With its low implementation cost, this solution presents itself as a good option for operators looking to conveniently provide 4G access, offering coverage in challenging environments such as elevators, garages, and other hard-to-reach areas. This solution provides users with a more comprehensive service and enhances the brand value of operators.
The hardware consists of a BBU unit, a near-end (NE) coupler, and a far-end (FA) coupler for an LTE transmission power line. It functions similarly to a remote radio unit (RRU). The NE system exchanges IQ data with the BBU and performs digital-to-analog (DA/AD) conversion, with the difference that the NE can transmit mid-frequency signals below 100 MHz and couple them to a power line. The FA system receives the NE signals from the NE via a high-voltage line, converts them into radio frequency (RF) signals (4G), and transmits them via an antenna. In the opposite direction, it receives signals from the user equipment (UE), converts them into NE signals, and transmits them to the NE via the power line.
In this solution, a CN coupler can be connected to multiple conversion factors to extend coverage, reduce deployment costs, and simplify installation and maintenance, while also significantly lowering operating expenses (OPEX). The CF coupler features an integrated plug-and-play antenna with a compact and lightweight design, making it more user-friendly.
In indoor areas such as garages or elevators, data usage is not very high, but when it is used, it is usually related to emergency situations. Although operators are aware of the need for coverage in these areas, traditional solutions are often unable to address this issue. ZTE's LTE Power solution can solve this problem by transmitting radio signals over existing power lines, thereby increasing value at a lower cost.
In the case of an elevator, the CF coupler can transmit signals over the power lines that move up and down with the elevator itself, easily solving the coverage problem of traditional networks. For a garage, which involves a large area and a small amount of user data, the LTE feed-in solution is preferable. In hotels and their rooms, it has also become an ideal complement to Qcell software, the CF-to-the-home solution, due to its enhanced security, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility.
