Small cells are one of the key digital infrastructure building blocks for 5G and take a variety of forms, including a microcell, picocell, and femtocell. Instead of replacing traditional macrocells (cell towers), small cells supplement this infrastructure to enhance network coverage and capacity in crowded city locations and inside buildings.
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There are three main types of small cells: microcells, picocells, and femtocells. These cellular base stations typically cover a small area and are used to extend coverage to areas or to add network capacity in locations with very dense cell phone usage, such as hotels.
Picocells, which can also be referred to as a metrocell, provide a coverage range of 300 feet to 1,000 feet, which is smaller than microcells but greater than femtocells (see below). Typically, picocells are installed indoors, at large venues including airports, hotels, hospitals, offices, and universities.
Picocells are owned by the enterprise or the landlord of the venue where they are deployed. While the transport of voice, video, and data traffic (backhaul) from the picocell uses a wired connection, such as fiber.
Overall, picocells cost less to deploy than microcells, given that their equipment size is smaller and they avoid certain costs associated with professional installation and zoning & permitting approvals.
The integrated BSC9132 SoC is targeted for picocell base stations in the small cell base station market and combines the e500 Power Architecture CPU and SC3850 StarCore DSP with MAPLE-B2P baseband acceleration processing elements. Together, they provide a high-performance, cost-effective integrated solution that can handle all of the processing requirements of a picocell base station.
Small cells fall into one of three general categories that are dictated by their power level: metrocells, picocells and femtocells. General performance measures for each category are shown in the table below.
Since neither of those are available in buildings, small cells connect to the cellular provider's network via what carriers call "untrusted backhaul," or what you refer to as simply "the Internet." The devices typically make a secure IPSec Tunnel to prevent any eavesdropping of calls and SMS messages. That means that a high speed Internet connection is a requirement for any kind of picocell or femtocell deployment. The minimum required bandwidth depends on the type and number of small cells deployed.
The new 4G LTE Network Extender 2" SLS-BU10B is an updated version of Verizon's SCS-BU10B picocell, released in late 2017. The device only supports only 4G LTE service. That means that anyone who has an older phone that doesn't support "HD Voice" won't be able to connect to the device. The SLS-BU10B covers up to 7,500 square feet and up to 14 simultaneous voice calls.
Another type of small cell technology, picocells are small cellular base stations that cover small indoor areas like buildings or aircraft. Picocells are great for small enterprises to provide extended network coverage and large data throughput. Applications include:
Microcells are generally more substantial than picocells, though the distinction is not always clear. Moreover, the microcell can support a more significant number of users in unique geographical areas.
With a range of up to 656 feet, 5G picocells can be mounted as an outdoor and indoor cell site. Commonly used on planes and in malls, multiple picocells can be used at sites, unlike femtocells. Where femtocells are owned by the end user, a picocell network is the responsibility of an operator.
Another option to get connected in the sky now exists. Panasonic Avionics and GigSky, a global mobility provider based in Silicon Valley, partnered to offer an alternate means to buy day passes valid on aircraft fitted with the AeroMobile picocell technology.
Femtocells, picocells and microcells are often deemed as types of small cells because of their smaller size and limited coverage, but Finneran said that categorization isn't accurate. Picocells and microcells are commonly used in airplanes, hotels and malls, but they don't have consistent definitions across the wireless industry -- although microcell is likely a former term for small cells, he said. Femtocells, however, preceded small cells and make up a separate market, due to two key differences.
Out of the box, the bladeRF can tune from 300MHz to 3.8GHz without the need for extra boards. Through open source software such as GNURadio (live image), the bladeRF can be placed into immediate use. With its flexible hardware and software, the bladeRF can be configured to operate as a custom RF modem, a GSM and LTE picocell, a GPS receiver, an ATSC transmitter or a combination Bluetooth/WiFi client, without the need for any expansion cards.
Femtocells, picocells and microcells are types of small cells that complement the primary cellular coverage provided by the macrocells within a mobile network. The macrocells are the largest cells in mobile communications that cover tens of kilometres, whereas femtocells are the smallest cells.
