It's 8.00 a.m. in a rural region in Oberaargau. The mobile communication equipment in the middle of the hilly landscape receives a technical upgrade – the INFRABOX. It is installed in the base station. A central function is the measurement of the indoor and outdoor temperature. The INFRABOX uses the values to automatically and efficiently control the performance of the cooling and ventilation systems. This is necessary because the electrical components installed in the base station generate heat. If it gets too hot inside, there is a risk of heat-related failure of individual components.
The INFRABOX makes mobile communication systems intelligent
The new concept is sustainable and saves millions.
Regular maintenance of the technology is essential to ensure trouble-free network operation of a mobile communication system. Mobile communication masts are often located on the roofs of buildings, while others – as here in Oberaargau – are located in rural areas. If technical staff have to be on site, they also invest time, in addition to the actual installation work, to organise access to the building or to manage journeys. Once the INFRABOX has been installed, system data for the location can be called up, checked and adjusted remotely. This eliminates the need for some on-site work. This saves time, costs and protects the environment.
INFRABOX developer Chris Rüttimann from Swisscom says: "Thanks to INFRAVISTA, the software and the use of efficient ventilation and air conditioning systems, we have been able to reduce energy consumption at Swisscom per location by around 9 per cent. INFRAVISTA also helps us with automation issues and avoids unnecessary journeys by technical staff in the event of fault reports, among other things. Together, this helps our sustainability endeavours and saves us millions every year."
ource: INFRABOX developer Chris Rüttimann, Swisscom, in a Kickbox interview with Michael Hunkeler, Head of Intrapreneurship Swisscom Kickbox, 2022
How the development of the INFRABOX came about.
For some years now, cablex has been installing the "Remote Radio Unit" (see photo) on the masts for Swisscom and no longer in the base stations. This reduces the amount of heat generated in the containers. Since 2019, cablex has also been gradually replacing the cooling systems in the containers together with its air conditioning partners on behalf of Swisscom. This involves switching from air conditioning to ventilation wherever possible.
Compared to air conditioning units, ventilation systems have the advantage that they work without a compressor and coolant. This makes them more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. The improved structural measures have paved the way for the development and use of the INFRABOX. It is now using the advantages of the Internet of Things to increase the efficiency and sustainability of the locations.
