IWPC - Flexible 4G Base Station Architectures Workshop

NEW – International Wireless Industry Consortium
Interactive Technical Workshop

Workshop Background: In 2G and 3G networks, deployment took place using base station hardware that was highly optimized for the immediate task of providing coverage and capacity for known operating modes and frequency bands. Especially in 2G infrastructure, the frequency bands and air interface standards expected from the hardware were very well understood and were not anticipated to change dramatically over time. MIMO was not a dimension to consider, beyond diversity at the base station RF level. We've learned some important lessons in the ongoing upgrades to 2G and 3G systems. Many network operators now wish that they had invested in more flexible hardware from the beginning to avoid "fork lift upgrades" for 3G overlays in 2G spectrum, or to avoid hardware upgrades for new waveforms such as HSPA. With the planned deployment of OFDM systems the world has changed. Nowadays it's not straightforward to plan which spectrum allocations will be used for OFDM services vs. other mobile/wireless services. We can be certain that there will be a huge variety of combinations in OFDM signals mixed with 2G and 3G signals, different MIMO configurations, and upgrades to the air interface standards....all of this complexity will require flexibility to be inherent in hardware beyond 3G (some call 4G). We will need flexibility to higher order MIMO modes, a wide variety of frequency bands and bandwidths, and the ability to increase peak-to-average ratio (PAR) in the air interface.
Workshop Goals: The primary goal of this workshop is to determine the optimal level of flexibility in WiMAX and LTE base stations. Should we design in options for upgrades from 2x2 MIMO to 4x4 or higher modes? Should we use a modular approach to allow for quick, easy upgrades to hardware? Should base stations be designed to be reconfigurable for multiple mobile spectrum possibility? Should OFDM base stations handle 2G and 3G signals also? Will all this flexibility be expensive, and is it worth the added cost? How can networks become self-configuring and self-optimizing to make upgrades more seamless? We will examine these design options with a view to minimal cost for operators, over the total life cycle of the network. In other words...is it possible to spend a little more on initial CAPEX to save on upgrade CAPEX and ongoing OPEX? Is this a desirable tradeoff for operators? SPECIAL GOAL - we will spend time on examining what the industry would like to see in the next generation of Base Station Interface Standards.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008
2:00 PM to 5:00 PM	IWPC's mobile wireless Infrastructure advisory panel This is a rare opportunity to meet the IWPC Staff and discuss your topics of interest for future IWPC Workshops. This will directly influence the IWPC Planning process. Click HERE to request your seat.	At Hotel
7:00 PM	Social and Networking Reception & Registration	At Hotel
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
7:00 AM	Breakfast & Registration
8:00 AM	Opening Remarks	IWPC
8:15 AM	Self Introductions	Each person will be asked to introduce him/herself and share how they can contribute to this process
8:50 AM	HOST WELCOME REMARKS	Nokia-Siemens Networks
9:00 AM	Keynote presentations network operator Views Lessons Learned from 2G and 3G upgrades Vision for LTE and WiMAX systems....the long-term roadmap. Is it possible to guess what kind of upgrades will be needed 5 years after initial deployment? Interoperability: Will OFDM base stations, femtocells, and other new hardware be required to handle 2G/3G signals too? What is the general deployment strategy for 4G? Will the 3G "towers" and "sites" be reused for 4G? Or will new deployment types be used?	Challenges of Next Generation Technology Deployment: A Familiar Story? Radio Access Networks Vodafone Global Networks A Look Backwards at the early day of 3G Radio Engineering O2
10:30 AM	Networking Break
11:10 AM	Host keynote remarks Broadband data is growing drastically As traffic still grows faster than revenue, networks must become more efficient. Reduction of network cost with flat architecture is necessary to remain profitable (WiMAX / LTE / I-HSPA). Flexi Multimode BTS supports flat architectures. Future vision is SW defined networks Technologies/solutions: LTE WIMAX Multimode I-HSPA 3G Femto New Growth markets, i.e. Village Connection solution Multiradio architecture	Mobile Broadband Vision Head of Broadband Wireless, Radio Access Nokia Siemens Networks
12:00 PM	Networking Lunch
1:00 PM	OEM perspectives Lessons Learned from 2G and 3G deployments and subsequent upgrades. Concepts for MIMO expansion: How can the hardware be made expandable? Concepts for capacity expansion: Straightforward modular approaches A vision for future changes to higher data rates...what will happen to the waveforms and peak-to-average ratios? Reconfigurable and Software-definable radios: Tradeoffs in efficiency and cost for flexibility. Self-configuring base stations: How to avoid manually retuning the network for every small change. Self-optimizing networks: Using real-time data to continuously optimize. What new, if any, standards are desired for future base station interface standards?	OBSAI/µTCA Base Station Architecture and Applications VP, Marketing and Business Development Redline Communications Life Cycle Costs vs Integration Manager, 4G Network Architectures Nortel Unified Architecture - Solutions for Evolution Challenges Exec.VP/Corporate Development Nokia Siemens Networks Challenges for Deploying Flexible 4G Infrastructure Technical Architect and Leader BTS Motorola
3:00 PM	Networking Break
3:40 PM	OPERATOR PANEL SESSION What are the lessons learned from 2G and 3G deployments and subsequent upgrades in terms of desired flexibilty? Should we design in options for upgrades from 2x2 MIMO to 4x4 or higher modes? Should we use a modular approach to allow for quick, easy upgrades to hardware? Should base stations be designed to be reconfigurable for multiple mobile spectrum possibility? Should OFDM base stations handle 2G and 3G signals also? Is all of this flexibility worth the added cost? How can networks become self-configuring and self-optimizing to make upgrades more seamless? What new, if any, standards are desired for future base station interface standards?	Confirmed National Grid Wireless O2 T-Mobile International Telefonica/O2 UK Broadband Vodafone
