LTE Small Cell
Deployment Strategies

Afternoon Registration

Tour: EASY-C LTE-ADVANCED Testbed
Note: Restrictions may apply--tour attendance subject to host approval.

Social and Networking

Reception and Registration

Opening Remarks and Introductions

Each person will be asked to introduce him/herself and share how they can contribute to this process.

Host Keynote Opening Remarks and Presentation

• Understanding the Big Picture

• Quantifying Traffic and Capacity Demands

• Setting Out a Wish List for the Industry

Challenges of Practical Small Cell Deployment

Lessons Learned From Small Cell Trials and Deployments

• Are Small Cells a Fundamental Necessity for LTE Deployment?

• Exploring Trade-Offs in Form Factor vs. Performance

• Can Backhaul and Access Be Integrated?

Networking Break

Lessons Learned From Small Cell Trials and Deployments

• Considering Demands for Broad LTE Coverage and Scenarios for Densely Populated Areas

Sharing Experience From Existing Micro-Site Deployments

• Exploring Technology Options?

• Understanding the Economics (Capex Opex)

Networking Lunch

Lessons Learned From Small Cell Trials and Deployments (Continued)

• Considering Demands for Broad LTE Coverage and Scenarios for Densely Populated Areas

Challenges of Practical Small Cell Deployment (Continued)

• Review of Ongoing 3GPP Activites for Small Cells

  • Standardization

  • SON Relaying

  • Standard Interfaces

Networking Break

Operational Considerations - Are Small Cells Economically Viable?

• Relevant Case Studies in North America, Asia, and Europe

• Network Design Strategies to Match Bandwidth Supply with High Density Demand

• Target Venue Owners' Feedback on Small-Cell Packaging and Deployment Models

• Principles of Successful Site Acquisition

• Criticality of Good Partnership

Lessons Learned That Relate to LTE Small Cells

• Power, Backhaul, and Mounting Challenges

• Use of HFC MSO Network Assets (Street Level, Underground, and Aerial)

• Reduced RF Planning at Project Onset

• Sampled QA Techniques for Verification

• Statistical Evaluation/Isolation of Problems

• Map Oriented NMS - Easier Monitoring, Fewer People

• Targeting Hotel Infested Cells - Correlation Between Congested Cells and Density of Hotel Locations

• Tri-Sectored Cell Sites with Sub-120° Antennas

Panel Session

• Considering Key Findings From the Day

Adjourn for Day

Bus Leaves for Dinner - Luisenhof Restaurant

Breakfast

Backhaul Panel Session

How do you see the evolution of wired/fiber/wireless backhaul for small cells? (Comparing capacity, spectrum, cost, footprint, & cost per bit)

• If there an effective "one size fits all" backhauling technology - what is it?

• What is the proposed ideal backhauling topology for small cells? (mesh vs. tree/what are the constraints/trade-offs of the proposed solution?)

• Considering P2MP or rather a P2P technology - what are the trade-offs (ease of deployment vs. capacity)?

• Is there sufficient spectrum for micro cell backhauling, e.g. for additional P2MP capacity, or do we need do address this?

• How to address large scale deployments, suitable for metro coverage (indoor and outdoor) with:

  • A high degree of standardization needed to reduce cost

  • Identical products covering multiple backhauling technologies

  • Reduced energy footprint (no power consumed when no traffic to transport)

  • Reduced optical impact

• What are suitable power-saving techniques (e.g. on-demand capacity) and what are the impacts on backhauling?

• Is a flexible platform which exploits all available frequency bands (licensed/unlicensed) realistic?

  • Is high speed in LOS conditions but also with good performance in NLOS conditions?

• How integrated can/should backhaul be with access technologies?

• Are proprietary solutions good enough for backhaul or do we need standards?  What about WiGig or 3GPP?

• How realistic is backhaul which can be installed by a normal electrician who just changes light bulbs?

Networking Break

The Path to Self Organizing and Self Optimizing Networks

Exploring the Maturity and Readiness of Self-Organizing/Self-Optimizing Networks

• Considering Small Cells Demand Around 10 Times the Number of Cells Compared to the Macro Network - Is SON an Essential Enabler?

• Exploring LTE Advanced and SON Functionality

• Roadmaps, Reality, and Myths

  • Where are We WIth Regard to Standard Interfaces for Multi-Vendor SON?

  • What Can Be Delivered Today?

  • What are the Challenges, Opportunities, and Roadblocks?

• Eco-System Evolution in Support of Multi-Vendor Networks

• SON Interoperability and Testing - How Do Operators Maintain Service Quality?

Small Cell Technology Drivers and Enablers

The introduction of small cells brings unique challenges and significantly changes the mobile network ecosystem.

• Assessing Requirements Engineering, Topology Design, and SON Collaboration

• Interference Coordination

• Assessing Centralized RAN Architectures Which Require Ultra-Low Latency Backhaul Connections

• Exploring Control and Data Plane Traffic and Meshed Small Cell Backhaul Topologies

• Coordinating Cell and Backhaul Load Balancing Strategies

Networking Lunch

Small Cell Technology Drivers and Enablers (Continued)

• Comparing Architectures for Constructing Small Cells

• Exploring Relative Cost & Power Consumption

• Enabling Technologies

• Applications for Backhaul Systems

Exploring Use Cases for a Combination of MM-Wave LOS and Sub-6 GHz NLOS Technologies

• Assessing how Small Cell Topologies Can Be Deployed Cost-Effectively

  • Without Compromising Operator Requirements

  • Addressing BTS/Backhaul Integration

  • Addressing the Role of and the Requirements for LOS and NLOS Technologies

• Defining a Tool-Kit of Options - Which Can Be Pre-Selected Without Site Survey, Then Configured and Fine-Tuned "On-Site" By the Installer

Analyzing the New Landscape Created By the Emergence of the Small Cell Architectures

• Investigating System Architectures

• Identifying the Benefits of Specific Functionality

  • Crest Factor Reduction

  • Digital Pre-Distortion

  • RF Power Amplifier Innovation

• Improvements in Overall Performance

• Scalability While Providing Optimum Flexibility

Networking Break

Exploring the Practicalities of Installation and Maintenance of Small Cells
(Presentation & Demonstration)

Delivering a Quality Service

• Supporting a Simple Installation and Support Business Model for Small Cells

• Exploring Automatic Re-Configuration

• Understanding Small Cell Installation and Maintenance Criteria and Demands

• Investigating Technologies and Solutions Which Meet Street Lamp Deployment Requirements

Closing Panel

• Considering Key Findings From the Workshop

• Next Steps

Takeaways and Closing Remarks

Adjourn

Dinner (Dutch*)
* = in this context, Dutch is a term which means that each person will be responsible for their own dinner costs.