Small Cells

Bringing Network Closer to User

Bringing the network closer to the user by adding small cells will provide a significant leap in performance. The HetNets (heterogeneous networks) that incorporate different kinds of small cells such as micro, pico, femto, metro cells, relays, and others, all integrated with Wi-Fi, are instrumental in meeting the anticipated 1000x increase in data demand. HetNet optimizations such as Range Expansion can provide performance much more than what can be achieved by mere adding small cells.

Femtocells are here

The residential femtocells are already popular among operators. Actually, there are more 3G femtocells deployed in the market today than macro cells. Typically, these are closed (only allows registered users) and often share the same spectrum. In such cases, Qualcomm’s UltraSON™ suite of tools (designed for closed access femtos) are essential for proper femto/macro interworking.

HSPA+ Range Expansion is possible today

Range Expansion increases the utilization of small cells and increase the overall capacity of the network. HSPA+ Range Expansion is possible today, and the future evolutions increase the performance even further by bringing features such as “Multiflow” to small cell deployments.

LTE Advanced brings more out of small cells

LTE Advanced brings many different dimensions of benefits, but most of the gains come from HetNets. The Range Expansion features that increases the utilization of small cells, were introduced in Rel. 10. And now the industry is working on future enhancements such as Opportunistic small cells that dynamically turn ON/OF based on proximate users.

Learn more about LTE Advanced

Neighborhood Small cells – An Inside out approach

Neighborhood Small Cells (NSC) is a new small cell deployment model that Qualcomm is proposing. Essentially, NSC is a network of extremely low-cost, plug-and-play, open access, indoor small cells. It not only offers very high indoor capacity but also provides outdoor capacity, and good coverage in the immediate “neighborhood.” NSC is powered by Qualcomm’s UltraSON™ suite of interference and mobility management techniques. Our initial studies show capacity increases of up to 500x with a mere 9 percent penetration of households, and up to 1000x with 20% penetration, while using 10 times more spectrum.

Learn more about Neighborhood Small cells

Seamless 3G/4G/Wi-Fi integration

Wi-Fi is an integral part of the wireless landscape. Seamless integration between 3G/4 and Wi-Fi is absolutely necessary. This interworking/integration is multidimensional and complex. Standards offer many optimizations. In addition, Qualcomm packs many more enhancements, as part of our Connectivity Engine (CnE) in device chipsets, and similar features in our converged 3G/4G/Wi-Fi small cell solutions. These enhancements make the selection between 3G/4G and Wi-Fi links seamless and much more intelligent, by using real-time, end-to-end quality information about all the links.