The Multi-Gigabit mobile RAN

Coverage & Capacity with SoC-based Base Stations

Joachim Hallwachs, VP M & BD, DesignArt Networks

 2G
3G
4G RAN Evolution
Small Cell Deployments

Operators face data-centric model in 4G broadband networks

Smart phones, tablets, laptops drive exploding data capacity in the network … !
• Data traffic becomes dominant use case
usage exploding exponentially
• More indoor service consumption
need capacity density in indoor locations
• Dynamic geography of demand
flexible deployment model for capacity

… multi-gigabit RAN infrastructure is required by 2014 …

• But data ARPU trends force a rigorous cap on CAPEX and OPEX

 Traditional RAN architecture is no longer feasible

 4G data consumption requires an order-of-magnitude increase in cell density
 Per-site costs, discrete equipment, and backhaul – the current cost model is prohibitive !

 The evolving 4G RAN architecture requires Small Cell Deployments

 Compact BTS (in- & outdoors deployments, operator controlled backhaul, managed SLA)
 Femtocells (indoors, 3rd party backhaul, no managed SLA)

DesignArt Networks – Confidential 2008 2

 Multi-gigabit RAN Evolution
Dense Deployments - BTS Requirements

In order to build a denser managed RAN, all of the following

BTS equipment requirements have to be met:

 Low-cost installation in “any commercially viable site”

 No site construction, single-craft in-& outdoor installs
 Flexible options, the cell site dictates BTS capability requirements

 Very compact equipment – minimize per-site CAPEX and OPEX

 Very low power consumption – passively cooled, no shelters, …

 Integrated low-cost wired & wireless Backhaul options

 Eliminate backhaul related CAPEX, minimize OPEX
 High-capacity NLOS mobile backhaul is critical capability

 SON – on-demand, self-organized RAN deployments

 Automated Mobile Radio Access configuration – SON-A
 Automated Mobile Wireless Backhaul topology – SON-B

DesignArt Networks – Confidential 2008 3

 eNodeB Architecture Options
Traditional chassis-based BTS

Traditional
“Chassis BTS” Architecture eNodeB 4G LTE Trends
 Chassis-based, extensible BTS
 Coax-based RF Distribution
Existing Cell Sites
 Re-use 3
Re-use 1
 Traditional Macro & Micro BTS
 3-sector
4-/6-sector
 2x2
4x4
4x8 Tx/Rx
 High RF output (40/80W)

Coax
New Site Requirements
2G, 3G
4G Extension  Flexible site selection
 Compact form factors
Pros BTS
 Flexible backhaul options
 Flexible, scalable line card options Chassis
 Self-organized Network
 Extensible multi-protocol BTS
 Integrated high-output PA options
Cons
 Very high power consumption
 Needs air-conditioned shelter
 Lossy & expensive coax cabling
 Localized cell geometry
 Complex discrete architecture EPC
 Very limited form factor options

DesignArt Networks – Confidential 2008 4

 eNodeB Architecture Options
Distributed BTS – BBU and RRU

Traditional Distributed
“Distributed BTS” Architecture eNodeB eNodeB
 Centralized Baseband Unit (BBU)
 Remote Radio Unit (RRU)
 Distributed Macro & Micro BTS

RRU
RRU
Coax
Dark
 Muli-carrier
3G, 4G BTS Overlays fiber  Multi-mode
Pros BTS  20 – 80 W
 Compact SoC-based BBUs Chassis  2x2, 4x4, …
 Multi-protocol BBU overlays
BBU
 Distributed cell geometry
 Shared SDR / RRU usage options
Cons
 Medium power consumption
 Actively cooled BBU, needs shelter
 High-capacity dark fiber (samples)
 Evolving BBU / RRU standard EPC
 Limited form factor options

DesignArt Networks – Confidential 2008 5

 eNodeB Architecture Options
Single-box BTS – Macro, Micro & Pico Cells

Single-box
“Single-box BTS” Architecture eNodeB
 SoC-based, single-box BTS
 Wired or wireless Ethernet Backhaul
 Macro-, micro- and picocells

SoC-based BTS BTS

 Multi-protocol
 Multi-carrier
3G / 4G Capacity Density  2 – 80 W
Pros  2x2, 4x4, 8x8, … Enet

 Single-box single-/multi-sector BTS  Enet backhaul

 Multi-protocol SoC Architecture  In- & outdoors
 Multi-carrier SDR usage / evolution
 Low power consumption (= RRU)
 No shelters, no air-conditioning Metro Enet
 Standard Metro Ethernet Backhaul
 Flexible macro, micro & picocells

Cons EPC
 Many more cells, requires SON

DesignArt Networks – Confidential 2008 6

 eNodeB Architecture Options
SoC Integration drives Deployment Flexibility

Distributed Single-box
Traditional
eNodeB eNodeB
“Chassis BTS” Architecture eNodeB
 Chassis-based, extensible BTS
 Traditional Macro & Micro BTS

RRU BTS

“Distributed BTS” Architecture

Coax
 Centralized Baseband Unit (BBU) Dark
Increased Deployment Flexibility
fiber
 Remote Radio Unit (RRU) Enet
 Distributed Macro & Micro BTS BTS
Chassis

BBU

“Single-box BTS” Architecture

 SoC-based, single-box BTS Metro Enet

 Extensive use of AAS Technology

 Wired or wireless Ethernet Backhaul
 Macro-, micro- and picocells
EPC

DesignArt Networks – Confidential 2008 7

 Compact BTS
Distributed RAN Architecture Options

Distributed Single-box
Multi-layer SoC Platforms eNodeB eNodeB
 Flexible SW-centric multi-core SoCs
 Integrated digital front-end (DFE)
 Integrated Signal Processing (PHY, AAS)
 Integrated Baseband (Access, Backhaul)

“Compact BTS” Market Dark

Carrier-grade SoC-based Equipment fiber
 Metro EthernetEnet
 Varying degrees of [de-]centralization
 Flexible distributed Enet connectivity
 Ultra-compact distributed cell sites BBU
 Flexible cell-site specific form factors
 Macro, micro and pico cells
 Flexible AAS Capabilities
 Scalable multi-carrier RF
 Low and high RF output options

 Multi-gigabit “Metrozone Clusters” EPC

 Multi-gigabit distributed “Super Cells”

DesignArt Networks – Confidential 2008 8

 Multi-gigabit RAN Evolution
Summary

Multi-layer, multi-core SoCs drive BTS Architecture Evolution –

making Multi-gigabit 4G RAN a commercially viable Option

 Low-cost installation in “any commercially viable site”

 Ultra-compact equipment – minimized per-site CAPEX and OPEX

 Integrated low-cost wired & wireless Backhaul options

 SON – on-demand, self-organized RAN deployments

DesignArt Networks – Confidential 2008 9

Thank you !!

DesignArt Networks – Confidential 2008 10