New Solution Manipulates mmWave Signals

March 15, 2019

By amplifying and moving signals around, this solution is able to conquer the challenges associated with millimeter-wave 5G.

One company with a clear focus on 5G communications is Movandi, which recently announced its BeamXR solution (see figure). The firm asserts that BeamXR is intended to solve today’s real-world 5G deployment challenges, as it addresses factors like non-line-of-sight, high path loss, and self-installation. According to the company, utilizing BeamXR can result in extended indoor and outdoor coverage, while maintaining very low latency. Movandi had already developed its RF front-end solution, known as BeamX.

The BeamXR solution is intended to overcome the obstacles associated with millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequencies and accelerate large-scale 5G commercialization. “We’re trying to be impactful beyond trying to make a device that’s powerful,” says Maryam Rofougaran, Movandi’s co-CEO/COO. “Your base stations can have the highest output power and your devices can have the highest output power and highest performance, but this won’t solve the issues surrounding coverage and the challenges generally associated with mmWave frequencies. It can be very challenging if you have a building in front of the base station, if you have trees, or if you have windows that have more loss.

“Some of these challenges have been experienced during trials and initial deployments. And while operators are now convinced that mmWave 5G is possible, there are still things that have to be improved.”

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The BeamXR solution makes it possible to boost or bend millimeter-wave signals so that they can either penetrate or go around buildings.

To address the mmWave challenges mentioned, Movandi developed the BeamXR solution. “The BeamXR system is an affordable way of trying to address the challenges associated with line-of-sight and penetration,” says Rofougaran. “For example, let’s say a base station is trying to connect with a device inside a building and you’re trying to get through a window that’s more lossy or a wall. With BeamXR, you basically can enable that.

“Or if you have buildings that are blocking the base-station signals, BeamXR can be sitting on a pole outside and ensure that the signals go around the building. You’re basically maximizing the coverage of the cell in an affordable way. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to be able to get the coverage within a cell. When you want to come inside the building, you can actually use this device.”

Rofougaran adds, “BeamXR is utilizing the front end we have developed—but it’s more than that. It’s a system that can take a signal, amplify it, and at the same time, move the signal around or make the beam wide enough to be able to get the coverage within the building. Or you can actually have multiple devices and reach different rooms and cover the whole building.”

Rofougaran sums it up with these words, “The main concept is to make 5G more possible and get it everywhere.”