optimising small cells architectures for in-building solutions

Small Cells. Made Easy

Optimising Small Cells Architectures

for In-Building Solutions

Traditional IBS - Distributed Antenna Systems

Companies

▐ TE Connectivity

▐ Commscope

▐ Powerwave

▐ Coomba

▐ SolidTech

▐ Shyam

▐ Corning

▐ Zinwave

▐ Many others

Passive DAS Active DAS

Page 2

DAS Systems: Installation Elements

Backhaul

Power

Base

Stations

A A

A A

A A

A

Duplexers /

Diplexers

RF Splitters

/ Couplers

Activ

e D

AS

Com

po

ne

nts

Pa

ssiv

e D

AS

Com

po

ne

nts

▐ 176U’s of equipment (4 full racks)

▐ Specialized telecom power, space, and cooling requirements

Page 3

DAS OPEX: Example of a typical Indoor NodeB

Power Consumption of indoor NodeB = 2.9kW

Heat Dissipation = 5.5kW

Total Power = 8.4kW

Cost of Power = 8400 W x 24hrs x 7days x 52 wks x $0.20 (cost per kWh) = $15,000 annually

And one other thing…

Page 4

Stand-alone Small Cell solutions

▐ Work very effectively on their

own or in small numbers

Provide good coverage and

capacity in SoHo and small

enterprise environments

Cheap and simple to install –

typically either self-install or

‘one touch’ installation by

MNO technician

PoE (Power over Ethernet) so

no separate power supply

• Ideal for installation in

ceilings, etc.

MNO Gateway

and Core IP Network

Page 5

SON-based Small Cell solutions for SME

▐ Ideally suited for SME

deployments

Self configuring and self-

optimizing

Small cells manage SON

configuration and continual

optimisation between

themselves

Hard handover for users

moving between cells

Typically up to approx. 10

cells / few hundred users

Also PoE

MNO Gateway

and Core IP Network

Page 6

The ‘DAS Gap’

7

Single Small Cell

50-250 Users (500-5,000 m2) Managed Small Cell

Grids

No other viable solution

Up to 50 employees (< 500 m2)

DAS

>1000 Users

(>10k m2) Alternative

Solution?

Page 7

An alternative Small Cell architecture…

▐ Centralised, enterprise-based

controller gives a number of

benefits

Scalable SON – up to

thousands of users

Soft handover so better KPIs

Significant backhaul

bandwidth reduction

Extra enterprise-grade

services can be run locally

WiFi can be added and

managed from the central

controller

Uses existing building

Ethernet – no new network

required – and PoE

MNO Gateway

and Core IP Network

Page 8

Each Building Offers Multiple Opportunities

Building Overview • 20 Storeys, dense urban setting • Poor 3G signal • Multiple tenants (retail & office)

New office tower. High-efficiency windows = no cellular penetration

Ground floor retail space. Open atrium, heavy footfall

Law practice. 10 partners, 109 clerks & administrative staff…one IT manager

Financial services company. Six storeys, 600 employees

Page 9

OPEX: Comparative Large Enterprise SON

Power Consumption of Central Node = .2kW

Power Consumption of Radio Node = .009kW

Total Power (CN +16RN) = 0.344kW

Cost of Power = .344 kW x 24hrs x 7days x 52 wks x €.20 (cost per kWh) = €600 annually

Page 10

Enterprise Small Cell Solutions

Small Enterprises Medium

Enterprises Large Enterprises

Standalone Grid

Choosing the right product in the medium enterprise

segment is a case-by-case assessment which will depend

on the site size, topology, traffic template, number of users,

available backhauling, additional services required, etc.

Large

Enterprise

Grid

Page 11

Enterprise Small Cell Solutions

Small Enterprises Medium

Enterprises

Standalone Grid

Large

Enterprise

Grid

Small Enterprises Medium Enterprises Large Enterprises

< 500 m2 500 – 5,000 m2 > 5000 m2

< 50 active users 50 – 500 active users > 200 active users

Standalone Small Cell Grid: 2 – 10 Cells Large Enterprise Grid: > 8 Cells

Page 12

Large Enterprises