Signals Research Group (SRG) conducted a benchmark study to quantify the incremental benefits of 5G NR mmWave when deployed in an operator’s existing network, including a network which also supports mid-band 5G NR. This study is highly unique relative to earlier studies we have done since it incorporated a large number of mobile devices to quantify system-level performance with LTE, mid-band 5G NR, and 5G NR mmWave. In addition to determining the capacity thresholds for each network technology, we incorporated user experience metrics related to video performance to demonstrate how 5G NR – both mid-band and mmWave – improve the user experience in a congested network.

For this study, we tested at the Footprint Center, home to the Phoenix Suns NBA team, in Phoenix, AZ using the Verizon Wireless network. We used up to 17 Samsung Galaxy S20 smartphones with the Snapdragon  865 5G Mobile Platform to determine the potential downlink and uplink capacity of the operator’s LTE network and then the additional capacity 5G NR mmWave provided. We also tested in an outdoor area in central Helsinki, Finland on the Elisa network which included LTE, 5G NR Bn78 (3.5 GHz) and 5G NR Bn258 (25 GHz or mmWave). In this network we leveraged up to 20 Asus smartphones for Snapdragon Insiders with the Snapdragon 888 5G Mobile Platform. Our objectives when testing this network were similar to our objectives when testing the Verizon network. Two key differentiators with the second study were that it involved an outdoor venue that has high traffic volumes on a daily basis and that the network was located in Europe. 5G NR mmWave is no longer a US centric story.

Key highlights from our benchmark study, which we validate with supporting data in this whitepaper, include:

➤ Despite the enhanced efficiencies of LTE networks, there is a breaking point in the amount of data traffic these networks can support. When testing both venues, we calculated the LTE spectral efficiency for downlink data traffic was between 5-7 bps/Hz with the uplink spectral efficiency approximately half what we observed in the downlink direction.

mmWave Whitepaper January 2022 – Signal Research Group

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In late March, 3GPP held its RAN #91 electronic plenary. In addition to electing new leadership, the plenary made several important decisions on 5G NR functionality (Release 17) that we would like to highlight in this Signals Flash! report. As always, unlike our subscription-based Signals Ahead reports, you may forward this Signals Flash! report to whomever you want.

➤ Patience is a Virtue. For our Signals Ahead subscribers who are looking for the next Signals Ahead report, all we can say is patience is a virtue. There is a lot of effort going into the next report and given the uniqueness and relevance of the study, we are confident it will be worth the wait.

➤ RedCap. Reduced Capability (RedCap) devices fall in between eMBB and URLLC – wearables are a great example of a RedCap device, or UE (user equipment). To date, the big debate has involved the minimum number of receiver antenna ports (1, 2, or 4) as well as the minimum/ maximum channel bandwidth. Problem solved!

➤ DSS. Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS) remains a hot topic since it is a key requirement for most operators (either now or at some point in the future). The current debate focuses on how to optimize its performance, which also requires a clear understanding of how it is supposed to perform today.

➤ Relays. Relay functionality involves mobile devices communicating directly with each other, much like exists with V2X and the PC5 interface. The feature, which can involve UE-to-UE or UE-to-Network scenarios, is ideal for extending coverage into out-of-coverage areas to deliver higher data rates and/or improve battery life. Relays are also a critical feature for first responders.

➤ Odds and Ends. We also discuss RAN slicing, which extends network slicing to the radio access network, UDC (uplink data compression), and 5G NR Broadcast, which introduces new frequency bands and channel bandwidths to support the global needs of broadcast companies. There was also lots of standardization activity

RAN#91e Plenary Highlights: Signals Research Group – April 2021

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Key Highlights

A lot has happened with 5G NR (New Radio) in the last year since we published our first paper for Qualcomm on 5G NR. In addition to the proliferation of new 5G NR smartphone models, including mid-tier 5G NR smartphones, there have been several technology advancements which have made 5G NR easier to deploy, capable of achieving even higher data speeds, and introduced compelling new use cases. As an update to last year’s whitepaper, we highlight some of the advancements associated with 5G NR mmWave (millimeter wave), or 5G NR deployed in millimeter frequency bands, specifically 28 GHz and 39 GHz in North America.

The most effective means of increasing data speeds is to increase the bandwidth of the radio channel(s) serving the mobile device. In the last several months the wireless ecosystem has increased the amount of mmWave bandwidth providing downlink and uplink data transfers, literally doubling the channel bandwidth in both directions by introducing larger downlink and uplink carrier aggregation schemes. Specifically, network infrastructure, chipsets, and mobile devices in North America now support eight 100 MHz channels (8×100 MHz or 8CC) in the downlink direction and two 100 MHz channels (2×100 MHz or 2CC) in the uplink direction. Previously, the limitation was 4CC in the downlink direction (cell site to mobile device) and 1CC in the uplink (mobile device to cell site).

In addition to increases in user data speeds, there are new 5G NR mmWave use cases, thanks to technology advancements as well as to the overall market maturity. Operators have always been interested in using 5G NR mmWave to offer fixed wireless access (FWA) services, and with the recent introduction of high-power CPEs (consumer premise equipment) and slight modifications to the configuration of the mmWave radio channel, the prospect of mmWave FWA is compelling. In addition to extending the effective range of the mmWave signal to several kilometers versus a few blocks, the high-power CPE enables mmWave signals to provide meaningful data speeds with near- and even non-line-of-sight (NLOS) radio conditions.

5G NR mmWave services are no longer limited to outdoor deployment scenarios. When deployed indoors, mmWave cell sites provide surprisingly good coverage for enterprise use cases. In effect, the mmWave signals extend well beyond LOS conditions, providing coverage in front and behind the 5G NR mmWave radio, as well as around hallway corners and into individual office spaces, thanks to the reflective nature of the mmWave signals.

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