Nexus 16

NEXUS 16 will be the first of its type to deliver a self-deployable communications platform with industry-leading specifications.

Introducing Nexus 16

The Nexus 16 is a 20ft container sized, technology-agnostic platform that supports a walk-in equipment room, batteries, solar arrays and generators along with a 16m folding tower.

Able to be transported to site on any truck that can take a standard 20ft container, the Nexis 16 can unload itself, adapt to sloping or uneven ground and then deploy 16m cyclone rated tower. - All within 30 minutes.

Enhanced Safety

Our Nexus 16 rapidly deployable towers are self-unloading, mechanically locked and low voltage, DC powered eliminating the need for cranage, tower riggers and electricians.

Increased Efficiency

Finally, a solution that delivers high capacity (LTE) level communications to where and when you need it. Powerful and fully redundant support for your life, mission or business critical applications.

Cost Savings

Nexus 16 Self Deploying Communications Platforms can support almost any equipment payload and can be unloaded and operating in under 30 minutes. No groundwork or trained operators needed.

Reducing Environmental Impact

With no need to level the ground or place concrete, the N16 has a feather like touch on the environment. Featuring 4.8kW of solar panels to power the payload there is minimal diesel or site access required.

Unique screw lifting system in the Nexus 16.

Hydraulic systems within the Nexus 16 system.

How The Nexus 16 Works

Powered by cutting-edge PLC technology, the Nexus 16 self-deploying platform has been designed form the ground up to be completely autonomous in deployment and operation.

All critical systems are duplicated resulting in an infrastructure asset that can be relied upon in the harshest of environments.

The advanced autonomous systems allow the N16 to be deployed and set to operate by a single operator with minimal training.

Nexus 16 brochure »

Step 01

Transportation

The Nexus 16 complies with the dimensions of an in-gauge 20 foot high-cube container complete with all 8 container locks.

At an operating weight of 9.6T, Nexus can be lifted, stored and transported by any asset that can handle sea containers.

Step 02

Unloading

Once the Nexus 16 has arrived on your site, a single button press on the wireless controller will power up the hydraulics and the NX16 will automatically lift itself off the transporting truck and place itself down on the ground. From ground level, work can be done in the equipment room or on the tower minimising safety concerns.

Step 03

Stabilisation

After any checks or changes are completed, a further button press will cause the 4 double jointed legs to extend and automatically level and stabilise the platform. Uneven ground and slopes of +/-10 degrees can be accommodated be the autonomous leveling algorithm.

Step 04

Power

Once the NX16 is level and stable, the solar array will deploy automatically. The resulting 4.8kW of panels can support a 800W equipment load almost indefinitely and loads up to 1.2kW for a year between generator refills. Loads up to 7kW can be supported with additional diesel usage and even more with power upgrades.

Step 05

Expansion

Tower lift comes next and like all other tasks, is a 1 button deploy. Driven by a locking lead screw in the base, the scissor-based tower will lift to a full height of 16 meters. Supporting large payloads weighing up to 250kG in 100km/h winds with compete stability and safety.

Electrically driven and self-aligning antenna mounts completes the installation by locking onto the coordinates of far end microwave radio systems.

Step 06

Built-in Reliability & Safety

The heavily researched and patented 16-meter tower is driven at the base by a lead screw which must be driven to raise or lower the tower thereby eliminating safety issues that plague stored energy systems using pneumatics or hydraulics.

In addition to the vastly improved safety case, the screw drive and completely mechanical construction of the tower translates to many years of reliable operation in the world's most demanding environments.

Specifications

Background

All industries, Government, Military and society are dependent on communications and power systems to provide critical services, protect lives and improve operating efficiencies. Communications infrastructure has become a critical enabler for all.

Battery technology has likewise seen a step change in importance with Lithium derivatives dominating the market and the press as the world pushes for high capacity, cleaner and more portable power.

Design Goals

The need for high capacity, rapidly deployable technology platforms extend across most of Resource sectors Defence and Emergency Services operations.

