Powering outdoor wireless networks
The world’s reliance on always-on technology keeps growing. Yet, the electrical infrastructure powering our wireless networks holds us back. 5G will require more of everything: RF equipment and frequencies, radios and remote radio units (RRUs), and hundreds of thousands of small cells. Running individual power to each of them from an aging power grid is too expensive and puts networks’ reliability at serious risk.
To keep pace with the changes and satisfy user expectations of 24/7 availability, we need to re-evaluate how we power, back up and manage our outdoor wireless networks as well as the impact this has on the environment. That means taking stock of where we are, where we need to be, and developing a smarter, future-capable strategy to get us from here to there.
At CommScope, we’ve done the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to. Introducing PowerShift. Two innovative end-to-end intelligent product families for powering today’s and tomorrow’s macro and small cell networks.
Challenges and opportunities
New macro site designs create new power challenges
New macro site designs place more RF equipment atop the tower, further from the power source. This creates a voltage drop from power source to RRU. During a power outage, the voltage drop varies as backup batteries discharge—creating more risk to system reliability.
What’s the most reliable and efficient way to deliver the correct amount of dc power to each RRU and provide battery backup when the power grid is down?
An intelligent solution to the small cell power problem
The advanced capabilities of today’s 5G small cells create added power requirements, while customer expectations for reliability demand near-perfect uptime, even when the grid is down. With thousands of small cells, how do you power and backup each one in a way that’s fast, efficient and repeatable?
Why CommScope?
End-to-end experience
With proven experience that’s as broad as it is deep, CommScope delivers end-to-end solutions that optimize both your macro and small cell networks.
Global presence
Global manufacturing, distribution and support give you access to the solutions and expertise you need, whenever and wherever you need us. We’ve got you covered.
Trusted advisor
With a track record spanning 40+ years, CommScope is one of the most trusted names in wireless network design and solutions.
Sustainable solutions
CommScope’s ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility has earned us five consecutive gold medals from EcoVadis and helped make a difference in the world we all call home.
Find the right PowerShift solution for your network
PowerShift Macro
The intelligent power solution that dynamically regulates dc power output to ensure the optimal voltage and high-reliability backup for macro cell RRUs.
PowerShift Metro
The ultimate balance of centralization versus distributed architectures. A centralized DC bus delivers increased efficiency in a voltage boost power distribution architecture (and fiber backhaul) to multiple distributed small cells, less power plant locations with more wireless capacity.
Featured resources
Meet PowerShift Macro. Dynamic voltage regulation for delivering optimized RRU power
Video
A complete line of PowerShift solutions for the macro network, so operators can optimize the diverse power needs of virtually any RRU configuration or deployment – high-density, high-capacity, incremental growth, high-power, cost-efficiency and more.
PowerShift Metro
Video
Watch this video to learn about this complete end-to-end solution for distributed power, fiber and battery backup for your outdoor small cell network..
PowerShift Metro: A smarter, easier way to power your small cell networks
Fact Sheet
An overview on Powershift Metro, distributed power and fiber solutions for outdoor small cell networks.
The challenges and opportunities of small cell network densification
Editorial Webinar
This webinar looks at how operators and their partners are tackling challenges and planning for the densification of their networks.
