5G will deliver more data to more devices with lower latency and higher consistency than previous-generation technologies. A large number of subscribers are anticipated to adopt the 5G network. To accommodate these users, there is a need for a larger bandwidth. Limited bandwidth is available in the mobile frequency spectrum (i.e., below mmWave band); hence, the mmWave band has been explored for a larger bandwidth. mmWave technology offers several advantages, such as high-speed data transfer (large bandwidth), high resolution, low interference (systems with high immunity to cramming), small form factor (small component sizes, such as smaller antenna dimensions), increased security, and cost-effectiveness; all these features make mmWave technology ideal for 5G network. For 5G, antennas are most likely to operate 24, 26, 28, 37, and 39 GHz as at high frequencies, the wavelengths are very short, allowing many antenna elements to be placed in a compact, highly directive aperture.
According to Sachin Garg, Associate Vice President, Semiconductor and Electronics at MarketsandMarkets, “mmWave is likely to play a key role to support the burgeoning mobile data traffic growth. High data transfer rate offered by this spectrum, the growing involvement of various telecom service providers, and favorable federal mandates are driving the market growth for this frequency band.”
5G chipset for mmWave
“RFICs are likely to play an integral role in the production and commercialization of consumer electronic devices, next-generation base stations, and other radio access products”, said Anand Shanker, senior analyst, Semiconductor and Electronics at MarketsandMarkets. It is developed to reinforce the overall performance of the 5G base station in terms of high efficiency and compact form factors. Advancements have been made in RF silicon that allow a large number of RF chains to be supported in large antenna arrays. RFICs play an important role in network infrastructure. RFIC chips are mainly used in small cells and macrocells. Also, they are used for enabling radio-based communication. Companies such as Qualcomm, Intel, Huawei, Samsung, Anokiwave, Qorvo, Broadcom, and Analog Devices are major companies developing chipsets and chipset-based products that find application in the 5G network infrastructure.
The 5G chipset market for mmWave is estimated at USD 0.4 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach USD 8.6 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 53.1% between 2020 and 2026. The market includes RFICs, mmWave ICs, and baseband ICs used in 5G devices and network infrastructure.
5G mmWave and massive MIMO
Massive MIMO antenna is anticipated to play a critical role in the 5G market. It is widely expected that massive MIMO will be a key enabler and foundational component of the fully functional 5G network. One of the key roles of any 5G network will be to handle the huge increase in data usage, and MIMO can address this requirement. The densely packed antenna arrays of 5G mmWave allow massive MIMO to be achieved with a small form factor. The large array gain overcomes low per-antenna SNR and shadowing. Joint capabilities of the bandwidth in the mmWave frequency bands and high multiplexing gains achievable with massive antenna arrays can significantly raise user throughput, enhance spectral and energy efficiencies, and increase the capacity of mobile networks.
The Massive MIMO market is estimated to be valued at USD 1.7 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 20.9 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 41.6% between 2020 and 2026.
Opportunities for 5G mmWave
5G mmWave is more focused on deployments in existing dense urban markets. Indoor venues such as convention centers, concerts, malls, stadiums, and indoor enterprises such as offices, shop floors, meeting rooms are challenged with limited network capacity. This presents a huge opportunity for mmWave in providing fixed wireless access in such crowded areas. mmWave’s wider bandwidth and high spatial multiplexing gains allow mobile operators to provide gigabit, low-latency connectivity to a large number of users.