CEL-FI QUATRA 4000c User manual

QUATRA 4000c Installation and User Guide
M/N: Q44-1M34NCU
Table of Contents
01. Introduction to QUATRA 4000c
02. Regulatory // Model Number: Cel-Fi QUATRA 4000c
03. System Overview
04. Hardware Components
05. The WAVE Portal
06. Installation
07. LEDs
08. Diagnostics and Testing
09. Antenna Kitting
10. Advanced Information - Antennas and QUATRA 4000c
11. Specifications
12. Trademarks
13. Warranty and Limitation of Liability
14. Compliance
15. Glossary
16. Troubleshooting

About This Guide
There are a variety of Cel-Fi QUATRA product variants available, supporting a variety of band configurations,
for multiple regions. This manual is applicable to the Cel-Fi QUATRA 4000c M/N: Q44-1M34NCU ONLY,
and does not apply to any other QUATRA variants.
Safety Precautions
Use Cel-Fi QUATRA 4000c indoors. It should not be used outdoors.
These products are designed to be used with the internal power supply unit that shipped with the Network
Unit. When installing the equipment, all the requirements of the manufacturer and the referenced standards
must be met.
There are no user serviceable parts inside.
Caution: Changes or modifications to this product not expressly approved by Nextivity may void your right to
operate the equipment.
01. Introduction to QUATRA 4000c
Understanding Cellular Coverage
Spotty cellular coverage, poor voice quality, dropped calls, and dead zones continue to plague occupants in
buildings of all shapes and sizes. Nextivity’s Cel-Fi QUATRA solves that problem. It is an affordable, all-
digital solution, providing uniform, high-quality cellular signals throughout a building. Cel-Fi QUATRA is
scalable to fit buildings of all sizes and is carrier approved and guaranteed network safe.
Unlike traditional analog boosters and passive DAS technology, QUATRA delivers a cellular signal that is up
to 1000x stronger, utilizing CAT 5e (or better) cabling for the connection between the head end and each
remote. The remotes are powered via Power over Ethernet (PoE), delivering an un-attenuated signal throughout
the building. Cel-Fi QUATRA can be installed in just days (compared to months typical of other solutions), and
at a price point that meets the middleprise budget.
The QUATRA Solution

While cellular networks are outside, the majority of calls take place inside. A recent study showed 80% of
business users inside complain of poor coverage or dropped calls. Modern building materials, while improving
energy efficiency, will block or inhibit cellular service from the outside network. To exacerbate the issue,
cellular coverage is increasingly critical. In fact, cellular coverage can be considered a safety or even regulatory
requirement, depending on the region. Building owners need a flexible, high-quality solution. Installers and
Value-Added Resellers need a product that can serve the majority of building types and not take months to
deploy.
Nextivity created a new Cel-Fi solution category that combines its core technology with the architecture of
an Active DAS –to deliver an Active DAS Hybrid –carrier-grade but built for Installers.
Integrators and Carriers have partnered with Nextivity to deliver a smart solution designed for middleprise
buildings - Cel-Fi QUATRA solutions.
Nextivity provides the QUATRA BOM Estimator to help installers select the appropriate equipment in the
right quantity, to eliminate the heavy cost/time of the (pre) planning effort.
Cel-Fi’s all-digital, scalable, PoE Category cable-based solution makes it ideal for Single or Multi-Carrier
environments.
Speed of Installation, higher quality in-building cellular solutions, and cost savings –are some of the reasons
building owners, facility managers, and IT professionals are making the smart investment in Cel-Fi QUATRA
solutions.
Comment About FCC Certification
QUATRA 4000c Model Number Q44-1M34NCU supports Part 20 cellular bands.
Cel-Fi QUATRA 4000c Model Number Q44-1M34NCU
The QUATRA 4000c is FCC Part 20 certified for the following bands: 2, 4, 5, 12, 13 and 25
A Solution Anyone Can Confidently Deploy
Cel-Fi QUATRA is designed to improve indoor signal coverage without any risk of interference on the mobile
network. Cel-Fi QUATRA provides a sophisticated network-safe solution that has been rigorously tested
globally, through multiple generations, engineered to deliver multiple levels of network protection:
Uplink power control to prevent desensitizing the network
Echo-cancellation and feedback control to prevent oscillation of the system
Uplink muting, when handsets (UE) are not detected
Signal qualification (channels are individually qualified, so noise or very poor signals won’t be amplified
and degrade the network)
The Cel-Fi WAVE Platform cloud-based portal enables an operator to monitor equipment and network
KPI’s, such as channel configurations, RSRP, RSCP, SINR, and system gains, providing control and
optimization insight.

