Here are some 5G trends for year 2020:
It looked like 5G and wireless dominated the airways in 2019. It seems that year 2020 will be a real test for 5G if it will really take on or fails to full-fill the big expectations. It seems that 5G networks are available at some place here and there from many operators, but 5G end user devices are not yet widely available or desired. New year will bring more 5G base stations.
5G: How Much is Real vs. Marketing? Is 5G ready for prime time? Breaking down the marketing hype versus what’s really going on in the industry. Marketing claims 5G is pervasive. The question is when: 2020 or is it 2025?
First, let’s define 5G also known as 5G New Radio, or 5G NR:
There is sub-6-GHz 5G for the cellphone protocol that requires LTE: 5G NSA.
There is sub-6-GHz standalone 5G: 5G SA.
There is 20- to 60-GHz 5G: 5G mmWave.
It seems that 2020 will be the real test for 5G devices as the 5G device mass market has not yet really started. Samsung says it shipped 6.7M+ Galaxy 5G phones globally in 2019, accounting for 53.9% of the 5G phone market (Galaxy S10 5G and the Galaxy Note 10 Plus 5G). 2020 is expected to be an interesting year for 5G growth across the smartphone market. Increased 5G rollouts by carriers means that customers will presumably be more interested in actually buying 5G devices. One June 2019 forecast made by Canalys has global 5G smartphone shipments crossing 4G smartphone shipments in 2023.
5G will be integrated to some PCs. Dell debuts a new Latitude 9510 laptop with built-in 5G, to launch March 26.
Ericsson says they are now 5G networks leader according to Ericsson ylitti odotukset kirkkaasti: ”Olemme 5g-johtaja” article. Nokia has cut its outlook for this year and next because of the need to step up its investments in 5G but ‘We don’t have a 5G problem,’ says Nokia’s head of software.
5G will be a good growing market for test device manufacturers as engineers will once again need to sharpen their skill sets and adopt new design and testing techniques. A lot of 5G Component Characterization and Test will be needed.Delivering 5G Devices to Market Will Bank on OTA Testing.
Network side needs also testing equipment. One approach being adopted to gain ground in the race to 5G involves the rapid prototyping and testing of network architectures. There is need for programmable RF devices. Industry seems to want their own private networks.
5G components are available from many sources already. The typical RF component suppliers are all providing 5G solutions: Avago/Broadcom, Huawei, MediaTek, Murata/pSemi (previously known as Peregrine), Qualcomm, Qorvo, Samsung, and Skyworks.
Challenges: Even the sub-6-GHz versions have technical issues in that the 5G target “air time” latency is 1 to 4 ms. Typical RF component manufacturers appear to be providing components that focus only on the sub-6-GHz frequency bands. The geopolitical situation relative to 5G also adds confusion to the 5G timeline.
There are many technical issues must be considered in the utilization of mmWave: mmWave frequencies travel relatively small distances. the mmWave transmitters consume a considerable amount of transmit power, providing additional challenges for battery-operated devices.
5G in automotive: The automobile industry is experiencing exponential growth of self-driving features, and this trend is expected to continue. 5G network connections are expected to have a major influence on the development of self-driving cars making them faster, smarter, and safer. Where is car technology going in 2020?
As 5G work has started for many installers and marketers, the the researchers are already thinking about the nest step Beyond 5G chips. They are already planning technologies that could enable high-speed wireless devices beyond the 5G standard.
1,441 Comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
Nokia hits extended range mmWave 5G speed record in Finland
Press Release
Nokia hits extended range mmWave 5G speed record in Finland
https://www.nokia.com/about-us/news/releases/2023/06/26/nokia-hits-extended-range-mmwave-5g-speed-record-in-finland/
Nokia achieves new download speed record of more than 2 Gbps over a distance of almost 11 kilometers
Nokia launches ultra-performance AirScale baseband and brings the power of Artificial Intelligence to mobile networks
https://www.nokia.com/about-us/news/releases/2023/06/21/nokia-launches-ultra-performance-airscale-baseband-and-brings-the-power-of-artificial-intelligence-to-mobile-networks/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2023/07/01/apple-sopi-nokian-kanssa-5g-lisensseista/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Go Modular with RF to Shrink System Densities
June 28, 2023
Adding RF/mmWave communications capabilities to overall system designs has become much easier and cost-effective with modular functional blocks in SiPs, SoCs, and SoMs.
https://www.mwrf.com/technologies/embedded/systems/article/21268630/microwaves-rf-go-modular-with-rf-to-shrink-system-densities?utm_source=RF+MWRF+Wireless+for+Consumers&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS230630120&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
5G Waveform Validation
June 27, 2023
MathWorks’ Wireless Waveform Generator allows users to create, impair, and export modulated 5G waveforms.
https://www.mwrf.com/technologies/eda/video/21268518/microwaves-rf-5g-waveform-validation?utm_source=RF+MWRF+Wireless+for+Consumers&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS230630120&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Designing 5G systems is hard enough without having some idea of what your output waveforms should look like. MathWorks’ 5G Toolbox can help get you a lot closer to understanding what your 5G design is really doing versus what it should be doing.
