Role of Semiconductors in Power-Efficient 5G Base Stations
Published on : Wednesday 27-07-2022
Vikash Tiwari explains the breakthrough technology that will play an important role in the development of a tiny, highly power efficient GaN Power Amplifier Module for 5G base stations.
Mitsubishi Electric has developed a new technology that allows it to create a small, highly efficient GaN power amplifier module for 5G base stations.
Mitsubishi Electric India is a global leader that has developed new technology to create a Gallium Nitride (GaN) power amplifier module for 5G base stations. The matching circuit in the module uses the lowest amount of chip components which makes it possible to control high-quality signal output. It contributes to the development of 5G base stations that are both power-efficient and globally deployable.
Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (mMIMO) antennas are used by 5G base stations to create multiple radio-frequency beams for simultaneously connecting with other base stations and a large number of users at the same time. Since, the components are arranged so densely on the panel, each one has to be very small.
In the antenna, the power amplifier consumes the most energy. As a result of which it should be efficient in order to avoid problems with heat dissipation.
With the help of the Gallium Nitride power amplifier module, a combination of extra-high-power efficiency and compact (6mm by 10mm) footprint can be achieved. Below mentioned pointers elucidate how Mitsubishi Electric's new technology enables it:
Compact power amplifier modules for 5G base stations can be deployed more widely. Massive mMIMO antennas aren't used in 4G base stations. Power amplifiers use metal-foil transmission lines for their matching circuit. While this decreases power loss resulting in a high-efficiency operation, the transmission cables take up a huge space and make it hard to realise power-efficient base stations. This is where Mitsubishi Electric India's innovative technology makes a difference. In 5G power amplifiers, it eliminates the need for transmission lines. SMDs or Surface Mount Devices are used in the matching circuit of the new amplifier module. Capacitors and inductors are included under this. The company has efficiently decreased the size of the amplifier to just 1/90th of conventional power amplifiers by introducing a highly precise electromagnetic field analysis approach and adopting a one-of-its-kind technology to densely arrange SMDs.
What role does power efficiency play in 5G base station power consumption?
The usage of Surface Mount Devices (SMDs) for the matching circuit tends to reduce the size of the amplifier. However, because Surface Mount Devices (SMDs) have a high-power loss, it results in reduction of the power efficiency. In contrast, Mitsubishi Electric India's innovative technology builds a matching circuit using a minimal number of Surface Mount Devices (SMDs) (it's worth noting that Surface Mount Devices (SMDs) give the same electrical characteristics as metal-foil transmission lines).
In the 3.4-3.8GHz frequencies used for 5G communications, the resulting power amplifier module obtains a world-leading power efficiency rating of more than 43%.
Mitsubishi Electric Group operates on the corporate principle of creating a vibrant society by enhancing its services, creative power, and technologies. As a brand, Mitsubishi Electric has always believed in fostering technological innovation. This breakthrough technology will play an important role in the development of a tiny, highly power efficient GaN Power Amplifier Module for 5G base stations.
Vikash Tiwari is Deputy Manager Sales (HF & Opt.), Semiconductor and Devices, Mitsubishi Electric India Pvt Ltd.
