RFFemtocell vs Picocell vs Microcell: Overview and Differences
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Femtocell, picocell, and microcell are types of small cells used in mobile networks to enhance coverage and capacity in areas with poor signal quality. They differ in size, coverage area, power, and application. These small cells are deployed to provide better network service and optimize user experience, especially in indoor or densely populated environments.
Small cells are miniaturized Base Stations which provide short range wireless communication at low power. They are used both indoors and outdoors to cover small geographical area. They have the same characteristics as Base Stations and provide high data rate for individual users.
They are used in LTE-advanced and 5G New Radio deployments to deliver high speed broadband and low latency applications. They are used in dense areas with high number of users such as stations, airports, sports venues, movie theatres, shopping malls etc.
The benefits of small cells are as follows:
- Faster deployments
- Cost Effective
- Higher data rates to individual users
- Cellular network coverage extension and improvement in network capacity
- Efficient use of frequency spectrum
Based on coverage area and support for number of users, small cells are classified into femtocells, picocells and Microcells.
What is a Femtocell?
A femtocell is a small, low-power cellular base station designed for use in homes or small offices. It connects to the mobile operator’s core network through a broadband connection and provides localized cellular coverage, improving voice quality and data speeds for users in its range. Femtocells are used to offload network congestion, serve areas with weak cellular signal strength, extend coverage and increase the data capacity for indoor users.
The key features of a femtocell are as follows:
- Coverage: 10 to 50 meters
- Power: 100 mwatts
- Capacity: 8 to 16 users
- Applications: Indoor (Primary use), Outdoor
- Backhaul: Wired connection, fiber connection
What is a Picocell?
A picocell is a small cellular base station with higher power output compared to a femtocell, providing wider coverage. It is used to improve indoor coverage in places like large offices, shopping malls and train stations.
The key features of a picocell are as follows:
- Coverage: 100 to 250 meters
- Power: 250 mwatts (Typically)
- Capacity: 32 to 64 users
- Applications: Indoor use in offices, hospitals, schools, shopping centers
- Backhaul: Wired connection, fiber connection
What is a Microcell?
A microcell is a medium-range cellular base station that provides coverage for outdoor areas or large indoor spaces. It has a higher power output and coverage area than both femtocells and picocells.
The key features of a microcell are as follows:
- Coverage: 500 meters to 2.5 Kms
- Power: 2 to 5 watts
- Capacity: up to 200 users (simultaneous)
- Applications: Outdoor
- Backhaul: Wired connection, fiber connection, Microwave links
Differences Between Femtocell, Picocell and Microcell
The following table compares Femtocell vs Picocell vs Microcell and mentions comparison between them.
| Feature | Femtocell | Picocell | Microcell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmit power | 20 dBm (~ 100 milliwatts) | 24 dBm (~ 250 milliwatts) | 33 dBm (~ 2 Watts) |
| Coverage distance | About 30 meters | About 100 meters | About 500 meters |
| Backhaul connectivity | Broadband internet | Broadband or dedicated connection | Fiber optic or microwave link |
| Access mode | Closed Subscriber Group(CSG) | Open to all users | Open to all users |
| Deployment location | Indoor | Indoor (medium-sized buildings) | Outdoor or large indoor spaces |
| Users supported | 4-16 concurrent users | Up to 64 concurrent users | Up to 200 concurrent users |
| Integration with Core Network | Connects through broadband to core network | Direct connection or through controller | Connected via RNC/BSC or directly to core network |
| Interference Management | Minimal, managed by operator or user | Handled by network to prevent macro cell overlap | Requires careful planning to avoid macro interference |
| Cost | Low | Moderate | High |
| Use case | Homes, small offices | Large offices, malls, train stations | Urban areas, streets, large buildings |
| Applications | Enhances indoor coverage for home or office users | Improves coverage in medium-sized public venues | Provides additional capacity in urban/outdoor areas |
Above mentioned different sized small cells are used in combination to create heterogeneous network. HetNet is a Radio Access Network which comprises conventional macrocells along with many small cells ranging from femtocells, picocells and microcells.
Conclusion
Femtocells, picocells, and microcells each serve distinct roles in enhancing mobile network coverage and capacity. Femtocells are best suited for residential or small office environments, picocells for large indoor areas and microcells for urban outdoor settings. Understanding the differences helps network planners choose the appropriate small cell type based on coverage needs, user density, and deployment location.
