FEATURE : 5G
Overview of AiP for 5G and 6G market and challenges :
The report references the AiP market as directly linked with the 5G mmWave and future 6G markets – as AiP is expected to be utilized in all 5G mmWave-based stations and 5G-enabled electronics like smartphones .
While 5G technology is progressively being commercialized worldwide , the report puts the primary focus as remaining on mid-band ( sub-6 GHz ) deployments .
Identifying a killer application where mmWave technology can truly shine remains the greatest challenge for the industry at present . While the concept of integrating 5G mmWave with VR / AR for real-time remote gaming / work was initially promising , the report says the market and the ecosystem for VR / AR devices have yet to mature sufficiently for 5G mmWave to capitalize on .
To foster growth in the mmWave market , the report says discovering compelling and financially rewarding business use cases is crucial .
DUE TO THE SHORTER PROPAGATION DISTANCES OF MMWAVE , APPROXIMATELY TEN TIMES MORE MMWAVE STATIONS ARE REQUIRED COMPARED TO 4G LOW- MID BAND STATIONS TO COVER THE SAME AREA .
IDTechEx reports that less than 10 % of commercialized or pre-commercialized 5G services as of now are based on the mmWave frequency band . This , the report says , is partly due to the challenges faced by mmWave deployment with higher frequency signals prone to attenuation in the air and highly susceptible to obstacles in accordance with the laws of physics .
Telco operators prioritize creating cost-effective networks by maximizing coverage with minimal base stations .
The report , however , says that due to the shorter propagation distances of mmWave , approximately ten times more mmWave stations are required compared to 4G low-mid band stations to cover the same area .
As a result , national 5G coverage predominantly relies on low / mid-band and sub-6 GHz bands .
IDTechEx anticipates that mmWave bands will mainly serve data-intensive hotspots like crowded stadiums , supporting critical applications such as real-time streaming and uploading of high-definition videos .
These cases must demonstrate how the advantages of 5G mmWave can justify the substantial investment required for deployment .
While this process will require time , IDTechEx predicts that it will likely take another 3 – 5 years before witnessing a significant rise in such cases .
Looking ahead , 6G , the next generation of telecommunication technology , promises even greater advancements than 5G mmWave .
Operating beyond 100 GHz and towards the terahertz spectrum , 6G is expected to offer Tbps data rates , microsecond-level latency and extensive network dependability . Its capabilities extend beyond connectivity to areas such as energy harvesting , sensing , imaging and precise positioning . However , the report says 6G will face greater challenges compared to 5G mmWave in both technology development and market penetration , given its even higher frequencies .
Overcoming these hurdles will , the report says , necessitate the development of innovative technological solutions , including advancements in packaging technologies for antennas to minimize signal transmission issues .
Additionally , the report identifies a crucial need for stronger market identification of future applications to drive the adoption of 6G technologies . This entails not only identifying killer applications but also fostering the ecosystem necessary for their successful implementation .
Along with a 10-year granular market forecast of 5G infrastructure , key aspects of the report include :
Overview of 5G mmWave development and 6G roadmap :
• Explores the status of 5G mmWave development , technology innovation roadmap , key applications and market outlook .
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