X
Tech

MWC 2018: NTT DoCoMo and NEC trial 5G tech

NEC is trialling its massive-element active antenna base station system in partnership with NTT DoCoMo in order to improve 5G speeds and quality by reducing radio wave interference.
Written by Corinne Reichert, Contributor

NEC has announced ahead of Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2018 that it will be undertaking verification experiments alongside NTT DoCoMo on 5G wireless technologies at the Yokosuka Research Park and NEC's Tamagawa Plant.

According to NEC, this will involve coordinated control between distribution units (DUs) by using its low super-high frequency band -- between 3GHz and 6GHz -- massive-element active antenna system (AAS) base station system.

Used along with a centralised-radio access network (C-RAN) configuration, this allows a central unit (CU) to control several DUs, according to NEC.

"The CU exchanges information on terminals connected to different DUs between multiple DUs. DUs then form directional signals (beams) while performing coordination control between DUs," NEC explained.

"This greatly improves the throughput of terminals located near the boundary of DUs' communication ranges (cells) when compared to conventional throughput and achieves stable, high-quality communication regardless of location."

Read also: MWC 2018: Intel working on 5G PCs and phones

With 5G enabling more densely arranged cells, radio wave interference between DUs will be an issue causing reduced download speeds, NEC said. The experiments with NTT DoCoMo will test the improvements of this throughout suburbs and city centres.

"The quality of downstreaming is being measured by the presence or absence of coordination control between DUs in a state where multiple adjacent terminals are located near the communication range boundaries of two DUs that are connected to the CU and are in communication with each DU," NEC said, adding that with no coordination control, interference and slow speeds ensued.

When beams are formed through coordination between DUs, on the other hand, NEC said this improves quality and download throughput by up to 50 percent by decreasing radio wave interference.

"NEC is committed to contributing to the successful rollout of 5G in the near future, including these verification trials using the massive-element AAS base station system," NEC Wireless Network Development Division deputy GM Kenichi Ito said.

"We aim to continue driving the advancement of high-speed, large capacity communications and sophisticated service functions that contribute to services provided by telecommunications carriers."

NEC said it is planning to demonstrate its 5G system during MWC in Barcelona this week.

Following the standardisation of 5G NR specs in December, both NEC Corporation and NTT DoCoMo had announced the beginning of the full-scale development of 5G NR including large-scale trials and commercial deployment, along with Huawei, Ericsson, Intel, Nokia, Samsung, AT&T, BT, China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom, Deutsche Telekom, Fujitsu, KT Corporation, LG Electronics, LG Uplus, MediaTek, Orange, Qualcomm, SK Telecom, Sony Mobile Communications, Sprint, TIM, Telefonica, Telia Company, T-Mobile USA, Verizon, Vodafone, and ZTE.

NTT DoCoMo has also been involved in testing 5G with Ericsson.

MWC Coverage

MWC 2018: Intel and Huawei showcase 5G interoperability

Intel and Huawei will demonstrate the world's first 5G NR over-the-air interoperability trial using the latest 3GPP standards during MWC in Barcelona next week.

MWC 2018: Intel working on 5G PCs and phones

Intel has announced that it is working with Spreadtrum on producing a 5G phone and with Lenovo, Dell, HP, and Microsoft on producing 2-in-1 5G PCs to be ready by the second half of 2019.

LG to unveil camera-focused K8, K10 smartphones at MWC

LG Electronics will unveil new versions of its mid-tier smartphones with additional camera features at next week's Mobile World Congress.

Qualcomm, Microsoft 'Always Connected' PCs to hit store shelves

The companies have announced the soon-to-be availability of the new concept mobile devices worldwide.

Why MWC is all business now (TechRepublic)

With mobile devices mired in the age of incremental, Larry Dignan and Jason Hiner highlight the business technology trends to watch at MWC 2018.

Samsung's Galaxy S9: Everything we know so far

Samsung will announce the Galaxy S9 at MWC in just a few days. Here's everything we currently know about the upcoming smartphone.

Mobile device computing policy (Tech Pro Research)

Mobile devices offer convenience and flexibility for the modern workforce, but they also bring associated risks and support issues. This policy establishes guidelines to help ensure safe and productive mobility.

Editorial standards