In this demo, Eric Wetjen, a product marketing manager at MathWorks, shows how the Wireless Waveform Generator app generates 5G NR test models (NR-TM) and NR uplink and downlink fixed-reference-channel (FRC) waveforms. For purposes of this demo, the 5G NR test model in 256QAM full-band mode is in effect.
The Wireless Waveform Generator app also allows users to configure various signal attributes, such as channel bandwidth and subcarrier spacing. Furthermore, it enables addition of impairments to the signal like phase noise or phase offset. Once you have your signal set up, it can be connected directly to test equipment like a spectrum analyzer using MathWorks’ Instrument Control Toolbox. By looking at a live transmitted waveform, you can see the attenuation on the signal, its error vector magnitude, and other characteristics. When all is said and done, you’ll have gained a great deal of insight into your design.
Tomi Engdahl says:
FAQ: Simulation and Modeling Optimize 5G mmWave Designs
May 2, 2023
mmWave 5G presents opportunities as well as design challenges that modeling and simulation can address.
https://www.mwrf.com/learning-resources/design-faqs/whitepaper/21264550/faq-simulation-and-modeling-optimize-5g-mmwave-designs?utm_source=RF+MWRF+Today&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS230623059&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
First “5G Next-Generation eCall” Test Cases Submitted for GCF Approval
Aug. 3, 2023
The Rohde & Schwarz eCall portfolio supports early testing of new 5G next-generation eCall systems with the CMX500 one-box tester.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/test-measurement/article/21270819/electronic-design-first-5g-next-generation-ecall-test-cases-submitted-for-gcf-approval?utm_source=EG+ED+Connected+Solutions&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS230808003&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Rohde & Schwarz is the first organization to submit 5G next-generation eCall (NGeCall) protocol test cases to the 3GPP Global Certification Forum (GCF). It’s also launching a 5G NGeCall application option to simulate the public safety answering point (PSAP) functions needed for end-to-end conformance tests to verify the interoperability of the equipment under test.
Both additions to the R&S eCall portfolio can support early testing of 5G NGeCall systems using the R&S CMX500 one-box tester. A mandatory requirement for all new cars in the EU since 2018, eCall systems use 2G/3G circuit-switched cellular networks, but will migrate to the latest 4G/5G packet-switched cellular networks.
The automotive industry needs NGeCall test solutions to deliver eCall modules that include the new NGeCall functions, compliant with Technical Specification CEN TS17240 for protocol conformance test cases. It also specifies additional end-to-end conformance test cases for eCall as stipulated by 3GPP and the Internet Engineering Task Force.
Test case package PCT5-KC625, which runs on the R&S CMX500, was recently released by the company.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2023/07/31/wind-riverin-tekniikka-vauhdittaa-5g-datakeskuksen-reunalaskentaa/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Nyt voi emuloida IoT-yhteyksiä 5G-privaattiverkkoihin
https://etn.fi/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15196&via=n&datum=2023-08-11_14:35:57&mottagare=30929
Nyt voi emuloida IoT-yhteyksiä 5G-privaattiverkkoihin
Julkaistu: 11.08.2023
Networks Test & measurement
RedCap eli Reduced Capacity on osa 5G-standardointia, joka käytännössä mahdollistaa IoT-datan siirtämisen 5G-verkon yli. Viavi Solutions on nyt esitellyt ensimmäisen emulaattorin, jolla voidaan kehittää 5G-privaattiverkoissa toimivia RedCap-laitteita.
Ratkaisu perustuu TM500-verkkotestausalustaan, jota suurin osa verkkolaitteiden valmistajista käyttää tukiasemien suorituskyvyn testaamiseen. TM500:n laajalti hyväksyttyihin User Equipment (UE) -emulointiominaisuuksiin perustuva RedCap-laiteemulointi antaa laitevalmistajalle mahdollisuuden luoda realistisia skenaarioita tuhansista tällaisista laitteista, jotka kuljettavat liikennettä.
