CableFree is offering Small Cell base stations for 5G-NR: Available in many different frequency bands and options
5G Small Cell technology
CableFree has developed a range of Small Cells offering 5G-SA (Standalone) capacity and performance for Outdoor and Indoor applications. CableFree Small Cells offer advanced features including:
- Up to 100MHz channels
- 2×2 MIMO and options for 4×4 MIMO
- Versions for all FR1 Frequency bands from 600MHz up to 6GHz
- High performance RF chipsets & CPU
- 3GPP Release 15, upgradable in software
- Uncapped maximum user count
- Outdoor and Indoor versions available
Small Cell Applications
Small Cells are used for capacity expansion and coverage infill especially in urban sites where high user densities require increased capacity and building structures create “black spots” or holes in coverage from main macro sites.
Outdoor and Indoor Versions available
CableFree Small Cells are available in Outdoor versions in ruggedised weatherproof housings, which can be mounted on walls, poles, masts, street poles or other structures. Outdoor Small Cells have DC 48V power feed and a choice of Copper RJ45 or Fibre Optic SFP interfaces.
Indoor Small Cells are build in aesthetically-pleasing indoor form factor, suitable for mounting on walls, ceilings or other structures indoors. Indoor versions usually are limited to lower RF power levels to meet industry-wide safety standards for safe deployment, and have power levels similar or lower than typical WiFi access points. Indoor Small Cells have DC 48V power feed with an external AC-DC power supply, and a choice of Copper RJ45 or Fibre Optic SFP interfaces
Full FR1 5G Band support, FDD and TDD technology
Small Cells are available in all FR1 frequency bands from 600MHz up to 6GHz, with either FDD or TDD technology to suit the specific bands. The bands supported included fully licensed operator bands as well as Shared Spectrum bands such as offered in the UK, Germany, Netherlands and USA. Includes n77 (3800-4200MHz) which is available in the UK.
5G Non-Standalone (NSA) vs Standalone (SA)
Initial 5G NR launches depend on existing LTE (4G) infrastructure in non-standalone (NSA) mode (5G NR software on LTE radio hardware), before maturation of the standalone (SA) mode (5G NR software on 5G NR radio hardware) with the 5G core network.
CableFree Small Cells support 5G-SA today, with a single frequency band radio interface.
A 5G Base Station uses New Radio (NR) technology and is referred to as a gNodeB (gNb). gNodeB radios features Software Defined Radio (SDR) with various MIMO options including 2×2, 4×4, 8×8 and Massive MIMO options for higher capacities. Options for 5G deployment in Sub-6GHz bands as well as Millimeter Wave (mmWave) bands are available.
Seamless Upgrade Path to future-proof networks
The use of advanced SDR enables a seamless migration from today’s 4G LTE network to an initial 5G NSA implementation (4G eNodeB plus 5G-NSA gNodeB combined on each site) to a pure 5G Stand-Alone (SA) network using 5G NR radios only. This roadmap capability is unique in the cellular industry, and preserves operator investment in hardware, equipment and installation time.
5G Spectrum: Frequency Bands
Frequency bands for 5G NR are being separated into two different frequency ranges.
- Frequency Range 1 (FR1) includes sub-6GHz frequency bands, some of which are bands traditionally used by previous standards, but has been extended to cover potential new spectrum offerings from 410 MHz to 7125 MHz.
- Frequency Range 2 (FR2) includes frequency bands from 24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz. Bands in this millimeter wave range have shorter range but higher available bandwidth than bands in the FR1
Evolution of Cellular Technology
The new radio access technology for 5G is called “NR” and replaces “LTE”, and the new base station is called gNB (or gNodeB), and replaces the eNB (or eNodeB or Evolved Node B).
| Generation | Radio Technology | Base Station Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2G | GSM | BTS (Base Transceiver Station) |
| 3G | UMTS | NodeB |
| 4G | LTE | eNB, Evolved NodeB |
| 5G | NR | gNB, gNodeB |
For Further Information
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