Constellation system design and architecture
The Constellation™ infrastructure platform is a streamlined, modular and adaptable power/data solution specifically designed for today’s hyperconnected enterprise networks. It combines fault-managed power, hybrid power/data fiber, and ceiling-based Constellation Points in an easy-to-deploy star topology. The result is a simplified, scalable network that can dramatically reduce the time, cost and complexity of supporting connected devices, in-building and across campus.
Modular building blocks
The Constellation platform is based on modular components deployed in a simplified, repeatable architecture. So it can support a wide variety of network types, devices and environments while reducing design and installation resources and time.
Power transmitter
Power transition panel
Propel™ fiber panel
Hybrid power/data fiber trunks
Constellation Point
Device connectivity
Click the blocks to find out more
Compact unit that brings analog building power in and converts it to fault managed dc power.
Panel used to transition from higher gauge to lower gauge power conductors.
Fiber cross-connect panel, located in the equipment room, houses the fiber terminations from the hybrid power and fiber cables. The panel accommodates a variety of interchangeable fiber modules and adapters.
CommScope’s patented powered fiber trunk cabling extends from the equipment room (where it is connected to the power transmitter and fiber panel) to designated service coverage areas throughout the facility. Power is delivered via 16-AWG twisted-pair conductors—two-pair or four-pair. Data is transported on high-capacity eight- or 16-fiber singlemode cables.
Each powered fiber cable terminates at a ceiling Constellation Point. Each Constellation Point has eight or 16 fibers for data connections and 1 kilowatt of power available with ac power outlets and 48 V dc and 24 V dc power outlets to support a multitude of devices, including power over Ethernet (PoE) switches, building automation controllers, DAS and high-power wireless access points.
Each Constellation Point delivers reliable power and data to its connected devices via Category 6A patch cables. Category 6A’s superior thermal performance and 10G bandwidth capabilities provide long-term data and PoE support for both existing and next-generation edge-based devices.
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Smarter design = a better bottom line
Constellation’s streamlined, modular design provides a highly efficient architecture that dramatically simplifies the cost and complexity of connecting edge-based devices and services. With a minimum of modular components, Constellation supports converged and segmented networks, ac and dc powering applications, and a variety of connectivity options with near-unlimited fiber bandwidth at the edge—enabling customers to easily evolve as their technologies and needs change.
Consider the applications
Constellation’s efficient, simplified architecture makes it ideal for applications beyond the typical office or industrial environment. Below are just a few of the many types of facilities and venues where Constellation’s capabilities shine. And this is just the beginning. As CommScope’s customers find new and creative applications for Constellation, its potential will continue to increase.
Transportation
Distribution/ warehousing
Office buildings
Hospitality
Public venues
Healthcare
Find your Constellation
Ready to put the power of the Constellation Building Edge Infrastructure platform to work for you? Contact your CommScope representative. Always working so you’re always prepared. That’s CommScope.
Sustainability
Constellation™
Welcome to
Meaningful sustainability by better design
We cannot effectively combat climate change with lip service. It requires hard work that demands we rethink how we design, deploy and manage networks going forward. As an industry leader and global citizen, CommScope sees global warming and environmental degradation as one of the critical issues of our time. When it came to developing a new building infrastructure solution that was not only prepared for the future but committed to protecting the environment, we invested everything we’ve learned over the past 40+ years. We left nothing on the table. From its inception, Constellation™ was purposefully designed to help enterprise building and network managers decarbonize their facilities and meet their organization’s sustainability goals. Here are just a few ways Constellation can help all of us realize a healthier, greener future.
Architectures
Streamlined architecture:
Result
Constellation’s streamlined distributed star topology uses significantly less copper cabling and eliminates the need for telecom rooms (TRs) on every floor.
Network managers can reduce the network’s embodied carbon up to 59 percent and reduce plastics up to 65 percent.
The solution’s design uses less than half of the structured cabling materials required by traditional LAN/IP networks.
Lower overall amount of embodied carbon in the building; reduced raw material requirements; decreased production emissions upstream.
