Mohammad Afaneh

🔹Giga-MIMO in 6G 🔹Giga-MIMO is a solution set that compensates for the challenging signal propagation properties in the upper mid band, which starts from 7 GHz up to 16 GHz. 🔹Giga-MIMO base stations will support more than a thousand antenna elements with hybrid beamforming, new RF front-end design, and enhanced mechanical design to mitigate integration and thermal challenges. 🔹Qualcomm’s prototype Giga-MIMO system supports mobile communications in the 13 GHz band with 4,096 antenna elements and 256 digital chains in a form factor comparable to 5G base stations. 🔹The Giga-MIMO prototype is currently being tested in lab facilities, and will soon be used in over-the-air testing at the company’s California headquarters. 🔹The 16x increase in antenna elements as compared to many massive MIMO systems brings with it a significant beamforming gain with the same total conducted base station power. 🔹This means it will be possible to co-site 6G Giga-MIMO with 5G massive MIMO to achieve similar wide-area coverage. 🔹Devices in the Giga-MIMO system will support new high efficiency and high power front-end designs and more transmit receive chains for enhanced coverage and capacity. 🔹A comprehensive system simulation showed that the upper mid band network can achieve significantly improved system throughput thanks to the wider bandwidth and enhanced MIMO capabilities. 🔹Giga-MIMO will become an essential innovation to unlock the upper mid band spectrum leading the path to 6G. 🔹Giga-MIMO will bring many benefits to the mobile networks of the future, including much higher capacity with wide area coverage, better positioning accuracy, and RF sensing capabilities. 📷 Image and Information Source: Qualcomm #6G

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Open RAN is dead. I remember Malik Kamal Saadi and I were discussing and predicting that Tier-1 vendors would eventually get involved in Open RAN and perhaps act as integrators or even suppliers of open infrastructure themselves. But we could not have predicted that they would kill momentum behind Open RAN. I also remember many discussions that focused on the fact that open interfaces do not create revenues but can only reduce costs or diversify supply chains. The white knight of Open RAN was RIC and SMO, which could, for example, orchestrate slicing and create new applications. But in 2025, Ericsson EIAP and Nokia MantaRay dominate network activities, VMware is shutting down its RIC/SMO products and Juniper Networks has yet to announce a second RIC deal. Safe to say that Open RAN will not meet its initial promise, but will morph to something else, likely dominated by Tier-1 vendors. Perhaps interest will shift to the AI RAN alliance and AI will dominate all discussions.

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✍️ Main MW Components and Their Functions: 📡 1. MW Antenna (Microwave Antenna) The Microwave (MW) Antenna is one of the most crucial components in a telecom microwave link. It is responsible for transmitting and receiving high-frequency microwave signals between two telecom sites — usually tower-to-tower— forming the backbone of wireless backhaul networks. 👉Type: Parabolic dish (0.3m, 0.6m, 1.2m, 1.8) — size depends on link distance and frequency band. Key Points: Installed on tower with precise azimuth and elevation as per link plan. Works on line-of-sight (LOS) principle — no obstacle between sites. Connected to the ODU through a short waveguide or RF jumper. ✍️ 2. ODU (Outdoor Unit) Purpose: Converts baseband/IF signals from the IDU into high-frequency microwave signals for transmission (and vice versa). Installed Location: Near the MW antenna on the tower. Key Points: Connected to antenna via waveguide or flexible RF cable. Connected to IDU via IF cable (Intermediate Frequency cable). Powered by –48V DC (either directly or via RTN). Must be grounded and weatherproofed properly. ✍️3. IDU (Indoor Unit) Acts as the brain of the MW system — handles modulation, demodulation, signal processing, and network interface. Installed Location: Inside shelter or equipment room. Key Points: Connects to ODU via IF cable. Connects to RTN or router for Ethernet/data transmission. Provides performance monitoring, configuration, and alarms. Powered by –48V DC through DCDU. ✍️ 4. RTN (Radio Transmission Network) Huawei’s series of microwave transmission equipment (like RTN 905, RTN 910, RTN 950). Key Functions: Integrates IDU + ODU system for MW transmission. Supports multiple interfaces (Ethernet, E1, STM, Optical). Provides high-capacity IP backhaul for BTS sites. Configuration is done through WebLCT or U2000 software. ✍️5. DCDU (DC Distribution Unit) Distributes –48V DC power from the rectifier system to telecom equipment (like BBU, IDU, RTN, MW, etc.). Key Points: Installed inside the shelter/rack. Has multiple fused outputs for each device. Provides voltage protection and circuit isolation. Each output has fuse rating (e.g., 10A, 15A) as per load requirement

