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What is Active Antenna System (AAS)and its 3D aspects, Why AAS for 5G?

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Active Antenna System (AAS):

An Active Antenna System (AAS) is a system that uses multiple antenna elements driven by individual radio frequency (RF) transceivers. Each element can be independently controlled in terms of amplitude, phase, and orientation. This means that AAS can dynamically adjust the radiation pattern and properties of the antenna in real-time to optimize performance based on specific requirements.

Key Components of AAS:

  1. Antenna Elements: These are the physical antennas that radiate and receive electromagnetic waves. In AAS, multiple such elements are used.
  2. RF Transceivers: Each antenna element is associated with an RF transceiver. These transceivers handle the signal processing, conversion, and amplification for their respective antenna elements.
  3. Digital Beamforming: A crucial aspect of AAS is digital beamforming. Instead of physically adjusting the direction of antennas, AAS employs digital techniques to dynamically adjust the phase and amplitude of signals sent to each antenna element. This allows for the creation of focused beams in desired directions, thus enabling better coverage, capacity, and interference mitigation.

3D Aspects of AAS:

  1. Vertical Beamforming: In traditional systems, antennas focus mainly on horizontal coverage. However, 5G and AAS introduce the concept of vertical beamforming, enabling better coverage in multiple floors of buildings or different altitudes in a geographical area.
  2. Dynamic Steering: With AAS, the antenna can dynamically steer the beam both horizontally and vertically. This ensures that the signal is directed precisely where it's needed, improving efficiency and reducing interference.
  3. Multiple Users: AAS can serve multiple users simultaneously by forming multiple beams, each directed towards a specific user or group of users. This spatial multiplexing enhances the capacity and throughput of the network.

Why AAS for 5G?

  1. Enhanced Capacity and Throughput: 5G aims for significantly higher data rates than its predecessors. AAS's ability to focus energy more precisely allows for higher capacity and throughput by serving multiple users simultaneously with minimal interference.
  2. Improved Coverage and Reliability: 5G networks are expected to provide ubiquitous coverage, including indoor and dense urban areas. AAS's dynamic beamforming capabilities ensure improved coverage, even in challenging environments with obstacles or interference.
  3. Efficient Spectrum Utilization: By dynamically adjusting the beams, AAS can reuse the spectrum efficiently, reducing interference and maximizing the use of available frequencies.
  4. Low Latency: 5G aims to offer ultra-low latency for applications like autonomous vehicles, augmented reality, and real-time gaming. AAS, by optimizing signal transmission and reception, helps in achieving this low-latency objective.
  5. Network Flexibility and Scalability: AAS offers flexibility in deployment scenarios, whether it's in densely populated urban areas, stadiums, or indoor environments. Its modular nature allows for scalable deployments based on specific requirements.