We propose a new definition: A femtocell can have any power level but the key is that it involves a collapsed RNC/nodeB architecture. There can be all levels of capacity and power levels involved.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
What is a femtocell?
Mobile Experts has interviewed over 30 different mobile operators recently on the topic of Het Nets. One problem the industry has: We cannot agree on a definition for a "femtocell". Why is it so hard? Because the original concept of a low-power femto has been hijacked by the idea of higher power, higher capacity cells with a collapsed RNC structure.
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Yes! So many mistakenly characterise femto by miniaturisation.
ReplyDeleteBut here's an alternative: femtocells are characterised by their intelligence. The software that provided real-time interference mitigation has been developed to enable femtos to autonomously form self-organising networks. This, combined with more powerful hardware, has resulted in femto grids being deployed in enterprises, and the testing of metro "super-grids", a completely new type of outdoor network.In Japan, rural femtos provide coverage over several kilometres.
More on femto intelligence in the Ubi blog ...http://ubiquisys.com/femtocell-blog/femtocell-intelligence-not-always-small-but-always-clever-%E2%80%93-the-rise-of-the-intelligent-cell/
Good point Will! I agree that the femto approach results in more intelligence and more "SON" than the macro base stations where SON was supposed to be pioneered.
ReplyDeleteAs an analyst I plan to use the collapsed node B/RNC architecture as the defining point for femtos because the level of "intelligence" is a judgment call.