Päivitetyn TM500:n avulla RedCap-laitteiden testaus voidaan integroida saumattomasti olemassa olevaan testiympäristöön. Alusta tarjoaa mahdollisuuden simuloida RedCap-tyyppisiä liikennemalleja, luoda RedCap-spesifistä signalointia ja arvioida verkon suorituskykyä RedCap-käyttötapauksissa.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Ericssonin demosi 50 megahertsin 5G-kantoaaltoa
https://etn.fi/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15193&via=n&datum=2023-08-11_14:35:57&mottagare=30929
Jos mobiiliverkon datanopeutta haluaa kasvattaa, yleensä tämä tehdään CA-tekniikalla (carrier aggregation), jossa samaan linkkiin yhdistetään useita kantoaaltoja. Ericsson ja BT eli vanha British Telecom ovat nyt testanneet onnistuneesti laajakaistaista 50 megahertsin kanavaa taajuusjakoisessa 5G-linkissä.
Taajuusjakoinen FDD-linkki tarkoittaa tekniikkaa, jossa eri suuntiin kulkevat signaalit käyttävät eri taajuuskaistoja. Tyypillisesti kaista voi koostua jopa viidestä yhteen nivotusta 20 megahertsin siivusta.
Ericssonin ja BT:n demossa käytettiin 50 megahertsin kaistaa FDD-linkissä alle 3 gigahertsin taajuuksilla eli ns. midband-alueella. Tässä onnistuttiin ensimmäistä kertaa Euroopassa, BT kheuu.
Tomi Engdahl says:
“Talking” Concrete Aids in Highway Maintenance
July 31, 2023
This unique sensor is embedded in poured concrete and communicates the condition of the road via smartphone on a cellular telephone network.
Jack Browne
https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/analog/article/21270601/microwaves-rf-talking-concrete-aids-in-highway-maintenance?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS230731201&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
Ericssonin testi osoittaa: 5G tuo massiiviset IoT-datanopeudet
https://etn.fi/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15185&via=n&datum=2023-08-09_15:38:28&mottagare=30929
Osana 3GPP Release 17 -standardia 5G-verkkoihin tuotiin kyky siirtää IoT-dataa kapealla kaistalla. Tätä tekniikkaa kutsutaan nimellä RedCap (Reduced Capacity). Toistaiseksi linkkeihin ei ole saatu kaupallisia piirisarjoja, mutta Ericssonin ja MediaTekin tuoreet testit Ruotsissa osoittavat, mihin tekniikka yltää.
Yhteentoimivuuden kehitystestaus tehtiin Ericssonin laboratoriossa Ruotsissa käyttäen esikaupallista Ericsson RedCap -ohjelmistoa ja MediaTekin RedCap-testausalustaa. Taiwanilaisvalmistaja ei ole julkisesti puhunut tulevista IoT-piirisarjoistaan, mutta selvästi sellainen on tulollaan.
Testi sisälsi FDD-datapuhelun, jossa datanopeus ysi 220 megabittiin sekunnissa päätelaitteeseen päin ja verkon suuntaan 74 megabittiä sekunnissa. Lisäksi tehtiin TDD-datapuhelu, jossa lukemat olivat 153 Mbps ja 13,5 Mbps (uplink). Näitä nopeuksia pidetään sopivina laitteille, kuten kuluttajille puettaville laitteille ja Ericsson RedCapin mahdollistamille teollisuusantureille.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Oikea 5G yleistyy hitaammin kuin odotettiin
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/15200-oikea-5g-yleistyy-hitaammin-kuin-odotettiin
5G-tekniikka tuli markkinoilla Suomessakin jo vuonna 2019, mutta kyse oli ns. NSA-verkoista (non standalone), joissa signalointiliikenne kulki vielä 4G:n yli. Todelliseksi 5G:ksi pitänee kutsua SA- eli standalone-verkkoa, jossa kaikki liikenne hyödyntää 5G-radioverkkoa. Se ei ole ollut aivan odotetun kaltainen hitti.
Tutkimuslaitos STL Partners kertoo, että SA-verkkojen asennukset ja käyttöönotot aloitettiin vuonna 2020, jolloin toiminta alkoi seitsemän operaattorin verkossa. Vuonna 2021 toisen polven 5G otettiin käyttöön 14 verkossa, viime vuonna viidessätoista verkoissa ja tänä vuonna ennustetaan 22 verkkoa. Lisäksi puhutaan yhdistetyistä verkoissa, joissa core-osa on sekä SA- että NSA-tyyppiä. Näiden määrä on kuitenkin vieläkin pienempi.
