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Cisco 3G Small Cell Module for Cisco Aironet Data Sheet

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Product Overview

The Cisco 3G Small Cell Module for Cisco Aironet® takes advantage of the flexible modular design of the Cisco Aironet 3600 Series and is part of the end-to-end Cisco® Small Cell Solution. The 3G Small Cell Module delivers mobile operators a rapid-to-deploy licensed radio network extension onto the footprint of the award-winning Aironet 3600 Wi-Fi access point, creating a new platform for mobile broadband services.
The 3G Small Cell Module is field-upgradeable and contains a dedicated third-generation (3G) small cell base station that can efficiently deliver mobile services indoors while offloading the outdoor macro network. This not only provides a better mobile user experience, but it also reduces costs by eliminating the need for dedicated macro base station sites, the need for acquiring new small cell real estate and the backhaul infrastructure required to support small cell deployments.
Together, the Cisco Aironet 3600 Series access point and 3G Small Cell Module allow operators to concurrently provide state-of-the-art Wi-Fi infrastructure supporting both the 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz bands, and a modern 3G base station infrastructure at the same site (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Cisco 3G Small Cell Module for Cisco Aironet

Modular Flexibility and Efficiency Benefits

Three key challenges face mobile operators interested in deploying licensed small cells: where to hang them, how to power them, and how to backhaul the traffic. Cisco solves these problems with innovation. Building on the Cisco Aironet heritage of robust, award-winning Wi-Fi access point design, the 3600 Series delivers extreme flexibility with its modular configuration. The Cisco 3G Small Cell Module for Cisco Aironet is the first licensed radio module to take advantage of this flexibility by delivering a fully integrated, high-performance, low-cost 3G small cell. The benefits of the Cisco design include the following.

• Reduced network costs and operations: By integrating the 3G Small Cell Module into the 3600 Series, customers have the ability to replace up to two separate access points and their separate functions with a single, multipurpose 3600 Series access point.

• The capacity to reuse the single Ethernet connection (cable and port) from a wired network to deploy a licensed radio: This lowers the capital expenditures (CapEx) that would be required if two separate cable runs were needed. By integrating all these features into a single access point, customers also simplify the day-to-day management and monitoring of their wireless infrastructure and network with a greatly reduced number of access points. The 3G Small Cell Module appears as a new device in the existing management infrastructure, reducing support costs.

• The capacity to install, power up, and go with zero-touch configuration: There are no extra steps required to enable the 3G Small Cell Module to run in a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) environment. This approach can quickly provide 3G coverage to end users. The 3G Small Cell Module is simply inserted and secured into any Aironet 3600 Series access point. When the access point is powered the module is initialized, configured, and authorized in real time by the operator to immediately begin 3G voice, data, and messaging services.

• Secure, carrier-grade 3G base station technology: The 3G Small Cell Module provides the technology equivalent to an in-building mini cell tower. The device is secure on both the airlink from the module to the user and on the Ethernet-based wired link. It is fully managed by the mobile operator and provides for 3G signals inside the building for voice, data, and messaging services for up to 16 simultaneous users within a coverage area of approximately 7000 sq ft (800 sq m).

• Standards-based technology: The 3G Small Cell Module operates as a HNB (Home Node B) in the standard 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) architecture for small cells and is connected to the network using the specified Iuh interface. This architecture provides a rapid deployment model for the operator reusing an existing HNB network infrastructure.

The Cisco 3G Small Cell Module for Cisco Aironet offers these additional 3G benefits.

• Superior indoor signal strength and capacity: The 3G Small Cell Module significantly increases signal strength throughout a building or site, resulting in excellent voice quality and call clarity, and consistent connectivity with high-capacity call handling.

• High data speeds for an enhanced multimedia experience: By providing a tailored local base station, operators can support data throughput speeds on mobile devices that outpace what is available from the macro network in the poor signal conditions typically found indoors.

• Self-optimization based on back-end network intelligence: This helps operators easily manage millions of devices so they do not cause interference with neighboring infrastructure devices such as other 3G Small Cell Modules, residential and enterprise small cells, picocells, and macrocell towers.

• Simplicity and convenience: Subscribers can use their existing mobile phones and applications, and standards-based, zero-touch provisioning allows end users to "plug and play."

• New enterprise services: The module supports next-generation services such as enterprise voice services.

These benefits are in addition to the fundamental benefits from Cisco Service Provider (SP) Wi-Fi.

• The 3G Small Cell Module enables the host Aironet 3600 Series access point to continue its standard Wi-Fi services in parallel with the 3G base station.

• Cisco SP Wi-Fi is a proven carrier-grade solution that scales to support exponential traffic growth from millions of users, delivers a transparent mobility experience for the end user, and is built on open standards, including Wi-Fi Certified Passpoint.

