Communications of the ACM
Future Phone Networks to se Miniature Base Stations
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University of York researchers are working on the Beyond Next Generation Mobile Broadband (BuNGee) project, which is developing a network infrastructure to support future mobile devices that can receive data more than 50 times faster than current third-generation smartphones using intelligent miniature base stations to manage the data. Instead of using one large tower for a location, there will be several miniature stations to provide coverage. "If you want to significantly increase the capacity density you would have to put in many more mobile masts and increase the capacity of the backwall links [to the Internet]," says York researcher David Grace. The smaller base stations will be built on existing buildings and structures.
The BuNGee system also will use software and unlicensed radio frequencies to manage the data transfer. "In order to deliver the required amount of spectrum, it will have a dedicated amount of licensed spectrum with high quality of service and then use the unlicensed spectrum on an opportunistic basis to supplement the data rate when it's available," Grace says.
O2 has been testing the technology since last March. "Our conclusion is that small-cell technology, as we go through this data tornado, is absolutely essential," says O2's Andrew Conway.
From The Engineer
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