02. Regulatory // Model Number: Cel-Fi QUATRA
4000c M/N: Q44-1M34NCU 
FCC Part 20 Certified
The QUATRA 4000c is FCC Part 20 certified for the following bands.
AT&T
12 & 5
12 & 25
12 & 4
12 & 2
T-Mobile
25 & 4
25 & 12
4 & 12
2 & 4
2 & 12
Verizon
13 & 25
13 & 4
13 & 2
* The above is subject to change with FCC regulatory changes
03. System Overview
How Does It Work?
Cel-Fi QUATRA 4000c is a powerful cellular signal distribution solution. Cel-Fi QUATRA 4000c is
fundamentally comprised of a Network Unit (NU) and up to six (6) Coverage Units (per NU). The Network
Unit takes the donor input from up to four (4) carrier donor signal sources. The signal source can be off-air
(over-the-air (OTA)) from the macro network or delivered via a small cell or PVT (Private CBRS network).
The NU receives and individually processes channels from each carrier, allowing a higher gain for weaker
channels (up to 100 dB). The channels are digitized and sent over a pair of Ethernet cables to each CU for
retransmission through one or more service antennas.

The system may also be used with one QUATRA 4000 FIBER HUB, which functions much like an NU with up
to six (6) additional CUs. The HUB is connected to the NU with up to 2km of optical fiber cable and SFP+
Modules (sold separately), and it uses donor signals from the connected NU.
Architecture Overview

Real World Examples
1. Off Air Install, 75K ft2building
In this example, Cel-Fi QUATRA is providing wireless coverage for three cellular carriers and one optional
CBRS private wireless network in a six story 75,000 ft2building. Individual LPDA antennas are located on the
top of the building to ensure the best signal-to-noise ratio for all cellular carriers, and the enabled CBRS port on
the NU is connected to a PVT signal source. A Coverage Unit is placed on each floor, and a distributed antenna
system (DAS) field is run out from each CU to provide great coverage.
2. Supercell Install, 300K ft2building
This building did not have adequate donor signals for the carriers, so small cells were chosen as the signal
sources. The system is comprised of four (4) QUATRA 4000c systems served with one small cell from each
service operator. The small cell signals are split and input to each QUATRA 4000c NU. From the QUATRA
4000c NU the signals are distributed to CUs on each floor and then horizontally to a DAS field, providing
coverage to the building.

3. Hybrid Install, Off-Air + Small Cell
In this example, the building site has excellent (exterior) network service for two cellular carriers, but the other
carrier outside signals are very poor. The System Integrator has decided to use a hybrid approach, taking off-air
signals from the two carriers with good service and implementing a small cell for the remaining carrier plus a
PVT CBRS signal source.
PVT
CBRS

Cel-Fi QUATRA 4000c Key Features
Carrier Grade, FCC-certified Smart Signal Booster
Support for AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and CBRS
Relays two (2) bands per operator, and one (1) CBRS channel
Independent donor ports for each operator allows for independent antenna optimization
Single combined (CU) server port enables driving either a serving antenna or passive DAS field
100 dB max system gain
140MHz total relay bandwidth
Support for up to six (6) CUs (twelve with a HUB)
PVT
CBRS

