I proprietari di antenne BTS stanno ora entrando nella terza ondata di telecomunicazioni con la presenza di Telecom Infrastructure Partners. Questo cambiamento è avvenuto tramite opportunità di investimento basate su un contratto di locazione di antenne BTS a lungo termine.

La società moderna è sempre sembrata in qualche modo ossessionata dalla tecnologia. Tuttavia, nessun dispositivo ha avuto un impatto così profondo sul mondo come il telefono cellulare e le tecnologie emergenti di trasferimento delle informazioni.

Oggi, la persona media usa il telefono ben 2.617 volte al giorno. Più persone al mondo hanno accesso a un telefono cellulare che a un bagno. In un anno medio, passiamo poco meno di 800 ore sui nostri telefoni cellulari (più di un mese intero!). Con questi numeri in crescita, non c’è da stupirsi che gli ultimi dieci anni siano stati soprannominati il ​​»decennio dello smartphone».

Lo sviluppo dei telefoni cellulari è stato possibile grazie al parallelo progresso delle tecnologie mobili e delle infrastrutture di telecomunicazione. Nei primi anni ’80, le prime reti analogiche, come NMT e AMPS, hanno reso possibile effettuare chiamate telefoniche in movimento. Negli anni ’90, è stata introdotta la tecnologia GSM, che ha rivoluzionato la comunicazione mobile, offrendo non solo chiamate ma anche la possibilità di inviare messaggi di testo (SMS). I decenni successivi hanno portato le tecnologie 3G, 4G e ora 5G, che hanno consentito l’uso di Internet mobile ad alta velocità, lo streaming video e lo sviluppo di applicazioni e servizi su una scala senza precedenti.

Una volta, i cellulari venivano usati solo per chiamare altre persone in movimento. Poi è arrivata la possibilità di inviare messaggi di testo ad altri cellulari. Oggi, i cellulari possono fare letteralmente qualsiasi cosa. Dal pagare i pasti al monitorare le abitudini del sonno, gli smartphone di oggi non hanno quasi limiti.

Non è l’unica cosa che è cambiata da quando è stato messo in vendita il primo telefono cellulare. Pensi che l’iPhone sia costoso? Beh, i primi telefoni cellulari costavano la bellezza di 4.000 $ ciascuno! L’aumento della domanda di telefoni cellulari ha portato a rapidi progressi nella tecnologia, che hanno portato a prezzi in calo (fino agli ultimi anni, quando i prezzi sono di nuovo saliti alle stelle).

Il ruolo dell’infrastruttura delle telecomunicazioni, che ha dovuto tenere il passo con le crescenti richieste degli utenti, non può essere dimenticato. Gli operatori di reti mobili hanno investito miliardi di dollari nello sviluppo e nella modernizzazione delle infrastrutture, costruendo nuove torri per le telecomunicazioni, sviluppando reti in fibra ottica e implementando moderne tecnologie di trasmissione dati. Di conseguenza, le moderne reti mobili sono in grado di gestire miliardi di dispositivi contemporaneamente, garantendo al contempo un’elevata qualità del servizio. La prima chiamata pubblica da un telefono cellulare è avvenuta dieci anni prima che un dispositivo del genere venisse introdotto sul mercato. Martin Cooper, un ingegnere senior di Motorola, ha fatto la storia chiamando una società di telecomunicazioni concorrente e informandola che stava parlando al telefono cellulare. A questo scopo, ha utilizzato un prototipo del modello DynaTAC, il primo telefono cellulare portatile, che è stato messo in vendita un decennio dopo.

Vale la pena notare che i telefoni cellulari esistevano tecnicamente prima di allora. Il loro sviluppo risale al 1908, quando fu rilasciato un brevetto per un «telefono senza fili» nel Kentucky. Tuttavia, quei dispositivi erano più simili alle radio bidirezionali che ai moderni telefoni cellulari.

Il mondo della tecnologia odierno potrebbe concentrarsi su jack per cuffie e ricarica wireless, ma i cellulari erano molto più semplici. Anche ai loro albori, erano considerati dispositivi all’avanguardia con grandi capacità che consentivano a più persone di connettersi che mai prima.

