Markets
Terrestrial 5G/6G Networks
Terrestrial 5G or 6G networks are the key means of delivering gigabit-speed wireless networks with low latency. Today, the terrestrial 5G market encompasses all systems using 5G signals across FR1 (< 6GHz) and FR2 bands (24 - 30 GHz, 37-41 GHz and 54-67 GHz), with terrestrial 6G to use signals in the FR3 band (6.675 - 7.125 GHz).
Typical systems include beamforming transceivers, MIMO-based radios and distributed active antenna systems, which are used in the radio access network of a base-station.
The key challenges faced by system integrators and OEMs (and ultimately telco operators) include limited radio coverage, and low quality of service due to signal propagation losses and base-station’s low energy-efficiency when operating at FR2 frequencies. These challenges are a result of performance inadequacies of the mmWave chipsets, which in turn lead to enormous increase in total-cost-of-ownership (TCO) of 5G networks. In addition, increase in the number of frequency bands within 5G/6G also requires increased number of base-stations, further increasing TCO.
Terrestrial 5G/6G Connectivity
Terrestrial 5G and 6G connectivity solutions rely on personal mobile devices such as smartphones or handsets and fixed-wireless access devices for high-speed internet access in residential and office buildings. Both mobile and fixed-wireless access devices suffer from reduced data rates during uplink connectivity, the mode where the devices transfers data to the base-station.
The performance limitations during uplink are a result of limited signal coverage and unreliable connectivity, which increase with frequency of operation. The uplink performance is severely limited in a handset (or a smart phone), due its use as a mobile device operating under ever-changing signal propagation conditions, a scenario exacerbated during mmWave operation. Although the uplink performance in the fixed-wireless access case is less impacted than a mobile device, uplink is a still a bottleneck, particularly when relying on the mmWave or FR2 spectrum for enhanced data rates.
Non-terrestrial Networks & D2C/D2D
Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) are wireless systems that operate over the earth’s surface and can be comprised of satellites in the low-earth orbit (LEO) or high-altitude platform systems (HAPS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones. Non-terrestrial networks are essential to achieving wireless connectivity in areas that are not well-served by traditional terrestrial base-stations. In an NTN, a user employs a terminal to connect to a satellite or HAPS, which then on-transmits the signal received from the user terminal to the ground stations, from where it is routed to the destination.
Direct-to-cellular (D2C) is an emerging technology which provides satellite-based cellular service, with the goal of complementing traditional cellular/mobile networks. Direct-to-cellular is an ideal solution for parts of the globe where significant connectivity gaps exist and D2C enables cell phones or mobile handsets to bypass terrestrial base-stations and connect directly to the satellites. D2C as a concept is very much within the classification of non-terrestrial networks and can even work with 4G cell phones without the need for additional hardware. However, modern handsets employing 5G will require a new generation of advanced RF/mmWave chips for optimal uplink performance needed to enable a seamless direct satellite connectivity.
Direct-to-device (D2D) technology enables satellite connectivity to the internet-of-things (IoT) devices. In D2D, satellites are used to transmit data from sensors located in geographically inaccessible or remote locations. D2D applications include asset trackers, agricultural sensors or warehousing solution.
Dual-use Autonomous Sensing
Sensors such as radars play an important in defence applications, due to their ability to provide real-time identification and tracking of adversarial or unidentified planes. Electronic warfare jammers offer electronic counter measures to curtail the offensive actions or threats emanating from the adversarial aircrafts.
In recent times, drones have been used in offensive actions, but drones have as much utility in defensive situations when integrated with multi-sensor radios that combine the functionalities of radar, imaging, electronic warfare and high-speed telemetry within the same system. Such systems require radios that can concurrently support a range of frequencies over non-contiguous frequency bands. Software-defined radio is the obvious choice due its ability to support large range of frequencies. However, software-defined radio solutions have poor energy efficiency and as a result cannot support long distance and longer duration flights due to increased payload.
Highly energy-efficient RF transceivers operating concurrently across multiple non-contiguous frequency bands offer a superior means of implementing multi-sensor drone platforms with longer range and duration.
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