Table 1 lists specific features and the accompanying benefits of the Cisco 3G Small Cell Module for Cisco Aironet.

Table 1. Features and Benefits

Feature

Benefit

Base Station Features

3GPP Release 8 support for Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) and Evolved High Speed Packet Access (HSPA/HSPA+)

Supports standard handsets and dongles. This includes a wide range of global smartphone handsets, including Apple iPhone, Android devices, Blackberry, Microsoft Windows Phone, and dongles from a wide range of global suppliers including HTC, Samsung, Apple, RIM, Nokia, and Motorola.

R99 voice support

High-quality voice call on mobile devices using global mobile standards.

HSPA and HSDPA+

Packet data support for high-speed Internet and intranet communications using packet data upload and download.

Messaging and supplementary service support

Capability to send a text message, set a voicemail icon, and send an emergency broadcast.

Emergency call support

Support for E911, 112, 999 or other national and international standards for emergency voice call services.

Adapative power output

Matched to the coverage needs inside a building.

Mobility

Support for user mobility between small cells and between small cells and the macro network.

Timing support

High-stability oscillator and network timing interface that enables the 3G Small Cell Module to successfully interwork with local macro networks.

Network listen

Automatic radio environment monitoring of the licensed spectrum bands; the network listen features run at module start-up and continuously during operation to provide a real-time monitoring of the surrounding 2G and 3G networks and allow the 3G Small Cell Module to automatically adapt to environment changes.

Autoconfiguration

Zero-touch mechanism based upon the device pulling (through open standards) a data model containing instrumentation and configuration data from network autoconfiguration servers (alternatively, the same network autoconfiguration servers can push a data model to the 3G Small Cell Module).

Module

Form factor

Fits neatly into the recess of the installed Aironet 3600 access point with no protruding wires and maintains the aesthetic appearance of the installation with the internal antenna option; with an external antenna, enables the end user to place the Aironet 3600 in a convenient place and use the external antenna to direct the signal to where it is needed.

Cisco accessory compatibility

Support for the popular Type 2 mounting clip in most circumstances and also the Type 1 mounting clip when attached to a flexible surface. The module is compatible with existing secure mounting solutions for the Aironet 3600 Series access point.

Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+)

Operation within the spare power budget of the Aironet 3600 when PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at) is applied to input Ethernet port.

Rapid installation

Addition of the unit to the Aironet 3600 in less than 10 minutes, requiring no additional cable runs and operating on the existing footprint.

Part of the Cisco SP Wi-Fi infrastructure

Cisco Prime™ Network Control System (NCS) identification of the Aironet 3600 with module installed, and automatic configuration for service provider operation.

Product Specifications

Table 2 lists the detailed product specifications and part numbers for the Cisco 3G Small Cell Module for Cisco Aironet.

Table 2. Product Specifications and Part Numbers

Item

Specification

Part numbers

Cisco 3G Small Cell Module: Indoor environments with integrated module antennas

USC5101-AI-AIR-K9

Software

Cisco Unified Wireless Network Software Release 8.1 or later

Cisco Small Cell System Software Release 2.0 or later

Supported wireless LAN controllers

Per the latest data sheet for Cisco Aironet 3600 Series

Frequencies supported

3GPP Band 1

BS Receive 1920-1980 MHz

BS Transmit 2110-2170 MHz

User count

16 in a variety of combinations including circuit-switched (CS) voice (R99) or packet-switched (PS) data

3GPP standards

3GPP Release 8

3GPP standard Interfaces

Iuh per 3GPP TS 25.467 Release 8

Radio access bearers (RABs) supported

Signaling Radio Bearer (SRB)

• Standard 3.4 kbps

R99 Circuit-Switched (CS) Channel

• 16 Dedicated Channel (DCH) with adaptive multi-rate (AMR) 12.2 kbps codec
• 16 DCH plus 8 users in Fast Access Channel (FACH)
• 10 DCH with CS video

PS data: R99 CS packet mode

• Up to 16 DCH
• Upload/download (UL/DL)
• 64/64 kbps
• 64/128 kbps
• 64/384 kbps
• 128/64 kbps
• 128/128 kbps
• 128/384 kbps
• 384/384 kbps

PS data: R99 CS uplink plus High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA)

• Up to 16 DCH plus High-Speed Dedicated Channel (HS-DCH)
• HSDPA support up to 14.4 Mbps peak rates supported
• UL/DL
• 64 kbps/HSDPA
• 128 kbps/HSDPA
• 384 kbps/HSDPA

PS data: HSPA

• Up to 16 active, scheduled high-speed users
• Up to 14.4 Mbps HSDPA peak rates supported
• 5.76 High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) peak rates supported

PS data: HSDPA+

• Up to 16 active, scheduled high-speed users
• Up to 19 Mbps HSDPA+ peak rates supported
• 14 codes supported
• 5.76 Mbps HSUPA peak rates supported

Multiple RAB (mRAB) combinations supported

• Up to 8 MRAB users (3GPP code tree dependencies)
• One HSPA/HSDPA+ channel and one R99 AMR channel active
• Dual HSPA/HSDPA+ channels active
• Dual HSPA/HSDPA+ channels and one R99 channel active

Realistic data rates: Cisco notes that the rates above for HSPA and HSDPA+ are peak, theoretical rates.

