Antenna Innovation and Evolution

How do RAN sites and systems evolve towards 5G? Considering Massive-MIMO and Distributed-MIMO. How does the industry measure active antennas with beamforming features?

 

 

Hosted by:

 
 &





When

November 7-9, 2017

Where

Marriott Bristol Royal

Bristol, UK

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Register

Limited to 100 seats

First Registered, First Served!

Attendance open to all IWPC Members


Introduction

BTs mobile group EE recently demonstrated 'groundbreaking' pre-5G mobile backhaul bridging the gap between 4G and 5G connectivity. They see this as an important stepping stone towards the technology which will enable new vertical markets, the Internet of Things (IoT) and other connected technology use-cases. This workshop will give IWPC members to discuss and debate massive MIMO trials and experiments carried out by BT and Bristol University enabling far field array characterisation, multi-element handset performance as well as experiments to improve the understanding of the massive MIMO radio channel under mobile conditions.

Workshop Goals

  • Better understand the critical role of the antenna facet in the delivery of 5G
  • Assess the potential for massive MIMO at sub-6GHz frequencies
  • Examine mmWAVE array gain / beamforming
  • Explore antenna and RFFE architecture/designs for Future Smartphones

Agenda

DAY 1
November 7

Tuesday

 

University of Bristol lab tour of CSN to include the 5G lab

Registration at hotel at 15:30 pm - group will then depart for a short 10 minute walk to University

19:00

 Evening Reception & Registration

At Hotel

DAY 2
November 8

Wednesday

07:00

Registration and Coffee

08:00

Welcome and Introductions

 

09:00

Opening Remarks and Keynote

  • Evolution of antenna systems for digital cellular
  • Current antenna systems and configurations
  • Future requirements for 4G evolution and 5G

Keynote Presentation

 

Principal Network Architect

 

 

10:00

Networking Break

 

10:40

Service Provider Perspectives

  • Legacy challenges; Flexibility to manage different market needs
  • Alternative ways of providing 5G performance, how do antennas fit into the picture
  • Antennas becoming an integrated system and network component, cloud RAN and the need for open interfaces
  • Operator requirements, alternative antennas
  • Operator view of deployment of active antennas and massive MIMO
  • Necessary interfaces to support the 5G RAN
  • Real network trial data and results
  • Practical issues related to network wide deployment
  • Exploring cost benefits of complex antenna systems
  • Current status of 5G specifications and timeline(s) for 5G infrastructure implementation

Deployment Challenges for Massive MIMO Arrays at 3.5 GHz

 

Technical Specialist

 

 

 

Massive MIMO – the Challenge for Passive Antennas

 

Radio Technologies Researcher

Network Authority

 

12:00

Networking Lunch

 

13:00

Service Provider Perspectives, continued

  • What areas need to be addressed/improved to meet mobile operator needs?
  • What types of installations do operators expect – e.g. how large an array, how many array faces, how far apart will BTS be?
  • Potential for mixed active and passive antennas
  • mm wave use-cases
  • Specific requirements for antennas compared to 4G?
  • Expectations and possibilities of antennas with regards to QoS?
  • Antenna Topology, antenna setup (one big system, clustered antennas, ...), power levels, antenna requirements
  • Considering antennas for 5G Network Deployment
  • How can massive MIMO be deployed in the 6GHz Bands?
  • How mature are systems, CPE/UEs and what performance can be expected?
  • Assessing engineering characteristics, weight, power, signal processing
  • Expectations for latest timelines?
  • Exploring planning tools for beam forming and mmWave

 

Operator Perspectives on Antenna Evolution towards 5G

 

Senior Researcher

 

 

ASS (5G) Validation and Evaluation

 

Site Infrastructure Expert

 

 

 

Application of Adaptive Antenna Systems for LTE Capacity Relief and Quantification of Gains

 

Director

15:00

Networking Break

 

15:40

OEM Perspectives, continued

  • Performance of multi-antenna systems for 5G, including massive MIMO
  • Multi-band antenna innovations
  • Antennas and cloud RAN
  • Advances in antenna technology
  • Challenges and potential solutions for 5GHz antenna systems
  • Beam tracking and beam steering
  • Assessing Rel. 13 features and schedule
  • Massive MIMO; practical limitations of array density versus number of simple (minimal antenna diversity) clients for fixed wireless applications
  • Hybrid Massive-MIMO arrays
  • Innovations in antennas and High gain solutions
  • The design of antennas for MUMIMO applications

 

Massive MIMO Implementation

 

TDD Product MKT & Solution Team

 

 

 

Using Sub-6 GHz Full Complexity Hybrid Massive-MIMO Technology for 4.5G and 5G

 

CTO

 

17:00

End of Day Panel

 

17:45

Adjourn

 

