Nokia and NTT DOCOMO to perform 5G trials

Nokia Bell Labs and NTT DOCOMO have agreed to perform joint study and trials on 5G technology evolution using 90 GHz frequencies.

Nokia and NTT DOCOMO will continue to test these technologies in NTT DOCOMO’s research lab at the Yokosuka Research Park in Japan.

The widespread availability of applications such as real-time virtual and augmented reality video will enable new capabilities for both industries and consumers. Delivery will rely on ultra-responsive networks with massive wireless capacity in dense deployment scenarios.

At the Brooklyn 5G Summit, Nokia, supported by NTT DOCOMO, will show two technology innovations being developed to address these demands.

The companies will apply a Nokia Bell Labs-developed compact mmWave phased-array antenna system scalable up to 256-elements using an integrated circuit (RFIC) solution in the 90 GHz frequency band to enable multi-gigabit per second speeds. The test will demonstrate how using 5G New Radio (5G NR) enhancements at higher mmWave frequency bands can manage radio complexity and a larger number of antenna beams, while enabling greater bandwidth.

It will also show how using a larger number of antenna elements at higher frequency bands can minimize pathloss to enable coverage similar to that found using lower mmWave bands.

A joint demonstration will also show how dynamic offloading relocation in a 5G core will enable the low-latency networks required to support time critical mobile broadband applications for future automation and augmented reality.

Hiroshi Nakamura, EVP and CTO, NTT DOCOMO said, “These demonstrations at the Brooklyn 5G Summit build on a long collaboration with Nokia. Working together, we want to accelerate the evolution of 5G technologies especially towards pioneering higher frequency bands such as 90 GHz.”

Marcus Weldon, President, Nokia Bell Labs said, “At Bell Labs, we work with leading operators such as NTT DOCOMO to develop disruptive technologies that will redefine human existence. At the Brooklyn 5G Summit, we will show the world’s first RF solution that addresses the challenge of delivering optimized coverage for future mmWave frequencies, using a pioneering RFIC design that can be scaled to any array dimension and deliver optimized connectivity to any set of devices.”