ELAA (Extremely Large Antenna Array), is an important innovation in the 5G communication system. With the rapid development of 5G and increasing demands for network coverage and capacity, massive antenna array technology has become the recognized direction for 5G evolution, with ELAA being a key aspect of it.
In traditional communication systems, communication between base stations and mobile devices is achieved through electromagnetic wave propagation in a "single antenna-to-single antenna" manner. However, in ELAA technology, the base station is equipped with hundreds of antennas that can adjust the phase of each antenna's signal transmission, allowing for the superposition of electromagnetic waves at the receiving point of the mobile device, thus enhancing signal strength. This superposition effect achieved through beamforming technology concentrates the transmission energy at the user's location, avoiding signal diffusion in other directions. It also enables real-time tracking of user movements, ensuring that the electromagnetic wave signal at the mobile device's receiving point remains in a superimposed state.
Advantages
· ELAA fully exploits spatial resources, effectively utilizes scarce frequency band resources, and significantly enhances network capacity.
· Using ELAA technology allows for a much larger number of channels rather than traditional devices, reaching tens or even hundreds, and a higher number of antenna subarrays, achieving improved frequency efficiency, transmission rates, and reliability for communication systems.
· It enhances signal coverage and communication capabilities through the deployment of extremely large antenna arrays and the application of beamforming techniques.
· ELAA reduces the cost of forward linkages, and complexity in baseband processing, and provides higher transmission efficiency and spectrum utilization.
· It reduces the weight and wind load burden of individual antenna panels.
As a key technology in the evolution of 5G, it plays a crucial role for MNO in maximizing the value of each frequency band and achieving continuous improvement of multidimensional network capabilities. According to reports, ELAA has been commercially used in 5G networks, greatly improving TDD coverage and energy efficiency. In the 5G-A era, ELAA technology will continue to be upgraded.
