Through the Looking Glass
5G is really two things, the 5G that is commonly used by carriers, which is based on sub6 spectrum bands, and mmWave, which is based on higher frequency bands. As we have noted in the past, while 5G overall allows for faster connection speeds and lower latency than 4G systems, that performance is directly based on the spectrum used, with the speed increasing as the frequency increases. The thought would be “why use lower frequencies when higher ones are faster?” and that is logical except for the fact that as the frequencies increase the signal loses strength, with the lower 5G frequencies being able to broadcast over miles, while mmWave frequencies, despite their very high speed, can travel less than a mile and are easily blocked by buildings and even trees.
This creates a significant problem for carriers that want to provide mmWave service to commercial customers who require the highest possible speed and lowest latency as bringing the mmWave 5G signal into an office or factory can prove challenging with the building itself blocking the signal. There are antenna receivers for mmWave 5G that can be mounted outside a window to bring in such service but they block the view and reduces light. One solution has been to install the antenna and the CPE equipment directly to the window glass, but was found to generate enough heat to crack the glass, especially in cold climates. It seems that Asahi Glass (5201.JP), aka AGC, has developed a 5G mmWave phased array transparent antenna that uses liquid crystal[1] and therefore does not block the window or generate enough heat to break the glass. The liquid crystal is used to change the direction of the incoming RF, in the same way it is used to block or allow light to pass through an LCD display.
That’s the good news however AGC does not expect to have a mmWave product out until 2024, although they have a similar product for sub^ 5G, which is unfortunate as mmWave is a technology that actually fulfills the promise of high speed 5G for businesses. There are less attractive ways of bringing in mmWave signals to an office, but most involve bulky antennae or similar configurations mounted to buildings or nearby structures, but they will have to do until AGC is finished with their development. Then we can say, ”What light through yonder window breaks?”
[1] Actual LC phased array antenna design comes from ALCAN Systems GmbH
This creates a significant problem for carriers that want to provide mmWave service to commercial customers who require the highest possible speed and lowest latency as bringing the mmWave 5G signal into an office or factory can prove challenging with the building itself blocking the signal. There are antenna receivers for mmWave 5G that can be mounted outside a window to bring in such service but they block the view and reduces light. One solution has been to install the antenna and the CPE equipment directly to the window glass, but was found to generate enough heat to crack the glass, especially in cold climates. It seems that Asahi Glass (5201.JP), aka AGC, has developed a 5G mmWave phased array transparent antenna that uses liquid crystal[1] and therefore does not block the window or generate enough heat to break the glass. The liquid crystal is used to change the direction of the incoming RF, in the same way it is used to block or allow light to pass through an LCD display.
That’s the good news however AGC does not expect to have a mmWave product out until 2024, although they have a similar product for sub^ 5G, which is unfortunate as mmWave is a technology that actually fulfills the promise of high speed 5G for businesses. There are less attractive ways of bringing in mmWave signals to an office, but most involve bulky antennae or similar configurations mounted to buildings or nearby structures, but they will have to do until AGC is finished with their development. Then we can say, ”What light through yonder window breaks?”
[1] Actual LC phased array antenna design comes from ALCAN Systems GmbH
FWA 5G mmWave Antenna (Inside Mount) - Source: AGC
RSS Feed