Researchers are making efforts to create new antennas that offer the speed of 5G networks but use only ten percent of the energy than current systems.
At a time when 5G networks require more energy than previous generations and each base station consumes as much energy as 73 U.S. households, a high network that consumes much less energy could be a cost-effective and profitable solution for all.
Funded by the U.S. Army, researchers at the University of Notre Dame are making efforts to offer a solution with much less energy consumption as the rollout of 5G technology has come with a steep energy cost.
New low-power antenna
Researchers revealed that the new low-power antenna is a type of millimeter-wave gradient index (GRIN) lens antenna. Although GRIN lenses have existed for over a century, the idea of developing a GRIN lens antenna for 5G networks once seemed far-fetched to most researchers in the field of wireless technology.
“Right now, a large portion of the cost to operate a cellular network is for electricity. If you look at a cell tower, you can see why: It uses a different antenna for each band, and these rely on active, powered chips,” said Jonathan Chisum, an associate professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering.
“Our initial idea was simple: What if we could design similar capabilities into just one very wideband antenna by letting the physics of materials do the work normally done by many power-hungry chips.”
Benjamin Davis, a doctoral student, holds a 3D-printed antenna component in the Microwave & Millimeter-wave Circuits and Systems lab in the College of Engineering.
Wideband beam steering
However, over the past eight years, Chisum and his lab have made groundbreaking discoveries in the fundamental science of wideband beam steering. These findings have allowed Chisum and his team to create one antenna that can operate over all the frequency bands for 5G, a feat once thought to be impossible, according to a press release by the University of Notre Dame.
The researchers highlighted that the antenna’s wideband, low-power capabilities make it especially useful to the U.S. Army. They maintained that the Army has to operate 5G networks all over the world, and 5G networks operate at different frequencies across the globe.
“Thus, a wideband solution like ours is an essential capability. And since it consumes very little power and is relatively small and lightweight, it can be integrated into a mobile platform,” said Chisum.
5G-on-the-move solution
The technology could provide a “5G-on-the-move” solution with improved efficiency, safety, and versatility after being implemented.
However, developing this new technology is the first step in integrating it into mobile networks for civilian use.
Researchers in Chisum’s lab create and refine digital models of the lens antenna using computer-aided design software.
To transition this technology from the lab into the field, Chisum’s lab has formed a team of industry partners. The team will include multiple leading vendors with expertise in wireless networks, antennas, and additive manufacturing uniquely suited to GRIN media, as per the release.
Prototype constructed layer-by-layer through a detailed, 100-hour process
Researchers also showcased an antenna prototype constructed layer-by-layer through a detailed, 100-hour process. Each antenna utilizes a 3D-printed dielectric material with a repeating pattern of gyroid cells.
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“The Cheshir Industries team is proud and excited to lead the lens and array design efforts for Notre Dame’s 5G-on-the-move antenna development program. This project represents not only an important step in advancing our nation’s wireless capabilities but also a major milestone in the commercialization and development of wideband GRIN antenna systems,” concluded Nicolas Garcia, CEO of Cheshir Industries.
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Prabhat Ranjan Mishra Prabhat, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, is a tech and defense journalist. While he enjoys writing on modern weapons and emerging tech, he has also reported on global politics and business. He has been previously associated with well-known media houses, including the International Business Times (Singapore Edition) and ANI.
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