4:40 PM	INFRASTRUCTURE ANTENNA SOLUTIONS How should MIMO systems be deployed to anticipate future upgrades? What are the constraints in working with existing sites and towers? Can these existing sites/deployments be reused for OFDM systems? What scenarios are best for beam forming systems to be used? How can adaptive antenna systems be used to optimize traffic?	MIMO Considerations for Base Station Antennas CTO, Base Station Antenna Systems Andrew Corporation Antenna Aspects of MIMO Deployment Engineering Manager, Infrastructure Antenna Systems Laird
5:40 PM	Adjourn for Day
7:15 PM	Dinner London Style	Bus Transportation provided to and from hotel.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
7:00 AM	Breakfast
8:00 AM	REGULATORY VISION Increasing flexibility in the regulation of mobile bands and WAPECS initiative Recent Decisions of the European Commission on 2.6 and 3.4.-3.8 GHz bands Current and forthcoming CEPT activities related to refarming some of the new IMT spectrum identified at WRC-07 (790-862 MHz, 3.4-3.8 GHz) Results of WRC-07 and new IMT-bands for Europe Current CEPT regulatory documents defining spectrum designation for GSM/3G systems; (900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2,1 GHz, 2,6 GHz)	Regulation of Mobile Bands: Today and Tomorrow Expert in Regulatory Affairs European Radiocommunications Office (ERO)
8:30 AM	RF Subsystems Lessons Learned from 2G and 3G deployments and upgrades How to make RF subsystems flexible for alternative MIMO configurations? How can RF subsystems be made "technology agnostic"? How can the RF front end support wide-ranging frequencies and reconfigurable radios? What new, if any, standards are desired for future base station interface standards?	The Impact of a Truly Open Digital Radio Interface on the Industry (lessons learned from OBSAI/CPRI) VP/Global Business Development Powerwave A Path Towards a Unified Remote Radio Head Interface? Sr. Principal Engineer ADC and Product Manager, RadioComp
9:30 AM	Networking Break
10:10 AM	RF Subsystems (continued) Lessons Learned from 2G and 3G deployments and upgrades How to make RF subsystems flexible for alternative MIMO configurations? How can RF subsystems be made "technology agnostic"? How can the RF front end support wide-ranging frequencies and reconfigurable radios? What new, if any, standards are desired for future base station interface standards?	Efficiency and Flexibility? Too Good to be True? VP/Strategy & Marketing Nujira Legacy Networks and Future Bolt-On Solutions Director/Europe Communication Components Inc.
11:10 AM	Lunch
12:30 PM	ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES Reconfigurable and flexible transceivers and backhaul What is the latest state-of-the art in reconfigurable radios? How far can we take this technology? What are the key applications for cognitive radios? What are the limiting factors for cognitive radios to sense and react to the environment? How can we make the network self-optimize? Requirements for a 4G backhaul platform Technical versus Commercial trade offs in selecting a flexible backhaul platform What new, if any, standards are desired for future base station interface standards?	Flexible Transceivers for Future 4G Base Stations Senior Vice President and GM Hypres Platform Requirements for a Flexible Backhaul Design Director of Wireless Marketing Wintegra The Role of FPGAs in Modern Base Station Design Senior Manager, Wireless Product Marketing Xilinx
2:00 PM	ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES Components & Materials How can power amplifiers and their supporting devices be constructed to allow for changes to the waveforms? Is it too expensive to build in "headroom"? How can FPGAs and other devices be used to enable quick changes in deploying new hardware? Are tunable filters realistic? If reconfigurable radios are deployed, how will the filters be able to adapt as well? What new materials are available to enhance thermal efficiency and reduce rf loss? What new, if any, standards are desired for future base station interface standards?	Cost Effective Materials for Boosting 4G Efficiency and Gain Director, European Sales and Marketing Arlon
2:30 PM	Networking Break
3:00 PM	ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES Components & Materials (continued)	Power Amplifier and Linearization Architectures for 4G CEO Pulsewave RF Mobile Infrastructure – A Changing Landscape Product Management Qualcomm
4:00 PM	INDUSTRY ECOSYSTEM DISCUSSION Are the industry standardization activities of OBSAI and CPRI achieving significant benefits in the mobile ecosystem? What innovations are made possible by the standard interfaces now available in the industry? What level of ongoing effort in OBSAI and CPRI is appropriate for the business needs of the industry? What ongoing benefits should be targeted by these organizations? AND - together we will endeavor to answer these questions: What do we want to accomplish in terms of contemplating a new set of Base Station Interface Standards – looking forward to the next 5-10+ years - for all levels of the Industry Supply Chain – Operators, OEMs and Suppliers? What “Technical Elements” for such a "standard" will be needed to address and meet the future needs of all layers of the industry supply chain – Operators, OEMs and Suppliers?	ADC Motorola Nokia-Siemens Networks Nortel Powerwave Redline Communications Others...
5:00 PM	CLOSING PANEL Operators and OEMs The Operators and OEMs will be asked to recap the extent to which the workshop has addressed their wish lists.	Operators and OEMs Motorola National Grid Wireless Nokia-Siemens Networks Nortel Redline Communications T-Mobile Telefonica/O2 UK Broadband Vodafone Others...
5:30 PM	TakeAways & Closing Remarks
6:00 PM	Adjourn
7:00 PM	Dinner (*Dutch)** * = in this context, Dutch is a term which means that each person will be responsible for their own dinner costs.	For those who desire to join us, we get together to enjoy good friends, good food, good wine and [really] bad jokes
Friday, June 13, 2008
8:30 AM Leave Hotel Return to Hotel around noon to 12:30 PM	Tour of: Ericsson's Managed Services Operations Facility, UK NOTE: Restrictions may apply. Ericsson has the privilege of deciding who can take the tour. Contact IWPC for details.	Bus transportation available from/to Hotel.

