How does a 5G power supply work?

The power supply will deliver power to small cells and other nodes in the 5G network via waterproofed wires. The size of the cabinet will depend heavily on the needs of the power supply and whether it needs to house battery backup. In some cases, the manufacturer will waterproof the power supply simply using rubber seals and impermeable plastic.

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.

What is a 5G backhaul power supply?

The backhaul part of the 5G network connects the access interface - including masts, eNodeB, and cell site gateway - to the mobile core and internet beyond. And just like the access equipment, it too has specific power supply requirements. Backhaul power supplies must cater to aggregation routers and core routers.

What are 5G infrastructure power supply considerations?

While the overall power draw is often lower, 5G equipment has narrower tolerances. It often needs multiple, precise voltages to operate correctly, with scarce leeway on either side. In the following section, we discuss 5G infrastructure power supply considerations in more detail. 5G delivers coverage to an area in a different way from 4G.

What is the access side of the 5G stack?

The access side of the 5G stack includes user equipment such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop devices. Devices in this part of the stack require power supply equipment that can operate at room temperatures indoors and protect sensitive electronics - already a well-developed area.

Do 5G equipment power supply units need to be compact?

Small cells will need to be able to fit in compact environments, such as traffic lights, utility poles, and rooftops. So power supply units will need to be compact, able to fit comfortably alongside the equipment they power. There are also considerable heat dissipation issues that 5G equipment power supply units will need to accommodate.