Upkar J. S. Dhaliwal

The dynamics of higher power are very interesting – there are two scenarios. If higher power applied to both GAA and PAL, enterprise/indoor systems are potentially at risk of higher interference (needs more careful analysis given 2 categories of devices, but I suspect there are workarounds and may not be as large as feared). If higher power is applied to PAL only and not GAA, then interference to enterprise or indoor networks will be limited (intra-PAL will coordinate leaving a possibility of interference in case of adjacent PAL/GAA assignments; intra-GAA does not change from present model). Higher PAL power would better justify the money spent on spectrum licenses and a differentiating feature over GAA aside from access hierarchy!

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📡 Exploring #Antennas for #5G #NTN The evaluation kit includes a variety of antennas, each with unique characteristics suited for 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN). Here's a brief overview of the types: 🔌 Electric and Magnetic Antennas • Most chip and PCB trace antennas are electric, mounted on the short side of the board, requiring a ground plane based on the lowest frequency. • Electric antennas exhibit a "hand effect," where the centre frequency shifts when PCB is touched or when objects are nearby the #antenna. • The black chip antenna is an electric SMT chip antenna. The two F  Antennas are electric PCB trace antennas. The 868/915 MHz antenna is explained in the whitepaper "Do it yourself Low-Cost PCB Antenna Design for Wireless IoT written for #NeoCortec" 🔄 Magnetic Loop Antennas • Identified by a trapezoidal space beneath them, these antennas are often rectangular and function as precise capacitors. The 5G NTN uses inexpensive ceramic capacitors instead of expensive chip antennas.  • They are mounted on the long edge of the board, with the required length depending on the lowest frequency. • Magnetic loop antennas lack the hand effect and offer easy tuning of centre frequency and impedance. 🔗 Patent-Protected Cellular Loop Antennas • All loop antennas except the cellular type are license-free. • The cellular loop antenna uses #Abracon's patent, adding a capacitor in the PCB track to the trapezoid for extensive bandwidth. 📏 Tuning Loop Antennas • Adjusted by trapeze size and capacitors for centre frequency. • Switchable capacitors shift centre frequency; two additional capacitors set impedance. 📡 Patch Antennas • The kit includes circular patch antennas in ceramic or FR4 forms, which are ideal for satellite communication due to their orientation-independent performance and high gain. • Dual-driven with a 90-degree phase shifter to maintain circular polarisation, avoiding loss at board edges. For further details, ordering an antenna kit or collaboration opportunities, feel free to send me a PM or email. harald.naumann (at) lte-modem .com.

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If you are involved with FTTH or broadband in the US, you should read this! Steve Ross is a very astute journalist/editor with decades of experience in our industry. Some quotes: The demise or reduction in the Affordable Connectivity Program’s reach is by far the biggest reason for the current unexpected decline in deployer construction volume and equipment vendor sales. But tight money, high interest rates, and BEAD’s slow start, along with obsolete carrier thinking, doesn’t help. ACP is tied to financing because it has been assured cash flow for broadband providers — $30 (up to $75 for tribal communities) a month to households with incomes below 200 percent of the poverty line. The money went directly to providers, who were often aided in marketing by local governments, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and nonprofits. Broadband investors and lenders liked the assured cashflow. Not one person I talked to – at banks, in Congress, in deployer and state broadband offices – complained about labor shortages. But no deployer, design, or construction firm I talked to was hiring at more than the replacement rate. This may create a bottleneck as BEAD funds start getting spent.

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Check out the latest advancements on 6G radio design and innovation on topics including AI-driven air interface design, advanced MIMO transmissions, joint communication and sensing, integrated terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, and a lot more from Hexa-X-II! https://lnkd.in/ddaSZXuM #SNSJU #6G #AI