Lisäksi TSL Partners kertoo, että tällä hetkellä rakenteilla on 18 SA-verkkoa eli käyttöön otettujen määrä on tänä vuonna vasta neljä. Määrä on yllättävän alhainen. Toisaalta se kertoo, että laitevalmistajille – tai ohjelmistokehittäjille, jollaisia Nokia ja Ericssonkin yhä enemmän ovat – on luvassa iso markkinapotentiaali.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.mwrf.com/technologies/embedded/software/article/21270823/ansys-the-7-pillars-of-5g6g-rf-system-design-part-2-rf-power?utm_source=RF+MWRF+Wireless+for+Consumers&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS230804064&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/15186-nokia-360-asteen-metaverse-videoita-voi-laehettaeae-reaaliajassa
Nokia, TPG Telecom ja MediaTek ovat demonneet esittelevät 360 asteen videolähetyksiä 5G-linkin yli. Reaaliaikainen 360videon siirto vaatii paljon kaistaa, mutta Nokian kantoaaltojen yhdistäminen uplinkissä mahdollisti tämän.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2023/08/01/suomi-osti-heinakuussa-kasvavasti-5g-puhelimia/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2023/08/02/kyselytutkimus-teleyritysten-suurimmat-haasteet-ja-painopistealueet/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Nokialta tulosvaroitus: asiakkaat siirtävät tukiasemaostoja
https://etn.fi/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15140&via=n&datum=2023-07-14_13:27:13&mottagare=30929
Nokia antoi tänään tulosvaroituksen koko kuluvalle vuodelle. Liikevaihto jääodotetusta ja liikevoitto jää aiempaa ilmoitettua alhaisempaan haarukkaan. Syynä on se, että operaattorit eivät osta tukiasemia odotettuun tahtiin.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Automaattiset hätäpuhelut siirtyvät 5G-verkkoon
https://etn.fi/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15166&via=n&datum=2023-08-04_12:59:42&mottagare=31202
Mittauslaitevalmistaja Rohde & Schwarz toimittaa ensimmäisenä 3GPP:n sertifiointifoorumille testitapaukset automaattisten 5G-hätäpuheluiden eli ns. 5G NGeCall -puheluiden laitetestaukseen.
Lisäksi Rohde toimittaa sovelluksen, jolla voidaan simuloida hätäpuheluiden vaatimia PSAP-toimintoja (public safety anwering point). Näitä tarvitaan päästä päähän -yhteensopivuustesteissä, jotka varmistavat testattavan laitteiston yhteentoimivuuden koko tiedonsiirtoa varten.
Molemmat Rohde & Schwarzin eCall-portfolion lisäykset tukevat nyt uusien 5G Next Generation eCall-järjestelmien varhaista testausta CMX500-testerillä. Automaattinen hätäpuhelujärjestelmä eli eCall tuli Euroopan unionin alueella käyttöön vuonna 2015, ja se on ollut pakollinen vaatimus kaikissa uusissa autoissa EU:ssa vuodesta 2018 lähtien.
ECall-järjestelmät käyttävät tällä hetkellä 2G/3G-piirikytkentäisiä matkapuhelinverkkoja. Koska nämä verkot poistetaan käytöstä muutamassa vuodessa, hätäpuhelujärjestelmät (ajoneuvon sisäiset järjestelmät ja infrastruktuuri) mukautetaan uusimpiin 4G/5G-pakettikytkentäisiin matkapuhelinverkkoihin.
Tomi Engdahl says:
5G autoon? Lisenssi maksaa 32 dollaria
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/15217-5g-autoon-lisenssi-maksaa-32-dollaria
Patenttiyhteisö Avanci, johon kuuluvat Ericsson, Nokia, Qualcomm, Interdigital, Huawei ja 53 muuta yritystä, on julkaissut hinnan ajoneuvon yhdistämisestä 5G:hen. Lisenssin saa 32 dollarilla eli hieman alle 30 eurolla. Jos tekee lisenssisopimuksen nopeasti, säästä 3 dollaria autoa kohti.
Mercedes on Avancin uuden lisenssiohjelman ensimmäinen virallinen asiakas, joka kattaa 5G:n mutta myös vanhemmat standardit 4G, 3G ja 2G. Lisenssiin sisältyy ns. essentiaalipatentteja 58 yritykseltä.
Ericssonin veteraani Kasim Alfalahi perusti Avancin vuonna 2016. Hitaan alun jälkeen yritys on saavuttanut menestystä sekä IoT-sovelluksissa että ajoneuvoissa. Yhtiö kertoo, että 130 miljoonalla ajoneuvolla on Avancin myöntämät lisenssit.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Transform Connector Design and Manufacturing for 5G Connectivity
Aug. 16, 2023
Crafting 5G-enabled devices calls for disciplined cooperation throughout a holistic design, development, and production cycle, and connectors are an important element of that cooperative effort.
https://www.mwrf.com/technologies/components/article/21271385/molex-transform-connector-design-and-manufacturing-for-5g-connectivity?utm_source=RF+MWRF+Today&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS230811070&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
What you’ll learn:
Higher operating frequencies are causing components to shrink, calling for creativity in interconnects.
