Top

Huawei iHashBAND 5G Solution Fosters Innovative, Intelligent Multi-band Convergence

5G is happening and fast! More than 200 CSPs have deployed 3GPP-compliant 5G networks globally so far, with 5G subscriptions poised to cross the billion mark in the next few months. The CSPs will be doubling down on deploying the next-generation 5G NR network architecture in 2022 and 2023. They look forward to reaping the benefits of an advanced and intelligent network infrastructure that can unlock newer capabilities and services, and monetization opportunities not possible before. These capabilities stem from a combination of advanced RAN equipment and intelligent software that can efficiently utilize the diverse spectrum and other network resources.

However, we believe 5G is a spectrum game and the success of a CSP’s 5G network lies in how efficiently it uses the multiple frequency bands on a single network for diverse use cases, application scenarios and delivering the 5G promise of greater capacity, higher throughputs and lower latency. For example, looking at the diverse spectrum available for a 5G network, the sub-3GHz FDD frequency bands provide symmetrical Uplink (UL) and Downlink (DL) with wider coverage, whereas the TDD frequency bands (like C-band 3.5GHz) offer larger bandwidth and higher capacity. Both of these can be supplemented with higher-order mmWave (26GHz and above) spectrum for high throughput and bandwidth but targeted hotspot coverage for applications such as FWA and private networks.

This drives a multi-fold increase in the network complexity as a CSP looks to leverage a broad set of spectrum resources across a heterogenous network to enable a diverse set of services, SLAs and target network KPIs.

Source: Huawei

Every CSP is looking to build such a robust, capable 5G network with its ecosystem partners. However, having followed the infrastructure market for years, one solution which stands out and is being successfully deployed to bring intelligence to this multi-band converging RAN is Huawei’s iHashBAND solution.

At Huawei’s 2022 Mobile Broadband Forum (MBBF), which was held recently in Bangkok and was also attended by a team of Counterpoint analysts, the world’s leading cellular network infrastructure provider gave briefings on its latest innovations, solutions as well as adoption by CSPs in the 5G infrastructure space globally. Huawei showcased its iHashBAND solution at the summit which was one of the highlights of the show. This solution looks to optimally converge the multiple frequency bands (5G and 4G) onto a single-layer network solving one of the major pain points for CSPs migrating from 4G to 5G. This allows the CSPs to optimally use the performance differences between TDD and FDD spectrum bands to amplify the respective band strengths in terms of capacity versus coverage, thereby boosting spectral efficiencies. Having a single logical band approach through the convergence of multiple frequency bands deployed in a single network can drive home significant advantages for CSPs advancing towards “One 5G” implementation.


Source: Huawei

Huawei further enhances this by adding multiple 3GPP-compliant features, advanced software techniques and proprietary intelligent algorithms to leverage this multi-band convergence optimally. For instance, the solution incorporates the following capabilities:

Flexible Full-band Uplink-Downlink Decoupling

While 4G was more about content consumption, downloading and light uploading, in the 5G era, decoupling Uplink (L) and Downlink (DL) becomes a breakthrough feature. This allows operators to improve TDD UL and DL coverage, cell edge data throughputs and further time and frequency domain flexible multiplexing of multiple bands via Super Uplink (SUL). SUL allows FDD uplink spectra to supplement TDD bands enabling TDD and FDD spectrum coordination, boosting UL coverage.

Source: Huawei

SUL is an innovative capability with which a 100MHz SUL bandwidth can significantly boost the UL performance and throughputs (to 1Gbps+) by at least 5x. As a result, Huawei’s SUL is helping CSPs boost the overall UL user experience by 30%. SUL is enabling UL critical applications such as 4K live video broadcasts, HD video-conferencing, machine vision systems and cloud gaming, which was not possible at this scale and efficiency in a 4G network. Co-working with the ecosystem players, Huawei is ensuring that most of the 5G devices and CSPs support this feature. 5G NR devices with HiSilicon, MediaTek and UNISOC chipsets are already supporting the SUL feature.

Full-band Multi-beam 3D Coordinated Scheduling

Scheduling the data traffic by efficiently utilizing spatial multiplexing has been a key technology in driving capacity. However, coordinated scheduling using multiple antenna technology across multiple bands and distributing the data load optimally across multiple beams takes it a couple of steps further.

Source: Huawei

Huawei’s 3D coordinated scheduling for a beam load balancing and distribution across multiple bands is based on intelligently measuring and predicting load, traffic, interference, UE characteristics, position in the cell and other parameters. This intelligent optimization of UE pairing across multiple bands and beams can significantly boost spectral efficiency and cell capacity by 20%+. This is great for CSPs looking to boost capacity with intelligent traffic balancing, especially for 5G FWA applications, such as 4K/8K video, cloud gaming and VR streaming, requiring more bandwidth.

