Walk in closets have always been a much coveted luxury, but at CommunicAsia in Singapore last week, end-to-end wireless coverage company, Powerwave Technologies, took the term to a whole new level with its Walk-In MicroFlex cabinet, a multi-purpose cell site enclosure which can be expanded and compressed at will.
The welded aluminum uni-frame, which looks a bit like a tiny nuclear shelter from the outside, is described by Powerwave as “weather-tight,” meaning it can protect its innards from wind, rain, hail, snow and even salt fog if necessary.
The doors and ceiling hatches of the cabinet are all water-tight and Powerwave says it has also added a “single-handle, pad lockable, six-point locking mechanism,” for extra protection and uniform sealing pressure.
Another rather nifty feature is that the cabinet also features an emergency ventilation system that automatically switches from AC power to DC cooling mode in the absence of utility power, so need for claustrophobic panic if you get locked in.
Probably most impressive of all, however, is the shape shifting nature of the cabinet which can be pulled out by maintenance workers who can then step inside to fix up any wireless infrastructure they need to – snugly sheltered from the elements – and then step outside and push the cabinet back in to half its size again. Hey Presto!
Apparently the cabinet is good for packing a plethora of wireless infrastructure components, power supplies, batteries, radios, and any Electronic Industries Association (EIA) 19-inch or 23-inch standard form factor equipment. Powerwave also says it’s handy for wireless operators who need to comply with the FCC mandate for eight hours of backup power.
“All power options ensure hydrogen safety with passive ventilation via a semi-permeable Teflon membrane,” boasts the press release.
RCR caught up with Powerwave at CommunicAsia to take a look at the Walk-In MicroFlex. See the video below:
Powerwave shows off a walk-in closet
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