5G Antenna Innovations

Price: Starting at USD 3,000
Publish Date: 07 Aug 2019
Code: AN-5100
Research Type: Research Report
Pages: 16
5G Antenna Innovations
RELATED SERVICE: 5G, 6G & Open RAN
TAGS: 5G (84)

Today’s base station antennas now offer a complex portfolio of features such as multi-band, multi-port, multi-beam, active antennas, hybrid active passive configurations in MIMO (Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output) and massive MIMO types. This increasing complexity is compounded by space constraints on the macro base station towers themselves.

In developed markets, mobile operators report 30% of macro cell sites only have access to a single antenna mount, while 40% of cell sites only have access to two antenna mounts. As mobile operators acquire additional spectrum, existing antennas need to adopt these additional antenna technologies while simultaneously offering more compact antenna form factors.

Mobile network operators (MNOs) design networks for 5 nines (99.999%) availability or only 5 minutes per year downtime. Because base station antennas are located outdoors often in remote, difficult to access locations or in harsh environments the antenna must be designed to withstand wind loads and be compatible with the climate and weather conditions for the location. In general, base station antennas are subject to enormous stress from the weather and the environment in general. 

ABI Research’s 5G Antenna Innovations report offers an in-depth discussion of these trends.

Table of Contents

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

2. MACRO CELLULAR ANTENNA TRENDS

2.1. Multi-Band/Multi-Port
2.2. Multi-Beam
2.3. AAS
2.4. Hybrid Active Passive
2.5. Massive MIMO
2.6. Sector Sculpting and RET Solutions

3. PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CELL SITE CHALLENGES

3.1. Wind
3.2. Corrosion Hazards
3.3. Temperature and Humidity
3.4. Solar Radiation
3.5. Rain, Hail, and Snow
3.6. Total Cost of Ownership Considerations

4. MACRO CELLULAR ANTENNA MARKET OUTLOOK

4.1. Regional Forecasts
4.2. Multi-Port Antenna Trends
4.3. Active Antenna Forecast