Simplified design:
Constellation Points eliminate TRs on every floor, while short preterminated Category 6A jumpers make connecting devices in each service coverage area fast and easy. The use of “fault-managed, limited-power” (Class 4 power) technology also reduces the need for skilled labor.
Faster and easier installation translates to fewer truck rolls and smaller install teams, all of which reduce fossil fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Faster installation:
Leveraging fiber’s bandwidth and Cat 6A’s power over Ethernet (PoE) and bandwidth capabilities significantly extends Constellation’s product life cycle.
Delaying major infrastructure investments reduces overall production volumes and their associated environmental impacts.
Extended product life cycle:
By placing Constellation Points closer to edge devices, the platform reduces cabling length, which also means lower thermal loading for PoE devices and lower power loss over distance.
Maintaining lower operating temperatures and minimizing power loss over distance minimizes power consumption and reduces cooling requirements.
Reduced thermal loading and power loss
We also used modular building blocks wherever possible. This enables customers to reconfigure their networks with a minimum of new components.
Fewer new components reduces raw materials sourcing and CO2 emissions during production.
Modular design
Constellation’s thoughtful design is part of a much larger, long-term effort by the CommScope Buildings and Data Center business segment to lead the way toward a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future. We have concretized our commitment in a multi-discipline, multi-phase plan to improve our sustainability efforts and outcomes and help our customers and partners do the same. The plan aligns our core competencies in network architecture, material science and technological innovation with critical environmental needs: energy reduction, waste reduction, and decarbonization. It defines how we respond to the market and the processes/systems needed to support future sustainability action. CommScope’s buildings and data centers sustainability program is built on three foundational pillars:
Part of a larger commitment to our shared future
Collecting and sharing data about our products with our customers and using that data to help us make our products more sustainable.
Transparency and optimization:
Life cycle assessments (LCAs) quantify the environmental aspects and potential impacts of our products throughout their life cycles and inform our environmental product declarations (EPDs) that document what each product is made of and how it impacts the environment across its life cycle. Single-use plastics (SUPs) strategy. Our goal is to phase out SUPs by 2025; this includes packaging for any BDDC product shipped to the customer or stocked by distributors (unless special ordered).
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Optimization efforts such as reducing SUPs only take us so far. To make a substantial positive impact, we must develop more sustainable architectures and technologies. Using our expertise in material science and network development, CommScope’s BDDC segment is working to:
Simplify and streamline architectures to reduce the number of network components Extend the network’s life cycle by developing solutions that support multiple upgrade cycles Enable re-use of network components by designing more modularity into our solutions Use life cycle/carbon assessments of network models to identify designs with the best decarbonizing potential.
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Architecture and technology:
Without advancements in materials science, it is unlikely that our industry can achieve carbon neutrality. But we can pursue (and we are) activities and solutions that counterbalance the carbon footprint of our products and move us closer to a carbon neutral position.
Carbon counterbalancing:
For more information on CommScope’s corporate responsibility and sustainability program, click here.
About Constellation
Click on an application below to explore architecture designs comprised of the Constellation system and other CommScope solutions.
Building
Warehouse/ manufacturing
Airport/ transport hubs
Large public venues
Education
Data Center
Resources
One Level Building
Click the devices to learn more
High powered fiber cable
Singlemode patch cord
IP devices
Powered fiber for ERA® UAP-2
IP BAS controller with power
BAS device wiring
Legend
Note: Placement and quantity of Constellation Points are for demonstration of general architecture. Please see design guidelines to determine quantity of Constellation Points and placement. Maximum distance from main equipment room is 500 meters with 1,000W power delivery.
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Warehouse/Manufacturing
Airports/Transport Hubs
Main Equipment Room
Stadium/Large Public Venue
FLOOR 1 - LOBBY
FLOOR 2 - CORRIDOR
LOBBY/ WAITING ROOMS
Click here to zoom in
PATIENT ROOMS
Multi-Tenant Data Center
Installation Overview
Intro Video
Constellation Webpage
Constellation Brochure
Constellation Overview
