Fibre Delivery in Next Generation Wireless Networks

WHITE PAPER

Fibre Delivery in Next Generation Wireless Networks

Migration to 4G wireless calls for a fresh approach to network design. The stressing of current 3G+ capacities is merely a precursor to the deluge of data expected with 4G. Antenna systems and backhaul pose the major challenge, with a shift from macro cellular, to micro and pico cellular topologies that deliver superior RF performance and ensure the most effective use of resources. Fibre-optic cable systems will be the key physical (PHY) transport medium in unifying these new, distributed architectures.

Fibre Delivery in Next Generation Wireless Networks

The issues faced by converged and wireless carriers struggling to support data-hungry portable devices have proved traditional network design to be inadequate. Essentially, there are three key network performance parameters to be addressed: Bandwidth the total maximum capacity for data transfer of the communications system. It is often confused with the maximum functional transfer rates of the system, which is defined by throughput. Bandwidth should be viewed in the kinetic sense of active transfer. Capacity the theoretical maximum for data transfer. For example, a 10GB link will not have 100 per cent utilisation in a non-laboratory environment, mainly because not all functional elements of the network can be controlled at any given time. While the control layer is simply the functional network management overlay allowing for remote monitoring, troubleshooting and MACDs (moves, adds, changes, deletions), the physical elements of the network introduce performance degradation as a result of factors such as overheated active components; degraded, damaged or poorly installed cables; or packet loss derived from any upset to the physical layer. Thus, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) must continuously aim to achieve a 1.0 efficient factor within their network footprint. Data rate the production output of a communication system (and equivalent to the throughput metric described above). Factoring all of the elements of the network, their efficiencies (or inefficiencies), protocol handling, and dropped packets, it is then possible to calculate the speed of the actual production traffic. Second-generation (2G) cellular networks were built to support narrow-band voice, and employ a large number of macro-cell sites to meet outdoor coverage objectives.

However, current macro-cell topologies continue to suffer: Patchy coverage, high clutter 1800MHz and higher frequencies not providing adequate service levels Distance from tower degrades data rates Poor MDU (multi dwelling unit) or residential coverage The introduction of third-generation (3G) systems based on UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) and 3G+ HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) has seen deployment of thin macro-cell overlays to existing 2G infrastructures, as well as dense, micro-cell under-lays to support increased traffic volumes, and adoption of DAS (distributed antenna systems) to provide coverage in larger buildings. Yet simply overlaying existing 2G infrastructure with next-generation BTS (base transceiver stations) has resulted in poor coverage, due to the fact that cells breathe i.e. the coverage radius of the cell shrinks as it becomes more heavily loaded with traffic. At the same time, the advent of higher-speed data rates and proliferation of portable devices has not only impacted the carriers ability to deliver traditional voice services, but limited either the data rates realised by subscribers, or the number of concurrent users they can support. Despite spectral efficiency gains of up to 20x being realised via current cellular infrastructures, the number of subscribers has grown by 15x, and data usage per subscriber by 4x. The net result has been a 200x increase in the bandwidth required to carry voice and data traffic, driving down the effectiveness of traditional macro cell site coverage. A single cell site that supported 150,000 users in first-generation (1G) TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access)-based networks, will only support 1,500 users in fourth-generation (4G) networks. Moreover, maximum cell sizes in urban areas will shrink from an 8km radius in 1G architectures, to a 300m radius in 4G, meaning that micro and pico cellular antenna arrays will predominate [see Figure 1].

