Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has announced it has developed what is believed to be the world’s first* gallium nitride (GaN) power amplifier that achieves a frequency range of 3,400 MHz using a single power amplifier, which the company has demonstrated can be used for 4G, 5G and Beyond 5G/6G communication systems operating at different frequencies in a single base station.
Mitsubishi Electric's new GaN power amplifier will help to realize radio-unit sharing and power-efficient base stations.
(Source: Fascino Crafts - stock.adobe.com)
The new amplifier from Mitsubishi is expected to enable the radio unit (transceiver) to be shared for different communication systems and lead to more power-efficient base stations. Technical details will be presented at the IEEE International Microwave Symposium 2023.
Image of the base-stations with before/after amplifiers.
(Source: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
Features
1) Novel frequency-compensated circuit achieves world’s first wideband operation
Frequency range expanded to 3,400 MHz, six times that of a power amplifier released by the company on January 12, 2017, thanks to a novel frequency-compensated circuit for switching communication modes according to the frequency
World’s first successful deployment of a single amplifier for 4G, 5G and Beyond 5G/6G communication systems operating at different frequencies
Expanded bandwidth covering diverse frequencies is expected to enable the base station's radio unit (transceiver) to be shared for multiple communication systems.
2) New amplifier using high-performance GaN reduces base-station power consumption
Amplifier uses high-performance GaN devices that achieve industry-leading power efficiency
Maximum power efficiency of 62 % in the frequency range of 3,400 MHz exceeds the level required for Beyond 5G/6G to realize power-efficient base stations
Comparison of conventional amplifier and new amplifier.
(Source: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
In order to advance wireless communications, 5G was launched in 2020 and the transition to Beyond 5G/6G is anticipated to start in around 2030. To enable a smooth transition to Beyond 5G/6G, base stations must be capable of supporting new communications infrastructure. Currently, power amplifiers are developed individually for specific frequency bands handled by each type of base station. For envisioned base stations, however, radio units will be shared to save space and lower maintenance/operation costs as well to accommodate ultra-wide bandwidth covering various frequency bands. In addition, Beyond 5G/6G requires 3/3 the highly dense arrangement of mMIMO antennas to enable massive simultaneous connections. Consequently, it is necessary to use components that are very small and power amplifiers that are very efficient in order to avoid problems with heat dissipation.
Follow us on LinkedIn
Have you enjoyed reading this article? Then follow us on LinkedIn and stay up-to-date with daily posts about the latest developments on the industry, products and applications, tools and software as well as research and development.
It goes without saying that we treat your personal data responsibly. Where we collect personal data from you, we process the data in compliance with the relevant data protection regulations. More detailed information is available in our privacy policy.
Consent to the use of data for advertising purposes
I consent to the use of my email address to send editorial newsletters by Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH, Rotebühlstr. 83-85, 70178 Stuttgart, Germany including all of its affiliates within the meaning of Section 15 et seq. AktG (‘Mesago’). I have viewed lists of each group of affiliates here for the Mesago. The content of the newsletter covers the products and services of all of the companies listed above including, for example, trade magazines and specialist books, events and exhibitions and event-related products and services, printed and digital media products and services such as additional (editorial) newsletters, competitions, lead campaigns, online and offline market research, technical web portals and e-learning courses. If my personal telephone number has also been collected, it may be used to send offers for the aforementioned products and services from the above companies, as well as for market research purposes. If I wish to access protected content online on portals of Mesago including its affiliates within the meaning of Section 15 et seq. AktG, I must register with additional data in order to access that content. In return for this free access to editorial content, my data may be used in line with this declaration of consent for the purposes described herein.
Right to withdraw consent
I am aware that I can withdraw this consent at any time with future effect. My withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing performed based on my consent before its withdrawal. If I wish to withdraw my consent, I can send an email to Mesago at privacy@mesago.com. If I no longer wish to receive individual newsletters to which I have subscribed, I can also click on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of a newsletter. I can find more information on my right to withdraw, how to exercise this right and the consequences of my withdrawal in the Privacy policyEditorial newsletters section.