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AMPLIFIER World’s first wideband operation of 4G, 5G and beyond 5G/6G systems with single GaN power amplifier achieved

From Mitshubishi Electric Corporation (Press release) Reading Time: 2 min

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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.
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.
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.
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.

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