Ericssons Radio Site solutions

Patrik Sivermalm

With the objective of building more efficient radio networks, Ericsson has Supporting cost-effective
developed a portfolio of complete Radio Site solutions that espouse low radio networks
total cost of ownership (TCO). The portfolio addresses everything from ra-
dio performance to supporting systems, such as power supply and trans- Today, fifty years after the introduction of the
first mobile phones, you could think that ra-
mission. It also addresses ordering and services, such as site engineering,
dio base stations have, to some extent, become
installation and integration services. standardized items. However, while it is true
These unique solutions take network planning to the next level. In that equipment is quite mature and readily
particular, the combination of innovative radio features and efficient site available from numerous suppliers, Ericssons
solutions allows operators to reduce the total number of radio sites in their Radio Site solutions show that the whole is
access networks. still more than the sum of its parts. This is
because the task of optimizing solutions for
minimum TCO (CAPEX plus OPEX) entails
rethinking the entire design, and engineer-
Background improved link budget? And when will more ing each component to contribute optimally
capacity become necessary? to the overall equation. Merely combining
Operators face many difficult decisions when Ericsson has addressed these and other the best or cheapest components in a package
deploying radio networks. Today, consider- questions, developing a collection of cost- does not produce the same results.
able new growth occurs in emerging markets effective Radio Site solutions to specific envi- Ericsson has also developed a model that
where income and average revenue per user ronmental scenarios. Moreover, it should be enables operators to accurately calculate
(ARPU) are relatively low. In more mature noted that multiple solutions exist for met- TCO for different Radio Site solutions. The
and developed markets, by contrast, the ropolitan, suburban, rural, and in-building model takes every relevant factor into ac-
main emphasis is on optimizing operating site environments. Examples include indoor count (Figure 3). CAPEX includes radio and
expenses (OPEX). But regardless of where and outdoor macro sites as well as rooftop transmission equipment, civil works, and
operators do business, they must all opti- and main-remote solutions with minimum network rollout. OPEX includes operation
mize their entry-level investments in radio footprints. To facilitate planning prior to and maintenance.
networks in such a way that these networks rollout, each solution has been optimized for
can start paying for themselves in months, a given environment and dimensioned with Superior radio
not years. And in doing so, they must con- the most appropriate radio configuration
sider several interrelated questions (Figure 2). and supporting equipment and services. The performance
What, for example, is the initial demand for solutions also address other concerns that Ericssons radio base stations for WCDMA
capacity? How many sites will be needed to might have significant impactwhen build- and GSM, now in their third and fourth
cover a given area? What is the value of an ing radio sites. generation, have been optimized to de-

Figure 1
Ericsson Site Collection areas: Metropolitan, Suburban, Rural and In-building.

14 Ericsson Review No. 1, 2007

liver maximum radio performance with
minimum power consumption. RBS
products are available on every frequency
band. One may even combine GSM and
WCDMA units at the same site, allow-
ing them to share transmission and power
components. What is more, to give custom-
ers the smoothest possible upgrade path,
Ericsson coordinates its GSM and WCDMA
development.
Ericssons solutions are based on the mar-
kets most complete portfolio of RBS prod-
ucts. These range from high-capacity base
stations for macro sites (such as GSM RBS
2216 and WCDMA RBS 3206) to lower-
capacity products for micro sites (such as the
all-in-one GSM RBS 2308 and WCDMA
RBS 3308).
The most important benefit of superior
radio performance is cost-effective coverage
and capacity at the radio access network level.
Coverage is optimized with excellent radio
Figure 2
performance; capacity is optimized by means
Issues operators must consider when planning new or improved coverage.
of unique radio functionalities and features.
This translates into significantly fewer radio
sites per coverage area. In other words, it dra-
matically reduces an operators entry-level in-
vestments. However, to realize these savings
at the network level, one must have a network
or subnetwork of optimally configured Radio
Site solutions.
One other important benefit of an integrat-
ed Radio Site solution is the ability to further
optimize performance. Consequently, many
of the configurations employ an optimized
antenna system with tower-mounted ampli- Figure 3
fiers (TMA), which improve the uplink and Logical diagram of the TCO model.
create larger cells. A properly dimensioned
antenna system can thus increase range and
sensitivity. It also extends battery life in mo-
bile phones by lowering the requirements for
output power.
A variety of antenna systems makes it pos-
sible to maximize radio network capacity,
coverage, or both. Operators may thus pre-
cisely dimension network coverage and opti-
mally distribute the link budget. By config-
uring the network across the coverage area to
provide the exact capacity required in each
cell, operators can minimize their entry-level
investments while providing ample capacity
throughout subsequent phases of expansion
as traffic increases.