Designers must deploy a comprehensive, multidisciplinary methodology to approach 5G product development as an integrated system and not merely the sum of disparate parts.
Growing demands for multiband transmission and lower power consumption will require lower insertion losses on RF components.
The steady and relentless emergence of 5G technology is rearranging and redefining our lives. But reaping the full potential of 5G wireless technology requires careful calibration and coordination involving a host of product design, development, and manufacturing people as well as processes.
With 5G comes a steady acceleration toward higher operating frequencies to facilitate faster data rates and lower latency. While these advances are ushering in a new era of communications and connectivity, they need to be calibrated and coordinated with the constant drive for increasingly smaller and more powerful devices. These include the latest smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, wearables, medical devices, drones, and much more.
Designers of 5G-enabled devices are faced with a multitude of product development obstacles, performance considerations, and complex connectivity challenges. However, collaborative problem-solving helps minimize major product design and manufacturing roadblocks. More holistic development methodologies can reduce the barrage of challenges by taking advantage of cross-disciplinary skills in antenna, signal integrity, battery, thermal, and alternative-packaging solutions.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Go Modular with RF to Shrink System Densities
June 28, 2023
Adding RF/mmWave communications capabilities to overall system designs has become much easier and cost-effective with modular functional blocks in SiPs, SoCs, and SoMs.
https://www.mwrf.com/technologies/embedded/systems/article/21268630/microwaves-rf-go-modular-with-rf-to-shrink-system-densities
Tomi Engdahl says:
First CTIA MIMO OTA Dynamic Channel Model Validation Solution Released
Aug. 17, 2023
Developed in a collaborative effort between Keysight and CTTL, the platform implements and validates what’s said to be the first dynamic MIMO over-the-air channel model for the 5G New Radio FR1 frequency band.
https://www.mwrf.com/technologies/test-measurement/article/21271883/microwaves-rf-first-ctia-mimo-overtheair-dynamic-channel-model-test-system-validation-solution-released
Tomi Engdahl says:
A Practical Introduction to RF/Microwave Balanced Amplifiers and Their Applications
https://blog.minicircuits.com/a-practical-introduction-to-rf-microwave-balanced-amplifiers-and-their-applications/?utm_source=mwrf&utm_medium=banner&utm_content=personif-display-balanced-amplifiers&utm_campaign=03-23-bannerad
A balanced amplifier is the proper term for a pair of devices operated in quadrature phase and combined to amplify a signal. Quadrature simply means that signals incident upon the devices are 90⁰ out-of-phase with one another. The term “quadrature-combined pair” (often shortened to simply “quad-combined pair”) is perhaps just as common as “balanced amplifier,” and both are as identical as “PTFE” is to “Teflon®.”
This article explains the use of quadrature hybrid splitters and combiners (also often called hybrid couplers) in balanced amplifier configurations and the advantages of combining two amplifier devices in this fashion. Two of the most common applications for the balanced amplifier (quad-combined pair) are described by way of example.
Quadrature Hybrids: Splitting RF Signal with 90⁰ Phase Shifts
Quadrature hybrids have inherent -90⁰ phase shifts for each “leg” traversed by a signal, whether used as a power splitter (or “divider”) or as a combiner. An ideal quadrature hybrid will split the power of the RF input signal equally, applying half to each of two output ports, and delivering exactly zero power to the fourth, isolated port.
Tomi Engdahl says:
MMIC Technologies: Integrated Passive Devices (IPD)
https://blog.minicircuits.com/mmic-technologies-integrated-passive-devices-ipd/?utm_source=mwrf&utm_medium=banner&utm_content=personif-display-mmic-ipd&utm_campaign=03-23-bannerad
What’s the big deal about IPDs? The short answer is they perform vital functions which active elements cannot such as filtering, equalization, balanced-to-unbalanced line conversion (or vice versa) and many more as we will describe later. IPD brings all the advantages of continuously evolving MMIC technology developed for high volume applications like computers and cell phones to passive devices which were traditionally implemented with larger, more expensive technologies such as thin film. In short IPD’s are:
Small – The use of lumped components at low frequency and clever layout techniques at high frequency like multiple metal layers and on-chip interconnects result in extremely small device size.
Repeatable – Thanks to amazing advances in MMIC manufacturing, on-chip components can be manufactured with remarkable precision.
Highly reliable – Intensive R&D and innovations in MMIC manufacturing have achieved low-defect or defect-free processes. MMIC manufacturing foundries set design rules based on reliability studies and manufacturing capability which results in high yield. Mini-Circuits designers follow design rules provided by the MMIC foundry to eliminate manufacturing defects.