Negli anni ’90 e 2000, Nokia ha dominato il mercato della telefonia mobile. Ogni dispositivo di questo produttore si adattava perfettamente ai gusti dei consumatori. Già nel 1987, il Nokia Mobira Talkman è apparso nel film «Arma letale», diventando un simbolo della tecnologia moderna di quel tempo.

Quindi iniziamo il nostro viaggio attraverso la conoscenza delle telecomunicazioni con alcune informazioni nostalgiche per alcuni, vale a dire i dispositivi ormai iconici che hanno dato inizio a tutto:

Base station , also known as BTS (Base Transceiver Station), is a key device in wireless communication systems such as GSM. Equipped with an electromagnetic wave antenna, often placed on a tall mast, the base station enables communication between mobile terminals (such as mobile phones or pagers) and the fixed part of the digital telecommunications network.

GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications, originally Groupe Spécial Mobile) is the most popular mobile telephony standard in the world. Networks based on this system offer services related to the transmission of voice, data (including Internet access), and messages in text or multimedia form.

One of the key advantages of GSM is the possibility of international roaming, thanks to which the subscriber can use the phone in most countries of the world without the need to sign separate contracts with each operator. Currently, services based on GSM technology are provided by over 700 operators in over 200 countries and dependent territories.

GSM services can be provided on a subscription or prepaid basis, which increases the number of potential users.

The history of the development of the GSM standard began with a European initiative to create a single mobile telephony standard for the 12 EEC members. In 1982, the Groupe Spécial Mobile (GSM) was established within CEPT to develop the 900 MHz standard, and in 1984 the European Commission approved the project. The first GSM 900 Phase 1 specification was published in 1988, and in 1989 ETSI took over the work on the standard.

The Phase I specifications were finalized in 1990, allowing for the start of equipment production and network construction. In the same year, work began on the Phase II specifications, covering the GSM 1800 MHz (DCS) standard and SMS, fax and data transmission. The first call using this standard was made in 1991 on the Finnish Radiolinja network, and commercial services began a year later.

The Phase 2 specifications were completed in 1995. ETSI continued to develop the standard as Phase 2+, adding High Speed ​​Circuit Switched Data and CAMEL technologies. In 1997, GPRS was added and work on EDGE began, with Release 96, 97 and 98 published. With different versions of the system adapted to the frequency ranges available on different continents, GSM became a global standard. In December 1998, 3GPP was formed, harmonizing the work on UMTS. ETSI transferred its work on GSM to 3GPP, which develops the UMTS and GSM specifications.

In 2010, GSM dominated as the most popular mobile phone system in the world, handling 78% of calls. Despite the development of new technologies, operators continue to modernize GSM networks to meet the growing demands of users, integrating them with UMTS and LTE systems. Leading GSM operators include China Mobile, Vodafone and Telefónica, while infrastructure providers include Ericsson, Huawei, ZTE and Nokia Networks. In Poland, the GSM network was established in 1995, and services were launched in 1996. Currently, the four main operators are T-Mobile, Plus, Orange and Play.

The GSM system offers a variety of services, including voice calls, data transmission, and text (SMS) and multimedia (MMS) messages. GSM also provides various security services, such as subscriber authenticity and confidentiality of voice and data transmission. GSM standards come in several main versions, differing in radio band and cell size: GSM 400, GSM 850, GSM 900, GSM 1800 and GSM 1900. In Europe and other regions of the world, GSM 900/1800 dominates, while in the Americas, GSM 850 and GSM 1900 are mainly used. GSM is not only the foundation of modern mobile telephony, but also a technology that continues to evolve and adapt to new needs and challenges in the telecommunications market.

A single base station can cover one or more cells of a telecommunications network. The user’s terminal uses the base station from which the signal is the strongest at a given moment. If necessary, an automatic change of station occurs, called handover, i.e. switching the radio connection to another base station.