Figure 1: Micro and pico cells predominate in 4G

Source: ADC KRONE

Page 3

Fibre Delivery in Next Generation Wireless Networks

4G and antenna array innovations Market forecasts indicate that demand for mobile voice, video, and messaging services, together with internet applications, will continue to rise rapidly. In the longer term, these services will be delivered over LTE (Long Term Evolution), which has emerged as the preferred 4G technology for cellular network operators, with WiMAX remaining an emerging platform amongst a number of wireless access solutions. According to Coda Research, the number of LTE users will hit 38 million in 2013, following a ramp-up in LTE production in 2012. This number is estimated to rise to 209 million by 2017. And with data ARPU (average revenue per user) projected to account for a growing proportion of service provider revenue, more bandwidth and capacity will be essential in meeting service level expectations and sustaining business growth. Although the new protocols employed by 4G technologies promote spectral efficiency, significant increases in channel bandwidth to support data rates equivalent to fixed-line offerings require that the transmit power of the BTS be reduced to ensure proper uplink balance. The network edge (i.e. the access layer) in 4G network architectures will therefore necessitate use of a number of different types of DAS: Cell sites traditionally consisting of a BTS collocated with (or near) a tower-mounted antenna system Micro cell an outdoor DAS serving a residential neighbourhood, office complex/campus, or other larger footprint local area Pico cell designed to provide in-building wireless coverage to a single floor or building Femtocell a home gateway cellular antenna solution operating in licensed spectrum (and similar to a Wi-Fi wireless router) In addition, the adoption of methods such as MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) within DAS can ensure proper uplink balance by enabling the required increased spectral efficiency for a given total transmit power. MIMO also increases capacity by introducing additional spatial channels, which are exploited by using space-time coding. One major equipment vendor has realised data speeds of 173Mbps via a BTS using 20MHz channels combined with a 2x2 MIMO configuration. Pico cells will also be vital to 4G migration, ensuring signal clarity, capacity, and coverage inside of buildings. They provide dedicated capacity and significantly reduce the impact of outdoor cellular traffic congestion. Larger venues, such as airports, convention centres, and corporate HQs, will need pico cells supporting multi-band or multioperator operation, whereas femtocells offering single-band operation will suffice for smaller (residential) locations. Both pico cells and femtocells enable highly-targeted

network expansion in line with market demand and carrier investment cycles. However, it should be considered that inbuilding DAS will often have to comply with local aesthetic and/or regulatory standards. Further DAS innovations include RRH (remote radio head) and digital simulcast technology. Developed to address the issues of interference and isolation among cells, which reduce bandwidth and coverage in dense areas and inside buildings, RRHs supporting digital simulcast are typically mounted back-to-back on the same mast. This configuration provides high isolation between cells, limits cell overlap, delivers the highest data rates, and optimises network utilisation. RRHs also support base station hotels whereby a base station is physically split into two parts: the RRH, and a baseband radio server connected via a serial digital interface over fibre. Using this approach, the baseband radio servers are deployed in easy-to-access locations, with the necessary backhaul, power, space, and security, while the RRH can be mounted on a nearby rooftop, light or electrical pole.

Fibre everywhere Fibre-optic cable will be central to serving the multiple DAS configurations employed within the 4G environment: Fibre to the cell site (backhaul) Fibre in the cell site (demarcation) Fibre to the antenna (fronthaul) Fronthaul represents the need for antenna suppliers and carriers to be able to increase the bandwidth from the cell site to the RRH dynamically from a remote location, thus reducing the requirement for on-site manpower. This smart network functionality will be particularly important to carriers operating in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, where infrastructure sharing is common either on the mast, or at the BTS. Meanwhile, migration to fibre in the backhaul makes it possible to terminate a large number of fibres into a location e.g. a switch or a router and backhaul traffic from the cell site using IPoDWDM (IP over dense wavelength-division multiplexing). The result is increased capability and a collapsed control layer, together with a substantially smaller footprint when compared with the number of copper terminations required to satisfy the same bandwidth demand using TDM equipment. It is not just the network edge that will benefit from deployment of fibre-optic PHY. Essentially, next-generation networks (NGNs) supporting 4G mobile services need to be fibre-ready from the outset i.e. based on a fibre-optic cabling system traversing all the way from the wireless operations centre, MTSO (mobile telephony switching office) and data centre, to the BTS (base transceiver station) controller, backhaul demarc (demarcation) cabinet/base station hotel, and network edge [see Figure 2].