Low cost – MMIC manufacturing takes place in a clean room environment using automated equipment. Foundries can manufacture a large number of wafers in a short time with high yield. Mini-Circuits designers minimize die size using lumped components and clever layouts resulting in a large number of die per wafer, and therefore lower cost per die. Packaging and testing are performed using robots and automated systems for high throughput and lower overall production cost.
Available in packaged or die form – Die are used by hybrid circuit manufactures utilizing chip and wire assembly. The variety of die in the market is limited, but Mini-Circuits offers the majority of its MMICs, including IPD designs, in wafer form or as singulated die for such users [7] and as a stock item for rapid prototyping and production. Packaged die enable automated pick-and-place manufacturing at the user end.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://blogs.sw.siemens.com/xcelerator/2022/10/03/5-questions-about-5g-technology/?utm_source=endeavor&utm_medium=personif.ai&utm_campaign=siemens%20eda%20brand%20rep
Tomi Engdahl says:
First “5G Next-Generation eCall” Test Cases Submitted for GCF Approval
Aug. 3, 2023
The Rohde & Schwarz eCall portfolio supports early testing of new 5G next-generation eCall systems with the CMX500 one-box tester.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/test-measurement/article/21270819/electronic-design-first-5g-next-generation-ecall-test-cases-submitted-for-gcf-approval?utm_source=EG+ED+Auto+Electronics&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS230817092&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
Tämä modeemi tukee jo 5G-satelliittiyhteyksiä
https://etn.fi/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15237&via=n&datum=2023-08-23_15:18:16&mottagare=30929
3GPP-järjestön 5G-standardeissa Release 17 pitää sisällään määritykset NTN- eli ns. ei-maanpäällisille verkoille. Keysoght Technologies on nyt varmentanut, että Mediatekin 5G-modeemi tukee näitä uusia 5G- ja IoT-yhteyksiä satelliittien kautta.
NTN-verkot tarjoavat turvalliset, luotettavat ja laajakaistayhteydet syrjäisille alueille, joilla ei ole maanpäällisen verkon peittoa satelliittien tai korkean tason alustojen avulla. Sen varmistaminen, että laitteet tukevat 5G NR- ja IoT-standardeja, on kriittinen askel NTN-verkkojen rakentamisessa, jotta voidaan tarjota kaikkialla olevia mobiiliyhteyksiä yrityksille ja yksityishenkilöille maaseutualueilla.
Piirisarjojen ja laitevalmistajien on kuitenkin vahvistettava NTN-laitteiden toiminnallisuus ja suorituskyky ennen kuin ne otetaan käyttöön kaupallisiin satelliittiviestintäverkkoihin. Nyt Keysightin testereille on varmennettu, että Mediatekin modeemi täyttää vaatimukset.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/15228-ericsson-kiihdytti-5g-n-ennaetysnopeuteen
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/15247-taemae-tekniikka-vie-iot-n-5g-verkkoihin
Esineet internetiin liittävät tekniikat voidaan jakaa kahteen leiriin. Toisessa on vapailla taajuuksilla toimivia radiotekniikoita, toisessa mobiiliverkoissa toimivia ratkaisuja. Tähän peliin on tulossa uusi tekniikka, kun 5G-standardeihin kuuluvaa RedCap-tekniikkaa tukevia piirejä voidaan alkaa testata.
RedCap eli Reduced Capacity on osa 5G-standardointia, ja tavallaa eräänlainen kevytversio 5G:stä. Yhteys käyttää 20 megahertsin kanavaa ja yltää noin 85 megabitin datanopeuteen. Laitteissa voi olla 1-2 antennia sovelluksen tarpeen mukaan. Modulaationa käytetään QAM-128:aa. Yhteys voi olla joko Half- tai Full Duplex eli sovelluksen vaatiessa dataa voidaan lähettää samanaikaisesti molempiin suuntiin.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Vodafone vaihtaa 2500 tukiasemaa – Nokia ja Ericsson jäivät rannalle
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/15267-vodafone-vaihtaa-2500-tukiasemaa-nokia-ja-ericsson-jaeivaet-rannalle
Vodafone UK aikoo korvata laitteet 2500 tukiasemassa Walesissa ja Lounais-Englannissa. Huawein laitteet otetaan pois, mutta Nokian ja Ericssonin harmiksi tukiasemiin tulee uusia Open RAN -toteutuksia.
2500 tukiaseman vaihtaminen on aikaa vievä projekti. Operaattorin mukaan kyse on monivuotisesta projektista, jossa poistetaan verkosta vaiheittainen laitteita, jotka on todettu suuren riskin laitteiksi Iso-Britanniassa.