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The #microwave industry has reached a consensus on the evolution direction of 5G/5.5G to ultra-broadband, simplified, multi-channel, is fully prepared for the new era Because #microwave #transmission is such a widely adopted technology, each evolutionary advance of the broader industry tends to spur further innovations in microwave in particular The needs of #5G & 5.5G spurred the development of wider, smarter microwave pipes; increasing scarcity of spectrum resources drove more spectral efficiency gains with microwave; the digital transformation of enterprises was met with new microwave solutions tailored to their needs; carriers' commitments to provide universal coverage prompted efforts to bring down the #TCO of microwave technology; with the emergence of new applications like ultra-broadband, multi-channel microwave, ultra-long-haul transmission, microwave again rose to the occasion with new #innovations in planning & delivery The larger bandwidth of 5G and 5.5G puts increasing the capacity of microwave backhaul high on the agenda. Demand for backhaul capacity could soon be tens of times higher than what it is now. Among all the microwave spectrum options, E-band is considered the sweet spot for 5G and 5.5G deployments, hence the importance of fully exploring its potential capacity. The increasing #density of microwave networks & paucity of #spectrum #resources necessitates the improvement of spectral efficiency In the current climate of global economic recovery, industry digital transformation is catalyzing a myriad of industrial applications of microwave transmission, such as in offshore wind power, disaster relief, power transmission. Microwave plays an important role in connecting industries & bringing network access to every part of society Universal coverage requirements imposed on carriers have driven innovation in the microwave transmission space. Those innovations are bringing down TCO through flexible modular design of products & solutions, lean deployments, simplified O&M. Long-haul microwave leverages new technologies such as high-gain beamforming (#HGBF) to bring down TCO The communications industry has evolved from Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy (#PDH), Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (#SDH), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (#ATM) to Internet Protocol (#IP), & #mobile #backhaul has likewise been changing from carrying only voice and data traffic to supporting the mobile Internet. In this process, ultra-broadband microwave has led to the emergence of new KPIs for future microwave planning The mass deployment of networks and introduction of new technologies such as multi-channel microwave & long-haul transmission inevitably result in complexities & challenges in planning, installation, O&M, optimization, but have also spurred the industry to develop new solutions for efficient microwave deployment & O&M Follow us on Kaneshwaran Govindasamy & Global 5G Evolution click comment box. #subscribe our #youtube channel #Huawei Huawei

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🗺️ The FCC National Broadband Map has been updated! The map contains:  - The latest Fabric locations, Version 4 (V4)  - ISP’s Service Availability data as of December 31, 2023    This marks another milestone in granularly mapping where #broadband access is and isn’t across the U.S. to support initiatives working to expand broadband to all.     📊 Stay tuned for our upcoming analysis covering what changed in the Fabric locations and ISP service availability data with this new map update, and how it will affect subsequent broadband deployment initiatives.    🔗 Click here explore the latest version of the National Broadband Map: https://lnkd.in/gmP7G3t4    #digitaldivide #broadbandaccess #FCC #broadbandnetworks

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The FCC’s new NPRM could reshape Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) in the 3.5 GHz band, with key updates to spectrum use, interference management, and 5G deployment. Learn how these changes may impact telecom providers, manufacturers, and more. Comments due by October 7, 2024. #FCC #CBRS #5G #Telecom #iCertifi #Wireless #Broadband #Spectrum #Regulatorycompliance #Globalmarketaccess

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Can satellite and telecommunications networks come together in a single cohesive communications ecosystem? 5G is a key accelerant in making this possible, through a variety of related standards, including 3GPP’s Release 17 (Rel-17) in 2021, which introduced 5G NTN and opened 5G to non-terrestrial networks for the first time. Learn about how innovations like 5G NTN and Open Radio Access Network (ORAN) are changing the landscape of broadband communications, including exciting new capabilities like regenerative payloads, cloud-native computing and network slicing. Read the full #ConstellationsArticle below. https://lnkd.in/ercX2kyR #satcom #telecom #5G

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The future of wireless services of all types is likely to involve more spectrum-sharing and other more sophisticated approaches to #spectrum assignment and management. This applies to #5G, #6G, #WiFi, #satellite, audiovisual and various classes of aviation and martime networks, as well as government and defence usage. Sharing will occur based on multiple dimensions - location, duration, directionality, power and obviously frequency. That, in turn, will require a range of key enablers, including technological components such as spectrum databases, sensing systems, better transceivers, mapping tools, cross-technology signalling and much more. There will also need to be streamlined regulatory processes, spectrum marketplaces, and a whole variety of use-cases for AI + spectrum. There will also be a need for more international cooperation and (hopefully) eventual harmonisation. The evolution of spectrum-sharing is a central theme for me at the moment, and something that regularly crops up in my discussions with regulators, operators, vendors and investors. I've written a guest article for my client CRFS (a spectrum-sensing vendor) which discusses this in more detail. https://lnkd.in/esxTh_Yf