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The Frequency-Coverage Dilemma: What Every RF Engineer Must Know! 🔹 Why does 700 MHz provide superior coverage while 2600 MHz struggles with range? 🔹 How do RF engineers optimize networks for both coverage & capacity. ✅ Lower frequencies = Greater coverage, better penetration. ✅ Higher frequencies = More capacity, but shorter range. But the real question is WHY? Let’s break it down. 🔍 The Science Behind Frequency & Coverage Radio frequency waves behave differently depending on their wavelength: 🔹 Low-frequency bands (700 MHz, 900 MHz) → Longer wavelength, less attenuation, excellent for wide-area coverage & deep indoor penetration. 🔹 Mid-band frequencies (1800 MHz, 2100 MHz) → A balance between coverage and capacity, commonly used in urban deployments. 🔹 High-frequency bands (2600 MHz, mmWave 5G at 24-100 GHz) → Short wavelength, higher data rates, but severe signal loss over distance & obstacles. This is why 5G mmWave struggles with range, while 700 MHz can penetrate buildings effortlessly. 📶 Real-World Applications – Where Each Band Wins 📌 Rural & suburban areas → Lower frequencies (e.g., 700 MHz) travel further, requiring fewer towers for coverage. 📌 Urban networks → Mid-band (e.g., 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz) balances speed & range. 📌 Dense city centers & stadiums → High-band 5G mmWave (e.g., 26 GHz) delivers ultra-fast speeds, but requires small cells & beamforming to maintain connectivity. 📌 Wi-Fi networks → 2.4 GHz covers larger areas, while 5 GHz provides higher speeds but struggles with obstacles. ⚡ The RF Engineer’s Balancing Act Network planning is a trade-off—optimize for coverage, capacity, or a mix of both. 🔎 A low-frequency 700 MHz signal may provide great coverage, but won’t support high data speeds. 🔎 A high-frequency 2600 MHz signal delivers faster speeds, but struggles with range and indoor penetration. 🔎 That’s why 5G networks combine low, mid, and high bands—to provide seamless connectivity everywhere.

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📡 Stable Spectrum, Weak DTR — Why It Happens In satellite operations we often rely on two instruments side by side: • Spectrum Analyzer → measures power and shows us a “picture” of the carrier. • Digital Tracking Receiver (DTR) → measures quality, Eb/N0, MER, lock status. Sometimes the spectrum trace looks perfect — clean, stable, strong. Yet the DTR reports low quality or refuses to lock. This isn’t a contradiction, it’s two different perspectives on the same signal. Here are the most frequent reasons: 1. Parameter mismatch Wrong symbol rate, roll off, FEC, or pilot settings. The DTR must exactly match the carrier’s transmission plan. 2. Polarization error The spectrum shows total power, but if you are slightly off in polarization the wanted carrier power drops into the noise floor inside the DTR. 3. Level issues at the DTR input Too hot → front end compression. Too low → reduced CNR. Both cases still “look fine” on the spectrum. 4. Hidden interference A wide-span spectrum can mask narrowband interferers or in-band spurs. The demodulator, however, is very sensitive to them. 5. Oscillator instability LO drift, phase noise, or frequency offsets affect the demodulator more than the spectrum view. 6. Hardware path differences Splitters, attenuators, jumpers, and connectors can add ripple or imbalance that hurts quality but not total power. 👉 Key takeaway: The spectrum analyzer shows amplitude, the DTR reveals usability. Always cross-check both before concluding link health. Have you run into a case where spectrum looked fine but the DTR refused to lock? What was the actual culprit?

