PiM PRO identifies the problems encountered in high capacity cell sites, which affect end user experience.

Dropped calls? Low data speeds? PIM may be the cause.

Cheltenham, UK, 5th July 2011 – Leading provider of wireless base station enhancement products, Communications Components Inc. (CCI), has now launched its PiMPro family of analyzers in EMEA, which enable mobile network operators (MNOs) to remove the adverse affects of Passive Intermodulation (PIM) – a form of interference - from their networks, and prevent it from damaging quality of service (QoS) and customer experience.

The PiMPro Analyzer family allows MNOs to address PIM in 2G/3G GSM/CDMA/UMTS/LTE networks by providing precise measurements that verify the integrity of any system or component under high-power conditions at the cell site. These elements include: connectors, cable assemblies, antennas, or filters. Designed for harsh field environments, the compact and portable PiMPro analyzers offer specifications, which include:

•Highest output power-to-weight ratio available - up to 40 Watts per tone

•Weight/size: sub-16kg, portable, TIA-approved carry-on case

•Easy-to-use, touch screen graphical interface

•Rugged, water-resistant, portable

•High accuracy and performance: -132 dBm PIM sensitivity at 40 Watts per tone;

•Internal and external data storage

•Software updates via USB port.

CCI’s Director in Europe, Peter Jackson, said, “Passive Intermodulation has become the new benchmark in determining the health of a cell site. It can result from a range of physical issues, including magnetic anomalies of certain metals, or poor metal-to-metal contact. With today’s mobile handset users expecting consistent high throughput from their devices, these demands are pushing current networks to their limit, and although upcoming 4G networks will meet the end-user expectations of the smartphone generation with increased mobile data rates, this, itself, will expose PIM vulnerabilities in the networks like never before.”

End users experience the effects of PIM in a variety of ways, including a loss of audio fidelity during conversations, decreased data speeds and, in extreme circumstances, dropped calls, or an inability to make or receive calls or use data services.

“In a future where MNOs will increasingly be sharing RF infrastructure at the cell site, an effective PIM management strategy will ensure this can take place without losses or compromise on performance – the result is a win-win of capex and opex savings for both the sharing networks.  MNOs will be able to prevent this interference from causing QoS issues on their networks, thereby delivering good customer experience and ensuring the continued loyalty of their subscribers in an unforgiving competitive arena,” Jackson concluded.

The PiMPro family of analyzers is available now for MNOs in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.