Towards Mobile Net Zero, ZTE releases “Every Bit going Extremely Green” whitepaper

ZTE Corporation has released a whitepaper titled “Every Bit Going Extremely Green” at MWC Barcelona 2024. The whitepaper emphasizes ZTE’s commitment to the target of Mobile Net Zero and outlines the company’s approach to optimizing energy consumption throughout the telecommunications network.

From the rampant floods to the scorching heat waves around the world, the necessity of taking climate action has never been more evident. Reports and survey data from CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) and GSMA Intelligence clearly showcase the ambitious vision of the entire telecommunications industry. Approximately 85% of global operators have committed to the SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative) to achieve net-zero emissions, with most aiming for the year 2050. Additionally, several operators have made even more proactive commitments, reaching net-zero emissions by 2040.

ZTE recognizes the importance of energy efficiency at every level, from the smallest components to the overall mobile network. The whitepaper highlights the significance of improving energy efficiency across radios, sites, and networks to achieve sustainability goals.

In terms of radios, ZTE focuses on optimizing energy consumption from the power amplifiers (PAs). Power amplifiers are crucial components in radios, and enhancing their efficiency can significantly reduce energy consumption. By employing the innovative Super-N 2.0 PA architecture, consisting of dense transistor array with adaptive wake-up of PA chips and QNN-DPD (Quasi-Neural Networks-Digital Pre-Distortion) algorithm, ZTE aims to improve PA efficiency even under low traffic load, thus achieving almost constant efficiency.

The whitepaper also emphasizes the need for energy efficiency improvements at network sites, including base stations and other infrastructure elements. Modular site architectures facilitate the relocation of site support equipment from traditional indoor to outdoor settings. Additionally, indoor liquid cooling cabinets help reduce the Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of sites. Moreover, the new generation sPV (smart PhotoVoltaic) solution enables the rapid integration of green and clean energy sources across all scenarios, thereby reducing reliance on the grid and lowering carbon emissions.

Furthermore, ZTE’s approach extends to network-level energy efficiency enhancements. The whitepaper likely discusses the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced algorithms into network management systems. Through dual-layer AI at both the network level and Base Station native, ZTE aims to enhance radio resource utilization by implementing real-time traffic steering to meet user experience requirements. This approach ultimately reduces energy wastage and optimizes network energy efficiency.

ZTE has recently been recognized for leadership in corporate transparency and performance on climate change by global environmental non-profit CDP, securing a place on the CDP 2023 A List. By addressing energy efficiency at various levels, ZTE aims to lead the industry in sustainable practices and contribute to Mobile Net Zero.

Source: Mobile World Live