Integrated functionality
and building practices
Ericssons Radio Site solutions have been

Ericsson Review No. 1, 2007 15

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comprehensively engineered to integrate
functionality in a manner that further en-
hances their performance. Take, for instance,
power, a parameter that often dominates
OPEX. An integrated site solution from
Ericsson manages and regulates power pre-
cisely and employs an intelligent battery-
charging algorithm. Compared with conven-
tional charging methods, this funcationality
also allows for charging methods that pro-
long battery life.
The building practice for macro base
stations is one other area where integrated
design translates into a significant reduc-
WCDMA base stations can, for example, be
stacked for maximum output with minimal
footprint.
In addition, the cabinets feature a unique
dual-chimney system that draws air from the
front of the cabinet, causing it to flow over
and cool equipment before being channeled
out into the inner chimney at the back. This
design and increased maximum operating
temperature significantly reduce the need for
air conditioning, resulting in much lower site
power consumption.

New method of
systematization
Operators who want to reduce TCO cannot
continue to buy bits and pieces. Todays com-
Figure 5
petitive market and evolving full-service net-
Optimizing an investment for a new or extended network involves weighing together
works necessitate complete solutions that are
many different factors. This figure shows the dimensions that are used for qualifying
more than the sum of their parts. To this end,
the site characteristics. By choosing from the Ericsson Site collection one can build an
Ericsson has implemented a new method of
optimized radio network to specific operator requirements. Note: This figure represents a
systematizing and developing radio solutions
Rural Shelter Site solution.
that significantly lower TCO by
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shortening time to revenue;
enhancing network quality; and
reducing operator risk.
Indeed, Ericssons design engineers have
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necessary differences between base station
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Z[[^X^ZcXn building practice, carry-to-site concept, and
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site costs and time to service. In summary,
Ericsson is working proactively to drive
down costs, improve radio functionality, and
implement more efficient building practices.
Ad\^hi^Xh$aZVYi^bZ H^iZdeZgVi^dcVcY Each of the Radio Site solutions has been
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16 Ericsson Review No. 1, 2007

 BOX A, ERICSSON SITE COLLECTION SOME EXAMPLES
Rural Shelter Site solution for GSM
(RBS 2216)
The Rural Shelter Site solution with
RBS 2216, the most recent GSM macro
base station, is a complete solution for
Greenfield deployments that include a
shelter. It also features MINI-LINK TN,
the most flexible microwave product in
the market. In addition, the included shel-
ter has space for further expansion that
is, a WCDMA base station can be installed
together with GSM equipment. The solution
supports all radio features and functionalities to
maximize coverage, capacity, or both. Optimized radio features increase
coverage, which in turn, can lead to a reduction in sites in the network.
Rural Outdoor Site solution for
WCDMA (RBS 3106)
Thanks to its cost-effective design, the
Rural Outdoor Site solution for
WCDMA is ideal for expansion in areas
where wireless and perhaps even fixed
services were not previously available.
The solution is based on the latest, most
advanced technology to ensure maximum
radio performance and low total cost of
ownership. It includes all components and
relevant services to profitably extend coverage
to areas with low population density.
Metropolitan Rooftop Site solution for
GSM (RBS 2116)
The Metropolitan Rooftop Site solution for
GSM is a pre-defined solution for easy
placement and installation. the design,
which supports up to 3x4 or 3x2 con-
figurations, has been optimized for rapid
network rollout for all possible locations.
the carry-to-site solution is thus ideal for
city environments, because installation
does not dependent on a crane two people
can carry the site solution to a rooftop via a
buildings stairwell or elevator.
Suburban Rooftop Site solution for
WCDMA (RBS 3518)
The suburban rooftop site solution for
WCDMA using RBS 3518 is a pre-de-
fined main-remote solution with a low-
weight segmented RBS main unit which
simplifies the site acquisition because of
less interference with the building structure
Ericsson Review No. 1, 2007
and the site rent can be reduced due to no or very small foot print. With
the main remote concept, expansion of capacity and coverage can be
implemented gradually by adding up to six remote units. This means
that the solution corresponds to medium to high capacity needs (256
CE 2 C/site) and provides excellent macro coverage. This solution
takes the carry-to-site concept to its most beneficial level. very small
foot print.
Metropolitan Indoor Site solution for
WCDMA (RBS 3206)
The Metropolitan Indoor Site solution
for WCDMA with RBS 3206 is a generic
indoor macro solution with a pre-defined
installation pattern. This building-block
solution is suitable for almost any indoor
location where a medium- to high-capac-
ity solution is required. The Indoor Site for
WCDMA can be co-located and co-sited with
GSM and fitted with different antenna systems to
optimize coverage and capacity. Operators can expect
this solution to provide best-in-industry efficiency in terms of minimiz-
ing power consumption, optimizing radio performance, and minimizing
environmental impact.
Metropolitan Street-smart Site solution
for WCDMA (RBS 3107)
The Metropolitan Street-smart Site solution
for WCDMA includes a slim base station
(RBS 3107) designed for sites where mini-
mal depth and quiet operation are required.
The solution includes power backup and
an antenna system that can be visually
integrated with a lamp post. Being thoroughly
tested and optimally configured at delivery,
the Street-smart Site requires less maintenance
and fewer site visits that traditional solutions. What is
more, because it is an open-environment solution, maintenance may be
carried out at any time.
In-building GSM/WCDMA Coverage
site solution (base station optional)
The In-building Coverage Site solu-
tion provides coverage and enhances
capacity inside buildings. Thanks to
its single infrastructure design, this
flexible, future-proof and cost-effective
single-operator solution can work with
any operator and base station system
(GSM850, GSM900, GSM1800, GSM1900,
WCDMA, and so on). The solution thus offers
a high degree of flexibility in the context of differ-
ent business solutions.
17

