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New Tech Tuesdays

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The telecommunications industry is constantly evolving, with each new generation bringing faster speeds, lower latency, and increased capacity. The latest iteration, 5G, is revolutionizing the way we live, work, and connect. In this week’s New Tech Tuesday, we see just how antenna technology is stepping up to meet the needs of modern communication.

The Key to 5G

At the heart of the 5G revolution lies massive multiple-input, multiple-output (mMIMO) technology, a key enabler of 5G's enhanced capabilities. As an advanced antenna technology, mMIMO significantly improves the performance and efficiency of wireless communication systems. mMIMO employs a large number of antennas at the base stations to simultaneously send and receive data to multiple users at once, using the same frequency, thereby increasing the capacity and reliability of the network.

mMIMO’s ability to improve coverage is essential for supporting data-heavy applications and for the evolution of 5G and beyond. By addressing the fundamental challenges of increasing capacity, enhancing data rates, and reducing latency, mMIMO proves crucial for supporting technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous vehicles (AVs), and augmented reality (AR).

With mMIMO serving such a fundamental role in the advancement of 5G communications and beyond, it’s important to know some key mMIMO terms:

• Spatial Multiplexing: Sending multiple data streams on the same frequency but separated in space, like focused beams.
• Latency: The delay between sending a request and receiving a response, for example, lag in a video call.
• Data throughput: The amount of data that can be sent over a connection in a given amount of time.
• Spectral Efficiency: A measure of how efficiently a communication system uses the radio frequency spectrum.

As networks evolve beyond 5G, mMIMO continues to be a cornerstone for developing more efficient and capable wireless communication systems. However, to fully realize the potential of mMIMO, high-performance RF components are essential.

The Newest Products for Your Newest Designs^®

This week’s New Tech Tuesday features the QPA9822 mMIMO pre-driver from Qorvo. The QPA9822 (Figure 1) is a linear 5G high-gain, high-drive amplifier designed to address the demanding requirements of mMIMO systems.

Figure 1: The QPA9822’s 16-pin 3mm × 3mm SMT package offers a space-saving solution for integration into dense mMIMO antenna arrays. (Source: Mouser Electronics)

The QPA9822 is a driver amplifier specifically designed for 32-node mMIMO systems that enable wideband 5G New Radio (NR) instantaneous signal bandwidths of up to 530MHz. It is ideally suited for critical 5G deployment and other mMIMO applications. This true powerhouse for 5G mMIMO delivers an impressive 39dB gain at 3.5GHz and a peak power of +29dBm, achieving a P1dB of 28dBm. This exceptional gain ensures robust signal amplification, extending coverage and improving signal quality in mMIMO deployments.

Operating within the 3300–4200MHz range, the QPA9822 is designed to handle the wideband 5G NR instantaneous signal bandwidths required for high-speed data transmission.

The exceptional performance characteristics of the QPA9822 make it a versatile component suitable for various wireless applications and industries, including defense, SATCOM, and small cells. The QPA9822 is engineered to meet the stringent demands of 5G mMIMO, particularly in the N77 band, which is crucial for global 5G deployment. Its high gain and linearity, coupled with its ability to handle wide bandwidths, make it a key enabler of high-speed, high-capacity 5G networks.

Tuesday’s Takeaway

Qorvo's QPA9822 exemplifies the company's dedication to leading 5G technology advancements in cellular infrastructure and RF innovation. This driver amplifier’s impressive specifications and compatibility features make it an optimal choice for 5G infrastructure applications, playing a crucial role in shaping the future of wireless communication.

Sources:

Chataut, Robin, and Robert Akl. “Massive MIMO Systems for 5G and beyond Networks—Overview, Recent Trends, Challenges, and Future Research Direction,” Sensors 20, no. 10 (January 2020): 2753. https://doi.org/10.3390/s20102753.
Khan, Muhammad Farhan, and Dirk Pesch. “On Performance of Multi-User Massive MIMO for 5G and Beyond,” In 2022 IEEE 95th Vehicular Technology Conference: (VTC2022-Spring). https://doi.org/10.1109/VTC2022-Spring54318.2022.9860567.
“Massive MIMO Evolution Towards 2025 and Beyond (MM+),” IEEE Communications Society. https://www.comsoc.org/education-training/media-center/massive-mimo-evolution-towards-2025-and-beyond-mm.