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Deploying a Network with CBRS: A Guide
The Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) is a new 150 MHz spectrum band (band 48) in the United States that has been made available for commercial use. It operates between 3.55 GHz and 3.7 GHz, and is designed to provide a middle ground between licensed and unlicensed spectrum bands.
CBRS will be shared among three tiers of users :
- Incumbent Users (e.g. the Navy)
- Priority Access Licensees (e.g. private organizations)
- General Authorized Access (e.g. unlicensed users)
In this article, we will discuss the process of deploying a network with CBRS.
Step 1: Obtain a Spectrum Access System (SAS) Administrator Account
To deploy a network with CBRS, you will need to obtain a Spectrum Access System (SAS) administrator account. The SAS is a cloud-based system that manages the use of the CBRS spectrum, and it ensures that all users of the spectrum are operating within the rules and regulations set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
There are several SAS providers that are approved by the FCC, including Google, Federated Wireless, and CommScope. You can choose any of these providers to obtain your SAS administrator account.
Step 2: Acquire CBRS Radios
After obtaining your SAS administrator account, you will need to acquire CBRS radios that are specifically designed to operate on the CBRS spectrum, and they must be certified by the FCC.
Antennas or antenna arrays that support CBRS are called Citizens Broadband Radio Service Devices (CBSD).
There are several CBRS radio manufacturers, including Cambium Networks, Ruckus Networks, and Nokia. You can choose any of these manufacturers to obtain your CBRS radios.
Step 3: Plan Your Network and Install CBSDs
Before deploying your network, you will need to plan it out i.e. decide on the location of your CBRS radios and the area you want to cover. You will also need to consider factors such as the terrain and any obstacles that may interfere with the signal.
