What is a 5G small cell base station?

5G small cell base stations are extremely compact, allowing carriers to deploy them in various environments where extra coverage is needed. Whether a carrier needs to accommodate a large number of consumers or a high volume of IoT devices, small cells can strengthen and improve local cellular coverage.

What is a 5G small cell?

The high-level architecture of a 5G small cell typically includes the following components: Radio access network (RAN): The RAN includes the small cell base station, which provides wireless access to user devices via radio signals. The small cell base station communicates with the core network over a high-speed backhaul connection.

What are 5G small cells use cases & deployment scenarios?

Let’s look at some of the small cells’ use cases or deployment scenarios below: 1. Carrier Outdoor One can see 5G small cells in downtown areas at street level on light posts or the side of a building. It’s for outdoor coverage in highly urban areas, wherein you do have macro cell coverage.

What is the difference between a macrocell and a 5G base station?

While macrocells provide coverage for miles, their base station towers are sometimes as high as 200 feet tall, making them difficult to deploy in urban environments—where 5G coverage is needed most. The base stations for 5G small cells, on the other hand, are more like the size of a briefcase, making them both less expensive and more versatile.

Why should small cells be used in 5G networks?

The deployment of small cells can improve network coverage, capacity, and quality of service for wireless users. Small cells are essential for 5G networks, which require high-frequency bands and low-latency connections. 5G networks rely on a dense network of small cells to provide ultra-fast speeds and low latency to users.

What are 5G cell types?

Under the 5G small cell umbrella, one will find the following cell types: 1. Femtocells – 0.001-0.25 (W) output power & 0.010-0.1 (km) cell radius 2. Picocells – 0.25-1 (W) output power & 0.1-0.2 (km) cell radius 3. Microcells – 1-10 (W) output power & 0.2-2.0 (km) cell radius 4. Macrocells – 10 to >50 (W) output power & 8-30 (km) cell radius