The LTE North America conference recently discussed the evolving environment of antennas and their contributions to the functionality of wireless networks, according to RCR Wireless News.
Tony DeMarco, chief product officer and GM for Matsing’s base station antenna unit, introduced a spherical antenna, which is said to offer improved performance for roughly equivalent weight and about one-fourth the wind load of traditional panel antennas, according to the company.
Some of the topics discussed during the conference included the proliferation of spectrum bands that need to be supported at a cell site, increasing sectorization to support more capacity and the broadening of the antenna toolkit.
“Looking ahead at antenna challenges coming down the road, Jim Nevelle, president and CEO of antenna company Kathrein, said the upcoming 600 MHz spectrum auction will mean a need for new antennas to support the band, and new concerns about PIM interference, as well as keeping up with massive MIMO developments as part of ‘5G,’” RCR Wireless News added.
