Bringing Mobile
Connectivity
to
Remote Communities
A Transmission & Power
Efficient Solution
What we do…
•
We develop innovative software
technologies to enable GSM operators to
cost effectively extend their networks to
small, remote communities.
Our target markets have…
• A subscriber potential of up to 1,000
• Where satellite is the only realistic backhaul
solution
• Where the power source is inevitably off-grid
• Our specialism is satellite bandwidth
optimisation and power efficiency - the main
Opex barriers which have limited MNO expansion
to remote territories to date
The OPEX Barriers for Remote
Community Expansion
Source: Supplied to Altobridge by African GSM Operator
Solving the Transmission Cost
Challenge…
Split Architecture™
Local Connectivity™
• Bandwidth On-Demand means no
expensive ‘always-on’ requirement.
• No revenue generating traffic = No
bandwidth used
• Bandwidth Optimisation means 5-8kbit/s
per call or 35-56kbit/s per TRX
• Ringtone Suppression – not allocating the
audio path over satellite until the MO Call is
answered – provides a further 25%
bandwidth saving
• Local Calls are Switched at BTS level
• Voice Traffic is not backhauled
• Only signalling traffic is carried over
satellite
• Local Call Traffic can account for up to
60% of total call traffic a Remote Sites
Solving the Power
Efficiency Challenge…
Case Study: A 2TRX Remote
Site Deployment in SE Asia
Site Profile:
•
A Remote Enterprise with 230
active subscribers
• 5km coverage radius
• Average Traffic per Day ~ 40 Erlang,
BH Traffic ~5 Erlang
• Power Consumption: 195watts
• Total Power Consumption per day
4.680kWh
• Power Source: Diesel generator
Hour
Traffic (23:00)
Traffic (22:00)
Traffic (21:00)
Traffic (20:00)
Traffic (19:00)
Traffic (18:00)
Traffic (17:00)
Traffic (16:00)
9
9
8
8
7
7
Unused Capacity
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
Used Capacity
1
0
0
Dimensioned Traffic
2 TRX (2% BLK)
Traffic (15:00)
Traffic (14:00)
Traffic (13:00)
Available Capacity
Traffic (12:00)
Traffic (11:00)
1
Traffic (10:00)
6
Traffic (09:00)
MAX
Traffic (08:00)
Traffic (07:00)
Traffic (06:00)
Traffic (05:00)
Traffic (04:00)
Traffic (03:00)
Traffic (02:00)
Traffic (01:00)
Traffic (00:00)
MAX Traffic (Erlang)
The Issue of Unused Capacity
1TRX (2% BLK)
Should Remote Sites not be
Dimensioned Differently ?
The Traditional Macro Network Approach:
• Dimension for the Busy Hour
• Add extra TRX capacity when TCH Blocking SLAs are
reached
But…..
• Additional TRX demand additional power
So…
• Should the convention also be the norm for remote sites
where power is a scarce and expensive resource and where
at times of day, capacity greatly exceeds demand ie. at
times of low or zero traffic ?
The Ideal Scenario
• Idle the 2nd TRX at low traffic periods
• Put the 2nd TRX & VSAT Modem into low power mode at
very low or zero traffic levels
The AltoPOD™.… An Intelligent
Power Management Solution
• Low Opex, Low powered 2 TRX BTS
• Dual PA: 10 Watts per TRX
• Power consumption: 195 watts
• Passive Cooling, Outdoor Unit
• GPRS, EDGE and AMR Half Rate Supported
• Optimised for satellite backhaul
Power Saving Attributes
• Non optimised 2 TRX Altobridge Site:
• 195 watts
• 4.680kwh per day
• Power Optimised AltoPOD 2TRX Site:
• 6 hours @110 Watts
• 12 hours at 130 Watts
• 6 hours at 145 Watts
= 3.09kwh per day
• Estimated Saving from Intelligent Power Management
=34%
AltoPOD Summary
Transmission
Power
•
Lower Power BTS
• Lower Power consumption BTS
•
Split BSC
• B/W Optimisation over satellite
•
Intelligent Power Management
• Intelligent Power Amplifier
Management
• Increase power per TCH
• Place VSAT in low power mode in
low traffic (0 Idle Traffic)
• Traffic Handling to minmise 2nd TRX
usage
Power Monitoring & Adaptation
• Unique Monitoring of Power Supply
• Allow optimal dimensioning of solar
system
Physical
• BTS located close to Antenna to
minimise feeder loss
• Passive Cooling
•
Local Switching
• Reduced B/W requirement as local
calls are switched locally
•
•
•
O&M
O&M
O&M
• Remote GSM Modem in Altopod
• Battery Charge Telemetry
Environmental
Environmental
•
Green BTS
• Solar Powered BTS
Thank You
Peter Tuomey
ptuomey@altobridge.com
www.altobridge.com