IJCSt Vol.

2, ISSue 3, September 2011

ISSN : 2229-4333(Print) | ISSN : 0976-8491(Online)

Femtocell A Review
1,2 1

College of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China 2 Manav Bharti University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India 3 C.G.C. Group of Colleges, Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab, India 4 Dept. of ECE, I.E.T. Bhaddal, Ropar, Punjab, India 5 Dept. of Computer Science & Engg., Bhai Maha Singh College of Engineering, Muktsar, Punjab, India

Amit Kumar, 3Divya, 4Tanvir Singh, 5Dr. Sawtantar Singh Khurmi

Abstract The ICT industry has 2-10% energy consumption in the world, which is expected to be more demanding in future due to increase in density of base stations in 4G wireless communication networks and will creates a power management problem. It has been estimated that by 2014, 1.6 EB of data will be sent and received each month. Femtocell is a possible solution to address the challenge, as it can increase the system capacity of wireless link by getting the transmitter and receiver closer to each other, which creates the dual benefits of higher-quality links and more spatial reuse, in a cost efficient manner. In this paper, we have discussed the need, concept and Benefits of femtocell. Also, we have discussed the advantages of femtocell over Wi-Fi and challenges in implementing femtocell service. Keywords 4G, Femtocell, ICT, Wi-Fi. I. Introduction Femtocell is a small cellular base station installed in homes and offices that can combine mobile and internet technologies within the home [1]. As femtocells are even smaller than the nanocells, hence its output power is very low, even less than 0.1 watt. The objective of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of femtocell technique to be used in future mobile broadband networks to provide better mobile data experience. In this paper, we have discussed the need, concept and Benefits of femtocell. Also, we have discussed the advantages of femtocell over Wi-Fi and challenges in implementing femtocell service. II. Need of femtocell Mobile data traffic has more than doubled in each of the past three years (according to Cisco). The majority of that new traffic will be online video, which requires massive bandwidth (See Fig.1). It has been estimated that by 2014, 1.6 EB of data will be sent and received each month. The possible solutions in the form of smaller cell sizes such as microcells and nanocells have been used to gain more capacity in urban hotspots like shopping centers and office buildings. In fact no existing device like Wi-Fi has protection from interference. Even coverage has become the major problem in rural areas due to long distance between base stations and in indoor and underground locations due to wall attenuations. Hence factors like coverage, capacity and security etc. demonstrates the need of device like femtocell which can provide a solution to such type of problems.

Fig. 1: Wireless Data Growth leads to Spectrum deficit [10] III. Concept of Femtocell Femtocell is a very small, low cost base stations whose transmit power is very low. These devices are integrated to small plastic desktop and wall mounts cases that are powered from the customers electricity sockets. Femtocell backhaul connection is via customers internet connection that can be DSL, or cable modem or any other [8] (see Fig. 2).

Fig. 2: Femtocell Diagram 3G femtocell works by using operator licensed spectrum. It connects mobile device to 3G network that phone uses outdoors. But 3G femtocell access point must be connected to a broadband internet connection. Hence it completes voice call or data session by connecting to operators network through the broadband connection [3]. Hence there is no need to make any modifications or change any settings in a standard 3G handsets. When users are indoors, cell phone connects to femtocell instead of searching for an external base station and calls are smoothly handed off between inside and outside cells as the users move. It also increases battery life of users handset as mobile phone is latched with minimum 6 BTSs (Base Transceiver Station) at a time and out of which 1 is selected which has maximum RX Level (Range) and this latching process will be done by Femto device [4,5].
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ISSN : 2229-4333(Print) | ISSN : 0976-8491(Online)

IJCSt Vol. 2, ISSue 3, September 2011

Femtocell technology is extending beyond the home environment and several operators are launching dual femtocell access points for consumer and enterprise environments. According to Infonetics Research, the sales of fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) network elements as well as femtocells are expected to record a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 86 percent from 2009 to 2014. The same is supported by the Informa Telecom and Media (See Fig.3) [2,9].

not the problem in case of femtocell. Even in case of Wi-Fi, device has no protection from interference. Femtocell operates in licensed spectrum whereas Wi-Fi operates in unlicensed spectrum. Wi-Fi does not even reveal the identity of end user which is required for billing and hence this problem has been solved by using femtocell. Wi-Fi has no centralized network to monitor, resolve or mitigate interference. But the use of Wi-Fi will be continued because many homes and offices already have Wi-Fi access points. Even consumers do not see the need to add licensed spectrum femtocell access point. Operators of Wi- Fi also provide independence and familiarity to consumers. VI. Challenges in implementing femtocell service In order to keep the expenses low, femtocells require very little for installation and setup. The devices should also be auto configuring so that it is very easy for the customer to use it. The user only needs to plug in the cables for internet connection and electricity and everything else should be automatically configured. Even the exact location of the femtocell can never be known in advance. Femtocell can even face a problem in adjusting with its surrounding environment as the environment changes continuously. Even opening and closing doors again and again can change the environment. If femtocells will be deployed in large scale, then network should also be strong enough to manage this. Even building walls and widows attenuate the signal. As 70-80% of mobile traffic is generated indoors mostly in homes and offices, so it is quite challenging for a femtocell to deliver excellent data experience indoors. Hence we can say that management is big issue as operators today manage tens of thousands of cell sites. Femtocells will number in millions. It will lead to interference problem. That interference can also be femtocell to femtocell interference in adjacent buildings. Even the configuration of the femtocell should be so simple that an average user can install it. VII. Conclusion Wireless data usage continues to increase at an unprecedented pace due to the mass adoption of smartphones, tablets and wireless modems for laptops, which is driving the need for continued innovations in wireless data technologies to provide more capacity, high speed connections and generate large amounts of data traffic to the network along with higher quality of service. Femtocells provide an attractive way for mobile operators to offer a more fulfilling user experience and deliver broadband data services indoorsconsistently and reliably. Femtocell and Wi-Fi will coexist in the future. Customers and operators both can be benefited from femtocell technology if it is combined with the existing Wi-Fi technology. But for this the device must be intelligent enough to select the most appropriate connection. Accessing a local femtocell can be more lucrative than accessing the modern network. Femtocells will be successful to make the landlines away. More importantly, there are no health effects from radio waves below the limits applicable to wireless communication system. References [1] The Femto Forum (2010), Wireless in Home & Office, [Online] Available: www.femtoforum.org [2] Airvana (2010), Mobile broadband everywhere. [Online] Available: www.airvana.org [3] Tiejun Ma, Peter Pietzuch, Femtocell Coverage Optimisation Using Statistical Verification. [Online] Available: http://lsds. doc.ic.ac.uk/research/doc/networking11-coverage.pdf
InternatIonal Journal of Computer SCIenCe and teChnology

