Ericsson has unveiled a new radio network architecture, aimed at increasing site flexibility for quicker network roll-out and expansion. The new Ericsson Radio System will be presented in March at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, and Ericsson said it expects the first networks using the system to be deployed in Q3. Softbank Mobile is among the operators adopting the system.
The modular radio system looks to resolve problems with expanding coverage in densely populated and congested areas. Operators struggling with site acquisition challenges can use wall space in existing sites and add five times the capacity to towers, Ericsson said. The company claims the new radio system can deliver three times the capacity density with a 50 percent improvement in energy efficiency, while also reducing the total cost of ownership by 20 percent.
In addition to smaller size and weight, the new base stations are backward-compatible with Ericsson's existing RBS 6000 portfolio. Based on a rail system, featuring one-bolt installation, the unit can adapt to any site with zero floor footprint. It installs in the tightest spaces thanks to airflow innovations. The radio modules can be mounted vertically or horizontally on a rail, flat on a cable ladder or behind an antenna. Thanks to a 5-time reduction potential in wind load, the equipment is lighter and more durable for tower deployment.
The Ericsson Radio System incorporates a range of new products including macro and small cells, antenna systems, IP transport, microwave nodes, rails and other site equipment. The system comes with twice-yearly network software updates. Among the new products is the Radio 2203, what Ericsson claims is the smallest, most powerful outdoor microcell on the market, as well as its most powerful baseband to date, the 5216. On one board, it is able to handle twice as many cells as existing baseband units, and the 5216 supports both LTE FDD and TDD modes simultaneously, for up to 80,000 subscribers.