Useiden vuosien ajan Vodafone on työskennellyt alan kanssa kehittääkseen Open RAN -laitteiden suunnittelua ja on tehnyt useita kokeita testatakseen teknologiaa. Hyväksyttyään teknologian laboratorioympäristöissä Vodafone asensi Open RAN -verkon maaseudulle ennen kuin aloitti usean toimipisteen käyttöönottoprojektin Torquayssa ja Exmouthissa.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2023/09/01/nama-puhelimet-myivat-elokuussa-parhaiten/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Mouser Electronics myy nyt verkkokaupassaan Molexin uusia Sunshade 5-in-1 -antenneja. Kehittyneisiin hyötyajoneuvoihin ja langattomiin sovelluksiin suunnitellut Sunshade 5-in-1 -antennit yhdistävät LTE/5G-mobiiliverkon, Wi-Fi-yhteydet ja GNSS-paikannustoiminnot yhdeksi kompaktiksi laiteratkaisuksi.
https://etn.fi/index.php/new-products/15278-kaikki-radiot-autoon-yhdellae-antennilla
Tomi Engdahl says:
Nokia: kuusi LTE-antennia korvasi 39 Wi-Fi-reititintä satamassa
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/15291-nokia-kuusi-lte-antennia-korvasi-39-wi-fi-reititintae-satamassa
Nokia on toimittanut LTE-privaattiverkon Husky Terminalille Tacoman satamassa Washingtonissa. Yhtiö kertoo, että kuudella 4.9G/LTE-antennilla pystyttiin korvaamaan 39 Wi-Fi-reitittimen peitto satamassa.
Husky Terminalin ja toisen operaattorin eli Stevedorignin käytössä on 115 hehtarrin kokoinen alue Tacoman satamassa. Yksityinen LTE-verkko poistaa suorituskykyongelmat kriittisiltä sovelluksilta, joita kohdataan perinteisen Wi-Fin kautta, ja mahdollistavat kehityksen pilvipohjaiseen järjestelmään. Sen hallinta tapahtuu Nokia Digital Automation Cloud -ratkaisulla.
Pilvipohjaisuudesta on paljon etua satamatoiminnassa ja ahtaamisessa, sillä satamaoperaattori voi hallita ja koordinoida päätetoimintoja mistä tahansa. Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) -palvelua hyödyntävä verkko on poistanut luotettavuus- ja kapasiteettiongelmat, joita yhtiö oli aiemmin kokenut käytettäessä perinteistä Wi-Fi-yhteyttä edellisen käyttöjärjestelmän kanssa.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.mwrf.com/technologies/test-measurement/article/21272661/microwaves-rf-stateoftheart-testers-chase-complex-wireless-signals?utm_source=RF+MWRF+Today&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS230901072&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.identpull=omeda|7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Tomi Engdahl says:
Device-Level Antenna Selection Considerations
https://www.mwrf.com/magazine/51315
Tomi Engdahl says:
Bloomberg:
Qualcomm says Apple extended its modem deal for three more years, covering “smartphone launches in 2024, 2025, and 2026”; the prior deal was set to end in 2023 — – Pact between the companies had been scheduled to end this year — The iPhone maker has been trying to create its own components
Apple Renews Qualcomm Deal in Sign Its Own Modem Chip Isn’t Ready
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-09-11/apple-aapl-renews-qualcomm-qcom-deal-in-sign-its-own-modem-chip-isn-t-ready#xj4y7vzkg
Pact between the companies had been scheduled to end this year
The iPhone maker has been trying to create its own components
Tomi Engdahl says:
Nokian 5G-veturihanke kasvatti tutkimus- ja kehitysinvestointeja
https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2023/09/19/nokian-vetama-5g-veturihanke-kasvatti-tutkimus-ja-kehitysinvestointeja/
Nokian johtamissa huippututkimuksen veturihankkeissa ja Business Finlandin osarahoittamissa projekteissa investoitiin yhteensä yli 200 miljoonaa euroa vuosien 2020-23 aikana. Näin kasvatettiin alan tutkimus tutkimus-, kehitys- ja innovaatiotoiminnan (TKI) rahoitusta ja luotiin uutta osaamista esimerkiksi teollisesta 5G-tekniikoista ja -verkoista.
