NOKIA CORPORATION, NETWORKS
THE NOKIA FLEXI WCDMA BASE STATION
FOR 3G MOBILE PHONE NETWORKS
Design: Tuomas Nylén, Design Management Jussi Tuurnala 2006
A modularly assembled base station is a flexible solution. Owing to design and developed technology, the moduls can be carried by one person and are easy to transport and install.
The base station operates as a transmitter-receiver unit in a mobile phone network system. The traditional base station is a large metal closet containing a variety of technology related to data communication and the cooling of the equipment. The closet design requires space and it is heavy and difficult to transport to places where base stations are usually constructed – the roofs, attics and basements of buildings in cities and at the foot of base-station masts in the countryside.
Nokia studied the base station concept particularly from the perspective of the operator-client and developed a solution for 3G networks that can be assembled from modules. The new base station type is aimed at places were new mobile phone networks are under construction or old ones are being updated. The weatherproof modules can be installed both outdoors and indoors, on floors, walls or in the terrain. Only two modules are needed for the smallest base-station assembly.
The elements can be carried by one person and they are easy, fast and cheap to transport and install. Neither do the modules require expensive external structures in their locations, such as air-conditioned equipment space. This spells savings in the costs of establishing and using base stations. The product itself requires less material and in use the module consumes up to 60% less energy than before – all of which points to Nokia’s commitment to sustainable development.
Industrial design was part of the development process of the product beginning with the first concept-level sketches. The design and planning of the module took into account different installation locations and situations of use. Although technology and industry standards had great effect on the structure and appearance of the product, the elements became restrained and well finished, and suited to many kinds of settings.
The visual load on the installation environment has been reduced for example with neutral colours and by arranging intra-modular cabling internally with lead-throughs. The cabling control of the products and its installation and maintenance properties were important aspects of the usability design and testing throughout the product-development process.
Nokia is convinced of the advantages of this product in relation to competitors. This flexible and cost-efficient solution is expected to become one of the flagship products of Nokia’s network operations.
Nokia Corporation, Networks
Keilalahdentie 2–4, FI-00045 Nokia Group
Tel. +358 (0)7180 08000
Fax +358 (0)7180 38200
www.nokia.com
Hannu Ketola, Tuomas Nylén