Intelligent Grid-based Coordination for Inter-frequency Measurement

Further, in a traditional coordination method, the inter-frequency measurement in a multi-band network could take seconds, resulting in a significant performance loss. As a result, base station intelligence capabilities within the IHashBAND solution, such as “smart prediction” of multi-band characteristics by a grid-based coordination technique, can reduce these inter-frequency measurements down to less than 200 msecs. This unlocks multiple advanced use cases such as fast carrier aggregation (CA), smart anchor selection, smart carrier selection, and intelligent NSA EN-DC carrier combination selection. This, in turn, promises to boost the overall network performance by 20-30% without any need for additional spectrum or other hardware resources.

Source: Huawei

As the success of 5G networks will depend on how CSPs can build a highly efficient and optimized multi-band single network, solutions such as Huawei’s IHashBAND offer a great option to achieve the same. Huawei’s IHashBAND enables the convergence of multiple bands from the legacy 4G FDD with 5G NR TDD spectrum into a single logical band backed by some intelligence and software techniques. This is beneficial for both intra-site as well as inter-site intelligent aggregation, boosting coverage and enabling better throughput experience as well as efficient carrier aggregation to have a consistent experience intelligently.

Therefore, it is imperative to move to an “intelligent” 5G base station that can function extremely well with greater spectral efficiency, capacity boosts and enhanced user experience.

Source: Huawei
Neil is a sought-after frequently-quoted Industry Analyst with a wide spectrum of rich multifunctional experience. He is a knowledgeable, adept, and accomplished strategist. In the last 18 years he has offered expert strategic advice that has been highly regarded across different industries especially in telecom. Prior to Counterpoint, Neil worked at Strategy Analytics as a Senior Analyst (Telecom). Neil also had an opportunity to work with Philips Electronics in multiple roles. He is also an IEEE Certified Wireless Professional with a Master of Science (Telecommunications & Business) from the University of Maryland, College Park, USA.

Term of Use and Privacy Policy

Counterpoint Technology Market Research Limited

Registration

In order to access Counterpoint Technology Market Research Limited (Company or We hereafter) Web sites, you may be asked to complete a registration form. You are required to provide contact information which is used to enhance the user experience and determine whether you are a paid subscriber or not.
Personal Information When you register on we ask you for personal information. We use this information to provide you with the best advice and highest-quality service as well as with offers that we think are relevant to you. We may also contact you regarding a Web site problem or other customer service-related issues. We do not sell, share or rent personal information about you collected on Company Web sites.

How to unsubscribe and Termination

You may request to terminate your account or unsubscribe to any email subscriptions or mailing lists at any time. In accessing and using this Website, User agrees to comply with all applicable laws and agrees not to take any action that would compromise the security or viability of this Website. The Company may terminate User’s access to this Website at any time for any reason. The terms hereunder regarding Accuracy of Information and Third Party Rights shall survive termination.

Website Content and Copyright

This Website is the property of Counterpoint and is protected by international copyright law and conventions. We grant users the right to access and use the Website, so long as such use is for internal information purposes, and User does not alter, copy, disseminate, redistribute or republish any content or feature of this Website. User acknowledges that access to and use of this Website is subject to these TERMS OF USE and any expanded access or use must be approved in writing by the Company.
– Passwords are for user’s individual use
– Passwords may not be shared with others
– Users may not store documents in shared folders.
– Users may not redistribute documents to non-users unless otherwise stated in their contract terms.

Changes or Updates to the Website

The Company reserves the right to change, update or discontinue any aspect of this Website at any time without notice. Your continued use of the Website after any such change constitutes your agreement to these TERMS OF USE, as modified.
Accuracy of Information: While the information contained on this Website has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, We disclaims all warranties as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of such information. User assumes sole responsibility for the use it makes of this Website to achieve his/her intended results.

Third Party Links: This Website may contain links to other third party websites, which are provided as additional resources for the convenience of Users. We do not endorse, sponsor or accept any responsibility for these third party websites, User agrees to direct any concerns relating to these third party websites to the relevant website administrator.

Cookies and Tracking

We may monitor how you use our Web sites. It is used solely for purposes of enabling us to provide you with a personalized Web site experience.
This data may also be used in the aggregate, to identify appropriate product offerings and subscription plans.
Cookies may be set in order to identify you and determine your access privileges. Cookies are simply identifiers. You have the ability to delete cookie files from your hard disk drive.