NEC achieves simultaneous digital beamforming to support 28 GHz band for 5G

NEC said it achieved the successful transmission of digital beamforming with a massive-element active antenna base station system that supports a 28 GHz band for 5G communications. The company said this was the first time simultaneous beamforming transmission (four multi-user MIMO) from a single massive-element active antenna system (AAS) to four terminals had succeeded. In the test, made to prepare for the upcoming launch of 5G, NEC reached a 3.1 Gbps cell throughput by applying a frequency bandwidth of 300 MHz.  

NEC's massive-element AAS, supporting a 28 GHz band, has a fully digital control system, which improves the precision of beamforming. The control system enables simultaneous beamforming in multiple directions from a single massive-element AAS unit and can efficiently implement high-speed and high-capacity communication without interfering with adjacent users through spatial multiplexing.  By contrast, analogue control systems require the installation of the same number of massive-element AASs as the number of beams, creating a larger footprint. 

NEC noted that its fully digital control system uses less power and has a more compact conversion function than traditional digital systems. 

The system will on display at Mobile World Congress 2018 in Barcelona, Spain, from 26 February to 1 March.