Increasing 5G acceleration. Total installed 5G global cell sites are expected to expand from 986,000 cell sites in 2021 to 6.6 million cell sites in 2027 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 44.9%. It’s not just infrastructure. 5G mobile subscriptions are projected to grow from 664 million subscribers in 2021 to 4.39 billion in 2027. Similarly, traffic generated from 5G is projected to increase to 6,268 excise by 2027 and account for 83% of all cellular traffic. In addition to upgrading traditional network services, 5G is enabling a variety of connectivity situations that can meet enterprise gaps, not only in the primer market, but also in manufacturing, healthcare and financial services.
Mobile backhole links continue to grow
ABI Research predicts that the number of macro cell links will increase from about 8.1 million links in 2021 to 11.1 million links in 2027, while the number of small cell backhole links will increase from 1.6 million links in 2021 to 6.1 million in 2027. CAGR of 25.8%. Fiber Mobile Telecom has entered to support the cellular radio access network (RAN) infrastructure, but has a total cost of ownership (TCO) profile that can only be justified in certain installation situations depending on the market. Therefore, microwave backholes will still be responsible for most global backhole links between 2021 and 2027, with about 65%. Wireless backholes have justified its presence in the market through the use of spectrum and several innovations in communication technology. In particular, the use of e-band (71 GHz (86 GHz) to 86 GHz), which can support a wide range of channels, has become a game changer.
Use of e-band
The spectrum channels in the e-band are large enough – typically 500 MHz to 2,000 MHz. By comparison, traditional microwave band channel sizes (6 GHz to 56 GHz) typically range from 28 MHz to 56 MHz. The data throughput for the e-band is significantly higher than for the traditional microwave band. Traditional microwave narrow spectrum channels mean throughput typically from 0.25 gigabits (Gbps) to 0.5 Gbps per channel, whereas e-bands can achieve at least 3.2 Gbps to 6.4 Gbps for a 500 MHz and 1 GHz. Channels, respectively. Additional technological advances may exacerbate these situations. In the past, traditional microwave solutions (e.g., in the 15 GHz to 23 GHz bands) were supported because of their long transmission distances. However, using the latest mmWave antennas, bonded channels, cross polarization (XPIC), advanced modulation schemes, radio signal stabilization technology, etc., the distance of e-band signal propagation is being reduced from the previous modest ~ 3.5 km (km) and 3.2 GB. Up to 6.4 Gbps data throughput:
- XPIC: An example of these improvements to the e-band Millimeter Wave (mmWave) backhole solution can be seen in Huawei’s e-band Long-Rich solution that can deliver 20 Gbps in urban and suburban environments, allowing XPIC. XPIC is a technique that can double spectral performance by transmitting two signals in a horizontal and vertical plane over the same channel.
- Channel binding: By tying a microwave band (e.g., 18 GHz band) to the e-band, mobile operators can extend the range of transmission from 3.5 km to 7 km. The lower band link is used to ensure carrier-grade availability (e.g., 99.995%).
- Antenna stability: Another innovative mmWave technology that has increased signal strength and distance is antenna stabilization. The mmWave transmission effectively travels in a very narrow beam. It is suitable for frequency reuse, but can confuse high wind and unfavorable weather transmissions. Huawei’s Intelligent Beam Tracking (IBT) technology uses algorithms to maintain beam stability, which significantly increases the tolerance of e-band placement on cell sites. This intelligent tracking technology enables the placement of larger antennas (i.e., 0.6 m (m) and 0.9 m) and increases the e-band signal transmit power to secure a link over long distances.
Combining these technologies, Huawei reports that its long-awaited e-band solution can reach up to 10 km through the implementation of an integrated, high-power solution that increases transit power by 24 decibels per milliwatts (dBm) compared to the industry average of 18. Offers 20 dBm to 20 dBm and 20 Gbps data throughput.
Multiple transceivers
As infrastructure vendors continue to innovate and minimize their electronics, backhaul outdoor units (ODUs) have come down in size and weight. This makes backhaul tools highly integrated and more effective on cell sites. As 5G traffic throughput is growing rapidly, mobile operators will need to adopt multiple channels per cell site. Previously, only large macro-cell sites required such multiple channel configurations for high-traffic links.
