5G technology

Massive MIMO is no longer optional . With 5G, MIMO gets “massive,” up to 256×256. And, while MIMO was a “nice-to-have” technology in 4G networks, it is a core requirement for 5G.

Collectively, these MIMO techniques enable improved signal range, reduced bit errors, lower power consumption, reduced interference and even enhanced non-line-of-sight (NLOS) or quasi-NLOS connectivity .

The very short wavelengths at mmWave frequencies result in smaller antenna dimensions and for 5G NR, 3GPP has specified 32 antennas (32 x 32 MIMO) in Release 15, which will rise to 64 and more in future releases . This expansion in the size of MIMO antenna has led to the term Massive MIMO.

Explanation: MIMO is used in mobile radio telephone standards such as recent 3GPP and 3GPP2 . In 3GPP, High-Speed Packet Access plus (HSPA+) and Long Term Evolution (LTE) standards take MIMO into account. Moreover, MIMO is also used in Wifi and WiMax.

MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) Essentially MIMO, employs multiple antennas on the receiver and transmitter to utilize the multi-path effects that always exist to transmit additional data, rather than causing interference . The schemes employed in LTE again vary slightly between the uplink and downlink.