The team proposes harnessing the latest wireless network and cognitive radio techniques to enable frequencies to be shared intelligently ‘on demand’. This, the researchers say, would be a significant departure from 4G, where frequencies were auctioned for exclusive use.
In order to support things like UHD video and virtual reality (VR) on mobile phones, much higher frequencies will be needed. Although there is more bandwidth available, higher frequency ranges could become very ‘crowded’. This means the only future-proof solution is to share, the team continues.
Professor Maziar Nekovee, head of engineering and design at the University of Sussex, said: “Millimetre-wave frequencies are already used for satellites, military applications, radio astronomy and mobile backhaul. Using the same approach for 5G as we did for 4G would be hugely wasteful of a precious resource and could cause problems for existing users of these ultra frequencies.”
Professor Nekovee – previously head of 5G research at Samsung – believes that entertainment is likely to be the first major beneficiary. “5G phase one is really focused on giving us ultra-fast mobile broadband. With technologies like VR and augmented reality (AR) racing ahead, we really need 5G in order for our infrastructure to catch up”
The research team is now planning a series of projects looking at future applications for 5G, such as robotics and self-driving vehicles.