Hi, Bernard - You touch on an interesting subject:
"OFDM is not the only capacity augmenting technology available--smart antennas have also a lot to offer."
Looking at the antenna technology scene, one gets the feeling that the IP must be all sewn up. AT&T with adaptive antennas and beamforming, Cisco/Clarity with a truckload of algorithms, the polarized wave reception technology announced in Lucent NRs of late. (Is it that new?)
I'm a little excited by the Metricom-type of repeaters, ie., small units mounted on street-light standards, and the like.
The big towers will retain a place, but the standard cellular architecture looks like it's in for some serious revision, right down to the piconets. That, coupled with the use of mesh networks seems to be evolving toward a price war. By that I mean that carriers, evaluating this RF technology over that, especially WRT NLOS, may have to make some tough decisions. Do you go with more repeaters, or NLOS technology?
I'd be interested in your thoughts, Bernard.
Regards,
Jim |
