First deployed in 2019 for mobile broadband communications, 5G is now ready for 5G-Advanced, which, for the first time, adds features focused on enterprise use cases starting with 3GPP Release 18. First outlined in 3GPP Release 18, 5G-Advanced (5.5G) (Figure 1) significantly improves network efficiency, latency, throughput, and coverage. 5G-Advanced adds evolved multiple input multiple…

Integrating Wi-Fi 7 with private 5G in CPE devices can help ensure reliable, gigabit-level speeds, robust security, and centralized management across diverse deployment scenarios. Delivering high speeds and low latency, private 5G and Wi-Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be) networks offer efficient spectrum use and robust security for a wide range of demanding applications. What are the…

5G base stations rely on phased arrays to steer signals and increase data rates. Beam steering circuits, however, consume power. Using waveguides could reduce energy consumption in base stations. Waveguides are physical structures that direct electromagnetic waves from one point to another, confining energy within specific boundaries to control propagation, direction, and mode. While waveguide…

5G is much more than cell phones. IoT devices, medical devices, and industrial devices can connect to networks using technologies such as TDD, network slicing, and beamforming. 5G New Radio (NR) made its long-awaited commercial debut in late 2018. Offering significantly faster speeds and greater capacity compared to 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE), 5G NR…

When designing wireless connectivity into IoT devices, you have several options for antennas. You can design one right into a PCB, but several commercial options take the work out of designing your own.

Open RAN telecom networks need testing for each disaggregated component, but that’s not enough. End-to-end testing is also necessary. In How do Open RAN interfaces work?, we covered how Open RAN redefines traditional RAN architecture by disaggregating it into three primary components: the radio unit (RU), distributed unit (DU), and centralized unit (CU). This paradigm…

Private networks have the potential to change many industries and become the primary application for 5G. Processes and protocols make them work.

We discuss the importance of signal integrity, review high-speed deployment challenges, and highlight various connector design strategies to prevent distortion and degradation.

The O-RAN Alliance has developed specifications for communications interfaces between components of an Open RAN. This FAQ explains the functions of each.