N-type RF connectors (donor and server)
Internal modem for remote management (SIM slot access)
Industrial aluminum powder-coated housing
Up to 100m cable distance between NU and CU (using Cat5e), or 150m using 22/23AWG CAT6/7
QUATRA Range Extender (QRE) doubles CU cable length (up to 300m)
20-22 dBm uplink power per operator per band
16 dBm downlink power per cellular channel, and 20 dBm for CBRS.
Cel-Fi QUATRA 4000c Service Agreement
Every NU will be bundled with a 1-year product Service Agreement
The Service Agreement may be renewed on an annual basis
The Service Agreement includes a 1-year SIM service plan, if you chose to use the internal modem for your
WAVE Portal connection.
Upon request once the system installation is complete, Nextivity will review key system KPI's and provide
feedback on the installation.
Nextivity will monitor systems for any alarms and perform Level 1 remote troubleshooting for each alarm.
Learn more about our Service Agreement.
04. Hardware Components
Cel-Fi QUATRA 4000c is a modular solution with two (2) foundational components: the Network Unit (NU)
and the Coverage Unit (CU). In traditional DAS terminology, these could be known as the Head End (NU) and
the Remote Unit (CU).
Power is provided to the entire system through AC power at the NU. The CUs are powered via Power over
Ethernet (PoE), and therefore do not require a separate power source at their location. Signal source is brought
into the system at the NU, via a wired connection, like a small cell, or through a donor antenna and an RF
connection.

Network Unit (NU)
The Network Unit, referred to as the NU, is the head end for the QUATRA 4000c system. The signal sources
(one for each port/carrier) are connected to the NU. Then they are digitized and distributed over two Category
“Ethernet” cables to the Coverage Units (CU).
QUATRA 4000c Network Unit

Note: Only cellular signals may be connected to the donor ports. Other types of radio signals will not work, and
may damage the system.
The NU has four (4) N-type RF ports on the top. Each RF port is assigned, and marked, to a specific carrier.
There are two (2) SMA-female ports on the top of the NU. One functions as the external antenna connection for
the unit’s internal cellular modem, and the other is for GPS. (The GPS port is for future functionality)
Power
AC Power Supply (inside the NU)
AC power cord
Physical Interface
RJ45 ports (13)
Twelve RJ45 ports (2 for each of the 6 CUs)
One LAN port for remote management
SFP+ module dock (for use with a Fiber HUB)
N-type Female RF Ports (4) for Donor Antennas
One for each carrier
SMA ports (2 for the internal LTE modem)
User Interface
LED interface (front) to indicate system status. (For detail on the LED go to LEDs.)
Power
CU1
CU2
CU3
CU4
CU5
CU6
SFP+
LAN
MODEM
Power Supply Cable
Coverage Unit (CU)
The Coverage Unit (CU) receives the digitized cellular signal from the NU, converts back to RF, amplifies, and
distributes the service from its RF port. Service can be deployed through a single connected antenna, or through
a DAS field.

QUATRA 4000c Coverage Unit
Accessories
QUATRA 4000 FIBER HUB
Model Number: Q40-1234FNU
The HUB functions much like an NU, except it does not have donor antenna ports. It connects to an NU over
optical fiber cable (up to 2km) using SFP+ modules, and it adds up to six more CUs to an NU (twelve CUs
total). Please note that the QUATRA 4000 HUB works with the Q4000, 4000i, and 4000c models.
QUATRA 4000 FIBER HUB

QUATRA 4000 Range Extender and Fiber Range Extender
The QUATRA Range Extender (QRE) unit is a device that extends the standard 100 meter Ethernet cable
length from NU to CU up to 200 meters with Cat5e, or up to 300m if CAT6/7, 23AWG cable is used. It is
inserted in-line between the NU and CU, and requires no external power. The RJ45 connectors are on each side
(two per side). Traditional Ethernet extenders will not work with QUATRA.
The QUATRA Fiber Range Extender (fQRE) system is a similar pair of devices that convert QUATRA 4000
specific signaling to optical fiber and then back to Ethernet for up to an additional 2km of CU cable length.
Please note that the QUATRA 4000 QRE and fQRE both work with the Q4000, 4000i, and 4000c models.