The range of a cell (i.e. the area where one base station operates) in the GSM network is a maximum of about 35 km. However, for higher frequencies (1800/1900 MHz) the range is smaller and is about 8 km. The range can be increased to 120 km, but at the cost of reducing the number of calls that can be handled simultaneously. Such solutions are used in large, sparsely populated areas, especially with the use of GSM 400 technology, which requires less energy to transmit over long distances. Similar solutions are available for GSM 900.

Radio transmission in GSM takes place in narrow bands of 200 kHz width, which are divided into pairs – one band is used to transmit from the base station to the phone (downlink), and the other in the opposite direction (uplink). Within one band, many users use time slots assigned to them alternately, which last 577 microseconds. Each time slot is assigned to one user, which prevents interference.

When a phone starts a conversation, the Base Station Controller allocates a time slot to it. The phone uses this slot until the end of the conversation. A maximum of 8 conversations can be carried out simultaneously on one frequency (in full quality) or up to 16 conversations (in reduced quality). In the case of data transfer (GPRS/EDGE), the phone can receive more time slots, which are dynamically allocated during data transfer.

When traffic is high, the operator may use more than one pair of 200 kHz frequencies. Due to interference, the frequencies in neighboring cells must be different. In practice, one to four pairs of frequencies are usually used in one cell. In each cell, one time slot is allocated to the information channel (BCCH) and one or two to the control channel (SDCCH).

Access to the GSM network is provided by base stations (BTS), which consist of TRX modules assigned to sectors. A typical base station has three sectors, which allows for signal coverage of the area around the station. Several dozen or several hundred base stations are connected to the Base Station Controller (BSC), which manages the allocation of frequencies and time slots for phones. In further sections, e.g. to the central office, the signal from the BTS can be transmitted using optical fibers or radio links.

• Fiber optics is a modern technology for transmitting data using light waves, reaching speeds of up to several terabits per second. Unlike copper cables, fiber optics are resistant to electromagnetic interference and weather conditions, which ensures a stable connection. FTTH (Fiber To The Home) delivers the Internet directly to homes and businesses. In Poland, the fiber optic network is developing dynamically, increasing the availability of fast Internet. Fiber optics consists of a thin glass core that conducts light, surrounded by a polymer jacket and a Kevlar layer. It works on the principle of total internal reflection, which allows for data transmission without loss of quality. Fiber optics are used in telecommunications, medicine, defense and television, and in households they provide fast and stable Internet, crucial for online gamers and people working remotely.
• Radiolink is a wireless system that uses radio waves to transmit analog or digital signals on a point-to-point basis. It can offer bandwidth from a few Mbit/s to several Gbit/s depending on the frequency (7 GHz to 66 GHz). Installation is faster and cheaper than fiber optics, often taking only 2-3 months. Radiolinks are flexible and can operate on different frequencies, although higher frequencies have a shorter range and are susceptible to weather interference. They are a good alternative to fiber optics where their installation is difficult or impossible, but they offer lower connection quality and reliability. The choice between radiolink and fiber optics depends on the specific needs and available resources.

What is a BTS antenna?

A metal structure that captures and/or transmits electromagnetic radio waves. Antennas come in many shapes and sizes. Here are the types of antennas used in GSM systems:

Directional antennas are designed to focus a signal in a specific direction, increasing the signal strength and range in that direction while reducing it in others. They are ideal for long-distance communication between two points.

Omnidirectional antennas radiate signals evenly in all directions in the horizontal plane, making them ideal for wide coverage over a local area. They are commonly used in situations where a signal must be transmitted in multiple directions simultaneously.

Sector antennas are a type of directional antenna designed to cover a specific sector of a circle, usually between 60 and 120 degrees. They are often used in cellular and Wi-Fi networks to provide coverage of a large area using multiple sector antennas.

Each antenna type serves different purposes, depending on the specific requirements for signal coverage, range and interference management.

What is a microwave antenna?

• An antenna in the shape of a dish, often called a parabolic antenna or dish antenna.
• Enables point-to-point communication with other towers/locations
• The microwave antenna represents one connection – the number of dish antennas is therefore an indicator of how many different wireless connections the base station has

Base stations are an essential element of wireless communication systems, enabling smooth and stable connections between users and the telecommunications network. Thanks to a variety of technologies and designs, they can be installed in various environments, ensuring high quality telecommunications services.

