Europe risks being left behind in 5G
Blu Wireless Technologies (BWT) and researchers from the University of Bristol this week demonstrated technology for millimetre wave radio spectrum (30GHz to 300GHz) that is expected to be used in worldwide 5G networks from 2020, but warned of problems in Europe.
“BWT has developed the Gigabit Digital Baseband necessary for millimetre wave communications to enter the mass market,” said Henry Nurser, CEO at Blu Wireless Technology. “At the Small Cells World Summit we’re presenting some of the details behind our innovative system-level solutions, how this can be applied to solve the problems associated with backhaul for small cells and why Europe needs to re-think regulations for outdoor 60GHz networks.”
Current specifications do not allow designers to use phased array antennas, making European equipment larger and more costly to build and install than systems for the US, says BWT.
“Europe’s CEPT REC(09)01 has a higher standard power level [than the US] of +55dBmi but typically limits maximum conducted power to +10 dBm and the minimum antenna gain to +30dBi,” said Mark Barrett, chief marketing officer at BWT. “This does not allow the trade-off of antenna gain and power in the way that the more flexible US standard does. Thus equipment will be physically larger and increase installation time due to the need to manually align each link.”
“European operators who want to deploy point-to-point backhaul links will need to use the combination of high-gain, dish-based antennas and modems that supply less than +10dBm of transmit power. Meanwhile US operators will have the freedom to use modems that supply up to +27dBm of transmit power and make use of steerable, but lower-gain phased-array antennas,” he said.
“The cost implications of this are huge," he said "US operators can deploy backhaul links based on phased-array technology that, given the economies of scale driven by the high volume market, can by delivered for less than $1,000. Their counterparts in Europe will be obliged to use traditional dish-based solutions with a typical link currently costing between $5,000 and $8,000. Unless regulators address the discrepancy in standards, manufacturers of end equipment will be forced to develop two or more sets of products and operators in Europe will experience higher network rollout costs than their counterparts in North America.
Using a newly developed virtual network simulator the team this week demonstrated antenna beam steering supporting robust point-to-point connections up to 400 metres. For 5G mobile access, the team showed multi-gigabit beamforming and mobile tracking up to 100 metres from the base station. In both cases beam forming is shown to overcome the harmful effects of blocking trees and buses.
“This technology builds on a wealth of knowledge and expertise over the last 25 years in Smart Antenna systems and an in-depth understanding of radiowave propagation,” said Mark Beach, Professor of Radio Systems Engineering, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. “Our rich mix of fundamental research and practical validation at Bristol makes us an ideal partner for industrially relevant projects such as this.”
If you enjoyed this article, you will like the following ones: don't miss them by subscribing to :