Donor Antennas
The donor antennas are used to provide off-air signals to individual carrier donor input ports. The objective is to
provide the best quality carrier signals to the NU. A variety of donor antennas are available from Nextivity. The
right donor antenna choice can make the difference between a good outcome and a great outcome. Please refer
to other antenna-specific documents for choosing the right donor antenna.
Cel-Fi LPDA-R Antenna
Model Number: A62-V44-201
Cel-Fi LPDA-R Antenna

Nextivity recommends its LPDA-R antenna for use as a great donor antenna for most situations. Learn more
about our Antenna options.
Server Antenna
The server antenna connects to the RF port on the CU.
Server Antenna port
A variety of Server antennas are available from Nextivity. Visit the Antenna Product page for details and
updates.
Couplers
RF couplers or tappers may be used with Coverage Units when multiple service antennas are desired. Careful
system design should be implemented to insure sufficient power levels into all antennas.
The WAVE Portal

Introduction
The WAVE Portal is Nextivity’s SOC2 Type 1 compliant cloud-based software platform from which Cel-Fi
apps and connected devices are hosted and driven. Current-generation Cel-Fi products feature embedded
connectivity that allows them to connect to the WAVE cloud. The WAVE portal and apps are used to facilitate
software updates, registration, commissioning, installation, optimization, and troubleshooting. The Cel-Fi
WAVE platform continues to expand in features and function.
In order to use the WAVE portal and related capabilities, you must be registered with the system.
Request access to the WAVE Portal
Login to the WAVE Portal
The portal constantly monitors your systems and tells you how to resolve alarms or improve performance with
explicit guidance, all from your smartphone or computer browser. See Cel-Fi training modules for easy to
understand video and slide tutorials.
Connecting your 4000c to the WAVE Portal
There are two ways to connect the NU to the cloud. With either method, you should see your system on the
portal by its NU serial number once it is connected using either method below, and powered on.

If you do not see your NU on the portal (New Systems page or Systems page), then you need to register it with
your portal login account. Click on the portal Access tab (lower left portal screen), and select the Request
Access option under the upper right screen Options menu. Input the NU serial number and the SKU from the
NU carton label, and access is immediately granted. If the NU carton has been discarded, contact your point of
sale or Nextivity Support to obtain access.
LAN Connection Method:
The first method is by connecting a LAN Ethernet cable to the LAN port on the NU, and setting the LAN
firewall settings as described in the settings guide. The LAN LED should be solid green, or blinking green to
indicate traffic. You may also test the firewall settings using the WAVE Field Tool Windows program.
Learn More about LAN Firewall Settings
WAVE Field Tool
MODEM Connection Method:
The second method is to use the preconfigured LTE modem that is built into the NU (this requires that no
Ethernet cable is connected to the NU LAN port).
Screw on the provided SMA cellular antenna onto the CELL modem port located on the top center of the NU,
or use a coupler to tap into the RF of a donor port cable. Note that the GPS port is currently unused and no GPS
antenna is required.
Next, find the pre-provisioned SIM card that came with the NU and carefully insert it in the SIM card slot next
to the CELL SMA antenna port. Your SIM card may have been factory inserted (if so you will see the SIM card
in the slot). Damage may result if the card is pressed into the slot with excessive force.
In this modem mode, the LAN LED should of OFF and the MODEM LED should blink Green-red to indicate
normal operation.
Alarms, Alerts, and Policies