Fig. 3: Femtocell access point and user forecasts [9] Source: Informa Telecoms & Media IV. Benefits offered by Femtocell [6,7] Its transmission power is very low It can reduce network cost i.e. it will reduce CAPEX and OPEX. It can be connected with existing handsets that operates in licensed spectrum can use residential DSL or cable connection for backhaul. Small cell sizes such as macrocells and nanocells will improve the capacity in urban hotspots like shopping centers and office buildings and even in rural areas. Due to indoor installation, it will improve indoor coverage at least in close proximity. Frequency reuse is possible from one building to other building. It resolve the issue of voice traffic priority over data traffic on a users internet connection. It will provide reliable operations indoors. It will reduce latency and hence creates better user experience for mobile data services and will increase wireless data rates. It benefits the operators by strengthening the dependence upon operator managed services. It also reveals the identity of end user and also the type of device the customer is using, the current downloads and purchases from operators provided to the customers that further helps the operator to take the share of revenue. V. Advantages of Femtocell over Wi-Fi It has helped to expand voice and data coverage. It has enhanced the user experience by offloading (i.e. the device carries the traffic from phone or laptop over an alternative network) the growing amount of data. It offers high level of security and better device battery life as compared to Wi-Fi. Perfect service continuity for voice calls and SMS over Wi-Fi is harder to achieve whereas this is
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IJCSt Vol. 2, ISSue 3, September 2011

ISSN : 2229-4333(Print) | ISSN : 0976-8491(Online)

[4] Cisco (2010), Cisco Femto Solution. [Online] Available: http://www.cisco.com/en/US/solutions/collateral/ns341/ ns523/ns941/solution_overview_c22-597334.pdf [5] Tanvir Singh, Amit Kumar, Dr. Sawtantar Singh Khurmi, Scarce Frequency Spectrum and Multiple Access Techniques in Mobile Communication Networks, IJECT Vol. 2 Issue 2, June 2011. [6] Darrell Davies (2010), Femtocell in the Home, Motorola, [Online] Available: http://www.motorola.com/web/Business/ Solutions/Technologies/Femtocells/_Documents/Static%20 files/Femtocells_Briefing_Paper.pdf [7] Femtocell is edging towards the Enterprise. [Online] Available: http://www.setyobudianto.com [8] Mikko Jarvinen, Femtocell Deployment in 3rd Generation Networks, Espoo, Finland, 03 June 2009. [9] Informa telecoms & Media (2011), Femtocell Market Status. [Online] Available:http://www.dolcera.com/wiki/images/ Informa_Femtocell_Market_Status_Q1_2011.pdf [10] CNN Money (2011). 4G wont solve 3Gs problems. [Online] Available: http://money.cnn.com/2011/03/29/ technology/4g_lte/index.htm Amit Kumar received his bachelors degree in Mathematics from the Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, India, in 2002 and Masters degree in Computer Application from Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, India, in 2006. He completed his M.Phil. in Computer Science from Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamilnadu, India, in 2010. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Computer Science. He is working as a Lecturer and Researcher in the Department of Computer Science, College of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China. He has many publications in National /International Conference proceedings and International Journals. He is a reviewer for many international Journals. His current interest includes Techno-Economic Analysis of Broadband Wireless. His future focus is to explore the Green Wireless Technologies and their Sustainable development. Divya is pursuing her bachelors degree in Electronics and Communication from C.G.C. Group of Colleges, Gharuan, Mohali (Punjab Technical University), Punjab, INDIA. She has published a paper in International Journal. Her field of research is Wireless Communication Networks. Tanvir Singh is pursuing his bachelors degree in Electronics and Communication from I.E.T., Bhaddal, Ropar (Punjab Technical University), Punjab, INDIA. He is working as a budding researcher in field of research on topics Green Computing and Sustainability with a dream to create a Technical Advanced and eco- friendly world. He has published many papers in International Journals and conference

Dr. Sawtantar Singh Khurmi received his MCA from IGNOU, New Delhi, India, and M.Phil. in Computer Science from Alagappa University, Kraikudi, India. He received his P.hD. from Guru Jambeshwar University, Hisar, India. He has more than 25 years of experience in teaching and research. He has published many books, book chapters. He has published, reviewed and presented many research papers in national and international conferences and journals. Presently he is working as Professor & Head, Department of Computer Science & Engineering., Bhai Maha Singh College of Engineering, Muktsar, Punjab, India.

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