operate these devices. Unauthorized use may result in significant forfeiture penalties, including penalties in excess of $ 100,000 for each continu-ing violation.

We’re proud to be a partof your network’s story.Here at CommScope, we embrace our role asa trusted resource, partner, and facilitator. Wecreate the infrastructure that connects the worldand evolves with every advance in technology.By investing all of our capabilities, resources,relationships, and products into your toughestchallenges, we continue our long history of solvingproblems together—paving the way for new ideasand fresh ways of thinking.

We’re a trusted resource and partner around theworld because we’re invested in you: your people,your networks, your success. It inspires us to buildrelationships and infrastructure… connect peopleand technologies across protocols, oceans, andtime zones… and share what we learn along theway. We’ll never stop connecting and evolvingnetworks for the business of life at home, at work,and on the go.

This is our promise to you.This is CommScope.

www.commscope.comVisit our website or contact your local CommScope representative for more information.

© 2013 CommScope, Inc. All rights reserved.

All trademarks identified by ® or ™ are registered trademarks or trademarks, respectively, of CommScope, Inc. This document is for planning purposes only and is not intended to modify or supplement any specifications or warranties relating to CommScope products or services.

Bulletin BR-101136.9-EN (09/13)