In order for data to be transmitted from the core network to the base station, and from base station to remote radio heads, mobile networks require high-bandwidth backhaul and fronthaul. Here, Fraunhofer IIS offers a baseband solution for transmission rates of 10 Gbit/s, with an RF bandwidth of 2 GHz – specially designed for frequencies in the 70/80 GHz spectrum (E-band millimeter wave).
Private media users also stand to benefit from the new data transmission concepts offered by 5G. In future, mm-wave relay networks will improve wireless coverage inside buildings and vehicles. Fraunhofer IIS has developed SUDAS especially for this purpose. The concept uses distributed relay nodes as a virtual multiple antenna array system, which increases the available indoor data rate. With the broadcast mode FeMBMS (Further evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services), (live) videos, software updates or cacheable multimedia data can be efficiently transmitted to several users simultaneously. This way of distributing content takes the load off mobile networks, freeing up capacity for other applications. For this reason, Fraunhofer IIS is further developing the technical basis for integrating mobile broadband and broadcast in 5G.
In addition, Fraunhofer IIS is working on exceptionally accurate and reliable object positioning methods. These are suitable for diverse purposes – for example, to locate an emergency caller as soon as possible, and to hasten their rescue. Highly precise positioning information could also be leveraged to improve how mobile networks work. For example, it could be used to enhance the handoff process in new, highly heterogeneous networks – so users moving at high speeds (e.g. in a car or train) are handed over from cell to cell without a loss of signal.