BTSs are highly specialized devices with antennas that enable wireless communication, connecting mobile phones to the digital telecommunications network. Their presence is crucial for using the Internet, remote work, online entertainment and other network services.

In short, there are different types of BTSs, such as megacells, macrocells, and microcells, which differ in their range and application. The next generation of 5G networks will introduce smaller stations, such as pico and femtocells, which will be less visible in the landscape.

BTSs are usually placed in rooms, such as telecommunications containers, or in special cabinets that allow the stations to be mounted directly on the roofs of buildings. Typical base station equipment includes:

• Batteries for emergency power supply.
• Rectifier for charging the battery and powering the station with 48 V.
• Efficient air conditioning, heater, emergency fan.
• Central alarm for transmitting alarms to the network operation and maintenance centre.
• Radio link and radio devices handling user-generated traffic.
• Antennas connected to the station via low-loss coaxial cables.

Base stations can be installed in various types of containers (concrete, laminate, steel) or external cabinets. Each type of container has appropriate protection against natural factors and access by unauthorized persons. They are equipped with electrical installations, air conditioning, ventilation and alarm systems.

Types of Antennas in Base Stations

Most installations use directional antennas that cover an area of ​​120° with a signal. Three such antennas allow for coverage of the entire area around the base station. In first-generation systems, omnidirectional antennas were popular, but they are currently used mainly in second- and third-generation micro- and pico-cells. Modern installations increasingly use adaptive antennas that automatically change the direction of maximum radiation. Base stations can be mounted on various types of masts.

Masts in Base Stations are a vertical structure on a piece of land, we distinguish:

• Single pole mast / single support pole / prestressed concrete

Height range from 15 to 50 meters. Mast segments are connected by steel rings. The mast is equipped with a lightning protection system and optional obstruction lighting.

A single pole mast, also known as a single support pole, is a vertical structure consisting of a single pole. It is used to mount antennas, lights, or other devices at great heights. This type of mast is self-supporting, meaning that it does not require additional guy lines to maintain stability. Single pole masts are often used in telecommunications, radio and television broadcasting, and as lighting poles. They are more compact and require less space than guy masts, but their height is usually limited compared to guy structures.

• Lattice mast/tower

The lattice mast, made of steel, has a height of 15 to 60 meters. This structure is mounted on reinforced concrete foundations, and a communication ladder is mounted on one surface of the mast. The mast is equipped with a lightning protection system and optionally with lighting.

• Guy mast/tower

A guy mast is a tall, vertical structure that is supported by guy wires (tensioned cables) attached to the ground or other structures. These masts are commonly used for telecommunications, broadcasting, and other applications requiring tall antennas. The guy wires provide stability, allowing the mast to reach much greater heights than a freestanding structure. This design is efficient and economical for reaching great heights, but requires a significant amount of land around the base to anchor the guy wires.

Who owns the equipment on the tower?

The tower is typically built and owned by a mobile network operator (MNO) or tower management company.

• There is always at least one Mobile Network Operator (MNO) on the tower that uses transceiver equipment.
• Often, 2, 3 or 4 mobile network operators and other electronic communications operators have their antennas on one tower, which increases the efficiency and range of transmission.
• If the antennas have 4 separate cellular networks, it means that the infrastructure is shared by several operators.

In general, towers with multiple operators owning equipment are more cost-effective and economically stable, and therefore more likely to be maintained and upgraded than towers used by a single operator.

Standard Rooftop Locations

• The existing building provides the “height.” The height required for antennas and other equipment is achieved by the existing structure of the building.
• Common in urban areas. Such locations are widespread in cities where space for individual towers is limited.
• The same types of antennas, satellite dishes, radio equipment, power cables, etc. The same types of antennas, satellite dishes, radio equipment, power cables, and other components are used as on traditional towers.

Using other existing structures

MNO needs height to provide optimal coverage, for this purpose chimneys, water towers, poles, grain silos, etc… are used.