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Trends and Development in Open Ran - A great read. 5G Americas White paper https://lnkd.in/gfq5S6bP Trends and Developments in Open RAN covers these essential topics: Energy Efficiency: New Open RAN specifications enable features like advanced sleep modes and selective channel activation, reducing power consumption and contributing to network sustainability. Enhanced Beamforming: Demodulation Reference Signal based Beamforming (DMRS-BF) optimizes uplink performance and enables more efficient fronthaul bandwidth use, especially in capacity-constrained scenarios. Security Solutions: With a focus on Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA), the paper outlines the adoption of MACsec encryption in fronthaul networks, ensuring secure, reliable communication. New Use Cases: Open RAN’s adaptability fosters new applications, from cloud automation to enterprises connectivity and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) integration, including satellite support, which expands connectivity to remote and underserved areas. Maturation of RAN technologies: As RAN technologies mature, RAN Intelligent Controllers (RICs) become more pivotal by enabling programmability through xApps and rApps. By enhancing network automation and optimization, the RIC enables mobile network operators to manage and tailor network resources dynamically to meet evolving user demands. Ecosystem Expansion: Rapid expansion of Open RAN ecosystem, fostering collaboration among chipset vendors, hardware providers, and system integrators. The growth is supported by global deployments, industry shifts towards open and interoperable networks, and strong partnerships like O-RAN Alliance and ETSI, with backing from US government initiatives to enhance testing and interoperability. Additionally, the white paper underscores 5G Americas’ commitment to supporting the Open RAN ecosystem, as industry players work towards a more versatile, secure, and globally harmonized network environment. It also offers a glimpse into ongoing research by the O-RAN ALLIANCE’s next Generation Research Group (nGRG) on open and intelligent RAN principles essential for 6G. “Open RAN is breaking down proprietary barriers, driving multi-vendor interoperability, and fostering cloud-native scalability. This momentum reflects the industry’s dedication to innovation, and with continued adoption from greenfield to brownfield networks and into new verticals, Open RAN is set to redefine network efficiency and sustainability for the future,” said Gaurav Sehgal, Senior Manager of Product Marketing at Mavenir and 5G Americas contributor. “Open RAN’s interoperable design marks a new era of innovation, driving a dynamic ecosystem that benefits operators and consumers alike,” said Sanil Ramachandran, Director of Technology, Networks Business at Samsung Electronics America, and co-leader of the 5G Americas Open RAN working group. https://lnkd.in/gAgrZimK

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The Role of AI/ML in Capacity and Coverage Optimization Service providers are striving to maximize the value of their 5G mid-band spectrum. Low-mid-band 4G/5G Dual Connectivity and 5G Carrier Aggregation including low-band FDD/high-band TDD enhance 5G by combining low-band’s broad coverage with mid-band’s capacity, ensuring reliable and extensive network coverage. Moreover, the support for advanced MIMO such as mMIMO technology boosts network efficiency and manages multiple connections effectively. Coordinating multiple frequency bands and integrating them seamlessly into a cohesive network demands sophisticated algorithms and precise synchronization to ensure optimal performance and user experience. This is a typical capacity-coverage optimization (CCO) issue. The coverage and capacity challenge is extensive, and addressing it effectively requires examining at least eight specific sub-problems. Here’s how AI/ML technologies can be leveraged to tackle each of these issues: ◼ Dynamic Spectrum Allocation: AI/ML models, particularly Reinforcement Learning (RL), enhance spectrum use for better coverage and capacity by learning optimal allocation strategies through feedback from network environments. Methods like Deep Q-Networks (DQN) combine Q-learning with deep neural networks to handle large state spaces. ◼ Carrier Aggregation Optimization: Supervised learning models, such as Random Forest and Gradient Boosting Machines (GBM), predict optimal carrier combinations based on network data, leveraging multiple frequency bands for improved coverage and capacity. ◼ Predictive Traffic Management: Time series analysis and forecasting models like ARIMA and LSTM predict traffic patterns to proactively allocate resources, maintaining coverage and preventing congestion. ◼ Interference Mitigation: Unsupervised learning including K-means clustering and Independent Component Analysis (ICA), identify and mitigate interference, reducing signal degradation to improve coverage and capacity. ◼ Load Balancing: RL algorithms, such as Q-learning and Policy Gradient Methods, dynamically distribute traffic loads to maintain consistent coverage and maximize capacity. ◼ mMIMO and Beamforming: Deep learning models, including optimize beamforming and MIMO configurations, enhancing signal directionality for better coverage and higher capacity. ◼ Network Performance Optimization: Multi-Agent Systems and RL, like MADDPG, manage various network components in a coordinated manner to ensure continuous coverage and capacity optimization. ◼ Energy Efficiency: Combining heuristic optimization algorithms and RL, such as Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO), reduces energy consumption while maintaining performance, ensuring sustainable network operations. #ORAN #OpenRAN #Capacity #Coverage #AIML #ORANRIC #CarrierAggregation #Midband #TDDFDD #TDDUplinkCoverage

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NEW Frequency Matters episode! Have you downloaded the 5G/6G special focus eBook, available in our May IMS issue? Watch the full Frequency Matters episode now to hear more about the new eBook, the latest monthly issue and all the industry happenings. https://lnkd.in/efydhZvG

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Bandwidth IG is proudly changing the landscape of fiber infrastructure in the San Francisco Bay Area. Patton Lochridge, CCO, states, "Dark fiber is the foundation of data transmission but many incumbent networks in the Bay Area lack capacity or are not capable of meeting the needs of the world’s largest consumers of data. By continuing our focus on new fiber infrastructure, we’re creating a path for connectivity in critical areas of the market that will allow hyperscalers and data centers to fully leverage AI and other society-changing technologies.” ❗ #DYK this is the first marine fiber cable under the Bay to be installed for communications services in decades? To learn more about custom solutions in the Bay Area, visit: https://lnkd.in/gY5uFH3b #SFBay #DarkFiber #Connectivity #FiberNetwork

