A guide to 5G small cells and macrocells

When we talk about small cells and macrocells, we’re essentially talking about different types of base stations. Sometimes called a cell site, a base station connects wireless devices to a central hub.

What is a macrocell?

A macrocell is part of the radio access network (RAN) and provides radio coverage for the cellular network. It transmits and receives radio signals using Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO). It operates through an antenna mounted on a tower, or 5G transmitter mast, typically 50 to 200 feet tall. Its capabilities enable it to connect billions of devices while reducing latency or response time.

Macrocells have been in use for years as part of the radio access network, enabling 4G LTE service and providing the radio coverage for the cellular network. These cell sites are typically deployed higher than the surrounding buildings or terrain to avoid any obstruction to the signal, such as rooftops. In 5G networks, macrocell range covers miles and can serve a large town. They’re also commonly found in rural areas.

What is a microcell?

The word is often used synonymously with small cell, while others consider it a type of small cell. For our purposes, we’re treating it as a type of small cell.

A small cell only ranges from about 32 feet to just over a mile. These 5G nodes offer many of the same capabilities of traditional base stations. It’s about the size of a pizza box and enables mmWave frequencies with high-speed connectivity, handling high data rates. 5G small-cell deployment is localised, transmitting radio signals to provide cellular and internet services within small, geographic areas.

Small-cell base stations, known as transceivers, use low power and are implemented in densely populated areas and are cheaper and much faster to deploy than the larger macrocells. As 5G transmitter range is so limited, multiple small-cell antennas are needed to provide the services that 5G promises. Small cells transmit signals using advanced techniques MIMO, beamforming and mmWaves. Using the small-cell model, low-power transmitting stations can easily be deployed. They can be mounted on walls for indoor applications, or on lamp posts outdoors.

There are three different types of small cells.

• Femtocells

A 5G femtocell, also called a home base station, is around the size of a paperback book and commonly used inside homes and offices. There are no line-of-site restrictions with a femtocell network, but it also supports a limited number of users and ranges just over 30 feet. Outdoor femtocells are available, but inefficient coverage management translates to poor quality of service (QoS).

• Picocells

With a range of up to 656 feet, 5G picocells can be mounted as an outdoor and indoor cell site. Commonly used on planes and in malls, multiple picocells can be used at sites, unlike femtocells. Where femtocells are owned by the end user, a picocell network is the responsibility of an operator.

• Microcells

5G microcells cover just over a mile. As the name implies, microcell towers are small and can be added to infrastructure, such as lamp posts. An advantage of a microcell base station is its energy efficiency.

Macrocell vs. small cell

Small cells are the backbone of 5G and complement macrocells. In addition to improving network capacity for densely populated areas, they’re ideal for areas where signals are weak or not available at all. Both are required to create a heterogenous network. That is, a network where all cells, from micro to macro, are able to function.

These backbone nodes can piggyback onto macrocells in existing mobile network architectures. This means that small cells can get their connection through macrocells, before sending data to another small cell. This enables small cells to carry signals over greater distances. An efficient way for small cells to connect to a microcell is via mmWave wireless backhaul. This enables small cells to leverage macrocell’s tremendous bandwidth and tall, directional antennas. The channel capabilities of mmWave limits transmission range, however. This is why relays are needed for mmWave to expand coverage.

Another way to deploy small cells is by homing them back to the Mobile Telephone Switching Office (MTSO). This leads to longer-distance backhaul links, which involves complex and usually expensive right-of-way negotiations, especially if protected dual small-cell backhaul links are involved. The advantage here is that the capacity needs of existing microcell backhaul links are unaffected.

A comparison of small cells and macrocells

dBm=decimals per milliwatt.

Overview

Advantages of small cells

• Extend the coverage of cellular networks indoors
• Provide coverage in areas where signals are either weak or unavailable
• Enable service at all times in densely populated areas
• Cheaper to install than macrocell base stations
• Uses available frequency spectrum by re-using same frequencies in a given area
• Energy efficient – uses low power compared to macrocells
• Offloads cellular traffic and boosts network efficiency
• Faster to deploy than macrocells

Disadvantages of small cells

• Much shorter range than macrocells
• More limited capabilities – handles fewer simultaneous sessions of voice and data calls and internet searches
• As more small cells are needed to cover a limited area, overall deployment is more expensive than one microcell
• Vulnerable to signal interference

Advantages of macrocells

• Enables 5G networks to cover larger areas
• Easy to upgrade the equipment
• Enables faster response times, reducing latency
• Using massive MIMO, thousands of people can connect at the same time
• Wireless, so can be placed in locations where it’s not feasible to use cables

Disadvantages of macrocells

• Impacted by multipath signal loss
• Security vulnerabilities due to contact over the air
• High deployment costs
• Physical obstruction and elements (rain, etc.) can interfere with transmission
• Less data rate compared to a wired network

Challenges for 5G cells

While it’s a fact that wireless speeds have increased, the theoretical maximum upload and download speeds are rarely realised. Reasons vary, but you can learn more in Five major challenges of 5G deployment.

What else should you know?

Before designing your 5G base station, be sure to also read about:

5G architecture and design

Thermal management

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