Wireless has invaded every facet of our lives. We’re tied to our smartphones with its fast 4G coverage; we can’t live without a nearby Wi-Fi access point; we depend on Bluetooth for our cord-free audio; and the Internet of Things is exploding in the home and industry. Radios are everywhere. Living without wireless is like trying to live without electrical power—not pleasant.
And don’t look now, but more and better wireless is on the way. It offers many improvements and benefits over current systems. However, it’s also more complex than ever. The challenge for design engineers is how to make radios that will serve these new wireless technologies.
What’s Driving the New Wireless?
Some of main trends in wireless include:
- The ongoing introduction of new, advanced standards, with the prime example being the forthcoming 5G wireless standard.
- Maintaining 3G/4G compatibility in the cellular system while transitioning to 5G.
- The increased use of broadband modulation schemes like OFDM to achieve the higher data rates.
- The availability of more spectrum at the higher frequencies—new bands in the 3- to 6-GHz range as well as new millimeter bands from 24 to 40 GHz.
- The requirement of adding MIMO and agile beamforming. Though MIMO requires multiple radios/antennas, it delivers not only higher data rates but improved link reliability.
- The movement to multiple small cells instead of the lager macro base stations for each coverage area.
- The pressing need for lower power consumption, especially in small cells.
- Faster time-to-market.
- Lower cost.
- The continuing shortage of savvy RF design engineers.
These challenges can be addressed by identifying the right radio technology and products.