Small Cell Environment

- Small Cell Environment: Big Impact On Seamless Connectivity

With spiraling traffic volumes experienced by mobile networks around the world, small cell radio access network (RAN) has been proposed as the way to accommodate billions of users with a myriad of devices and demanding applications. With the coming of 5G networks, several small cell architectures and technologies have been proposed to reengineer the small cell environment that has yet to proliferate in 3G and 4G networks. 

The intent of small cells is to alleviate the load on macro cells by augmenting the network capacity and provide extended coverage. Use of small cells is limited to dense areas and indoors (i.e. stadiums, shopping malls, etc.) where macro signal penetration is inadequate. To this effect, small cells have been hugely popular for 4G LTE coverage and capacity enhancement. Now, with the market transitioning to 5G, a whole new spectrum is opening with contiguous bandwidths of more than 100MHz available within the 2.6 to 5 GHz range. This additional spectrum will support high data rates and new market opportunities. Further, higher order multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) is the standard macro architecture, enabling higher throughput and data rates. Small cells will continue to play a pivotal role for 5G capacity enhancement with indoor coverage. 

Traditionally small cells have been deployed in a 2-transmit/2-receive (2T/2R) MIMO configuration but with 5G, that architecture will be expanded to 4T/4R for increased throughput. These small cells are networked with 5G macro cells that use massive MIMO leveraging AAS (active antenna systems) in configurations of 32T/32R and 64T/64R. This maximizes spectral efficiency (more bits per Hz) for operators by providing the optimal balance between user coverage and capacity. Massive MIMO has been an integral part of the network since the release of 4G LTE-A PRO and 5G standards. For 5G, MNOs will be deploying small cells at a faster rate than previous generations as densification is top-of-mind. 

[Small Cell and Lamp Post Wireless - Shutterstock]

- Small Cell Solutions for 5G

Small cell solutions are rapidly moving beyond just providing coverage within buildings or arenas, to becoming enablers of outdoor network densification. Starting in 2020, global demand for outdoor small cell solutions is expected to grow exponentially, opening big opportunities for small cell technology. 

A typical small cell consists of radios for licensed cellular and LTE unlicensed (LTE-U) bands. Also, there is a push for IoT implementation in small cells at the edge of the network – for homes, businesses, and automobile communications. There are many drivers for the small cell evolution including 5G densification rollouts. The small cell is becoming more multifaceted, integrating more bands, bandwidths, higher levels of linearity and efficiency to help Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) attain much-needed ROI.

Network design will involve moving from monolithic to multi-technology. To prepare for the future of 5G, an architecture that can seamlessly operate across multiple technology bases and between licensed and unlicensed spectrums is required. A nationwide macro environment contains thousands of cells to engineer, deploy, and maintain. In addition to shifting from a “macro towers only” mindset to a “connect anything” strategy, networks must operate both transparently and securely across licensed and unlicensed spectrums.

[More to come ...]