What is a small cell in 5G?

Small cells are a new part of the 5G platform that increase network capacity and speed, while also having a lower deployment cost than macrocells. The compact size of a small cell requires that all components – especially power converters – provide high eficiency, better thermals and eventually the best power density possible.

How do small cells fit into the 5G ecosystem?

A cell tower (also called a macrocell) is a huge umbrella used to provide radio signals to thousands of users in large areas with minimal obstructions. To extend the coverage of a macrocell, distributive antenna systems (DASs) are used in conjunction with the cell tower.

How does a small cell base station affect a smartphone's battery life?

When a mobile device is close to a small-cell base station, the power needed to transmit the signal is much lower compared to the power needed to transmit a signal from a cell tower far away, thus extending smartphone battery life.

Are small cells the future of 5G?

The traditional wireless infrastructure approach to 5G has certain limitations, however, including penetration ability and signal reach due to a higher spectrum. That’s where small cells come in. Small cells increase the amount of trafic that can be handled in an area while also increasing speed.

Why do small cells need a 5G antenna?

Increasing the frequency increases the speed of sending/ receiving signals and helps shrink the size of the antenna, which in turn shrinks the size of the cell. Shorter wavelengths result in a decrease in signal penetration and radius, reinforcing the need for small cells. How do small cells fit into the 5G ecosystem?

How do you convert a base station to a power supply?

The most common method is to use multistage conversion: Table 1. Base station types. first the AC/DC or isolated PoE converter generating the intermediate bus voltage of 12 V or 5 V, and then a point-of-load converter to step down once more to the necessary voltage level.