5G small cells play a key role in many use cases.

A fully digitized and connected world is a distant reality, but with the arrival of 5G, connecting the world becomes easier. Small cells are the perfect device for 5G deployments.

Small cells are low-power, short-range wireless network transmission information systems (base stations) designed to provide technical services for indoor and outdoor applications or for the development of restricted geographic study areas. On the other person side,cellular module small cells have all the essential functional characteristics of cultural traditional base stations and can for a single user can handle high data analysis rates. In 5G and LTE advanced deployments, small cells are critical for the efficient delivery of economical high-speed mobile Internet broadband and other low-latency applications.

Types of 5G small cells

Organizations need to understand the various 5G small cell types because of their use cases, power consumption levels,lte module and coverage limitations. Small cells in 5G networks will be used in a wider range of scenarios and architectures than in previous generations. Listed below are the three main subtypes of microcells.

Femtocells

Primarily used as an inexpensive way to improve building coverage. Femtocells support 8-16 users, cover 30-165 feet, and provide backhaul connectivity via wire or fiber.

Picocells

Increase indoor and outdoor coverage for small businesses such as offices, hospitals, shopping centers, universities, and workplaces.Picocells have a range of 330-820 feet and can accommodate 32-64 people using cable or fiber backhaul connections.

Microcells

Microcells are used to cover specific areas such as hotels, shopping centers, and special locations in transportation hubs. Microcells use cable, fiber or microwave backhaul links and have a coverage area of 1.5 km and can accommodate up to 200 simultaneous users. Microcells are more expensive compared to femtocells and picocells.

How do small cells work?

Small cells are distributed using advanced methods such as MIMO, beam forming and millimeter waves, just like regular cellular. By utilizing the small cell principle, low power transmitter stations can be established quickly. In addition, small cell hardware units become simpler, which makes implementation faster and easier.

For indoor use, small base stations (transceivers) can be mounted on walls; for outdoor applications, small towers or lamp posts can be used. Microwave connections, cable connections and fiber optic connections can all be used for backhaul. Only backhaul and power connections are required, and configurations are minimal.

The Evolving Role of 5G Small Cells in the Wireless Era

It is important to remember that small cells are not a novel 5G technology. Small cells are already installed in 3G and 4G networks.

In 3G Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) or Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) networks, small cell systems were mostly used in residential areas to add a coverage nationwide so that cellular mobile network technology could carry coverage issues to as many customers as possible.

As networks become denser in urban areas or between businesses in large buildings, microcells are used in 4G networks to reduce capital expenditures and maximize network expansion.

In addition to supporting smartphones, 5G connects everything, including cars, IoT devices, and cutting-edge "killer" applications. The concept of providing capacity for mobile devices and connectivity for IoT sensors will be critical to the development of microcellular 5G.

Related articles:

Cellular IoT and the future of 5G

Cellular networks: why are they called cellular networks?

Cellular Internet of Things: Panoramic Convergence for a Smart Conn...