Antennas for Extremely Fast Wireless Internet
July 20, 2018 | TU/eEstimated reading time: 1 minute
NWO has granted a Take-off feasibility study for the start-up of the new spin-off MaxWaves, which aims to commercialize new wireless technology to enable extremely fast 5G and 6G. In the system, developed in the research group of Professor Bart Smolders at the Department of Electrical Engineering, the antennas direct the signals electronically in the right direction, so that it is very energy efficient and the signals are not disturbed by weather conditions.
In a few years' time, everyone will probably switch from the current 4G Internet to 5G and later to 6G, leading to data rates that by 2025 will be as much as 100 times higher than they are today. This means that the antennas on the base stations - which have to operate tens to hundreds of mobile users at the same time - will have to exchange far greater amounts of information than they do today. The technology to do this is now being developed.
Series of coupled antennas
The group of Prof. Dr. Bart Smolders has developed a new antenna technology that allows future base stations to be connected wirelessly with each other at extremely high data rates by using a whole series of electronically coupled antennas. These steer the radio beams in the right direction, so that dishes with these antennas do not have to move physically in order to change the direction of transmission.
This technology uses very little energy and can continue to function optimally in all weather conditions, as electronic control can adapt directly to wind and rain disturbances. The electronic beam control ensures that no cables are needed in the ground and that the system can be electronically configured, making it very easy to temporarily expand network capacity, for example at a major event.
Take-off
TU/e-spinoff MaxWaves will commercialize this system for future 5G networks, and the Take-off feasibility study will build a new prototype that is more advanced than the two prototypes previously built. This will be tested experimentally in the lab and on the TU/e campus, and a market analysis will be carried out to arrive at a business plan.
Suggested Items
Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Direct Imaging Equipment and Quad-wave DLP Light Engine Technology
05/03/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOGuest Editor Kelly Dack and MivaTek's Brendan Hogan delve into the company's innovative technologies, including direct imaging equipment and quad-wave DLP light engine technology. They highlight the benefits of direct imaging, compensation, and DART technology.
iNEMI Names Grace O'Malley CTO
05/02/2024 | iNEMIThe Board of Directors of the International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (iNEMI) has named Grace O'Malley Chief Technical Officer (CTO).
Dubai Launches Global Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence
05/02/2024 | BUSINESS WIREDubai has launched a blueprint for Artificial Intelligence (AI), a yearly plan that will focus on harnessing the technology’s potential to improve quality of life around the world.
NextFlex Convenes the Hybrid Electronics Community at Binghamton University
05/01/2024 | NextFlexBinghamton University hosted the NextFlex hybrid electronics community on April 18 for a day of expert presentations, breakout sessions on technology and manufacturing topics, and networking.
IDTechEx Report on Quantum Technology: Nano-scale Physics for Massive Market Impact
04/30/2024 | PRNewswireThe quantum technology market leverages nano-scale physics to create revolutionary new devices for computing, sensing, and communications. Across the industry, quantum technology offers a paradigm shift in performance compared with incumbent solutions.