The Cisco® Universal Small Cell 8838 (USC 8838) is part of the Cisco Universal Small Cell Solution, an end-to-end platform that integrates 3G, LTE and carrier-grade Wi-Fi with self-organizing network (SON) and backhaul technologies for an efficient and highly secure heterogeneous network (HetNet). The Cisco USC Series provides the right solution for every indoor environment, from the home to enterprises of every size, up to large high-density environments such as airports, shopping malls, and campuses. The Cisco USC 8838 is designed to operate in conjunction with the Cisco USC 8088 Controller, providing transparent, high-quality coverage in large enterprises, across campuses, and in large indoor public spaces where mobile voice and data are mission critical.
Product Overview
Studies have shown that LTE subscribers increase their mobile data usage by up to ten times more than 3G users once they get accustomed to LTE’s faster speeds for data-intensive mobile applications. As the demand for mobile broadband accelerates, so too grows the need to use LTE technologies more efficiently indoors without creating network complexity. The Cisco USC 8000 Series offers transparent and fully coordinated cellular coverage for environments where the mobile operator’s macro network cannot do so cost effectively. The crucial element is a single, high-density, multitechnology controller for management and autoconfiguration of the in-building system.
The Cisco USC 8838 is the most robust Cisco small cell offering to address growing LTE demand. It integrates multiaccess small cells into the mobile network by supporting LTE operations with SON capabilities. Each small cell can be installed easily on walls or ceilings, and its network connectivity and power are provided over Ethernet. The Cisco USC 8838 is convection cooled with a built-in antenna (Figure 1), but it is also available with external antennas.
Cisco USC 8838 Features
The Cisco USC 8838 is a high-capacity, high-performance LTE small cell designed for scalable in-building deployments. It supports dual band for up to 32+32 active LTE users (64+64 active LTE users with the LTE Dual Band High-Capacity Upgrade License available with the SCS 5.0 release) and 128 RRC-connected users on each band (up to 64 active LTE users from Solution Release SCS 5.1 onward). It supports a peak downlink (DL) rate of 150 Mbps and a peak uplink (UL) rate of 50 Mbps when used with 20-MHz channel bandwidth. With the optional Carrier Aggregation upgrade available in SCS 5.0, DL speeds can be doubled to 300 Mbps.
Each Cisco USC 8838 includes SON functionality to enhance transparent coordination among cells inside its environment, as well as 2G and 3G macro cells in multiple frequency bands. In addition, each access point performs continuous self-optimization to help provide high-quality radio coverage and mobility.
All communication between the Cisco USC 8838 and the Cisco USC 8088 Controller occurs through an IPSec tunnel to provide exceptional network security to the enterprise (Figure 2). Encryption keys and device certificates are stored using on-chip Trusted Platform Module (TPM) functions, allowing support for a highly secure boot process and certificate-based authentication. There is no management or console port on the Cisco USC 8000 Series platform and physically, the unit can be locked to prevent theft or removal from the premises.
In summary, the Cisco USC 8838 offers the following features:
● 32+32 active LTE users (upgradable to 64+64 active LTE users in SCS 5.0)
● 128 RRC-connected users x2 bands
● 150 Mbps peak DL throughput and 50 Mbps peak UL throughput (upgradable to 300 Mbps in SCS 5.0)
● 2 x 2 multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO)
● Multiple frequency-division duplexing (FDD) bands
● Internal antennas
● Deployable over existing Ethernet switching infrastructure (VLAN)
● Power over Ethernet (PoE+)
● Wall and ceiling mountable, plenum-rated
● Certificate-based authentication with Cisco USC 8088 Controller
Cisco USC 8838 Benefits
The Cisco Universal Small Cell Solution is designed to address the challenge of poor indoor LTE coverage and capacity. Cisco small cell capabilities can be used to deploy services that are based on indoor location and to support new enterprise services such as integration with enterprise voice systems and access to local enterprise networks. The Cisco USC 8000 Series provides the following additional benefits:
● Reduced operational costs: By using existing infrastructure, structured cabling, and built-in automatic coordinated SON, the Cisco USC 8838 integrates with the controller architecture, making location selection, cabling, and deployment simple and cost effective.
● Scalability: Up to 100 USC 8838 small cells can be supported by a single controller to provide an enhanced user experience in large buildings.
