Integrated gateway platform simplifies small cell deployment

Mike Schabel, Vice President of Small Cell Business, Alcatel-Lucent, commented: "Our continued relationship with Broadcom will increase the availability of a wide variety of high quality small cells to residential customers in emerging markets. This will allow operators to meet the needs of their customers while also optimizing their networks to be highly efficient."

With wireless operators looking for cost-effective methods to offload traffic from the macro network, small cell deployments are gaining traction in both established and emerging markets. Recognising the importance of small cells to improve telecommunications services, Brazil has recently announced its intent to regulate the use of small cells within the region. Trials are currently underway.

"Operators consider small cells to be a fundamental ingredient to increase end user quality of experience for voice and mobile broadband in residential and in-building locations in the deployment of next generation (3G/4G) wireless network infrastructure. Small cell deployment allows wireless operators to cost-effectively improve both coverage and capacity, especially in areas where access would otherwise be limited or unavailable," commented Michael Howard, Principal Analyst at Infonetics Research.

The integrated gateway platform features: a high-performance design to accelerate small cell development and time-to-market; integrated digital baseband processor and RF transceiver; and a single-box approach to reduce home network complexity and installation.

Allowing small cells to be built straight into DSL, cable or fiber-fed home gateway, the integrated gateway platform also enriches residential broadband experience by extending wireless and wireline voice, video and data services to every part of a residence, even in wireless "blind spots".

Greg Fischer, Broadcom Vice President and General Manager, Broadband Carrier Access, comments: "Our integrated gateway platform combines the best of both worlds. By bringing together our hardware and wireless connectivity expertise with Alcatel-Lucent's leadership in small cells, operators now have the option to deliver advanced connectivity to customers in emerging markets. Together, we are driving the next generation of converged, flexible and smarter networks."

Broadcom's BCM61630 is a highly integrated second generation CMOS device in Broadcom's line of WCDMA femtocell access point SoCs. The single-chip solution features high HSPA data rates with maximum throughput at up to 21.6 Mbps, and advanced SON and sniffing capabilities without addition of external components. The BCM61630 also features a highly integrated multiband RF and soft GPS receiver, enabling ultra-low power and the lowest cost bill of materials possible.

Broadcom's femtocell gateway platform is in production and available now.