Base Stations Inside Buildings

In places with high call density, such as shopping malls, hotels or airports, picocells are used. Ceiling or wall antennas are installed, which improve the quality of calls inside buildings. These antennas operate in the GSM, DCS and UMTS bands, and their power is much lower than external antennas.

Small Cells/Micro Cells, extra coverage in crowded areas:

• External: main shopping streets, outside stadiums/venues.
• Internal: airports, shopping malls, stadiums, conference centers.

What is a Distributed Antenna System (DAS)?

Distributed Antenna System (DAS) is a technology in which a single signal source is connected to a group of antennas distributed throughout a building. DAS is used to provide better cellular coverage in densely populated areas such as offices, shopping malls, and stadiums.

How does DAS work?

DAS distributes the wireless signal in hard-to-reach areas by using several smaller antennas instead of one large one. This distributes the signal evenly, eliminating range and interference issues that can occur with a single antenna. DAS helps overcome barriers such as thick walls and a large number of users.

Types of DAS

1. Off-air DAS : Uses an external antenna to receive the signal from a cell tower and retransmits it through smaller antennas inside the building. This is a fast, low-cost solution, ideal for areas with good outdoor coverage.
2. Small-cell DAS : Generates its own signal using small cells connected to the internet network. This is a more complex and expensive solution, but works well in places without cellular coverage.
3. BTS DAS : An entire base station deployed within a building, used in very high-traffic areas such as stadiums.

Signal distribution modes

1. Passive DAS : Uses passive components, such as coaxial cables, to transmit the signal. This is a cheap solution, but less efficient over long distances.
2. Active DAS : Converts a radio signal to another type of signal (e.g. fiber optic) and back to a radio signal. This is more expensive but more efficient over long distances.
3. Digital DAS : Converts radio signals into digital packets, allowing integration with existing data networks.
4. Hybrid DAS : Combines the features of active and passive DAS, offering a compromise between performance and cost.

DAS is a key technology that provides stable cellular coverage in large, enclosed spaces, which is essential in today’s globalized world.

Why are Stealth Sites used?

In today’s globalized world, where wireless communication is a key part of everyday life, the need to build telecommunications infrastructure is becoming increasingly important. With the growing demand for reliable cellular coverage, there is also a need to minimize the visual impact of this infrastructure on the environment. Stealth Sites are the answer to these challenges, offering solutions that allow the integration of antennas and masts in such a way that they are virtually invisible to the surroundings. This allows for maintaining the aesthetics of the landscape and meeting urban planning requirements, while ensuring full functionality of the cellular network. We will look at the places where stealth antennas are used, as well as different techniques and examples of their use.

We will find more base stations where there is greater demand for networks.

Cellular networks are the backbone of modern wireless communications, enabling the use of mobile telephony, mobile internet, and other data services. To ensure reliable coverage and high quality of service, mobile network operators must adapt their infrastructure to the changing needs of users.

One of the key aspects of managing a mobile network is “capacity,” or the ability of the network to handle a large number of calls and transfer large amounts of data simultaneously. In cities, in areas with high population density, or where large events take place (such as stadiums, shopping malls, and office areas), the demand for network services is growing rapidly. To meet this demand, operators must install more base stations.

More base stations in high-demand areas help to:

1. Improving network coverage : More base stations mean better coverage and fewer dead zones, which is crucial for ensuring reliable communications.
2. Increasing network capacity : More base stations allow for more users to be served simultaneously, which reduces the risk of network congestion and reduced service quality.
3. Optimized bandwidth utilization : Base stations can manage network traffic more efficiently, allowing for better utilization of available resources.

Adattare l’infrastruttura della rete mobile alla domanda mutevole degli utenti è fondamentale per garantire un’elevata qualità del servizio. Installare più stazioni base dove la domanda è maggiore è essenziale per migliorare la copertura, aumentare la capacità e ottimizzare le prestazioni della rete. Soluzioni come DAS (Distributed Antenna System) e stazioni base mimetizzate (Stealth Sites) aiutano a raggiungere questi obiettivi riducendo al minimo l’impatto sull’ambiente circostante e sull’estetica del paesaggio.