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It is good to see other peer consulting firms and strategists catching-up on the Synchronous S-curve phenomenon we have been talking about since the LTE cycle. Some are calling it a supercycle. We will be exploring how the current Synchronous S-Curves will shape the next decade at our annual summit on Sept 5th. It will help shape your strategies and product roadmaps. https://lnkd.in/gzeB2Uw

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This generation leverages 7-nm CMOS technology and cutting-edge optoelectronics to deliver 400 Gb/s in pluggable form factors such as QSFP-DD and CFP2, thus redefining business and network economics by reducing power consumption, simplifying the network, and enhancing service flexibility, all of which contribute to a significant reduction in total cost of ownership. However, deploying coherent pluggables comes with its own set of challenges that need to be addressed to unlock their full potential. These challenges include: Deployment over single fiber such as in access networks (PON, 5G backhaul, etc.) Deployment over legacy infrastructure that consists of a mix of technologies and capabilities including cascaded ROADMs, 50 GHz fixed grid, etc. Lack of troubleshooting and automation tools Limited management when deployed in a host device other than a WDM platform

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✨ ICYMI! BroadbandOne joined forces with Etheric Networks, one of California's leading ISPs! Together, we’re bringing cutting-edge connectivity to the Salinas market, kicking off in early 2025. Harnessing our innovative #mmWave spectrum, Etheric will deliver super-fast and dependable internet service to rural and agricultural communities that need it most. This partnership is a true game-changer, providing local businesses with high-speed, low-latency solutions. Keep an eye out for more updates as we revolutionize wireless experiences and broaden our footprint in California! Check out the news here in this article from The Fast Mode: https://lnkd.in/e-yePx4W #NextGenConnectivity #CaliforniaInnovation #GameChanger

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ISPs Ask FCC For Tax On Big Tech To Fund Broadband Networks and Discounts: An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: Internet service providers are again urging the Federal Communications Commission to impose new fees on Big Tech firms and use the money to subsidize broadband network deployment and affordability programs. If approved, the request would force Big Tech firms to pay into the FCC's Universal Service Fund (USF), which in turn distributes money to broadband providers. The request was made on June 6 by USTelecom, a lobby group for AT&T, Verizon, CenturyLink/Lumen, and smaller telcos. USTelecom has made similar arguments before, but its latest request to the FCC argues that the recent death of a broadband discount program should spur the FCC to start extracting money from Big Tech. "Through focusing on the Big Tech companies who benefit most from broadband connectivity, the Commission will fairly allocate the burden of sustaining USF," USTelecom wrote in the FCC filing last week. The USF spends about $8 billion a year. Phone companies must pay a percentage of their revenue into the fund, and telcos generally pass those fees on to consumers with a "Universal Service" line item on telephone bills. The money is directed back to the telco industry with programs like the Connect America Fund and Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, which subsidize network construction in unserved and underserved areas. The USF also funds Lifeline program discounts for people with low incomes. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel hasn't stated any intention to expand USF contributions to Big Tech. Separately, she rejected calls to impose Universal Service fees on broadband, leaving phone service as the only source of USF revenue. The USTelecom filing came in response to the FCC asking for input on its latest analysis of competition in the communications marketplace. USTelecom says the USF is relevant to the proceeding because "the Universal Service Fund is critical for maintaining a competitive marketplace and an expanded contributions base is necessary to sustain the fund." No changes to the USF would be made in this proceeding, though USTelecom's comments could be addressed in the FCC's final report. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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This paper proposes renewable #energy-#powered and #Open #Radio #Access #Network (#Open #RAN)-based architecture for #5G #Fixed #Wireless #Access (#5G #FWA) serving #Low-#Density #and #Rural #Areas (#LDRAs) using three-level closed-loops. Open RAN is a new 5G RAN architecture allowing #Open #Central #Unit and #Open #Distributed #Unit to be distributed in virtualized environment. The first closed-loop distributes radio resources to Open RAN instances and slices at the edge cloud. The second closed-loop allocates radio resources to houses. The authors design a new energy model that leverages renewable energy. They jointly optimize #radio and #energy #resource #allocation in closed-loop 3. They formulate #ultra-#small and #small-#time #scale optimization problems that link closed-loops to maximize communication utility while minimizing energy costs. ----Anselme Ndikumana, Kim Nguyen, Mohamed Cheriet, P.Eng, PhD, Fellow CAE EIC EC IAPR More details can be found at this link: https://lnkd.in/eeEMQErX

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