Chris Pearson, President of 5G Americas – (January 2024) – As 2024 begins, the ever-changing landscape of telecommunications continues to move forward with new innovations and advancements. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) continues to be a beacon of progress with the emergence of new wireless communication standards and specifications in Release 17 and progress towards 5G-Advanced in Release 18. We’re happy to hear that 5G Americas has shared some of these exciting details with you. The new technology is described in the latest white paper (and abbreviated briefing paper) entitled 3GPP Tech Trends.
3GPP Release 17 is a key milestone in the evolution of 5G networks, introducing a series of enhancements that not only improve the functionality of existing applications but also prepare for the transition to 5G-Advanced. These improvements are multifaceted and include a wide range of technological advances. They include:
- Multiple input multiple output (MIMO) Significant enhancements have been made, including a unified transmit configuration indicator framework and multi-send receive point transmissions.
- Improved uplink coverage This is achieved through advanced techniques such as enhanced repetition, time-domain bundling of demodulated reference signals, and distribution of uplink data transport blocks across multiple slots.
- Enhancement of sidelink communication We have introduced new features including power saving measures, improved reliability, and support for relay operation.
- Additional support for non-terrestrial networksIn particular, it addresses challenges such as long propagation delays and large Doppler effects that are prevalent in networks such as low Earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary earth orbit (GEO).
One of the innovative aspects of Release 17 is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into 5G-based wireless networks. This integration represents a paradigm shift in how network data is operated and managed, enhancing network intelligence and efficiency in a number of ways. Network energy conservation is a key focus, and strategic cell activation and deactivation along with traffic offloading play a key role in reducing overall network energy consumption. Load balancing techniques implemented by AI/ML also address the persistent challenge of network congestion through ways to fairly distribute traffic across cells, carriers, and various radio access technologies (RATs). , maintain network integrity and prevent bottlenecks at high traffic. region.
Additionally, AI/ML-powered mobility management solutions can optimize dual connectivity, cell handover optimization (CHO), and dynamic antenna point selection (DAPS) while eliminating issues such as dropped calls and radio link failures. Developed to minimize These solutions enhance network mobility management and ensure seamless service continuity and optimal performance.
Starting with Release 18, 5G-Advanced, the natural successor to 5G, heralds significant advances in connectivity. This not only promises faster data speeds, lower latency, and ultra-reliability, but also opens up countless opportunities that have the potential to transform industries, consumer experiences, and the broader ecosystem. A key element of 5G advancement is the potential to power the metaverse and augmented reality (XR). It represents a leap forward into immersive digital experiences beyond the limitations of the physical world, offering new avenues for social interaction, healthcare, education, gaming, industrial operations, and the virtual economy.
Additionally, Reduced Capability (RedCap) devices, first introduced in Release 17, will see further enhancements in 5G-Advanced. These devices, including wearables, industrial wireless sensors, and technologies for smart grids, will become more feature-rich and versatile with improved support for a variety of applications.
The concept of Integrated Communication and Sensing (ICAS) is another breakthrough aspect of 5G-Advanced. ICAS extends the capabilities of cellular networks from just communication to include sensing capabilities, allowing the network to effectively ‘see’ and ‘feel’ its surroundings. This integration will deliver innovative services by merging the physical and digital worlds, with major implications for both industry and consumers.
Ambient IoT represents another innovative category of 5G advanced that relies solely on harvested environmental energy. This approach ensures cost-effectiveness and simplicity, eliminates the need for battery replacement, and reduces maintenance burden. Ambient IoT enables numerous applications across a variety of fields, including smart agriculture, urban planning, and inventory management.
5G Americas continues to advocate for the expansion of mobile wireless spectrum for the Americas, and one very important area of 5G-Advanced concerns the use of the FR3 spectrum band ranging from 7.125 GHz to 24.25 GHz. , which brings its own set of challenges. This includes issues such as propagation losses and the need for innovative transceiver designs. However, 3GPP addresses these challenges with several features, including:
- Using Gigantic MIMO can help. This approach scales up massive MIMO to provide greater beamforming gain and effectively reduce propagation losses in the FR3 band.
- Coexistence of 5G-Advanced and existing communication systems, especially those involving government agencies, require advanced interference management and suppression techniques. These technologies ensure that 5G-Advanced can work harmoniously with existing systems without causing interference.
Deployment in the FR3 spectrum will require new transceiver technologies such as advanced radio frequency (RF) filters, high-performance power amplifiers, and innovative antenna designs for both user equipment (UE) and next-generation node B (gNB). It may be necessary. These technologies are essential to ensure the successful deployment and operation of 5G-Advanced in new frequency bands. Of course, it is important that we continue our efforts to support the coordination and harmonization of the use of international frequency bands so that this use of his 5G-Advanced in his FR3 range can be widely adopted around the world.
Sustainability and energy efficiency are key focuses in the development of 5G and advanced networks. Our recent 5G Americas White Paper, Energy Efficiency and Sustainability in Mobile Communications Networks, explores how wireless carriers are using 3GPP to better manage their network energy requirements and help combat climate change. We’re looking into how we use indigenous technology. New technologies and features such as sleep mode optimization and dynamic transmit power adjustment demonstrate his 3GPP efforts to promote resource-efficient and sustainable mobile communication systems in line with global environmental goals.
Furthermore, optimization of gNB (gNodeB) sleep mode and adaptation of downlink common signal and broadcast signal transmission patterns significantly contribute to reducing energy consumption, especially in low-traffic areas. This approach not only improves network efficiency, but also aligns with broader goals of environmental sustainability. The implementation of uplink wake-up signals (WUS) is another step to reduce the energy consumption of gNBs. By minimizing the duration of a gNB’s active state and forcing it to exit low-power modes only when necessary, WUS saves energy and optimizes network operation.
Furthermore, dynamic transmit power adjustment and multi-carrier energy saving techniques and dynamic UE group Pcell switching and bandwidth adaptation improve the energy efficiency of the entire network. These measures are critical to building a sustainable and efficient network ecosystem in line with the growing global focus on environmental protection and sustainability.
Overall, the advances brought about by 3GPP Releases 17 and 18 and the transition to 5G-Advanced represent a major step forward in the area of connectivity. From enabling the metaverse to driving the growth of ambient IoT, these developments are reshaping the way we interact with technology and paving the way for a more connected and efficient world. As we embrace these changes, we now stand on the threshold of a new era of connectivity that promises to be more dynamic, immersive, and transformative than ever before. The dawn of 5G advancement is upon us all.
-Chris
