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Smooth Upgrade & Natural
Convergence
1. General Introduction of SDR
In the traditional network evolution from
GSM to WCDMA, two network elements
are parallel existing: Operators have to
prepare for the associated equipment as
well as the transmission, power supply,
site room and air conditioner etc. To fully
consider the reduction of the associated
equipment and O&M cost, there have
been existing three kinds of solutions
which are: 2G/3G cabinet sharing; 2G/3G
boards mixing and SDR solution. For the
first two solutions, 2G and 3G can share
rack, transmission, power supply and site
room but still bring some problems. In
the solution of 2G/3G cabinet sharing, the
resources between modules can’t be shared;
the transceivers and PAs are separated. In
the solution of 2G/3G boards mixing, the
radio frequency channel resources can’t
be shared; the unified scheduling between
boards is difficult to be implemented. The
SDR solution is a final perfect way to
2G/3G evolution. It can totally share all the
hardware resources so as to save TCO of
network construction. And even take the
future HSPA+ and LTE into consideration,
the SDR solution also can maximize the
usage of existing resources.
SDR is the short cut of Software
Defined Radio. It is a kind of technology
by means of software and be able to
perform the same function including the
RF operating parameters. SDR can help
to share the unified hardware platform
and to convert the technology standards
only by software control. Depending
on SDR technology, the 2G and 3G can
be integrated in one BTS or terminal
device. Multiple technology standards,
for example, CDMA, GSM, WCDMA
and WiMAX can be chosen by software
definition.
2. Benefits from SDR
SDR technology is a renovation in the
wireless telecommunication field. It
can be greatly adopted in the different
mobile telecommunication standards.
The SDR technology can better embody
the “interoperability” concept to support
multi-band and multi-standard wireless
communications systems.
For operators, SDR can help them to
upgrade the system to the latest version
without any hardware change so as to
save TCO. Operators are able to roll out
new services tailored to the various tiers
of users on a common hardware platform.
Meanwhile, it can reduce the investment
risk for operators which means simpler,
faster “test marketing” of new services
and “differentiation” from other operators.
The deployment of SDR equipment can
help operators
to abstract the
“service provider”
role from the
“network provider”
role, which can
create substantial
new sources of
revenue.
For the
manufacturers, the
adoption of SDR
technology can
hide technology
and mitigate
issues associated
with developing
for different
technologies, thereby to lower the R&D
cost and reduce the products development
period. The SDR platform covers many
markets: the air interfaces and frequency
bands so as to be fully compatible with
multiple technology standards. SDR
products are mainly modulized and capable
of upgrading services, features and security
mechanisms. With the SDR technology, the
manufacturers can enhance the quality and
stability of products.
3. ZTE SDR System Solution
ZTE is a pioneer in the SDR technology
development. In Q2 2008, ZTE will
commercially release serial SDR products.
ZTE SDR products are developed on
the base of the μTCA platform, which
are modular and distributed architecture
design. The products have the character
of high integration and density. ZTE SDR
products, by software upgrades, can satisfy
GSM/WCDMA-HSPA/CDMA1X EVDO
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