Figure 6
Example of Rooftop Site solution in New
Delhi, India.
urban rooftop, or in an indoor environment
where silent operation is essential, these solu-
tions can help operators to leverage market
opportunities and tap into new streams of
revenue.
Ericssons collection of Radio Site solu-
tions enables operators to build an optimized
radio network to specific requirements.
TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
ANP Antenna-near product
ARPU Average revenue per user
BTS Base transceiver station
CAPEX Capital expenditures
EDGE Enhanced data rates for GSM TMA Tower-mounted amplifier
evolution
GSM Global system for mobile access
communication
18
Figure 5 shows important dimensions for
qualifying site characteristics. By following
this scheme operators can swiftly dimen-
sion for needs in the radio network build-
up phase, by choosing the right site for the
right purpose.
Defining site features
Ericsson has also conducted numerous stud-
ies to develop a high-level architecture for
defining site features that increase the ben-
efits of its Radio Site solutions. Antenna and
power systems are important focus areas
where significant enhancements have been
made. For example,
extensive use of antenna-near products
(ANP) reduces power loss between radio
units and antennas;
modular high-gain antennas built on pat-
ented solutions give extreme radio cover-
age;
measured output power from the antenna
is fed back to the radio unit to further op-
timize performance;
intelligent power-management algorithms
and optimized radio performance of pre-
vailing traffic loads further reduce power
consumption; and
optimized site power dimensioning mini-
mizes the need, among other things, for
diesel generators and battery power.
Shorter time to market
The examples presented in this article have
been chosen to illustrate the scope of Erics-
sons solution portfolio. Each solution repre-
OPEX Operating expenses
RBS Radio base station
RF Radio frequency
TCO Total cost of ownership
WCDMA Wideband code-division multiple
sents a complete radio site, including RBS,
antenna system, power and battery backup,
transmission and network planning, site en-
gineering and installation services. Moreover,
each has been pre-defined in terms of lead-
times and services, which minimizes op-
erator risk and shortens time to traffic. This
benefit is unique in the industry operators
who choose Ericsson, receive a complete sys-
tem that is delivered and installed with the
shortest possible lead-time.
Conclusion
Operators who want to reduce TCO cannot
continue to buy bits and pieces. Todays com-
petitive market and evolving full-service net-
works necessitate complete solutions that are
more than the sum of their parts. To help op-
erators build more efficient radio networks,
Ericsson has developed the Ericsson Site
Collection that is, a portfolio of complete
Radio Site solutions that espouse low TCO.
The portfolio addresses operator issues
that are much more in focus, such as efficient
operations and maintenance (for example,
power consumption, back-up solutions, effi-
cient transmission, and minimized logistics).
These issues are of great significance, espe-
cially in emerging markets.
Each solution has been designed to fill a
specific market niche. Regardless of wheth-
er the site is located in a desert, on an ur-
ban rooftop, or in an indoor environment
where silent operation is essential, the solu-
tions can help operators to leverage market
opportunities and tap into new streams of
revenue.
Ericsson Review No. 1, 2007