Wireless networks are rapidly evolving into heterogeneous networks that can adopt various base station scales and types. In addition to macrocells, these networks currently also utilize microcells, metrocells, picocells, and even femtocells. These different types of base stations must meet varying requirements. For macrocells and Cloud-RAN architecture, the baseband and backhaul processing are separated from the radio frequency using CPRI/OBSAI over fiber. Small cells have higher levels of integration, with backhaul, baseband, and radio frequency processing typically combined on a single platform. The requirements for small cells vary significantly based on factors such as throughput, serial bandwidth, power consumption levels, and the number of users; in some cases, they can be implemented on a single device.
