Telecom network vendor ZTE and China Mobile have completed the pre-commercial field testing of pre5G 3D/Massive MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) base stations.
The test — using ZTE’s 64-port/128 antenna 3D/Massive MIMO base station — shows better coverage enhancement for tall building, with improvement for indoor reception.
The new ZTE solution is enabled by its vector processor SOC chipset, and brings 3D/Massive MIMO, a key technology for 5G, closer to commercial reality.
Xiang Jiying, CTO of ZTE’s Wireless Division, said: “The test indicates that we are taking a big step forward to realize the new technology using 4G handsets. We will continue to deliver Pre5G features to offer 5G-like experience before 5G standardization.”
Huang Yuhong, vice president of China Mobile Research Institute, said: “The pre-commercial field test of ZTE 3D/Massive MIMO was impressive and exceeded our expectations. This will accelerate the pace of commercial deployment of TDD technology.”
3D/Massive MIMO, using the multi-antenna technology, improves wireless spectrum efficiency, increases network coverage and system capacity, and helps telecom operators maximize the use of existing site locations and spectrum resources. According to the simulation, the throughput can be 4-6 times higher.
