Full Steam Ahead…Everybody Jumping on The MM- Wave Train
Apple, Facebook, SpaceX and new companies like Starry just to name a few. The millimeter wave scene continues to heat up as companies look to mm-wave based solutions to expand and solve the next generation of broadband needs. Below are some highlights to what some companies are doing in the mm-wave industry that look to make it a mainstream technology used everyday by consumers. Here are a few headlines with links to full articles to enjoy:
Apple Invents Wireless Charging iPhone Case Accessory using Millimeter Wave Technology
The circuitry that receives the wireless power may receive wireless power at microwave frequencies and as a communication device using an array of antennas may be used to support beam steering. The array of antennas may support wireless communications in millimeter wave communications bands such as a communications band at 60 GHz or other extremely high frequency communications bands. Read More…
Facebook’s Millimeter-wave radio tech hits new bandwidth records
Facebook’s millimeter-wave (MMW) radio technology, which can be used for drone-to-ground communications or for more traditional terrestrial applications, keeps getting better. Last year, the team was able to set up channels with data rates of up to 20 Gbps over about eight miles. Read More…
AT&T Launches Second 5G Wireless Network Test in Austin, Tx
Recently, AT&T launched the second trial using millimeter wave (mmWave) technology to deliver an ultra-fast 5G network experience to more locations in Austin, Texas. Read More…
The FCC gave Apple permission to test 5G transmission between Northern California facilities
Based on the application, Apple will conduct its testing in high-band frequencies ranging from 27.5 GHz to 28.35 GHz and 38.6 GHz to 40 GHz. The experimental link will span about 10 miles between facilities in Cupertino and Milpitas, California. Read More…
Starry Wants to Change The Way You Connect using Millimeter Waves
He’s back and ready to change the internet forever. Chet Kanojia–the former CEO of streaming TV startup Aereo, whose challenge to traditional cable companies was quashed by the Supreme Court in 2014 looks to use mm-wave solutions to provide high speed access to homes. Read More…
5G is here.. Are you ready?
5G is here and on everyone’s minds – whether it’s news from the regulatory groups about standards or bands of operation or a new product or trial, we see it everywhere. We last wrote that 2017 was the year of 5G – 5G trials, announcements, and demos – all contributing to the excitement. We started 2018 with industry anticipation for 5G at an all-time high.
The excitement started last December with the 3GPP Release 15, which specified the first elements of the 5G NR (5G New Radio) standard with far reaching implications – prompting the industry to move from experimental phase to development and deployment phases.
In February, MWC 2018 brought over 107,000 of the industry’s top innovators to Barcelona to explore how mobile is “Creating a Better Future”. On the first day of the event, U.S. FCC chairman Ajit Pai announced that the commission is prepared to quickly make 5G-ready wireless spectrum, including mmW, available through auctions. Pai noted, “To get spectrum into the hands of companies that are going to use it for 5G, the FCC has already approved secondary market transactions this year involving 28 and 39 GHz spectrum.” He added, “I’m excited to announce today that it is my intention for the United States to hold an auction beginning this November of spectrum in the 28 GHz band, followed immediately thereafter by an auction of spectrum in the 24 GHz band.” We are well aware of the U.S. spectrum use of 28 GHz and 39 GHz for mmW 5G; the surprising comment was that the 24 GHz band will be added to the mix. It is important to note that US service providers have spent >$3B in 2017 for mmW spectrum rights. This means that 5G deployment can move ahead without waiting for the auction since the FCC decided in 2016 that existing fixed services licensees could deploy technology in three key target bands: 28 GHz, 37 GHz, and 39 GHz for mobile services as well as fixed.
August finally brought the announcement of the FCC bidding procedures for the upcoming 28 GHz and 24 GHz auctions and proposed next steps in getting the upper 37, 39, and 47 GHz bands ready for a single auction in the second half of 2019.
The 24.25 – 27.5 GHz range, referred to the as the 24 GHz band in the U.S. and China and the 26 GHz band – deemed the Pioneer Spectrum band in Europe, joins 28 GHz and 37/39 GHz as the emerging 5G mmW bands worldwide. Looking at the below graphic, we see the world converging on these three bands. -Article by Anokiwave