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Discussion on the overall test plan and configuration of 3G mobile base station power consumption
Foreword
With the issuance of three 3G operating licenses, 3G network construction has accelerated rapidly, while the expansion and optimization of 2G networks continues in a structured manner based on market demands. As the network expands, energy consumption has become a growing concern for operators. According to reports from China Mobile and China Unicom, in 2007, China Mobile spent 7.6 billion yuan on electricity, while China Unicom spent 4.5 billion yuan. Electricity costs accounted for over 80% of their operational expenses. This figure is increasing as 3G networks continue to develop. According to data from China Mobile, base station power consumption currently makes up 73% of total energy use, with the main equipment consuming 51%, air conditioning 46%, and other supporting systems 3%. As a major energy consumer, accurately measuring the power consumption of mobile base stations is crucial for operators and manufacturers seeking ways to reduce energy use and meet emission reduction targets.
In reality, under the global trend of energy conservation and emissions reduction, equipment manufacturers have long recognized the importance of base station energy consumption metrics for operators. For example, well-known vendors like Ericsson have developed comprehensive testing methods and equipment specifically for measuring base station power consumption.
The real-time power consumption of a base station is influenced by various factors, including environmental conditions (temperature, humidity), installation location, heat dissipation mode, carrier frequency configuration, traffic volume, and power supply. These elements can cause significant fluctuations in power usage. Generally, there are two main approaches to testing base station energy consumption: laboratory testing, where the environment is simulated to match real-world operations, and field testing under actual network conditions. During product development and early network deployment, the first method is commonly used. For instance, China Mobile has conducted multiple laboratory power consumption tests at its research institute for TD-SCDMA base stations. The second method is more common in mature commercial networks, such as for GSM equipment. It is expected that site-based power consumption testing will become widely adopted once 3G networks are fully operational.
Second, the Overall Power Consumption Testing Plan and Configuration for 3G Mobile Base Stations
For integrated and distributed base stations, the overall power consumption is typically measured by multiplying the input voltage by the current under specified working conditions. For distributed base stations, the overall machine efficiency is used to measure power consumption, which refers to the total power consumed at the top of the device. Regardless of the base station type, energy consumption testing essentially involves measuring the input voltage and current at a given operating state.
2.1 Power Consumption Test Principle
During lab testing, RNC and CN can be replaced with simulators. Additional tools include business loading tools (such as call generators and signal sources), RF channel switches, and spectrum analyzers.
2.2 Test Tools
Multimeter (for voltage measurement), embedded ammeter (for base station current), Agilent 34970 (for long-term current recording), power meter, signal source, and spectrum analyzer (used for lab testing).
2.3 Test Environment
Ensure the test environment matches the actual operating conditions of the base station. The temperature should be between 22°C and 26°C, and the humidity should range from 50% to 70%.
2.4 Test Configuration
The test should be based on the number of carriers each baseband board can support and the maximum number of carriers the entire base station can handle. Different cell and carrier frequency configurations can be used. For example, if each baseband board supports up to 6 carriers, and the base station can support 3 boards (totaling 18 carriers), it may be configured with 1x6, 2x6, or 3x6 carrier frequencies. Under each configuration, different traffic loads (0%, 50%, 80%, 100%) should be tested, and the corresponding voltage and current values recorded. For existing network devices, typical configurations and traffic loads can be defined based on the operator's actual network performance.
Third, Optimization Analysis of the Testing Method
Based on several rounds of power consumption tests conducted by previous operators, Ericsson’s base station energy consumption showed a clear linear trend—power consumption increased proportionally with the load on wireless equipment. This gradient distribution provides valuable technical reference for operators when selecting software-based energy-saving solutions. Additionally, under high load conditions, nonlinear issues in the RF power amplifier may become more pronounced. Therefore, monitoring RF parameters such as ACLR during full-load testing can effectively assess the performance of the RF unit.
Analyzing the energy consumption of each module reveals that a significant portion of power is consumed by the internal cooling system (fans, air conditioners). To ensure accurate test results, the ambient temperature and humidity of the base station being tested must reflect the typical operating environment of most base stations. The installation method and heat dissipation mode should also align with real-world practices. Combining power consumption testing with environmental testing is a practical and effective approach.
To make the energy consumption metrics of the tested base station meaningful for network operations and product design, the base station should have rich software and hardware control interfaces to monitor the actual energy use of each component. This requires that energy consumption indicators and test feasibility be considered thoroughly during the system design phase. Ericsson has always prioritized energy efficiency in its product development, clearly defining energy consumption parameters and test interfaces for each module during the design stage.
Fourth, Conclusion
In summary, during the product design and development phase, equipment manufacturers should standardize energy consumption metrics for each internal module and use them as a key basis for design and component selection. Since the operating environment significantly affects the power consumption of the base station's internal cooling system, the testing environment should be standardized and consistent. During full-load power consumption testing, monitoring RF performance indicators can help evaluate the linear characteristics of RF units. Energy consumption testing should not only focus on the overall energy use of the base station but also consider the energy consumption gradient under different service configurations, which will serve as an important reference for operators choosing software-based energy-saving solutions.
As new generations of mobile communication networks are built and operated, the power consumption testing of 3G base stations will remain a long-term and essential task. It will be involved in network equipment selection, daily maintenance, and technical upgrades. We should develop scientific and effective testing programs based on factors such as product performance, working environment, and network operation characteristics.