RRU and BBU

1.RRU: Definition and Overview:

Radio Remote Unit(RRU) is the distributed and integrated frequency unit
that connects to an operators network with the User Equipment’s (UE’s) like
Cell Phone and mobile devices.

Fig: RRU mounting in Tower

The logical term “distributed and integrated” is because traditionally the
radio architecture for cellular system is based on a single-standalone system
(Base Stations) usually installed indoor but now, the cellular architecture is
divided.
So now the BTS (Base Transceiver Station) is the integration of various radio
unit like BBU and RRU. Despite installing only in indoor, radio units are
now install in the tower below the Antenna.
The RRU is connected to the base station via the fiber optic link which is bi-
directional link. The optical interface link is also known as CPRI (Common
Public Radio Interface). CPRI is a interface protocol developed by
combination of major telecom equipment’s manufacturing company like
Nokia, Alcatel, Cisco and many more.
The RRU helps to reduce the coaxial feed line losses, increase system
efficiency and provide high level of flexibility in cellular site construction.
Undoubtedly, this helps in upgrading to new equipment’s and devices more
easily.
2. RRU Functions:
1) Acts as a Transceiver: transmit and receive the user signals to the base
station and vice-versa.
2) Provides back to back support and connectivity between user equipment’s
like power, delay, etc.
3) Control and process the EM signals received from the Antenna via Jumper
(Hollow Guide).
4) Provide interface between two physical link: Optical and EM
(Electromagnetics).
5) Provide Controlling support of the Auxiliary equipment’s like RCU
(Remote Control Unit) for electrical tilt adjustment generally known as
RET(Remote Electrical Tilt).
6) Generate and sends the different signals like VSWR, RET, ACT, etc.

3. RRU Hardware Description:

Fig: RRU Port
RRU consist of different ports for different purposes. So, I have summarize
the ports that are common among various companies like Huawei, ZTE,
Ericsson, Alcatel-Lucent, Orange,etc.
1) CPRI Port: There is 2 port generally name as CPRI0 and CPRI1.
However there may be 1’s in some model. The name at suffix may vary. Its
function is to connect to BBU.
2) RF Port: We say it as a Jumper port. Generally, the number of jumper port
may vary with model and company’s architecture. At least there is 2 jumper
port, one of which is for Tx(Transmission) and another for
Tx/Rx(Transmission/Receiver also known as Transceiver). The RF port is
conneted to the Antenna via Jumper Cable.
3) RET Port: There is at least one RET port for connection to RCU. Mostly,
the connector is DB9 in Huawei but may vary with other company’s. RCU is
connected to the Antenna. RET cable connects the RCU and RRU.
4) Power Supply Port: There is one port for powering the RRU. Mostly blue
and black. Blue is for negative (-) and black is for zero(0). Generally all RRU
operates in -48V.
5) Ground Port: There is two OT port for the grounding. The ground cable:
mostly copper wire, one end is connected to RRU and another end into Bus
Bar nearby RRU. Thus it provides the surge and high voltage protection of
RRU and thus keeping safe from natural weather and climates.
Thus, from above topic, you came to know more details, concept and
functions of rru in telecommunication field.

BBU-Base Band Unit in Telecom:

Function|Details
June 7, 2019 telecomkhabar 0 Comments base band unit, base band unit in telecom, baseband unit function in
telecom, bbu, bbu function in telecom, bbu in telecom, function of bbu in telecom

The function,concept and details of base band unit bbu in telecom is given
here. Base Band refers to original signal or un-modulated signals. In other
words, base band signals occupies the lowest range of frequency spectrum.
Base band unit(BBU) processes the signal of original frequency before it is
modulated. To clarify, in base band – Frequency is not shifted to some other
frequency band by means of modulating.
BBU have DSP (Digital signal processor) that process the conversion of
signals between analog and digital signals. Above all, it is known as heart of
communication because it serves for communication link between two end
users.
BBU along with RRU (Radio Remote Unit) formed as a BTS. Firstly, RRU
process the incoming and outgoing radio signals. Subsequently, it also send
the signals and receive signals (EM waves) from Antenna through hollow
guided Jumper cable.BTS is Base Transceiver station. Altogether, BBU is
connected with RRU through CPRI (Common Public Radio Interface ) fiber
cable for making BTS.
Fig: Typical BBU layout

Functions of BBU-
1) Provides common public radio interface (CPRI) ports or optical links for
communication with RRUs and processes uplink and downlink baseband
signals.
2) Provides S1 ports for communication between an E-UTRAN NodeB
(eNodeB) and an MME/S-GW, and X2 ports for communication between
eNodeBs.
3) Provides clock ports for clock synchronization, alarm monitoring ports for
environment monitoring, and a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port for
commissioning using a USB flash drive.
4) Manages the eNodeB through operation and maintenance (OM) and
signaling message processing.
To sum up from above figure,commonly BBU consists of FAN, LBBP,
UMPT, UPEU and other slots. Where necessary cards is inserted for needed
operation. This all slots commonly works as the function of bbu in telecom.
While, brief description of each above components is given below:
a) FAN: The FAN dissipates heat from the BBU3900. It addition, it also
monitors the inlet temperature, controls the rotation speed of the fans, and
reports the status of the fans to the LMPT or UMPT in the BBU3900.
b) LBBP: LBBP stands for LTE Base Band Processing Unit. Huawei 3900
series have 3 different LBBP, LBBPa, LBBPb and LBBPc. But in Huawei
BBU 3910, LBBP is termed as UBBP. LBBP and UBBP difference is that
LBBP is for LTE or 4G communication while UBBP is for 2G and 3G
communication. UBBP also have type 3 and type 2 cards, UBBP2 and
UBBP3. These both LBBP and UBBP functions is to:
1) Provides CPRI ports for communication with radio frequency (RF)
modules.
2) Processes uplink and downlink baseband signals.

Fig: UBBP2 and

UBBP3 cards and CPRI cable shown in Huawei BBU 3910

c) UMPT: UMPT stands for Universal Main Processing and Transmission

Unit. Its functions are:
1) It Performs OM(Operation and Maintenance) functions. Further it also do
configuration management, equipment management, performance
monitoring, signaling processing, and active/standby switch over.
2) It Provides clock reference,transmission ports,and the maintenance link
connecting to the OMC. Here, OMC can be the LMT or M2000 client.
d) UPEU: UPEU stands for Universal Power and Environment interface unit.
Its functions are:
1) Converts power of -48v input into +12V with 300 watt and 650 watt
power needed for BBU operation and Processing.
2) It takes EMUB signals through RS485 serial communication and converts
into Boolean signals. Thus acts as interface unit for BBU and EMUB unit.
EMUB is Environment Monitoring unit for sensors alarm.
BBU consists of GPS sensor which track the BBU installed location and if
BBU is stolen or theft the GPS coordinate is traced and sent back to telecom
operator control room.
There are many BBU models manufacture by various telecom operators. The
top 5 telecom equipment manufacturer are Ericsson, Alcatel-Lucent, Huawei
Technologies, Cisco Systems and ZTE Corporation. Although these vendors
have their own type type BBU model though the basic knowledge is same.
The different is that of their power efficiency & processing and working
speed.