5G can do more – this is the technology behind it

We can expect groundbreaking improvements in all areas of our lives. Besides software and network infrastructure, such changes naturally also require new hardware solutions and construction-related activities. We at Sunrise have already responded to that.

An important feature of the new generation is its individuality and direct response to customer requirements. To accomplish that and to increase capacity, multi-antenna systems, also called massive multiple input multiple output (MiMo), are used. This infrastructure allows what is called "beamforming" – the variable directional alignment with terminal devices. For the individual data transfer, the transmission direction of the antennas is set to allow an optimum signal to arrive at the selected device. This can be done directly if there is a visual connection or indirectly via reflection surfaces in the immediate vicinity.

With the help of MiMo systems, the performance of 5G networks can be noticeably increased. After all, frequencies are the most valuable asset of the mobile data transfer. Currently, multi-antenna systems with up to 200 antenna elements are being developed, and initial tests with 64 x 64 transmission and receiver units are already being done.

The topping principle:
How 4G and 5G supplement each other

Even though the leap into the digital future may appear very large, the transition will still take place gradually and without a break. And if you, as an business owner, ask yourself whether 5G is compatible with the existing 4G architecture and resources, the answer is a clear "Yes."

You can picture the coexistence of the two technologies like the "Topping Principle." Imagine for a moment having a delicious meal brought to the table. It tastes wonderful, but you can imagine it being improved. But without changing its character or brushing aside the chef's creativity. Therefore, you top all of it with a crown - a topping.

This enrichment complements your current taste sensation, and everything melts together in your mouth to provide the perfect overall sensation.

This interplay of aromas equals the interplay of the two technologies. In this case, it supports the 5G network by strengthening the existing LTE network and thus preparing the connectivity of the future. Therefore, we are already giving you faster speeds now, even before the upgrade to the 5G environment. Enjoy this service.

Carrier aggregation = channel bundling

The extremely high bandwidth that is needed can be reached technically through carrier aggregation. The concepts of frequency bundling are already being used with 4G/LTE, and 5G has lead to an additional development push.

Through the bundling of a network carrier's mobile frequency ranges (channels in a frequency block), the data rate is noticeably increased by user. Several individual carriers, that is, frequency blocks, are assigned to the user. This increases the maximum data rate per user exactly by the number of these frequency blocks. Although the total data rate per cell also increases due to the optimized use, the high capacity is accompanied by low coverage. This is due to the fact that frequencies with low coverage are also used for bundling.

Massive multiple input multiple output (MiMo)
= multi-antenna systems

When capacity increases are important, providers count on larger multi-antenna systems, also called massive multiple input multiple output (MiMo). They allow the use of several transmission and receiver antennas. The technology currently builds upon 4G following the peanut butter principle and can be integrated into existing networks.

Space-time coding uses the time as well as the space dimensions to transfer information, which distinctly improves the quality and data rate – and it does so without using any additional frequencies. This clearly increases the performance of 5G networks with large multi-antenna systems as well. After all, frequencies are the most valuable asset of the mobile data transfer. Currently, multi-antenna systems with up to 200 antenna elements are being developed, and initial tests with 64 x 64 transmission and receiver units are already being done. To find out more about this, go to our world record notification.
 

Here we are showing you potential applications and scenarios that will convey what 5G will mean for us – in a realistic and practice-oriented way. Join us on our discovery tour!