Page 4

Fibre Delivery in Next Generation Wireless Networks

Figure 2: Fibre unifies the wireless NGN All three network layers core, distribution and access will therefore require PHY connectivity based on hardened solutions designed for rapid deployment, and incorporating the connectorised options typically employed within data centres: MTSO optical distribution frames, top-of-rack connectivity, trunking and jumper fibres throughout, with fibre management, and fibre guide/raceway systems Outside plant hardened and connectorised fibre-optic cable, together with MDU (multiple dwelling unit) boxes, drop cables and fibre distribution panels De-marc (within the cell site) fibre panels (for direct-, inter- or cross-connect activities) and Ethernet connectivity Fronthaul hardened drop cable pre-connectorised with compatible connectivity to the radio head Smart NGNs will also deploy PHY connectivity incorporating optical passive signal monitoring, signal splitters, and rapid solutions. The latter are designed specifically to be rapidly deployed within the network, and fit a base criteria of connector types and cable specification, so that they can be deployed without specialised knowledge and skill sets. This cuts planning and engineering costs, which can otherwise be higher than the cost of the materials deployed, especially when considered on a per cell site basis.

Source: ADC KRONE

improves uplink performance and mitigates obstruction. It also improves battery performance in end-user devices, since less power is required to establish and maintain a connection with the nearest BTS. Outdoor DAS offers an economical alternative to the traditional high-tower approach of the macro cell, allowing carriers to simulcast existing sectors (i.e. capacity is delivered to multiple antenna points), and add capacity from existing sites. As well as better data performance from the improved uplink, outdoor DAS delivers significant savings on site development. Reports from vendors indicate that wireless carriers will spend some $3.3 billion in 2011 either buying or constructing more than 142,000 LTE base stations and related equipment. Projected LTE BTS deployment costs are broken down in Figure 3. This investment can be optimised by adopting DAS, which allows carriers to reduce both capital (CapEx) and operational (OpEx) expenditures. In terms of CapEx, DAS enables carriers to re-use or consolidate existing BTS sites at base station hotels, eliminating the need to build a 100- to 300-foot tower, and allowing carriers to replace heavy and costly coaxial cable with lightweight and flexible fibre to the RRH. It also means that multiple baseband radio servers can be deployed in a central location, where they can share power supplies and backhaul transport, with RRHs distributed at optimal locations in the surrounding area. From an OpEx perspective, a DAS incorporating simulcast technology reduces the number of BTS, and thus the backhaul requirement. If a base station hotel is deployed, carriers have just one facility to maintain, and any network changes or updates can be made via a single location. Essentially, hundreds of sites can be managed from one place, while truck rolls to each antenna location are often eliminated. The base station hotel and digital simulcast

Benefits of a distributed network By increasing proximity to the end user, the move to a distributed network comprised of smaller cells (i.e. DAS) enables carriers to provide the highest data rates per population density. Close proximity minimises path loss,

Page 5

DAS is the enabler of on-demand capacity, as opposed to using capacity to provide coverage. In addition, multi-band RRHs and digital transport reduces fibre strand needs, as well as the number of pole attachments required, and cooling needs within the hub, since the amplifiers are instead located outdoors.

Figure 3: New LTE site deployment costs percentage estimates

Source: Heavy Reading

Summary NGNs based on 4G wireless technologies such as LTE and WiMAX necessitate many more cell sites, both inbuilding and outdoors, to achieve greater network capacity, ubiquitous coverage and consistent QoS (quality of service). This presents carriers with a dual challenge: Accommodating new antenna designs that optimise data rates in the limited spectrum available Augmenting backhaul infrastructure with a significant amount of wired connectivity Wireless NGNs must therefore be fibre ready from the outset if they are to grow efficiently i.e. enabling carriers to manage GTM (go to market) speeds while building a robust network. Implementing connectorised solutions throughout the NGN ensures a rapid, future-proof and cost-efficient rollout.

White Paper

adckrone.com
For local and international contact details, please visit: adckrone.com/contact
Specifications published here are current as of the date of publication of this document. Because we are continuously improving our products, ADC reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice. At any time, you may verify product specifications by contacting ADC. ADC Telecommunications, Inc. views its patent portfolio as an important corporate asset and vigorously enforces its patents. Products or features contained herein may be covered by one or more international patents. 201505BE 09/10 Original 2010 ADC Telecommunications Inc. All Rights Reserved.