Why do we need a 5G base station?

The limited penetration capability of millimeter waves necessitates the deployment of significantly more 5G base stations (the next generation Node B, gNB) than their 4G counterparts to ensure network coverage . Notably, the power consumption of a gNB is very high, up to 3–4 times of the power consumption of a 4G base stations (BSs).

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 a 5G network can support a power system?

The 5G network and power system are coupled energetically by power feeders. Based on gNB-sleep actions and mode switching of their BESSs, 5G network can provide power support to the power system when the grid frequency deviation reaches the threshold.

How does 5G ran work?

In 5G-RAN, the gNB systems within designated areas are combined into gNBs-clusters by aggregators. All gNBs-clusters are powered by the power system plane through power feeders, so switching the modes of a certain number of gNBs (sleep/active) and BESSs (charge/idle/discharge) can alter the power injection of the power system.

How will mmWave based 5G affect PA & PSU designs?

Site-selection considerations also are driving changes to the PA and PSU designs. The higher the frequency, the shorter the signals travel, which means mmWave-based 5G will require a much higher density of small cells compared to 4G. Many 5G sites will also need to be close to street level, where people are.

How does a 5G base station reduce OPEX?

This technique reduces opex by putting a base station into a “sleep mode,” with only the essentials remaining powered on. Pulse power leverages 5G base stations’ ability to analyze traffic loads. In 4G, radios are always on, even when traffic levels don’t warrant it, such as transmitting reference signals to detect users in the middle of the night.