Hyvä esimerkki Nokian vetämistä ja 120 kumppanin veturihankkeista oli Unlocking Industrial 5G -projekti, , joka on tullut nyt päätökseen. Kesällä 2023 päättyneessä veturihankkeessaan Nokia kehitti teollisiin 5G-verkkoihin pohjautuvia ratkaisuja. Nokian 5G -veturihanke on ollut tärkeä niin yritykselle itselleen kuin sen kokoamalle yritys- ja kehittäjäjoukolle.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Attacks on 5G Infrastructure From Users’ Devices https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/23/i/attacks-on-5g-infrastructure-from-users-devices.html
With the growing spectrum for commercial use, usage and popularization of private 5G networks are on the rise. The manufacturing, defense, ports, energy, logistics, and mining industries are just some of the earliest adopters of these private networks, especially for companies rapidly leaning on the internet of things (IoT) for digitizing production systems and supply chains. Unlike public grids, the cellular infrastructure equipment in private 5G might be owned and operated by the user-enterprise themselves, system integrators, or by carriers. However, given the growing study and exploration of the use of 5G for the development of various technologies, cybercriminals are also looking into exploiting the threats and risks that can be used to intrude into the systems and networks of both users and organizations via this new communication standard. This entry explores how normal user devices can be abused in relation to 5G’s network infrastructure and use cases.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Wall Street Journal:
Sources: Apple spent billions of dollars developing a modem chip for the new iPhones to cut ties with Qualcomm, but the chip was slow and prone to overheating — The company set out to design a silicon chip that would allow it to cut ties with Qualcomm, a longtime supplier and bitter foe
Inside Apple’s Spectacular Failure to Build a Key Part for Its New iPhones
https://www.wsj.com/tech/apple-iphone-modem-chip-failure-6fe33d19?mod=followamazon
The company set out to design a silicon chip that would allow it to cut ties with Qualcomm, a longtime supplier and bitter foe
The new iPhone models unveiled last week are missing a proprietary silicon chip that Apple had spent several years and billions of dollars trying to develop in time for the rollout.
The 2018 marching orders from Apple AAPL -2.00%decrease; red down pointing triangle
Chief Executive Tim Cook to design and build a modem chip—a part that connects iPhones to wireless carriers—led to the hiring of thousands of engineers. The goal was to sever Apple’s grudging dependence on Qualcomm
, a longtime chip supplier that dominates the modem market.
The obstacles to finishing the chip were largely of Apple’s own making, according to former company engineers and executives familiar with the project.
Apple had planned to have its modem chip ready to use in the new iPhone models. But tests late last year found the chip was too slow and prone to overheating. Its circuit board was so big it would take up half an iPhone, making it unusable.
Investors had counted on Apple saving money with an in-house chip to help compensate for weak demand in the larger smartphone market. Apple—which hasn’t publicly acknowledged its modem project, much less its shortcomings—is estimated to have paid more than $7.2 billion to Qualcomm last year for the chips.
Engineering teams working on Apple’s modem chip have been slowed by technical challenges, poor communication and managers split over the wisdom of trying to design the chips rather than buy them, these people said. Teams were siloed in separate groups across the U.S. and abroad without a global leader. Some managers discouraged the airing of bad news from engineers about delays or setbacks, leading to unrealistic goals and blown deadlines.
Just because Apple builds the best silicon on the planet, it’s ridiculous to think that they could also build a modem,” said former Apple wireless director Jaydeep Ranade, who left the company in 2018, the year the project began.
There were two reasons for the push, said former Apple executives and engineers familiar with the matter: Apple believed it could replicate the success of the microprocessor chips it designed for iPhones. Adoption of those chips fattened profit margins and improved performance for billions of devices. Second, Apple wanted to sever ties with Qualcomm, which it had accused in a 2017 lawsuit of overcharging for its patent royalties.
The companies settled the suit in 2019, and Apple, facing the expiration of its previous Qualcomm agreement, announced a deal last week to continue buying the company’s modem chips through 2026. Apple isn’t expected to produce a comparable chip until late 2025, people familiar with the matter said. There could be further delays, these people said, but the company believes it will eventually succeed.
Apple found that designing a microprocessor, essentially a tiny computer to run software, was easy by comparison. Modem chips, which transmit and receive wireless data, must comply with strict connectivity standards to serve wireless carriers around the world.
“These delays indicate Apple didn’t anticipate the complexity of the effort,” said Serge Willenegger, a former longtime Qualcomm executive who left the company in 2018 and doesn’t know the current state of the Apple chip. “Cellular is a monster.”
Tomi Engdahl says:
Qianer Liu / Financial Times:
Sources: the Kirin 9000S SoC has four CPUs that use Arm designs, the other four use Huawei-modified Arm designs, HiSilicon developed the GPU and NPU, and more
https://www.ft.com/content/11f1c1a3-4ac4-4b2a-99cd-e347928dc51f
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/15334-generaattori-seuraavan-polven-laajakaistasignaaleille