Traditionally, to carry multiple microwave channels, mobile operators would place multiple ODUs in a specific tower, e.g., four ODIUs for four frequencies. These configurations, however, take the place of heavy and expensive antenna mounts. Recent solutions from backhoe vendors like Huawei now offer 4-in-1 transceivers in a single ODU. This represents a 75% volume reduction and a 30% reduction in power consumption. This multi-transmitter and multi-receiver hardware design has been actively applied to e-bands, such as an upcoming 2T2R e-band transceiver with optimized dual polarization that can transmit up to 25 Gbps and up to 50 Gbps with single hardware ODU. An advanced multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) setup.
Rural and scattered suburban communities need backholes
E-bands are ideal for central business districts and urban centers, but for rural communities, or indeed highly scattered small towns, often require backhaul hops that support high data throughput, as well as propagation distances of 10 km to 20 km or more. A versatile approach is to adopt a parallel link solution that can support power across multiple bands, which is fairly and difficult to deploy, while new innovations can enable multiple bands to be tied together through compact hardware and a single antenna. Using three combined microwave channels (selected from 6, 7, 8, or 13, 15, 18 GHz bands), the mobile operator can take advantage of a low TCO profile and maintain long-distance transmission with data throughput that can support 5G. . Compared to use-equivalent individual installations, hardware costs are reduced by 50% and tower space footprint by 67%. Huawei has demonstrated this in its SuperLink solution, which integrates three 4-in-1 ODUs and has a single 3-in-1 antenna. Such links could potentially provide 10+ Gbps of power over 20 kilometers.
The backhaul should be green
Since the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, a number of industries have begun to realize that they need to lean towards green initiatives, but they also need a 360º vision. It’s not just carbon dioxide (CO)2) That the impact on the production of telecommunication equipment is important, but CO2 Installation footprint and long-term maintenance. Over a 10-year period, microwave equipment produced 1,100 kilograms (kg) of CO2 Footprints, fiber-optics mounted on telephone poles weigh only 2,400 kg and buried fiber 4,400 kg. Differential is the result of additional equipment, site excavation, poured concrete, mast and drain etc.
Energy savings can also be made through energy consumption efficiency, such as using multiple integrated transceiver ODUs and highly integrated equipment such as multiband antennas for a limited power consumption profile. In addition, traffic-conscious technologies such as Huawei’s EcoWave microwave technology can save 8% to 10% on energy costs.
Conclusion
As 5G-enabled handsets move into the mainstream, 5G subscribers are increasing 5G cell site rollouts are also emerging, not only in highly developed markets, but across geographies and populations. Fiber-optic will be a useful backhole platform for mobile telcos, but microwave and mmWave backhole systems are proving to be important platforms for setting up small cells and macro cells in urban as well as rural communities. Historically, mobile operators have chosen microwave links in situations where they could not install fiber-optic, but the rapid pace of innovation and equipment minimization has now opened up MMwave bands. A raft of technologies, such as the highly integrated multi-transmit, multi-receiver ODU, multi-band antenna for traditional bands, and an extended e-band range, have significantly improved the propulsion features when delivering much-needed 5G-enabled deliveries. Power
In March 2022, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) announced the finalization of Release 17. Release 17 and Release 18 offer a range of “5G-advanced” features that will initiate many upgrades for cell sites and mobile devices. Release 17 RAN upgrades include enhanced MIMO, enhanced uplink control, and data channel design that enhances coverage, possible access to additional spectrum (71 GHz from 24.25- 52.6 GHz), enhanced integrated access backhaul (I). Supports simultaneous transmit (Tx) and receiver (Rx) and a simplified repeater solution for low cost cell site deployment in rural areas. These improvements will increase the data throughput maintained by each cell site, but as a result, mobile operators will need to take the necessary steps to upgrade their backhole infrastructure to keep pace with the development of 3GPP and Prosuma.