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Announcing the second edition of "An Introduction to 5G". Expanded and updated for 3GPP Release 18, with new chapters on: The foundations of 5G-Advanced, including non-terrestrial networks, multicast/broadcast services, wireless backhauling, unlicensed spectrum, and artificial intelligence and machine learning The Internet of Things, including time-sensitive communications, non-public networks, edge computing, and massive machine-type communications Device-to-device communications on the 5G sidelink, in support of vehicle, aircraft and proximity-based services The new features being introduced in 3GPP Release 19, and the expected applications, technologies and performance capabilities of 6G Available soon.

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Breaking New Ground in High-Voltage Testing! According to IEEE C37.09, Clause 4.6, table 1 single-phase or three-phase test duties for short-circuit current tests, the standard operating duty test sequence for short-circuit current tests should be O–0.3s–CO–180s–CO. But Sieyuan Electric has successfully completed China’s first-ever 245kV/50kA/60Hz/T100s(b) Od-0.3s-CdOs-15s-CdOs special operation sequence synthetic test, exceeding the requirements of the IEEE standard and verified by the State Grid Electric Power Research Institute (CEPRI). This accomplishment not only demonstrates Sieyuan’s mastery of complex synthetic testing under IEEE standards, but also reflects our commitment to surpassing international benchmarks through innovation, precision, and engineering excellence. Stay tuned as Sieyuan Electric continues to power global innovation in high-voltage solutions.

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UK #mmWave #Spectrum Auction – Principal Stage Complete #Ofcom has concluded the Principal stage of its mmWave spectrum auction, releasing 5.4 GHz of spectrum across the 26 GHz and 40 GHz bands - the largest spectrum release in UK auction history. 🔹Technical Highlights: 🔹Operators: EE, O2, VodafoneThree Spectrum Won by Each Operator: ✔️800 MHz each in the 26 GHz band ✔️ 1 GHz each in the 40 GHz band 💡Total Revenue: £39 million committed, heading to HM Treasury ✔️ Deployment Scope: Main towns and cities across the UK 📶 Why mmWave matters: High-frequency bands (short ~10mm wavelengths) enable multi-Gbps throughput, ultra-low latency, and massive capacity — ideal for dense environments like #stadiums, transport hubs, and urban hotspots. Supports advanced 5G use cases: 🔹 Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) 🔹 Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) 🔹 Private 5G networks 🔹 Industrial automation and edge computing 📱 Device Ecosystem: Most flagship handsets (#Samsung, #Apple, #OnePlus, etc.) already support UK 26 GHz bands, enabling immediate consumer benefit once networks go live. This auction marks a pivotal step in densifying #5G infrastructure and unlocking mmWave’s full potential in the UK. #5G #mmWave #SpectrumAuction #Telecom # #RAN #UKTech #eMBB #FWA #PrivateNetworks #Ofcom #NetworkSlicing

