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
