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| 40 5G Antenna Design By David Talbott for Mouser Electronics The Fifth-Generation New Radio (5G NR) communications framework provides an entirely new approach to cellular communications. It supports scalable waveforms, multiple access schemes, and service multiplexing across wide bandwidths. It also supports existing services while being forward compatible with future requirements. Although 5G wireless requires more complex signal processing and the ability to handle much higher data rates than previous protocols, one of the keys to its success is antenna design. This article reviews how 5G use cases and the 5G specification are changing antenna designs and how these new designs are overcoming some of the greatest difficulties in implementing 5G networks. The 5G NR Specification and What It Means for Antenna Design 5G was conceived as a specification to deliver the following capabilities: • Enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) for data-intensive applications such as augmented reality (AR), three-dimensional (3D) video conferencing, two-dimensional (2D) streaming video, fixed wireless access to Internet connectivity, and other high- bandwidth applications • Massive machine-type communications (mMTC) for direct Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity on a massive scale, including high-density arrays of sensors and devices in connected cities and homes, devices for monitoring complex global supply chains, and connected devices moving at high speeds • Ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC) for mission-critical, real-time applications such as industrial control systems; autonomous vehicles (AVs); and applications that require high bandwidths, high reliability, and low latencies, such as remote real- time surgeries Meeting these mandates requires a new spectrum. 5G wireless has been assigned a new spectrum in low and mid bands (up to 6 gigahertz [GHz]) and in high bands (with millimeter wavelengths above 24GHz). One challenge for 5G antenna designs is that some devices need to operate in multiple bands. Another is that millimeter wavelengths transmitted at cellular network power levels are subject to higher absorption by buildings, vegetation, and raindrops than low and mid bands. This limits millimeter wavelength communications to line of sight, which necessitates small cell networks that can increase chances of edge interference between cells. There are also antenna size considerations. Although higher frequencies allow smaller antennas to achieve the same level of gain, smaller antenna areas capture less energy, resulting in a shorter effective range than lower frequencies. On the other hand, an antenna with a fixed physical area increases gains for both transmissions and receptions as a frequency increases and beam width shrinks. The optimum antenna size for different implementations will balance size versus gain tradeoffs. 5G Antenna Technology and Designs Meeting 5G NR objectives requires new antenna designs that use active antenna arrays to provide better coverage, reduce interference, and increase data carrying capacity. Accommodating the Full Spectrum of 5G Frequency Ranges To operate in its full range of assigned frequencies, 5G NR uses a scalable framework that functions at frequencies between 450 megahertz (MHz) and 6GHz (frequency range 1 [FR1]) and between 24.25 and 52.6GHz (frequency range 2 [FR2]). David Talbott is an information technology (IT) and technology analyst with Mighty Guides ® . David's focus is on emerging technologies including deep learning, cloud and edge computing, and ubiquitous connectivity and how these technologies converge to create powerful self-learning systems. [ C O N T ' D O N N E X T P A G E ]

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