CiTech with its NEXUS 16 will be the first of its type to deliver a self-deployable communications platform with the following specifications:

Safe, rapid container-like transport, deployment and recovery.
Hardened to withstand extreme environments (Mining dust, lighting, cyclonic rain and wind).
Fully redundant systems, very high fault tolerance, self-diagnosis and status reporting.
Safely serviced by semi-skilled operators with very high safety ratings (Entire product is powered by safe, low voltage DC).
Supports wide range of equipment payloads at heights of 16 meters above ground and to 250kg in mass.
Autonomous operation and remote monitoring.
Leader in its class in tower height and strength.
Can be fully solar powered for up to a year (depending on equipment load).

Specifications

New category – Self-Deploying Communications Skid (NEXUS 16) – Critical Performance Metrics

The NEXUS 16 has been specifically designed to resolve the failures and operational limitations of existing products in delivering rapidly deployable, high-capacity network infrastructure.

Performance Summary

The NEXUS 16 power system has been dimensioned to provide a 1200W payload with reliable power all year round in the most hostile of environments. The PV array will be the primary source of energy with DC diesel generators (2 of) as backup or called in during times of abnormal loads (Tactical need to add substantially more equipment).

The active systems do not have a common point of failure. Passive systems like cabling and distribution are designed as N+0 where the MTBF is sufficiently long enough so that the complexities of redundant systems and changeover result in a less reliable system overall.

Overall dimensions: 6 x 2.4 x 2.8M
Comments: Meets 20ft (high cube) container specifications
Dry weight: 9.6T
Comments: Can be transported with full fuel load (1T)
Antenna Height: 16.5m
Comments: Fully mechanical base driven scissor-based design.
Antenna Capacity: 250kg
Comments: Suitable for large antenna (Radar or Comms)
Operation Wind limits – (600mm microwave link): 28m/s
Comments: The point when mast deflection will affect microwave performance (1.5 deg)
Survival wind Limits: 35m/s
Comments: Possible non-elastic deflection
Solar Power: 4.8kW
Comments: Redundant strings and controllers
Generator Power: 2 x 4kW
Comments: Redundant configuration
Generator fuel capacity: 2 x 500L
Comments: Redundant configuration
Battery Capacity: Up to 130kWh
Comments: Upgradable to 216kWh
Payload Equipment Capacity: 60RU
Comments: 2 x 800 x 800 + 1/2 x 600 × 600 rack
Battery autonomy @ 1kW load: 4 Days
Comments: Assumes no solar or generator power available
Climate controlled (A/con): 2 x DC powered
Comments: Redundant configuration
Hydraulic pumps: 2 x DC powered
Comments: Redundant configuration

Strength and Flexibility

Tower Strength and Capacity

Rapid Deployment and Operation

Hydraulic legs coupled to a machine learning control system allow the NEXUS 16 to lift itself off a truck and lower itself back onto the ground – fully automatically. Once safely on the ground, the system can then extend its legs out to form a very wide support base for maximum stability and then self-level.

This means that it can be deployed and be operating pretty much anywhere an off-road truck can access.

These features are all critical to Defence and Emergency Services.

Fundamental Improvements in Operator Safety

There are many safety innovations built into the NEXUS 16 however there are 3 critical innovations that solve major safety issues with current technologies:

The NEXUS 16 is carried by a standard truck and will self-unload remotely from a safe distance – Reducing the risk of towing accidents and rollovers.
Maintenance access to the radio antennas is via two walkways. – No climbing towers or hanging over narrow platforms trying to work on antennas.
Fully mechanical tower design. Not reliant on pneumatics or hydraulics to keep the load suspended. The tower is driven up and the tower is driven down by the lead screw.

Power Autonomy

High-capacity solar arrays provide power autonomy.

The folding 5kW solar panel array can power a healthy 800W equipment load without calling in the backup diesel generators. With heavy equipment loads (1.2kW) the onboard diesel storage and long service interval generators can run up to a year without refuelling.

Note: Maximum power available for payload equipment is over 7kW. The only impact is more diesel consumed.

Feather Light Touch on the Ground

Sealed and Shock Mounted Equipment Room

Book A Presentation

Want to see the Nexus 16 rapidly deployable system in person?

Based in Fremantle, Western Australia, our experienced team will happily organise a demonstration to showcase the capabilities of Nexus 16 and what sets it apart from previous portable communication tower infrastructure.

Book Now