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Microwave Link Configuration 1+0 Definition: A single transceiver and antenna are used for transmission and reception without redundancy. Use Case: Suitable for applications where no backup is required and cost is a constraint. 2x(1+0) Definition: Two independent 1+0 links are used in parallel to provide higher capacity or for separate services. Use Case: Used for capacity enhancement or segregation of traffic. 1+1 HSB (Hot Standby) Definition: Two transceivers and antennas are configured on the same frequency (f1), with one acting as the active link and the other as a standby link. The standby link activates in case of failure. Use Case: Provides redundancy with automatic switchover for critical systems. 1+1 FD (Frequency Diversity) Definition: Two transceivers operate simultaneously on different frequencies (f1 and f2) for redundancy. If one frequency fails, the other continues operation. Use Case: Used in areas with high interference or fading conditions. 1+1 SD (Space Diversity) Definition: Two antennas at different physical locations (to mitigate multipath fading) transmit and receive on the same frequency (f1). Both antennas feed the same transceiver. Use Case: Ideal for environments prone to fading caused by terrain or obstructions. XPIC (Cross-Polarization Interference Cancellation) Definition: Two transceivers operate on the same frequency (f1), but each uses a different polarization (horizontal or vertical). The interference is canceled out electronically. Use Case: Maximizes capacity in a single frequency channel using polarization multiplexing. N+1 Definition: N working transceivers operate on distinct frequencies (f1, f2, ..., fn), with one additional transceiver serving as a protection unit. The protection unit takes over in case of any working transceiver failure. Use Case: Commonly used in multi-channel links to ensure service continuity with minimal redundancy cost.

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How should future 6G base stations be designed to efficiently utilize the fragmented upper mid-band spectrum (7–24 GHz)? With multiple sub-bands spread across this range, the challenge lies in balancing spectral efficiency and energy consumption, particularly considering the impact of RF components in different architectural solutions. In our latest research, we explore hybrid MIMO architectures for FR3 and address key design questions: 🔹 Should 6G base stations integrate all sub-bands or dynamically partition frequency resources? 🔹 Can hybrid analog-digital (HAD) solutions provide near-digital performance while reducing power consumption? 🔹 How do RF chain configurations influence the trade-off between efficiency and energy use? Our findings show that shared RF (SRF) architectures can reduce power consumption by nearly 50% compared to dedicated RF (DRF) chains, while maintaining comparable spectral efficiency. However, fully digital (FD) architectures offer the highest efficiency—but at a significant power cost. Curious about how these trade-offs will shape 6G network design? Check out our full paper here: https://lnkd.in/dHNuycK7 A big thank you to my colleagues Ahmed Alkhateeb Umberto Spagnolini #6G #MIMO #WirelessNetworks #UpperMidBand #Polimi #ASU CommTech@PoliMi

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I just published and released the Signals Research Group - SRG first “5G Advanced” benchmark study with a particular focus on reduced capability (RedCap). I used quotes around 5G Advanced because when 3GPP first started standardizing Release 15, they weren’t willing to call the new technology 5G until March 2017 (RAN#75 Plenary). They held the initial 5G workshop 1.5 years earlier in September 2015. There was, of course, no mention of introducing the Advanced appendage to signify progress on what remains, in my view, 5G, albeit with a few more bells and whistles. But I digress… For this study, I tested RedCap in the T-Mobile commercial 5G SA network, along with eMBB (Samsung Electronics Galaxy S23 locked to 5G), LTE (Galaxy S23 locked to LTE), and LTE Cat 4. The tests focused on the performance attributes associated with a USB dongle – the form factor of the RedCap and LTE Cat 4 solutions. I have plans to test other features that are typically associated with the RedCap use case once those devices are commercially available and the network supports the functionality. As T-Mobile noted to me in a pre-brief late last week, it is using the dongle as a sort of trial balloon to work out whatever kinks exist with RedCap before moving on to wearables, sensors, etc. Suffice it to say that RedCap underwhelms when it comes to performance relative to 5G eMBB – not exactly a shocker given this outcome was expected from day one. I, however, was able to quantify the performance gaps and similarities with 5G eMBB, LTE and LTE Cat 4. The good news is that IF RedCap is used as intended (modest uplink traffic with minimal downlink traffic) then it offers a meaningful improvement over LTE Cat 4 – the use case it was intended to replace. It just needs to be less expensive and extend the battery life to target thresholds – something I have not yet quantified. A special thanks to Accuver (XCAL5 and XCAP) and Spirent Communications (Umetrix Data) for their continued support in these types of studies. You can access the report preview via this post or do it the hard way and get it from the SRG website (https://lnkd.in/gQnmzjUD) – registration is required.

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