19:00

Networking Dinner - SS Great Britain

Bus transportation provided to depart hotel at 18:30

DAY 3
November 9

Thursday

07:00

Registration and Coffee

 

08:00

Keynote

  • State of the art test bed results illustrating operational benefits of innovative antenna and signal processing solutions for sub-6GHz and mmwave system. Including applications from the vertical industries

Keynote Presentation

 

Professor, Radio Systems and Engineering

 

08:40

OEM/System Perspectives

  • Overview of current status of technology
  • Distributed Massive MIMO vs Planar Array Massive MIMO
  • Channel models
  • LTE 4x4 MIMO antenna design, challenges and achievable correlation coefficient in multiband antenna designs
  • Massive MIMO antennas for 3.5 GHz
  • Small Cell Evolution for Massive MIMO (sub 6GHz) and mmWave Nodes
  • Lightweight antennas (distributed units including RF transceiver and even baseband processor) supporting massive MIMO below 6GHz, Remote Control for setting beam scan range, beam tilting angle etc.
  • Physical Design of massive MIMO Antennas
  • HO-MIMO and the lack of Space for more antennas How do we handle this?
  • Addressing challenges of rapidly increasing user demand for bandwidth and limited near term availability of new spectrum below 6 GHz
  • How do we upgrade existing sites and bands with Adaptive Array Antennas implementing FD-MIMO?
  • Can FD-MIMO provide cost-effective capacity growth
  • Simulation of AAS overlays of multi band urban LTE networks
  • 4T4R schemes at Low-Bands (698-960MHz)
  • Emerging 8T8R Radios for 1.7-2.6GHz
  • Using 3.5GHz as 8T8R or as Massive MIMO?
  • Using 5.xGHz as LAA/LTE-U Carrier Aggregation
  • Assessing potential for a 3rd party Antenna supply ecosystem?
  • Antenna Design for MUMIMO applications
  • Fixed Wireless implementation and results
  • Multi-User MIMO benefits explored
  • Exploiting MU-MIMO for mobile applications

Deployment/Planning of AAS Systems

 

Senior Expert

 

 

Practical Implications of Deploying M-MIMO in Operational Networks

 

Director, Mobile Network Engineering

 

 

10:00

Networking Break

 

10:40

OEM/System Perspectives, continued

  • Exploring effectiveness of shielding chambers
  • Antennas design and the material selection
  • How can the automotive industry leverage 5G technology for V2X?
  • Printed antenna systems
  • Multi-element antenna systems for large scale MIMO and M-MIMO applications.
  • Material needs for antenna design and manufacturing
  • Tuned antenna systems
  • LTE & NR sub 6GHz Adaptive Array Antennas
  • Multi/wide-band aspects
  • Form factor Challenges - what are the pros and cons with today's form factor (e.g. column antennas) and alternatives e.g. wider, heavier, lighter?
  • Massive MIMO antenna architecture (arrangement of radio board, antenna board, filters etc.)
  • Antennas for indoor coverage (DAS, small cells, mmWave cells)
  • Beamforming for 5G

 

Optimal 4T4R Antenna Configurations for LTE

 

CTO

 

 

 

 

Leveraging Proven Multi-User MIMO Systems

 

CTO

 

 

12:00

Networking Lunch

 

13:00

Technology Enablers

  • Realistic UE antenna design taking into account body blocking effects. Info on the performance of realistic antennas and the implications for network design and performance.
  • Massive MIMO, terminal antenna perspectives
  • mmWave handset and infrastructure antennas
  • Antenna design suitable for hand portable devices
  • 28 GHz 5G terminal antenna ideas
  • Antenna expectations in new frequency bands
  • Sub 6GHz antenna/electronic integration
  • 5G system and antenna development, Antenna innovation
  • mmW antennas, miniaturized antennas to <6 GHz
  • How could "smart antennas" contribute to QoS?
  • Split be between sub6Ghz and mmWave antennas?
  • PIM requirements
  • Understanding antenna architecture and linking to MMIC's and packaging specifications
  • Low cost manufacture for mm-Wave antenna arrays
  • Metrology, calibration and validation techniques
  • Phased Array and beam forming antenna technologies for satellite and terrestrial applications
  • New ionosphere compensation mechanisms for proposed G.8272.1 PRTC-B
  • Antennas for mMIMO < 6 GHz
  • Elevation Beamforming and massive MIMO; Antenna interfaces and 5G impacts
  • 5G Holographic Beamformers
  • Analog beamforming

What Complexity is Needed for Mid-Band UEs

 

Master Engineer Research

 

 

Meeting Use-Case Demand for 5G Antennas

 

Senior Antenna Design Engineer

 

 

Hybrid MIMO Enabled by Holographic Beam Forming

 

CTO

 

15:00

Networking Break

 