● Superior indoor signal strength and capacity: The Cisco USC 8838 significantly increases signal strength throughout a building or site, promoting excellent voice quality and call clarity, as well as consistent connectivity with high-capacity call handling.
● High data speeds for an enhanced multimedia experience: By providing a tailored local base station, high-speed cellular data rates can be delivered to employees and customers regardless of device type.
Cisco USC 8838 Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Class
Outside North America, the USC 8838 includes a SME variant for those enterprises occupying smaller locations and that have lighter demands on capacity. The SME class offers these businesses the same USC 8838 hardware, but at a reduced capacity (16 users per radio). With an onsite SME controller, enterprises can deploy up to 15 small cells in a single location or approximately 18,000 square meters.
Product Specifications
Table 1 lists the product specifications for the Cisco USC 8838.
Table 1. Product Specifications
Item |
Specification |
Enterprise installation |
Mounting hardware included Padlock option Ceiling or wall mount Plenum-rated Power-over-Ethernet: 802.3at |
LED indication |
1 x tri-color LED, red, green, and blue (RGB) Status indications: boot, normal, disabled, fault, emergency call, radio node tracking |
Physical and environmental |
● Dimensions: 9.4 x 8.1 x 2.1 in. (239 x 206 x 53 mm)
● Weight: 3.0 lb (1.37 kg)
● 1 x 100/1000 Mbps Ethernet (RJ-45)
● Operating temperature:
◦ 32 to 122° F (0 to 50° C) (vertically
mounted)
◦ 32
to
104°
F
(0
to
40° C)
(horizontally
mounted)
● Storage temperature: 32 to 185° F (0 to 85° C)
● Operating humidity: 0 to 90% noncondensing
● Storage humidity: 0 to 90% noncondensing
● Ingress protection rating: IP30
|
Security |
Highly secure boot and key storage using TPM functions IPsec tunneling to Cisco USC 8088 Controller X.509 certificate-based authentication |
Timing and synchronization |
IEEE 1588 based Precision Time Protocol Real-time synchronization to Cisco USC 8088 Controller |
Management |
Single touch point for UMTS and LTE management Autoprovisioning |
LTE Radio Specifications
Table 2 lists the LTE radio specifications for the Cisco USC 8838.
Table 2. LTE Radio Specifications
Item |
Specification |
Performance |
Peak rates: 150 Mbps DL, 50 Mbps UL (with 20 MHz) 300-Mbps DL/50-Mbps with optional CA (2 x 20MHz) 32+32 active user (64+64 with Capacity Upgrade license) 128 RRC-connected x2 bands |
Channel sizes |
● 5 MHz
● 10 MHz
● 15 MHz
● 20 MHz
|
Frequency bands |
Available band class options ● LTE Band 4 and 13 HW Version
◦ Operates in Band 4 (LTE) and Band 13 (LTE)
◦ Monitors LTE B4/B13
● LTE Band 3 and 7 HW Version
◦ Operates in Band 7 (LTE) and Band 3 (LTE)
◦ Monitors LTE B3/B7/B20, UMTS B1/B8
● LTE or 3G Band 2 and 4 (with GSM 850Mhz & 1900 MHz, UMTS B2, 5, and LTE B2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 17, 66 Monitor) ● LTE Band 2 and 5 (with UMTS 2100/900 MHz monitor), 3G Band 2 and 5 |
Radio and antenna |
2x2 MIMO Maximum transmit power: 2x125 mW (2x21 dBm) Two internal antennas Antenna Gain: 5.6 (Band 4) - 7.3 (Band 7) dBi Peak Gain |
Mobility |
Inter USC 8000 Series handover anchored at Cisco USC 8088 Controller Handover to/from macro (interfrequency, intrafrequency) Inter RAT handover to/from UMTS |
Voice services |
VoLTE Circuit Switched Fall Back |
QoS features |
Support for LTE QoS Class Identifier (QCIs) Multiple Data Radio Bearers (DRB) per user device Guaranteed Bit Rate (GBR) Maximum Bit Rate (MBR) Aggregate Maximum Bit Rate (AMBR) |
RF management |
LTE and UMTS network monitor Inter- and intrafrequency neighbor cell detection Autodetection of Physical Cell Identities (PCI) Automatic Neighbor Relation (ANR) management |
Ciphering |
SNOW 3G air interface encryption |
Regulatory compliance (planned) |
Safety EN 60950, CB certification (IEC 60950) EMI Directive 1999/5/EC on R&TTE:
● EN 50385
● EN 301 489-1 and 301 489-23
● EN 301 908-1 and 301 908-3
FCC Part 15, Class A Industry Canada: ICES-003 (Class A) Materials: Directive 2002/95/EC on RoHS General: CE and NRTL marking FCC Part 27 (UMTS Band 4) Industry Canada: RSS-133, RSS-139 |
Hardware
Table 3 provides hardware ordering information.
