Radio 4490
Ericsson's pioneering 5G remote radio
The first in its 5G remote radio family, radio 4490 paves the way for better connectivity.
Compared to the previous remote radio product, 4490 uses 25% less energy consumption and weighs 25% less. Much of this is from power upgrades but also in the passive cooling design. I developed the heatsink along with thermal engineers to allow the wind intake from the back, and new to this product, from the sides as well, to be guided upwards for optimal cooling. The handle was also designed for lifting by two hands, with space for hoisting with a rope or hook in the centre. The feet, interface and branding were further focal points in the design as well.
PROCESS
To design the interface, there were a number of factors and technical restrictions at play. After many user tests with installers, the orientation and clarity of the graphics, as well as spacing in between inputs for cabling, went through several iterations and refinements. Weight must be considered in any added material, so the handle and foot components were kept to a minimum while still allowing for protection of the connectors and ease, and most of all speed, in installing the product.
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HIGH POWER VARIANTS
Another variant of the radio 4490 are HP, or 'High Power' models, built for larger capacity. Due to this, they are slightly heavier, a key addition to the product was the thermosiphon placed at the top of the heatsink. This is new and patented technology to allow for even stronger passive cooling, which is much needed in the radios that require more energy. With the techincal restrictions provided by the thermal engineers, I designed the look of the thermosiphon so that it would fit naturally into the product, and transition to the original heatsink design. The hexagonal mesh also was visually appealing as well as optimal for most air intake.
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