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5G Americas explores the future opportunity of precision timing in 5G networks and how they are beginning to tackle some of the most challenging basic requirements of time-critical services. Compared with satellite-based precision that forms the basis for so many timing systems, 5G networks offer a unique capability: providing indoor coverage at micro-second level precision and wireless timing delivery.

In contrast, a 5G New Radio (NR) network based on an O-RAN structure is constructed with hardware and software from many different vendors. For the hardware and software to work together, networks require a set of standards for all vendors to meet, including component performance requirements for the network's electrical, mechanical, and environmental operating limits, such as amplifier gain stability with temperature for specified frequency, temperature, and humidity ranges.

Over the decades, the RAN has been subject to ongoing technological progression (to improve the quality of service, raise data rates, support new applications, etc.) through enhancements being made at regular intervals. The majority of these have (relatively speaking at least) been fairly subtle. Looking ahead, these kind of incremental alterations are no longer going to be enough. What is called for, instead, is dramatic and decisive disruption of the RAN at its very foundations.

Probe stations allow a user to position electrical, optical or RF probes on a silicon wafer and connect them to a Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) so that the device can be tested. Using high-end cabling in a probe station is crucial: cables must be low loss, lightweight and both phase and amplitude stable against temperature, flexure and vibration. Learn how cable manufacturers are optimizing for high frequency 5G applications.

Just last week, 3GPP completed 5G NR Release 16 — the second 5G standard that will greatly expand the reach of 5G to new services, spectrum, and deployments. This is a major milestone for the entire mobile and broader vertical ecosystem, as this new set of 5G specifications unlocks many new 5G opportunities beyond the traditional mobile broadband services.