Green wireless base stations: drivers and enablers

Concern over the environment and saving energy has touched every corner of society. Gas-guzzling cars are generally frowned upon. Electronics devices are designed to consume less power because generating electricity depletes finite energy sources and can pollute the atmosphere with greenhouse gases. Practically everyone, it seems, is conscious of their carbon footprint. The telecommunications network infrastructure is no exception to this phenomenon.

Technology suppliers have responded to the green movement by developing new enablers that are lowering power consumption. Even components intended for systems that were not considered low-power applications a short time ago are now designed with low power consumption as a prerequisite. Circuit boards and systems are now routinely designed to achieve green goals for reduced power usage.