S.Korea's ETRI creates software for faster 5G using small cells

The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), a non-profit government-funded research institute in South Korea, said on Tuesday that it developed a software technology that can increase 5G users’ perceived speed by using small cells, which are mini base stations that can be installed anywhere.

5G communication relies on high-frequency "millimeter wave" (28GHz), which offers faster speeds than 3G and 4G communication using low frequencies. But it also faces a challenge: it can be easily blocked by short distances and small obstacles.

To overcome this issue, many base stations need to be deployed densely. A 5G small cell is a miniature mobile communication base station with low radio wave output and a smaller size than a standard base station that covers a small area. It can solve this problem as it can be easily installed in various places such as homes, buildings and outdoors.

The 3.5GHz band 5G small cell is tablet PC-sized at 20cm x 20cm x 1cm, and the outdoor large small cell also does not exceed 50cm in width and length.

It can be easily installed anywhere there is an internet line and can be provided as an integrated device with low construction costs.

The researchers used Qualcomm’s platform to develop the software, which can achieve up to 2.2 Gbps of transmission speed. They have also completed commercial terminal access tests so that they can be commercialized immediately.

“The software can enhance 5G speed in densely populated areas and offer various services on specialized networks,” said Kim Il-gyu, head of ETRI’s Mobile Communication Research Division.

Write to Han-Gyeol Seon at always@hankyung.com