DEADLINE FOR HANDOUT MATERIALS:

Deadline for electronic version of handout materials:

May 30, 2008

COSTS/REGISTRATION FEE:

ALL Hosts, Speakers, Panel Members and Attendees will be asked to cover out of pocket workshop costs such as conference room costs, food (Social Reception plus First Day breakfast/lunch/dinner plus Second Day breakfast/lunch plus 4 Breaks), booklet copying, audio/visual costs, etc.

These costs are 650 £ Pounds Sterling per person. (For IWPC Members, only.)

ALL Hosts, Speakers, Panel Members and Attendees will be asked to pay this fee in advance with either Visa, Mastercard, American Express, cash, personal check or business check.

Make checks payable to IWPC.

HOTEL:

Sheraton Heathrow Hotel
Colnbrook Bypass, West Drayton
Middlesex, UK UB7 0HJ
Phone: 44-208-7592424

Hotel reservations need to be made by contacting the hotel directly. IWPC room block rate of 129.00 £ single occupancy.

You can also make your hotel reservations on-line at:

IWPC Conference

Cut-off date for reservations is May 27, 2008. After that date rooms cannot be guaranteed at the IWPC rate.

TRAVEL OPTIONS FROM AIRPORT TO HOTEL:

The Sheraton Heathrow Hotel is ideally located near Heathrow Airport (LHR). i

BAA’s Hoppa Bus operates from Terminal 1, 2, 3, and 5 to all major hotels, equipped with comfortable seats and plenty of space for luggage. For arrivals at Terminal 4, take the Heathrow Express (free of charge) to Terminal 1, 2, 3, or 5. Coach number H4 services the route between Terminals 1, 2, and 3 and our hotel every 15-20 minutes.

From the new Terminal 5, the Hoppa Bus runs approximately every 20 minutes.

As an alternative, a choice of public buses can take you (free of charge) from Heathrow Airport bus stations to the Bath Road bus stop “Hatch Lane,” which is just a few minutes walk from our hotel (an option for travelers with light luggage).

For travellers taking other method of transportation, the closest train station is West Drayton and the nearest underground station is Heathrow Terminals 1, 2, and 3.

AUDIO VISUAL:

A Computer Projector will be available for the speakers.

In addition, we audiotape all presentations and the interactive discussions. Post workshop, presentations are made available to IWPC Members on the IWPC WEB site, along with “movies” of all presentations and panel sessions.

BUSINESS CARDS:

Business cards will be collected at the door from all attendees. We will make copies of these cards, which will be available to all who provided a business card.

DRESS:

Business casual suggested. No ties, please !!

HANDOUT MATERIALS:

IWPC prepares a handout binder with ALL presentation materials delivered to the IWPC on or before the deadline.

For ALL IWPC members:

All IWPC members are invited to submit a maximum of 4 pages of materials to include in this handout binder. These pages should NOT BE SALES MATERIALS. Rather, we suggest it contain technical information about your technology as it relates to the workshop topics.

For all companies who will be making a presentation at the Workshop:

You are invited to submit an advance copy of your presentation, complete with graphics and illustrations.

These materials will be copied and handed out at the workshop and included in the IWPC Web site.

Please submit these materials either by email, as a Word for Windows file, Power Point files or PDF files.

Please send electronic materials (up to 5MB) to:

[email protected]

or use these FREE FTP Sites

IF your email system cannot send large files:

www.SendThisFile.com

www.yousendit.com

IWPC_FTP_Service

Click HERE to Register