Uplink power levels of user equipment in commercial 4G and 5G networks

Abstract

This paper aims to evaluate the average uplink transmit power of users’ equipment in commercial 4G and 5G networks. In the case of the 4G network, the analysis was done depending on the environment (urban or rural). Based on the average power and average transmission time, the average energy emitted by the user terminal was calculated and compared with the energy received from the base stations. The results showed that over 90% of the average instantaneous power emitted by the UE (User Equipment) in 5G are below 130 mW, while in the case of 4G technology in urban areas these powers can reach 175 mW. The average value of power emitted by the UE in 5G is 92 mW, and in 4G in urban areas is 116 mW. In the case of 5G network, for 95% of cases the average energy emitted by the terminal in one hour does not exceed 2.55 J, the average being 1.03 J. In 4G networks, 95% of the values of average energies emitted in one hour by the UE in urban areas are below 300 J, and in rural areas they are below 330 J. In one hour, the average energy emitted by the UE in 4G technology installed in rural areas is 245 J, and in urban areas this average drops to 175 J.