Our 2023 5G, Wired, & Wireless Handbook is now available in ebook form. Download your copy today. It started on a cold January day with an editorial call. A month later, the abstracts came in. After another month, the manuscripts came in. Then came the editing and some back-and-forth with the authors. Next, it was…
5G mmWave test builds on RF best practices
The high level of integration in today’s mmWave phone means traditional test methods no longer apply.
5G mmWave signal chain: the phase-locked loop
In “Look inside the 5G mmWave signal chain,” we explored the overall architecture of the mmWave signal chain. Now, we’ll look deeper into each of a transceiver’s components. Phase-locked Loops (PLL) are important blocks for a clean reference clock generation in cellular networks. In 5G mmWave radio networks, the PLL supports data rates of 1…
Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve PIM issues in wireless networks
5G brought passive intermodulation problems into the spotlight. Now it’s up to engineers and technicians to identify and mitigate signal degradation to minimize dropped calls and other issues. A loose connection; a metal roof; power lines. Even a rusty bolt. It’s estimated that mobile operators will spend $1.1 trillion on capital expenditure between 2020 and…
Test methods for mmWave AiP designs bring tradeoffs
Engineers have several mmWave over-the-air test methods available for evaluating phased-array antennas used in antenna-in-package designs. Each has pros and cons.
Look inside the 5G mmWave signal chain
Millimeter wave signals provide wider bandwidths and higher data rates than signals at lower frequencies. Take a look at the overall signal chain that falls between the antenna and the digital baseband. 5G new radio (5G NR) adds mmWave frequencies to cellular devices and networks. With that comes RF-to-baseband signal chains and components not needed…
LITEON unveils 5G and beyond private network RAN solutions at MWC 2023
At MWC Barcelona 2023, LITEON Technology is showcasing 5G private solutions for different use cases. It provides the operator and system integrator with the capabilities to deliver more accurate coverage and better overall connectivity by overcoming the challenges associated with scarce spectrum in the country’s dense areas. For more composite and diverse 5G private networks…
Low-power PLL generates mmWave radar signals
This week, at the 2023 International Solid-State Circuits Conference, imec presents a novel digitally calibrated charge-pump (CP) phase-locked loop (PLL) that can generate high-quality frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) signals for mmWave radars at low power consumption. The novel PLL is a critical building block for future short-range automotive (in-cabin and out-of-cabin) and industrial (e.g., on-cobot sensing)…
Coherent optics reach 1.6 Tb/sec
Ciena announced the latest generation of its industry-leading WaveLogic technology. Optimized for high-capacity transport required with next-generation routing data paths and associated wholesale services, Ciena’s WaveLogic 6 will support up to 1.6Tb/s single-carrier wavelengths for metro ROADM deployments, 800Gb/s over the longest links, and energy-efficient 800G pluggables across 1000km distances. As service providers grapple with the dual…
Channel-sounding measurements: Part of active 6G research
Universities and industry engineers strive to understand how sub-THz signal behave in the real world.