The researchers say the design is both economical and energy-efficient and such an advance in 5G communications could create tremendous opportunities for a wide range of sectors.
The ever-increasing demand for wireless data bandwidth shows no sign of slowing down in the near future. Millimetre wave, a short-wavelength spectrum, has shown great potential in 5G communications and beyond. To leverage high-capacity millimetre-wave frequencies, phased-array antennas (antenna elements that work together to boost signal strength in a specific direction) are being adapted. However, the current use case is confined to line-of-sight propagation.
As a result, relay nodes are considered for non-line-of-sight communications (see illustration below). While relaying can provide improved bandwidth, coverage and reliability, the flexible deployment of a relay network poses some challenges. The most significant challenge in relay networks is power supply. A typical relay...