Mitsubishi Electric has developed a compact massive-element antenna and RF module for the 28 GHz 5G radio base stations. The system achieves a wide 800 MHz bandwidth and wide-angle beamforming to provide high-speed, large-capacity communication, aiming at early commercialization of 5G. The status of development will be presented at the Brooklyn 5G Summit to be held in New York City from April 19 to 21, 2017.
To accommodate the rapid increase in mobile traffic, and realize advanced services and applications, 5G technologies are being developed worldwide with the expectation of commercialization as early as 2020. 5G will deliver ultra-high-speed transmission of 20 Gbps, far exceeding the 3 Gbps rate specified for 4G. Two key technologies that will drive this technology are Massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), which use high frequency bands to secure wide bandwidth, and MIMO, which spatially multiplexes multiple signals at the same time in the same frequency while compensating for large propagation loss in higher frequencies through the use of multi-element antennas. Mitsubishi Electric's new antenna and RF module for 5G base stations will be used for Massive MIMO. This work includes is part of the research and development project for realization of the 5G mobile communications system, commissioned by Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
Key Features of the Massive-Element Antenna and RF Module:
1) Wide bandwidth achieves high-speed, large-capacity communication
- Wideband high-frequency circuitry enables communication with a wide 800MHz bandwidth.
2) Wide-angle beamforming expands area coverage
- Beam control technology is combined with a proprietary massive 256-element antenna and RF device.
- Wide-angle beam forming at ±45 degrees horizontally contributes to expanded area coverage.
3) Compact antenna and RF module for easy installation
- Highly efficient integration of RF device realizes compact size