15:30

Testing and Validation

  • 5G antennas and how to model and test systems
  • Innovation: tunable / multi-band, full duplex, RF MEMS and testing of highly integrated components (evolution of OTA and hardware in the loop)
  • Planning tools for massive MIMO and mmwave deployments
  • Verification and qualification of antennas for MIMO and massive MIMO systems?
  • Massive MIMO / beamforming antenna OTA testing
  • Testing methods and field trials
  • Antenna measurements
  • Metrics & calibration
  • AAS OTA characterization, Beamforming and Beamsteering test requirements
  • Handset antenna issues. Tuning, 600MHz, mmWave, OTA testing
  • Beam pattern verification and signal quality measurements
  • Production testing needs
  • RC basic principles
  • RC Pros/Cons
  • 5G/mmWave need for OTA measurements
  • mmWave Base station measurements
  • Multi-band MIMO measurements
  • Beamforming measurements

Characterizing and Verifying Massive MIMO / Beamforming Antennas

 

Principal Technology Manager

 

 

Pride and Prejudice: The Story of 5G Channel Modelling and Why you Should Care

 

Lead Technologist

 

 

OTA Measurements for 5G and mmWave Specific Challenges Using Reverberation Chambers

 

Senior Microwave Engineer

 

17:00

Closing Panel

FAQs

  1. What is the deadline for presentation/handout materials?
  2. What can I do to prepare for speaking an at IWPC workshop?
  3. Who are the attendees?
  4. What are the costs/registrations fees?
  5. Hotel information?
  6. What are the travel options from the airport to the hotel?
  7. Are there any audiovisual requirements?
  8. Will business cards be collected?
  9. What is the dress code?
  10. How will handout materials be provided?
  1. What is the deadline for presentation/handout materials?

    Deadline for electronic version of presentation/handout materials: Monday, October 30, 2017

  2. What can I do to prepare for speaking an at IWPC workshop?

    Click on the link below for a short video guide regarding preparing for and improving your IWPC presentation:

    Video: IWPC Speaker Guidelines

  3. Who are the attendees?
    • We do not permit the Press.
    • We do not permit Analysts.
    • We do not permit Consultants.
    • We do not permit 3rd party sales reps.
    • We only permit "first hand knowledge experts" in business and technology issues, prepared to contribute to the discussion.
  4. What are the costs/registrations fees?

    ALL Hosts, Speakers, Panel Members and Attendees will be asked to cover out-of-pocket workshop costs such as conference room costs, food (Social Reception plus First Day breakfast/lunch/dinner plus Second Day breakfast/lunch plus Breaks), audio/visual costs, etc.

    These costs will be $999 (USD) per person. (For IWPC Members only.)

    ALL Hosts, Speakers, Panel Members and Attendees will be asked to pay this fee in advance with either Visa, MasterCard, American Express, cash, personal check or business check. Make checks payable to IWPC.

  5. Hotel information?

    Marriott Bristol Royal
    College Green
    Bristol, UK BS1 5TA
    Phone: +44 117 925 5100
    Hotel Website

    The IWPC room block rate is 124£/night, inclusive of VAT. The deadline for hotel reservations is Tuesday, October 17, 2017. After that date, rooms cannot be guaranteed at the IWPC rate. You can make your reservations on-line at: book your group rate for IWPC

  6. What are the travel options from the airport to the hotel?

    https://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/maps/travel/brsry-bristol-marriott-royal-hotel/

  7. Are there any audiovisual requirements?

    A Computer Projector will be available for the speakers.

    In addition, we audiotape all presentations and the interactive discussions. Post workshop, presentations are made available to IWPC Members on the IWPC WEB site, along with “recordings” of all presentations and panel sessions.

  8. Will business cards be collected?

    Business cards will be collected at the door from all attendees. We will make copies of these cards, which will be available to all who provided a business card.

  9. What is the dress code?

    Business casual suggested. No ties, please!

  10. How will handout materials be provided?

    For ALL IWPC members:

    All IWPC members are invited to submit materials to be included in the online workshop folder in the IWPC Research Library. This should NOT BE SALES MATERIALS. Rather, we suggest it contain technical information about your technology as it relates to the workshop topics.

    For all companies who will be making a presentation at the Workshop:

    You are invited to submit an advance copy of your presentation, complete with graphics and illustrations.

    These materials will be included on the IWPC website Research Library.

    Please submit these materials either by email, as a Word for Windows file, Power Point files or PDF files.

    SUBMISSION OF PRESENTATION:

    • Go to www.iwpc.org
    • Click on IWPC Activities Tab
    • Under Workshop: Antenna Innovation and Evolution
    • Click on Submit Presentation Proposal. Complete the form and attach your presentation.
    • Once we receive your presentation we will send an email confirmation.

    AS BACKUP, PLEASE BRING AN ELECTRONIC COPY USB STICK WITH YOU!