HSPA Support

Yes: HSDPA and HSUPA

HSDPA+ support

Yes

R99 voice support

Yes

R99 video support

Yes

R99 data support

Yes

Data model

Broadband Forum TR-069 Amendment 2 with TR-196v1

Data model protection

Yes: Transport Layer Security (TLS)

Data model extensions

Yes; certain extensions are available to simplify operation and address missing features from the TR-196v1 data model (for example, timers and thresholds for improved operation)

Data model provisioning

TLS through a separate tunnel preferred; TR-069 and optional TLS through IP Security (IPsec) link is supported (Cisco does not recommend this configuration due to loss of management communication if IPsec fails or is unreliable)

Access method

Support for Open and Closed mode deployments

Software upgrade

Yes

3G airlink cipher

3GPP UEA1 and UIA1 (also known as Kasumi cipher)

Backhaul

IPsec Tunnel Mode

Backhaul tunnel management

IKEv2

Periodic network listen

3G and GSM

Continuous service network listen

3G

Network listen bands

USC5101-AI-AIR-K9

• 3G Band 1
• 2G GSM 900 and GSM 1800

3G RF configuration

1 x 1 single-input single-output (SISO) antenna configuration

Receiver sensitivity

-114 dBm

3G RF Noise figure

8 dB

Interface

Connection through Cisco Aironet 3600 Series access point connector that provides Ethernet, conditioned power supply, and module-to-host communications

Power consumption

6W for the Cisco 3G Small Cell Module

Power draw

3600i and 3600e with the 3G Small Cell Module requiring full PoE+ (25.5 W) at the egress switch port and a cable run of less than 300 ft (100m)

Weight

1 lb (<500g)

Size

8.46 x 2.5 x 1.97 in (21.48 x 6.35 x 5 cm)

Licensing

The software for the 3G Small Cell Module is only licensed by Cisco to service providers and others that have rights and authority to deploy and radiate in the licensed spectrum bands.

System Requirements

Table 3 lists the system requirements needed for successful deployment of the Cisco 3G Small Cell Module for Cisco Aironet.

Table 3. System Requirements

Host access point

Cisco Aironet 3600 Series

Controller

Cisco 8500 Series Wireless Controller

Powering options

Power Ethernet Plus (PoEP) is required

• IEEE 802.3at PoE+ 25.5W delivered from the Ethernet switch -
example Cisco Catalyst 4500 46xx E-Series/47xx E-series/Classic line cards
• Cisco 3600 Series Power Injector (AIR-PWRINJ4=)
• Cisco 3600 Series Local Power Supply (AIR-PWR-B=)

Software

Cisco Unified Wireless Network Software Release 8.1 or later

Cisco Small Cell System Solution (SCS) Software 2.0

Limited Lifetime Hardware Warranty

The Cisco 3G Small Cell Module includes a Limited Lifetime Warranty that provides full warranty of the hardware for as long as the original end user continues to own or use the product. Find warranty information on Cisco.com at the Product Warranties page.

Ordering Information

The Cisco 3G Small Cell Module for Cisco Aironet is available for sale to service providers that have WCDMA, HSPA, and HSPA+ technology and spectrum assets in the 3G Band I (2100 MHz). For part numbers, refer to Table 2.

Cisco Small Cell Services

The Cisco Small Cell Solution is delivered by Cisco Services, an organization with unparalleled experience and expertise implementing large commercial small cell deployments, and providing world-class systems service integration. With specialized tools, knowledge, methodologies, best practices, and a collaborative delivery model that combines Cisco's expertise with our partners' and customers' capabilities, Cisco Services achieves superior results. We help service providers to mitigate risk, accelerate time to market for new revenue-generating services, lower total cost of ownership, maximize the value of investments, and improve the customer experience through service assurance.
The Cisco Services team delivers comprehensive support, encompassing the service provider's entire network lifecycle. Through a lifecycle approach to services, Cisco has developed consistent and proven methodologies to help service providers successfully design and deliver new service offerings. These services are customized to operator needs and are delivered through an extensive global support infrastructure, which includes Cisco's award-winning Technical Assistance Center (TAC), Cisco Services resources, Centers of Excellence, Small Cell IOT/SVT labs, and ecosystem partners.

For More Information

For more information about the Cisco 3G Small Cell Module, visit http://www.cisco.com/go/smallcell or contact your local account representative.