What does 5G mean? Depending on who you ask, this can have a different answer, as the use cases in which 5G is deployed vary widely. 5G is best understood as the fifth-generation of wireless standards, formally standardised by 3GPP Release 15 in 2018, with the first commercial networks launched in 2019.
5G was rolled out to improve bandwidth, reduce latency, and introduced notable features such as massive machine-type communications (mMTC), ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), and network slicing.
The frequency bands in 5G can be understood in three categorisations:
- Low band: sub-1GHz (extended coverage) such as 600MHz, 700MHz
- Mid-band: 1.7GHz to 2.5GHz (balancing coverage and capacity)
- High-band: mmWave (for high capacity, and limited range) 24GHz and above
5G was met with much fanfare when the first networks were launched in 2019, partly due to its greater performance, and partly due to the technologies supporting it. This includes massive MIMO (massive multiple-input, multiple-output), a wireless technology that utilises a large number of antennas to improve communication performance; millimetre wave (mmWave) which uses high-frequency electromagnetic waves in the range of 30 to 300GHz, which results in greater bandwidth and lower latency; and Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS) which enables 4G and 5G systems to share the same spectrum.
Edge computing is also helping to decentralise data processing and take it closer to the device Edge, so that companies can gain real-time insights and analysis.
What does 5G mean for engineers?
5G is frequently looked at through the lens of consumer use – more specifically for keeping smartphones and other devices connected – but for engineers designing these devices, it represents a number of technical challenges that need to be addressed in order to ensure maximum performance, and also influences decisions over materials, component integration, power management, and thermal decision.
The high frequency band in 5G, mmWave, for instance, introduces a range of RF and mechanical challenges, particularly for engineers who may be used to designing at lower frequencies. Engineers need to consider the following:
- Wideband and multi-band operation: devices may need to operate from sub-1GHz to mmWave bands, which means it needs highly integrated tunable components
- Beamforming architecture: hybrid or digital beamforming introduces additional signal chains and phase control circuits
- Power amplifier: amplifiers must handle high PAPR signals with low distortion
- Module integration: to reduce board space and improve performance, vendors are increasingly adopting system-in-package (SiP) or chip-scale modules
Similarly, designing a phased-array antenna for mmWave operation is challenging, for the following reasons:
- Compact design required
- Antenna elements need to be placed at distance of half wavelength
- Variations in operating parameters can cause redesign
- Manufacturing constraints in handling delicate components
What is the future of 5G?
3GPP is continuing to evolve the specifications of 5G through successive releases, as Release 17 and Release 18 are evolving new technologies such as 5G Advanced (5GA), RedCap targeting ultra-low power IoT devices, and non-terrestrial (NTN) connectivity integrating satellite communication with terrestrial 5G.
Release 17 and 18 are also aiming to incorporate improvements to optimise power consumption, both in equipment and network infrastructure.
Research on 6G has ramped up in recent years, as commercial deployment is anticipated to take place around the 2030s. There are a few objectives guiding 6G development, including:
- Terahertz bands and sub-THz communications – exploiting frequencies beyond mmWave, supporting data rates up to several terabits per second
- Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) – allowing networks to simultaneously transmit data and perceive their physical surroundings
- AI-native design – embedded AI across all network layers to facilitate faster decision-making and autonomous operation
Ongoing 3GPP Releases reflect how 5G’s capabilities are continuously being extended and improved upon, while 6G research demonstrates how the next generation of wireless standards is on the horizon.
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