BBU-Baseband Unit- in Telecom

BBU-Base Band Unit

Base Band refers to original signal or un-modulated
signals ie signals which occupies the lowest range of
frequency spectrum. BBU processes the signal of
original frequency before it is modulated.
In Base band, Frequency band is not shifted to some
other frequency band by means of modulating.
BBU have DSP (Digital signal processor) that process the
conversion of signals conversions between analog and
digital signals. It is also 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. RRU process the incoming and outgoing radio
signals. RRU sends the signals and receive signals (EM
waves) from Antenna through hollow guided Jumper
.BTS is Base Transceiver station. BBU is connected with
RRU through CPRI (Common Public Radio Interface )
fiber cable for making BTS.

Fig: Typical BBU of Huawei 3900 Series

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.

As in above figure, commonly BBU consists of FAN,

LBBP, UMPT, UPEU and other slots where necessary
cards is inserted for needed operation. Brief
description of each above components is given below:

a) FAN: The FAN dissipates heat from the BBU3900. It

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 up Link and down Link base band
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) Performs OM functions, including configuration
management, equipment management, performance
monitoring, signaling processing, and active/standby
switchover.
2) Provides clock reference, transmission ports, and
the maintenance link connecting to the OMC.The 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 sensors or device which track the

BBU installed location and if BBU is stolen or theft the
GPS coordinate is traced and send back to telecom
operator control room.

There are many BBU models manufactured by various

telecom operators. The top 5 telecom equipment
manufacturer are Ericsson, Alcatel-Lucent, Huawei
Technologies, Cisco Systems and ZTE Corporation.
These vendors have their own type BBU model though
the basic knowledge is same. The different is that of
their power efficiency & processing and working speed.