When it comes to mobile connectivity, 5G networks are at the forefront of the digital future. The rollout of 5G networks across the globe have ushered in a new definition of mobile connectivity and 5G antenna technology.
But, what is 5G? 5G is an umbrella term that encompasses a whole new array of networks, applications, and technologies. Essentially, 5G represents a standardization of emerging technologies into commercial products that offer faster speeds, throughput, and bandwidth.
As more and more industries and areas across the country become 5G ready, industrial IoT (Internet of Things) and other sectors such as education, transportation, and communication are all feeling the real-time impacts of this technology and rely on these faster 5G connections. If you’re ready to start upgrading your current systems to support 5G networks, Westward Sales is here to help. We offer a wide range of 5G antennas from some of the best names in the industry. Look through our inventory or give us a call today for a consultation to get started.
5G networks run on the same radio frequencies used to connect your phone, satellite communications, and Wi-Fi networks. However, it enables your devices and systems to go so much further. With 5G, it will be more possible for a person in a densely populated area, such as a college campus or football stadium, to connect with other devices or download data without lag. The connection will be faster as well and more reliable than ever before. In the commercial space, 5G technology can be utilized to increase efficiency, allow smart factories and production line systems to operate autonomously, and even manage themselves by identifying failures and faults in the system all on their own, making remote systems management easier than ever.
5G operates at a wide range of frequencies and thus, requires specific antennas for specific frequency bands. For example, the typical 5G antenna operates within a frequency range of 617 to 960 MHz and 1710 to 6000 MHz. 5G can operate at higher frequencies which, in essence, equates to faster download speeds. 5G mmWaves has frequencies up to 24 GHz. These frequencies can carry more data than long or mid-sized bands but are much more susceptible to interference from weather or dense structures. As time goes on, we will see 5GmmWaves roll out in major metropolitan areas where they can serve larger populations.
What makes 5G faster than 4G? In short, the answer is shorter frequencies. Shorter frequencies (millimeter waves between 30 GHz and 300 GHz), allow data to move much faster, in some cases up to 50 times faster than existing 4G networks. However, these shorter frequencies equate to a shorter range. The tradeoff for faster speeds will require more cell towers and cells to make up the difference. Another differentiator is 5G’s low latency rate. A latency rate is the delay between the sending and receiving information. Users are looking at a latency rate from 200 milliseconds (200 ms) for 4G, down to 1 millisecond (1 ms) with 5G. That is 200 times faster than ever before. The application potential of this expedient technology are truly endless, from simultaneous language translation to driverless cars.
MIMO stands for Multiple Input/Multiple Output (pronounced MY-MO). MIMO is the use of multiple receivers and transmitters to disseminate data for improved performance. Using MIMO technology allows for simultaneous streams of information to be sent, multiplying the data rate. Serial data streams can be divided into multiple data streams. In combination with 5G mobile networks, it’s not hard to imagine just how much data can be transmitted simultaneously. Plus, because the signals are each spaced accordingly, it minimizes the risk of signal fading or other factors and as a result, improves signal quality and reliability.
Another great advantage of 5G is that it can offer increased performance in agile beamforming. With specific 5G antennas, this technology can produce much narrower beams that can be directed at a more precise desired location. These highly focused beams can travel further and be concentrated to penetrate buildings or other obstacles that have in the past hindered connectivity performance.
Are you an IT professional ready to harness the power of 5G? Westward Sales is not just an IT distributor. We are experienced IT professionals and engineers with decades of experience in the industry and are here to help you to determine the best strategies and solutions to manage your networks, big or small. Whether you want to improve remote monitoring, ramp up big data utility, or keep a close eye on valuable assets, we are happy to offer our networking expertise. Our goal is to equip you with the right tools to solve even your toughest technical problems and we are here to offer expert insight into network design. Give us a call today for advice or for more information on 5G antennas or any of our product offerings.