Divisione della proprietà dei singoli componenti della stazione base.

Struttura della torre  Le torri BTS sono in genere costruite dagli operatori di infrastrutture per le telecomunicazioni. Queste strutture in acciaio possono supportare 4-5 inquilini alla volta, consentendo un uso efficiente dello spazio e una riduzione dei costi. Gli operatori della torre garantiscono la stabilità e la sicurezza della struttura assicurando regolari ispezioni tecniche e manutenzione.

Terreno  Il terreno su cui si trova la torre può essere di proprietà del gestore dell’infrastruttura o gestito sulla base di un contratto di locazione a lungo termine. I gestori si occupano delle formalità legali relative all’uso del terreno, il che consente un uso sicuro e legale dell’area.

Generatori  In alcune località, gli operatori delle infrastrutture forniscono generatori che forniscono una fonte di energia di emergenza. Questi generatori sono necessari per mantenere la continuità della stazione BTS in caso di guasto della rete elettrica. Gli operatori assicurano che questi dispositivi siano regolarmente sottoposti a manutenzione e ispezione per garantirne l’affidabilità in situazioni di crisi.

Gli inquilini delle apparecchiature per antenne  , ovvero gli operatori di reti mobili, sono i proprietari delle apparecchiature per antenne, tra cui antenne trasmittenti e riceventi e apparecchiature a microonde. Queste apparecchiature sono fondamentali per l’implementazione della trasmissione di dati e voce. Gli inquilini sono responsabili dell’installazione, della manutenzione e della modernizzazione delle loro apparecchiature, il che consente loro di adattarsi alle crescenti esigenze degli utenti.

Rifugi per inquilini  Gli inquilini possiedono anche rifugi (ad esempio, container o edifici) in cui sono immagazzinate stazioni base e sistemi HVAC (riscaldamento, ventilazione e aria condizionata). Questi rifugi forniscono condizioni ambientali appropriate per le apparecchiature, proteggendole da temperature estreme, umidità e altri fattori avversi. Gli inquilini sono responsabili della gestione e della manutenzione di queste strutture per garantire condizioni operative ottimali per le loro apparecchiature.

I tenant dei cavi coassiali  possiedono anche i cavi coassiali che collegano le antenne alle apparecchiature della stazione base. Questi cavi devono essere gestiti e mantenuti correttamente per garantire una perdita minima del segnale e una trasmissione affidabile.

La divisione della proprietà nelle stazioni BTS è fondamentale per la gestione e la manutenzione efficaci delle infrastrutture di telecomunicazione. Gli operatori delle infrastrutture sono responsabili di torri, lotti e generatori, mentre gli inquilini gestiscono le loro apparecchiature di antenna, rifugi e cavi coassiali. Questo modello di cooperazione consente l’uso efficiente delle risorse e garantisce la continuità delle reti di telecomunicazione.

Sebbene le stazioni base siano essenziali, alcune persone sono preoccupate per i loro effetti sulla salute. L’articolo: »  Cosa stanno facendo le onde 5G al tuo cervello?  » dissipa queste paure, spiegando che la costruzione di nuove torri è soggetta a rigide normative e controlli e che le radiazioni elettromagnetiche emesse dalle BTS sono attentamente monitorate. Inoltre, vivere vicino alle stazioni base non è dannoso e può effettivamente migliorare la qualità del segnale e ridurre le emissioni di energia dei dispositivi.

In sintesi, le BTS sono una parte essenziale dell’infrastruttura wireless, essenziale per il funzionamento dei dispositivi e dei servizi moderni. La loro presenza è necessaria per l’ulteriore sviluppo e implementazione di nuove tecnologie.

Fonti:

• L’evoluzione dei telefoni cellulari
• Nokia torna al cinema
• Stazione base – Wikipedia
• Norma GSM
• Dott. Wszołek: Ci saranno più stazioni base 5G, ma invieranno il segnale in modo più preciso
• Cos’è la fibra ottica, come funziona e come è costruita?
• Linea radio, che cos’è?
• Cosa sono le stazioni base BTS e cosa dobbiamo loro?