Transmission Techniques for 5G Networks

 

·     Overview

Ever since the first transistor came into existence, technological progress has witnessed a domino effect, increasing capacity and power over time. What happens as a result is that today’s top-of-the-line technology becomes tomorrow’s outdated recyclables. Think about the cutting-edge technology that existed Ten years ago and compare it with the one that exists today. From being able to phone a friend to emailing, video calling, sharing movies, songs, gaming, and what not on the same device, we have covered a long way. This brings us to the relevance of Moore’s Law. 

·     Do You Know About Moore’s Law?

              George Moore’s perception is that the number of transistors on microchips or the computing power of new electronics will double every two years. It states that while the computational progress will become fast and more efficient over time, we will pay less for it. Although the Law was made years ago, it’s more applicable now than ever before with the arrival of 5G technology.

·     1G–4G and 5G: A Brief History

What do you call that mini supercomputer that you carry with you all the time? Most people call it a cell phone, but it is much more than that. However, this wasn’t the case with the first cellular communication technology. When cell phones originated and gained popularity in the 1980s, they consisted of 1G technology synonymous with voice only. Moore’s Law didn’t let it stand at that, and the new generation of cellular technology called 2G was born that brought SMS and MMS capabilities into the picture. This was followed by GPRS and EDGE with limited call/test and data encryption. Faster data transmission, video calls, and mobile internet came into being with the advent of 3G technology. Then came 4G or 4G LTE that allowed us to perform functions we love- HD videos, video conferencing, online gaming, and more. Technology made a forward leap with each new generation. 4G is the standard today, with most cell phones supporting both 3G and 4G technologies. This makes us question: what can be expected with 5G becoming the new standard?

·     What is 5G all about?

 5G is the next buzzword in the field of wireless technology networking. Simply said, it is wireless technology’s fifth generation. The fifth generation of technology is expected to be bigger, faster, and better. 5G architecture is based on a considerably higher next-generation technology plane, to connect everything and everyone – people, buildings, cities, sensors, smartphones, robots, and drones. As compared to the existing wireless technology, it will have higher data rates, reduced latency, higher capacity system, energy savings, and cost reductions. It will bring new capabilities and create opportunities for society and business. Here is some of the excited chatter about 5G: “Connected cars will shape the future of individual mobility, and next-generation mobile networks will take car‑to‑x connectivity to a new level.” – Alfons Pfaller, Head of Infotainment Development, AUDI AG “The adoption of 5G will be even faster than what we saw on 4G, which was already fairly fast,” said Ignacio Contreras, Qualcomm’s director of marketing

 

·     What is 5G capable of?

Imagine living in a world where people, gadgets, buildings, and infrastructure talk to each other. In this world, doctors can conduct surgeries from thousands of miles away; cars drive on their own; buildings, factories, and cities can interact with you; and you can shop and watch live sports events in VR! Now open your eyes because we’re not talking about a sci-fi movie here. Instead, this is what our world will become thanks to 5G – hyper-connected, secure, and experiential on an unimaginable scale. Fascinating, right?

 

·     What makes 5G different

 So far, with technologies like 4G, we have mostly imagined connectivity as human-to-human, or human to the internet. But, with 5G, that will no longer be enough. The next natural evolution of connectivity is to not only connect everyday machines and devices to humans but machines to other machines. In fact, the entire promise behind 5G lies in connecting our entire environment with each other! With the number of connected devices globally set to triple by 2030 to 25.4 billion, terms like Internet of Things (IoT), Virtual Reality (VR), and Artificial Intelligence.

will no longer be just fanciful connotations of what will happen in the future. All these amazing experiences will be unlocked on the back of 5G.

According to 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), 5G delivers value by enhancing three major applications

1. Enhanced mobile broadband (EMBB) – Faster data rates, wider network coverage areas, enhanced ultra-HD video streaming

2. Ultra-reliable, low latency communication (URLLC) – Increased communication speed and quality in critical functions such as robots and drones

 3. Massive machine-type communication (MMTC) – Automatic generation, processing, and transmission of data between machines with almost zero human intervention

·     Differences between the previous generations of mobile networks and 5G

Let us chart out the journey of various generations of wireless technology to fully understand the phenomena of the fifth generation:

1G, or the first generation of mobile networks, was established in the 1970s and 1980s and carried only speech data. They were transmitted unencrypted across radio waves. Japan pioneered the 1G revolution. The disadvantages of 1G were low coverage and sound quality, lack of system interoperability, and unencrypted voice.

The term “2G” first appeared in the 1990s. The communications were digital and encrypted. Data of higher quality could be shared. Text, photo, and multimedia communications could be sent. This resulted in a revolution in telecommunications. Mobile cell towers appeared, and consumers and companies quickly adopted them. Smartphones were invented.

3G was constructed in the early 2000s. Because online connectivity was standardized in this age, people could access data from anywhere in the world. This was four times quicker than two gigabits per second. 3G enhanced data transfer capabilities as well as video conferencing, video streaming, and voice quality. This generation’s characteristics were included in the launch of Blackberry. iPhones were introduced in 2007, and 3G technology made smartphones a necessity rather than a luxury item.

4G: Apple, Google, and Facebook were instrumental in the introduction of 4G technology. Consumers now have access to high-quality video streaming thanks to 4G technology. The most widely utilized technology, 4G technology, provides high-definition videos, conferencing, and gaming services. Switching from 2G to 3G was as simple as swapping sim cards. However, a change in mobile devices is required for 4G.

5G: We are at the cusp of the 5-generation revolution. This generation promises higher speed, reduced latency, energy savings, and higher capacity systems. The superior connectivity offered by 5G aspires to equal access to the network regardless of location or social status in society. 5G provides the possibility of innovations such as remote surgeries, telemedicine, self-driving cars, smart cities, smart buildings, and smart factories, and virtual reality experience while gaming, shopping, and viewing sporting events. It looks to expand wireless services from the internet to the Internet of Things and communication sectors.

 

·     How is 5G better than 4G?

 

For starters, think of 5G as not the natural evolution of 4G but a new, more advanced technology itself. While earlier generations used cell towers to transmit signals, 5G will use small cell technology. This means that carriers will deploy high band 5G smalls cells in multiple locations.

Additionally, as part of its OFDM coding, 5G technology is built to use 100 to 800 MHz channels instead of 4G’s 20 MHz.

Remember, the higher the channels, the more the download speed. Thus, 5G is 20 times faster than the previous generation, has much lower latency, and tremendously improved reliability. It allows a higher number of users to connect simultaneously, while lower latency will ensure greater download speed.

 

This blog illustrates the emergence of 5G, its evolution from 1G to 5G mobile network, applications, different research groups, their work, and the key features of 5G. It is not just a mobile broadband network, different from all the previous mobile network generations; it offers services like IoT, V2X, and Industry 4.0.