Cel-Fi systems support a variety of standard alarm conditions. Policies are your own account lists of alarms,
alarm severities, and whether you want them displayed on the portal (console), or emailed or texted to
individuals or groups. Each new user (company) is given a “Default Policy” with the basic alarms already in it.
You may edit this policy as you please, or create new policies. For example, you may want different policies for
different regions. It is the responsibility of policy holders to add new alarms that may be introduced with new
products. It is recommended that all of your policies have all possible alarms, so they can properly report alarms
for all products where alarm options may differ.
Current alarms and the last 100 alarms history are displayed on the Systems page for each installed system. For
a universal alarms page of all alarms across all systems you have access to, please refer to the Notifications tab.
For information on how to resolve any alarm, simply select the alarm notification in the Alarm History window.
Below is a non-exhaustive list of basic alarm categories.
Main Alarms
Category
Description
Meaning
HW Error
NU/CU Hardware Error
Self-Test Failed
HW Error
NU/CU Overheating
Unit overheating
Donor signal
Donor too weak
Donor signal too weak to be detected
Donor signal
Donor too strong
Donor signal too strong
Donor signal
Small Cell not Detected
Small Cell not detected in Small Cell Mode
Donor signal
Antenna Positioning Req.
Donor antenna aiming should be performed
CU Cable error
CU# Link Lost
The cable to CU# is disconnected
CU Cable error
Ethernet link error on CU#
The data to CU# exhibits data interference or is weak
System/Unit Shutdown
Manual unit shutdown
A reminder that a unit has been manually shut down
WAVE Portal
System Not Online
The portal can no longer see the system
Location Lock
The system has been moved
A system has been moved and should be reregistered
PS Alarms
Public Safety FACP Alarms
Standard Fire Alarm Control Panel alarms
PS Alarms
Public Safety Sys Alarms
Additional QUATRA detail alarms
Other Misc. alarms
User Profiles
User profiles are created in the Wave Portal. User Profile is where individual account information is stored, as
well as any Group assignments.

Installation
Important: Before any permanent installation, make sure all the components are planned and accounted for, as
well as any wiring, cabling, power, mounting, antenna placements, and system access.
Overview
Several things need to be determined as part of installation planning and preparation.
Perform indoor and outdoor signal surveys to understand current signal problems and to assess candidate
donor antenna locations (the Nextivity COMPASS signal survey tool is purpose-built for survey activities)
Determine where the NU(s) will be mounted
Ensure an adequate power source (outlet)
Determine donor signal sources and cabling/routing
Determine CU cabling/routing pathways (Low-voltage/Ethernet routing rules)
Determine where the CU(s) will be mounted and how coverage is to be distributed
Determine if the (included) Mini Panel Antenna will be used or a DAS field, for each CU
If coaxial cable and antennas are planned for use then that should be considered at this point
Note: For signal surveys, or to find candidate locations for donor antennas, we recommend Nextivity’s
COMPASS XR tool. Ask your distributor for more information or visit us at www.cel-fi.com
Note: IBWAVE or the Nextivity’s BOM Estimator design tool (or other RF planning tools) are not required but
are a good way to ensure the best performance outcomes. iBwave vex and template files may be found on the
Nextivity product pages.
BOM Estimator Tool
Installing the NU
Mounting
The Cel-Fi QUATRA NU is designed for simple wall mounting, typically in an IT room with coaxial cable
access to donor antennas that are installed on the roof, or any other exterior location with a quality donor signal
from each cellular operator. The location should also have an available electrical outlet within reach of the
supplied power cord.
Mounting accessories, including screws and anchors, for common material types (drywall, plywood, etc) are
included with each NU.
Equipment Required for Mounting

Drill
Drill bit extender (3”+)
Hammer
Pencil, or other similar marker
Level
Caution: Make sure the area behind any surface is free of electrical wires or other dangerous elements prior to
drilling.
The QUATRA 4000c NU has four (4) secure mounting tabs, two on each side. The two topmost tabs have been
keyholed.
Note: The Mounting Instructions below use the standard drywall mounting anchors and screws included with
the unit. If the NU is to be mounted onto other surfaces, make sure the appropriate anchors and screws are used
(not included).
1. To mount the NU, first determine the approximate location on the wall for the unit.
2. Hold the unit up on the wall and, using a pencil or similar marker, mark one of the top (right or left) points.
3. Drill the holes for the anchors.