Infrastructure components and hardware systems
The base station is the primary interface between mobile devices and the cellular network. Modern base stations integrate multiple technologies and frequency bands in compact, energy-efficient designs.
Base stations consist of radio frequency units, baseband processing units, power systems, and cooling infrastructure. They connect to the core network via backhaul links using fiber optic or microwave transmission.
Directional antennas covering 120-degree sectors. Typical cell site uses three sectors for 360-degree coverage. Vertical polarization with adjustable tilt.
360-degree horizontal coverage pattern. Used for small cells, indoor coverage, and low-capacity rural sites. Simple deployment with uniform coverage.
Multiple antenna elements for spatial multiplexing. 4x4, 8x8, or massive MIMO configurations. Enables beamforming and increased capacity.
Integrated radio and antenna with electronic beam steering. Real-time beamforming adapts to user locations. Essential for 5G massive MIMO.
Compact antennas for indoor and outdoor small cells. Low power, short range coverage for capacity enhancement in dense areas.
Point-to-point backhaul connections. High-capacity wireless links between base stations and core network. Requires line-of-sight.
Compact radio units mounted near antennas to minimize cable losses. Digital interface to baseband unit reduces complexity and improves performance.
Amplify transmitted signals to required power levels. Efficiency critical for operating costs. Doherty and envelope tracking architectures improve efficiency.
Duplexers separate transmit and receive signals in FDD systems. Filters reject out-of-band interference. Combiners enable multiple bands on single antenna.
Amplify weak received signals while minimizing noise. Critical for uplink sensitivity and coverage. Typically integrated in remote radio head.
Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) servers run virtualized network functions. High-performance processors handle signaling and data plane operations.
High-capacity IP routers interconnect network elements. Switches provide layer 2 connectivity within data centers. Support for MPLS and segment routing.
Firewalls protect network boundaries. DDoS mitigation systems defend against attacks. Intrusion detection monitors for security threats.
Network-attached storage (NAS) and storage area networks (SAN) for subscriber data, billing records, and network analytics.
Consumer-grade small cells for residential use. Connects via broadband internet. Improves indoor coverage and offloads macro network.
Enterprise-grade small cells for indoor and outdoor deployment. Managed by operator. Higher capacity than femtocells.
Outdoor small cells for capacity enhancement in dense urban areas. Fiber backhaul for high capacity. Complements macro network.
Measure frequency spectrum and signal characteristics. Essential for interference detection, signal quality analysis, and regulatory compliance verification.
Test RF components including antennas, cables, and filters. Measure parameters like return loss, insertion loss, and VSWR.
Mobile measurement systems for coverage and quality testing. GPS-enabled logging of signal strength, throughput, and handover performance.
Capture and decode signaling messages. Debug network issues and verify protocol conformance. Support for 2G through 5G protocols.
Simulate radio propagation conditions in laboratory. Test device and base station performance under various channel conditions.
Simulate thousands of users for capacity testing. Verify network performance under peak load conditions before deployment.
Reliable power supply critical for network availability. AC and DC power distribution with battery backup for outages. Solar panels increasingly used for remote sites.
Equipment generates significant heat requiring active cooling. Air conditioning maintains optimal operating temperature. Free cooling and liquid cooling reduce energy consumption.
