To date, primary humans communicate via the wireless radio network. In the cellular network of the fifth generation (5G), however, also cars, devices and production machines shall transmit data in real time. In the future, these high data rates will be covered by frequency bands in the millimeter wave range (>24GHz). They provide a ten times higher band width in comparison to currently available frequencybands (< 3 GHz) and have now been released internationally to significantly increase the bandwidth range.
Yet, these new frequency ranges cannot be served efficiently with present mobile and antenna technology. “Therefore, it is necessary to improve the available output power and energy-efficiency of the net infrastructure for these innovative frequency bands, through the use of advanced gallium nitride technology”, says Dr. Dirk Schwantuschke, who is managing the project on the part of the Fraunhofer IAF. In the project 5G GaN2 components, parts and circuits for the 5G base stations will be developed on the basis of gallium nitride (GaN). “The contribution of the Fraunhofer IAF to the overall project will be the development of power amplifiers in E-band, the frequency range around 80 GHz”, explains Schwantuschke.
Aim of the project is the realization of demonstrators at 28 GHz, 38 GHz and 80 GHz. These demonstrators shall serve as key technologies for the development of a powerful and energy-efficient 5G cellular network based on GaN. ECSEL, an initiative of the European Commission, promotes the three-year joint project, consisting out of 17 project partners from seven countries. ECSEL supports development, research and innovation in the field of electronics, by bringing various partners from industry, research and public sphere together.
The consortium of the project includes, besides the Fraunhofer IAF, the complete value chain of the mobile phone technology: wafer suppliers, semiconductor manufacturers and system integrators develop together with universities and research institutes innovative GaN based technologies for the cellular network of the fifth Generation.
