What Types of Backhaul for Small Cells?

Small cell supplier ip.access will build an integrated LTE and 3G small cell. The new unit, codenamed the E-100, will be the first from ip.access to be based on the QorIQ Qonverge platform from U.S. chip maker Freescale.

The E-100 is a small cell Access Point targeted for use in enterprises and public indoor environments. The device will provide simultaneous 4G and 3G mobile phone signals with data speeds of up to 150 Mbps and 42 Mbps respectively. The product will be ready for field trials expected in the first quarter of 2013.

The E-100 is expected to be used by mobile network operators to improve mobile phone service quality and data speeds inside office buildings, shopping malls, hotels and other public indoor areas. ip.access announces plans for first LTE small cell

The small cell architecture also reshapes thinking about cell backhaul. For starters, ip.access says small cell backhaul can use un-managed DSL or cable modem "best effort" networks.

The type of backhaul also will hinge on the expected traffic to be supported. On one end, a very-small femtocell, used in a residential or small business setting might need to support four to eight simultaneous voice channels plus data services. DSL or cable modems might well be the "backhaul" in such cases.

Picocells designed to support eight to 16 users might, or might not, use un-managed DSL or cable modem connections.

Picocells designed to support a public building site, serving 16 or more users will more typically require a more managed approach to backhaul.