Westell Technologies, Inc., was incorporated in Delaware in 1980 and is headquartered
at 750 North Commons Drive, Aurora, Illinois 60504. The Company is a leading
provider of high-performance wireless infrastructure solutions focused on innovation
and differentiation at the edge of communication networks where end users connect.
The Company’s portfolio of products and solutions enable service providers
and network operators to improve performance and reduce operating expenses.
With millions of products successfully deployed worldwide, the Company is a
trusted partner for transforming networks into high-quality reliable systems.
In-Building Wireless (IBW)
IBW solutions, including DAS and small cell installations, have increased dramatically
in the last decade, driven by the trend where more and more mobile communication
use is taking place indoors. Recent studies show that over 80% of all mobile
communication now either originates or terminates from within buildings. More
people are using mobile devices and data-intensive services in areas such as
stadiums, arenas, malls, universities, hospitals, airports, resorts, convention
centers, office buildings, and other indoor areas not served well or at all
by the existing "macro" outdoor cellular network. As end-user bandwidth
demands continue to increase, the greater the demand for reliable networks that
can manage the increased coverage and capacity requirements.
In addition to the increase in commercial use of mobile devices indoors, demand
is also increasing for in-building wireless coverage for the public safety sector.
First responders, such as firefighters, police and other law enforcement officers,
and emergency medical service (EMS) personnel, are also in need of more modern
high-bandwidth mobile communication capabilities beyond the traditional two-way
land mobile radios (LMRs). More and more local municipalities with jurisdiction
to define in-building public safety coverage are requiring public safety mobile
communication coverage in buildings. Additionally, at the federal level, the
First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) radio spectrum was recently awarded
to AT&T to build-out the first nationwide broadband public safety network,
which can carry high-speed data, location information, images, etc.
Our IBW solutions include:
•DAS Conditioners (Commercial Market) - These units attenuate the high-powered
radio frequency (RF) source from base transceiver system (BTS) to lower-powered
RF required for the DAS. We offer both passive and active DAS conditioners,
both of which can accommodate the majority of North American wireless service
providers frequency bands, with numerous port configuration options. Our active
DAS conditioner, the Universal DAS Interface Unit (UDIT), is also a remotely
manageable, high density, space saving unit with additional advanced features
like spectrum analysis and tone generators to help test and analyze RF signal
measurement data.
•Repeaters (Commercial Market) - These units provide a means to amplify
and appropriately filter the RF signal from a cell site, providing the additional
power and improved signal to noise performance necessary to optimize wireless
service seamlessly throughout a building or structure.
•Repeaters (Public Safety Market) - For the past two years, we have also
been offering repeaters specifically for the public safety market. While these
products perform essentially the same function as commercial repeaters, they
are dedicated only to public safety frequency bands that are distinct from commercial
service, and meet the strict National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) regulatory
requirements.
•Battery Backup Unit (Public Safety Market) - During fiscal year 2018,
we introduced our NFPA-compliant battery backup unit. NFPA requires up to twenty-four
hours of battery backup for public safety equipment, such as repeaters. Broadening
our product portfolio is an important step toward our goal of offering a comprehensive
solution for the in-building public safety market.
•Passive System Components and Antennas (Commercial and Public Safety
Markets) - We offer a variety of passive system components (couplers, duplexers,
splitters, filters, and tappers) for use in both commercial and public safety
in-building wireless systems to direct and condition energy flow for specific
frequency bands. We also offer a broad line of donor and coverage antennas to
support in-building wireless communication.
Intelligent Site Management and Services (ISMS)
Communication service providers and cell tower operators were initially focused
on network coverage, then priority shifted to network availability and capacity
continues to be a primary concern. With the continual requirements to managing
faster speeds and higher capacity, more intelligence continues to be moving
to the network edge (e.g., cell sites and in-building systems). This has increased
the importance of the edge support infrastructure, such as environmental controls,
power systems, and security.
Our ISMS solutions provide M2M communication, enabling operators to remotely
monitor, manage, and control critical infrastructure and ensure the continued
health and success of the network. The four important areas of focus include:
•Environmental management: heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
(HVAC) monitoring/energy monitoring/control, environmental monitoring, and aircraft
warning light (AWL) management.
•Power management: AC and DC power monitoring, AWL management, battery
monitoring, fuel monitoring, generator management, hybrid power management,
rectifier monitoring, and tenant power monitoring.
•Security management: access management, asset tampering, and surveillance
management.
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Communications management: microwave, DAS, and small cell management.
Our ISMS solution features the Westell Remote suite of products and the Optima
management system for a complete view and understanding of site assets remotely
(i.e., without a site visit). This enables the ability to more cost-effectively
monitor, troubleshoot, and correct problems with network infrastructure before
service affecting outages occur.
Our solutions reduce network operating costs; improve network performance, including
quality, reliability, and availability; and improve site security.
Communication Network Solutions (CNS)
Building a communications network that can sustain harsh environmental conditions,
while providing the required reliability to keep customers happy, can be a challenge,
especially while trying to minimize costs. Whether it’s an industrial,
utility, transportation, or telecommunications network, the connections between
devices must effectively, efficiently, and safely carry and process signals
throughout the infrastructure (cables, racks, enclosures, power distribution,
etc.) while providing remote management capabilities.
Our CNS segment provides a comprehensive range of solutions to connect nearly
any outdoor building or facility, including:
•Integrated Cabinets - Includes outdoor cabinets for sheltering and protecting
equipment and maintaining proper operating temperature, enclosures for protecting
equipment, and a “one-stop shop” for complete turnkey solutions
of customer-specified equipment integrated and installed in the Company’s
cabinet.
•Power Distribution Panels - Includes temperature-hardened fuse panels
and breaker panels for installation in equipment racks to connect up to bulk
power circuits and distribute power to other equipment via individual power
feeds.
•Copper/Fiber Network Connectivity - A flexible portfolio of standard
relay rack mount panels and wall mount enclosures for Ethernet, fiber, or coax
cables to facilitate easy and simple splicing, terminations, or handoffs.
•T1 NIUs - Includes network interface devices with performance monitoring
features, line repeaters, and protection panels.
•TMAs - outdoor hardened units mounted on cell towers, enabling wireless
service providers to optimize the overall performance of a cell site, including
increasing data throughput and reducing dropped connections.
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