Table 3. Hardware Ordering Guide
Product Name |
Description |
Order Code |
Universal Small Cell 8838, Band 3/7 |
Dual-Carrier LTE FDD small cell. Supports up to 64 active LTE users per band, 2x2 MIMO with 125 mw per transmit antenna. Band 3/7 |
USC8838-T37-K9 |
Universal Small Cell 8838, Band 4/13 |
Dual-Carrier LTE FDD small cell. Supports up to 64 active LTE users per band, 2x2 MIMO with 125 mw per transmit antenna. Band 4/13 |
USC8838-V413-K9 |
Universal Small Cell 8838, Band 2/4 |
Dual-Carrier, Dual Technology LTE FDD small cell. Supports up to 64 active LTE per band or Band 2 can support 32 3G Users while Band 4 is LTE, 2x2 MIMO with 125 mw per transmit antenna. Band 2/4 |
USC8838-A24-K9 |
Universal Small Cell 8838, Band 2/5 |
Dual-Carrier, Dual Technology LTE FDD small cell. Supports up to 64 active LTE per band or Band 2 or 5 can support 32 3G Users. 2x2 MIMO with 125 mw per transmit antenna. Band 2/5 |
USC8838-A25-K9 |
Universal Small Cell 8088 Controller |
Controller hardware capable of support 50 dual-band (UMTS + LTE or dual-LTE) small cells |
USC8088-LC-K9 |
Universal Small Cell 8088 Controller (High Capacity) |
Controller Hardware capable of support 100 dual-band (UMTS + LTE or dual-LTE) small cells |
USC8088-HC-K9 |
Software
Table 4 provides software ordering information.
Table 4. Software Ordering Guide
Product Name |
Description |
Order Code |
Small Cell Activation Software |
Activation software for each 8838 small cell where both Bands are active |
USC8838-ASW-K9 |
Small Cell Activation Software |
Activation software for a 8838 where only a single LTE Band is to be activated |
USC8838-4G-ASW-K9 |
Controller Software License |
Controller capacity expansion software license for each small cell |
USC8088-CSW-K9 |
Enterprise Management System License |
Management software license for each small cell |
USC8050-MSW-K9 |
LTE Dual Band High-Capacity Upgrade License (optional) |
License to increase the number of active LTE users from 32 users per band to 64 users per band on dual-carrier LTE radio APs |
L-8k-LTE-CUx2-K9 |
Carrier Aggregation License for USC8838 Series (optional) |
Software license to use Carrier Aggregation on dual-carrier LTE Hardware |
L-8k-LTE-CA-K9 |
Controller Activation Software |
Activation software for controller |
USC8088-LC-ASW-K9 |
High Capacity Controller Activation Software |
Activation software for high-capacity controller |
USC8088-HC-ASW-K9 |
Warranty
The USC 8838 include a 1-year limited hardware warranty and a 90-day software warranty, with 30-days return for repair. More detailed warranty information is available on Cisco.com at the Product Warranties page.
Cisco Small Cell Services
The Cisco Universal Small Cell Solution can be delivered by Cisco Services, an organization with exceptional 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 expertise with our partners' and customers' capabilities, Cisco Services promotes superior results. We help service providers mitigate risk, accelerate time to market for new revenue- generating services, lower total cost of ownership, increase the value of investments, and improve the customer experience through service assurance.
The Cisco Services team delivers comprehensive support. Through a lifecycle approach to services, Cisco has developed consistent and proven methodologies to successfully design and deliver new service offerings. These services are customized and delivered through an extensive global support infrastructure, which includes the award- winning Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC), Cisco Services resources, Centers of Excellence, small cell interoperability testing (IOT) and system verification (SVT) labs, and ecosystem partners.
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For More Information
For more information about the Cisco USC 8838, visit http://www.cisco.com/go/smallcell or contact your local account representative.