Smart poles as a concept is not new but is getting extremely popular with Smart cities and Small cells. Penetration of smart phones and exponential growth of data consumption has pushed operators to deploy more sites to meet both coverage and capacity requirements. Interference and frequency re-use limitation stops operators to deploy more high-power macro sites and hence operators are moving towards low power solutions to cover hotspots.

1. SON ENABLED SMART POLE
(PATENT PENDING)

2. SON Enabled Smarted Pole Design Idea
Copyright 2017 Techplayon.com
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ..............................................................................................................................................2
2. What is a Smart Pole.................................................................................................................................3
3. Smart Pole and Concerns..........................................................................................................................4
4. Smartest Pole:...........................................................................................................................................5
5. Smartest Pole and SON Operation............................................................................................................6
Table of Figure
Figure 1: Kiosk Machine...............................................................................................................................2
Figure 2: Electric Pole with Wireless Equipment .........................................................................................2
Figure 3: Smart Pole with Multi-Purpose Application..................................................................................3
Figure 4: Default Pole Design.......................................................................................................................5
Figure 5: Smart Pole Design with Extension Mechanism.............................................................................5
Figure 6: Smart Pole Design with Extension Mechanism.............................................................................6
Figure 7: Peak Hour All Cell’s Transmission .................................................................................................6
Figure 8: No-Peak Hour One Cell’s Transmission with Extended Coverage ................................................7
Figure 9: Remote Azimuth Control ..............................................................................................................7

3. SON Enabled Smarted Pole Design Idea
Copyright 2017 Techplayon.com
1. Introduction
With small cells, outdoor city Wi-Fi and Hyper dense network deployments operators are exploring and
deploying much more than orthodox telecom towers. As being said: “unlike old days where users use to
search and move closer to network now networks are moving closer to users”, to provide QOS and
seamless experience. Operators are deploying small cells, Wi-Fi, LPWAN (Low power Wireless access
networks) on new street furniture such as on Flyover pillars, Kiosk machines, electricity poles and smart
poles.
Figure 1: Kiosk Machine
Google’s Deployment in NYC using Intersection Kiosk’s Image Source: https://www.intersection.com/
Figure 2: Electric Pole with Wireless Equipment

4. SON Enabled Smarted Pole Design Idea
Copyright 2017 Techplayon.com
2. What is a Smart Pole
A multifunctional pole designed with host of technologies and utilities such as Access Network (Small
cell, Wi-Fi), IOT (detectors, sensors and communication), Green energy (Solar power, Efficient LED
lights) , Sensors, Advertisement, Citizen interactions etc.
Intelligent, multifunctional or smart light poles, which can help solve many urban problems due to their
ability to incorporate software controls, electronics and sensors that can receive and transmit data. They
can improve parking and traffic management through real-time data, leading to a reduction in congestion
and emissions. Intelligent poles can also monitor air quality, detect and notify officials about street
flooding or be turned into charging stations for electric vehicles.
The smart poles have been designed from conception with modular multi-functional components. There is
no limit to the potential features and functions that can be integrated into the intelligent light poles.
Figure 3: Smart Pole with Multi-Purpose Application
Image Source: http://smart.rockhamptonregion.qld.gov.au/smart-street-lighting/

5. SON Enabled Smarted Pole Design Idea
Copyright 2017 Techplayon.com
3. Smart Pole and Concerns
Smart poles as a concept is not new but is getting extremely popular with Smart cities and Small cells.
Penetration of smart phones and exponential growth of data consumption has pushed operators to deploy
more sites to meet both coverage and capacity requirements. Interference and frequency re-use
limitation stops operators to deploy more high-power macro sites and hence operators are moving towards
low power solutions to cover hotspots.
A) With increase in number of cells it is becoming even more difficult to manage and monitor these
cells; hence operators are dependent heavily on automation or Self optimizing networks, SON.
With Artificial intelligence and Machine learning the automation is destined to become smarter
and independent.
B) Another important area of concern is Energy conservation and OPEX involved. Although small
cells consume lesser power and indoor small cells can take power from the enterprise building but
the outdoor small cells and APs require power and even during non-peak hours they consume
power.
C) Optimization is limited to transmit power and Tilts.
During our research, we came up with a new smart pole design (Patent Applied/Pending) which will
help solving all the three critical issues which operators are facing or will face in future. The design is
completely conceptual at this stage and we are open to do partnership and collaboration if anyone finds it
interesting.
The poles/smart poles as of now are of static heights and that too 6 to 15 meters of height because of both
aesthetics and lower Transmit power of equipment. During Network busy hour/ Peak load time, the
operators have to provide capacity and hence have deployed more and more cells. But during non-peak
hours, there can few towers with less or no load, hence they can be shut down with help of SON such tat
the nearby cells can compensate of the coverage (SON features: Energy Saving, Coverage hole
mitigation, Coverage capacity optimization).
Till now, the design was such that operators for optimization can only change few configuration
parameters such as Transmit power or Tilt (Up-Down Tilt via E-Tilt or Mechanical tilt, more on the
article). We are proposing a revolutionary new design (we are not aware if there already exist similar
design), which can change height of the Transmit Antennas/Tower along with the Azimuth can be
changes remotely too.

6. SON Enabled Smarted Pole Design Idea
Copyright 2017 Techplayon.com
4. Smartest Pole:
A) Height of Transmitter /Antenna can be changed thus making sure, the Coverage is enhanced
when low traffic cells are on energy saving mode.
B) Change in Azimuth as in when required due to new cell deployment, optimization, cover
special event etc.
Figure 4: Default Pole Design
Original/ by default height would be as per the normal deployment and as per city requirements
aesthetically and hotspot coverage area planned by operator.
Figure 5: Smart Pole Design with Extension Mechanism

7. SON Enabled Smarted Pole Design Idea
Copyright 2017 Techplayon.com
When required the height with internally hydraulics motors can be changed remotely. The adjustable
cable/fiber roles will take care of cable extension.
Figure 6: Smart Pole Design with Extension Mechanism
Not event that, the individual elements mounted can be also have variable height as shown in diagram
above.
5. Smartest Pole and SON Operation
Consider an example as shown in figure #7, there 4 small cells/smart poles deployed in an area. At peak
hours all four are transmitting, at non –peak hour one of the smart pole which have this capability to
change height (also power if budget is available) can cover the area earlier covered by all cells as shown
in figure#8.
.
Figure 7: Peak Hour All Cell’s Transmission

8. SON Enabled Smarted Pole Design Idea
Copyright 2017 Techplayon.com
Figure 8: No-Peak Hour One Cell’s Transmission with Extended Coverage
Figure 9: Remote Azimuth Control
With this pole design way:
• We can save energy required for 3 smart poles and small cells as shown in example
• Switch to coverage mode from capacity.
• We can change or optimize Azimuth during regular optimization or in case there is any
obstruction (Shown in figure #9)
Please reach out if you have inputs, suggestions or wish to collaborate to make this a reality.