The arrival of 4G feels like just yesterday, yet 5G is already on the horizon. According to the 3GPP roadmap, large-scale testing and deployment of 5G are expected to begin as early as 2019. That means in less than a year, we will start experiencing the new possibilities that 5G brings. However, the significance of 5G goes far beyond faster speeds or improved mobile broadband. Its core mission is to connect new industries and enable innovative services—such as industrial automation, large-scale Internet of Things (IoT), smart homes, and autonomous driving. These emerging applications demand a network that is more reliable, low-latency, widely covered, and highly secure. As different sectors evolve, they require a **new, flexible, efficient, and scalable network**—and this is exactly what 5G is designed to deliver.
As a next-generation cellular network, the 5G network is built on the 5G NR (New Radio) unified air interface. It is designed to meet the growing global connectivity needs for the next decade and beyond. 5G NR technology supports a wide range of devices, services, and deployments, and it leverages all available frequency bands and spectrum. This makes it highly adaptable to diverse use cases.
Designing 5G NR is no small task. It wouldn't make sense to build it from scratch. Instead, 5G will be based on 4G LTE, leveraging and innovating upon existing technologies. Qualcomm believes there are three key technologies essential to building 5G NR: 1. Optimized OFDM-based waveforms and multiple access, 2. A flexible framework design, and 3. Advanced wireless technologies.
One of the most important decisions in 5G NR design was the adoption of OFDM-based waveform and multiple access techniques. OFDM is widely used in 4G LTE and Wi-Fi due to its scalability and efficiency. With high spectral efficiency and low complexity, it meets the demands of 5G well. The OFDM family enables enhancements such as better frequency localization through windowing or filtering, higher multiplexing efficiency between users, and single-carrier OFDM waveforms for energy-efficient uplink transmission.
OFDM has several advantages:
- Low complexity: Compatible with low-cost receivers like those in mobile devices.
- High spectral efficiency: Can efficiently use MIMO to boost data rates.
- Low power consumption: Single-carrier waveforms improve energy efficiency.
- Frequency localization: Windowing and filtering reduce interference.
However, the OFDM system also needs innovation to meet 5G requirements. For example, 5G NR introduces a scalable OFDM numerology with variable subcarrier spacing. This allows support for different spectrum types and deployment methods, including millimeter waves and unlicensed bands. This flexibility ensures that 5G can operate across a wide range of frequencies while maintaining performance and reducing complexity.
Another key improvement is the use of OFDM windowing to enhance multiplexing efficiency. This helps manage the massive number of connected IoT devices by minimizing interference. Techniques like CP-OFDM (Cyclic Prefix OFDM) have proven effective in improving frequency localization and are now widely used in LTE systems.
A flexible frame design is also crucial. 5G NR’s framework can scale Transmission Time Intervals (TTI) to meet varying service demands. For instance, latency-sensitive applications can use shorter TTIs, while others can use longer ones. This adaptability improves overall network efficiency and user experience.
Self-contained integrated subframes are another innovation that reduces latency. By including both data transmission and acknowledgment within one subframe, 5G can significantly cut down delays. This modular approach also supports future services and forward compatibility.
In terms of wireless technologies, 5G builds on LTE advancements like Massive MIMO, which uses many antennas to boost capacity and coverage. Millimeter waves (mmWave) offer ultra-fast speeds but come with challenges like signal blockage. However, improvements in beamforming and antenna design help overcome these issues. Spectrum sharing techniques further expand 5G’s reach by allowing both licensed and unlicensed bands to be used efficiently.
Advanced channel coding, such as LDPC, enhances data transmission reliability and speed. Compared to LTE Turbo, LDPC offers better performance and is easier to decode in parallel, making it ideal for 5G.
In summary, 5G isn’t an overnight invention—it’s built on deep research and the evolution of existing technologies. While 4G continues to mature, 5G is being developed in parallel. With 3GPP’s Release 15 expected in 2018, large-scale commercial deployment of 5G is set to begin in 2019. As a leader in mobile communications, we are actively working to bring 5G to life, ensuring it unlocks new opportunities and transforms the way we connect and communicate.
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