Femtocells, picocells and microcells are small cells that allow a mobile operator to offer targeted cellular coverage in smaller areas to address network capacity and coverage issues. Femtocells cover a radius of up to 10 metres, picocells cover up to 200 metres, and microcells can cover up to 2 km.
Small cells have been a hot topic in the mobile communications industry for years. They mainly include femtocells, picocells and microcells that provide cellular coverage over smaller geographical locations. The terms femto, pico and micro indicate the size or range of the cell in question.
Picocells are better suited for slightly larger areas, e.g. shopping malls, and require professional installation with a dedicated power supply and backhaul connectivity. The backhaul for picocells and microcells is a dedicated fibre or wireless link managed by the mobile operator, just like a regular base station.
The backhaul connection for small cells provides a means for them to communicate with the rest of the mobile network. It is the connection between the small cell base station (e.g. femtocell, picocell, microcell) and the mobile core network.
For example, if you are in a large shopping mall with lots of people using the same mobile network as you, the available network capacity may get shared with other users. By installing a picocell in that shopping mall, a mobile operator can provide extra capacity to ensure enough bandwidth for everyone.
Femtocells, picocells and microcells are the types of small cells that allow 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G networks to provide secure communication in high-quality through licensed and unlicensed frequencies controlled by the mobile operator. The range of small cells is from 10 metres to 2 kilometres.
The smallest small cells, femtocells, can cover a radius of up to 10 metres, whereas picocells can cover up to 200 metres. Microcells are also a type of small cell, and they can cover a radius of up to 2 kilometres.
Generally, in the context of small cells, femtocells and picocells are the small cells mostly referred to due to the use cases they enable and the strategic value they offer to mobile operators. However, microcells are also part of the small cell family.
Femtocells and picocells have a shorter range compared to microcells. Picocells cover up to 200 metres and can be used in shopping malls and large offices. Femtocells are the smallest of small cells with a range of up to 10 metres and are suitable for homes and small offices.
Many people make and receive phone calls, send messages, and use apps and other internet services on their mobile phones in such areas. In other words, picocells are smaller base stations used by operators as an additional layer of cells to provide targeted coverage in areas where the macro network cannot fully reach.
They are controlled and managed by mobile operators and require a dedicated location or site where they can be mounted professionally. In addition, Picocells must be connected to the main power supply and fixed or wireless backhaul connection. Like any other cell site, picocells also have associated operational costs such as site rent, electricity, etc.
Microcells are the largest small cells covering a much larger geographical area than femtocells and picocells. They have the most extensive range, which is about 2 kilometres. Microcells can add capacity and coverage to the mobile network alongside the macrocells.
Please note: this product is being discontinued and is not recommended for new designs.
The AWB7222 is a fully matched, Multi-Chip-Module(MCM) designed for picocell, femtocell, and customerpremises equipment (CPE) applications. Its highlinearity and efficiency meet the extremely demandingneeds of small cell infrastructure architectures.Designed for WCDMA, HSDPA, and LTE air interfacesoperating in the 1.805 GHz to 1.880 GHz band, theAWB7222 delivers up to +27 dBm of LTE (E-TM1.1)power with an ACPR better than -47 dBc. It operatesfrom a convenient +4.5 V supply and provides 32 dB ofgain. The device is manufactured using an advancedInGaP HBT MMIC technology offering state-of-the-art reliability, temperature stability, and ruggedness.The self-contained 7 mm x 7 mm x 1.3 mm surfacemount package incorporates RF matching networksoptimized for output power, efficiency, and linearity ina 50 Î system.
"There is a need for clarity in terms of legal responsibilities and regulations in relation to the installation of microcells and picocells and the availability of information about their deployment," it said.
O2 has already revealed a prototype picocell box that combines a domestic broadband internet router and a GSM mobile phone base station which O2 said could cost less than Â70 when it goes on sale next year.
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