- World's first trial in a commercial network
Ericsson and operator Mannesmann Mobilfunk GmbH have begun the world's first
live trial in a commercial GSM network of adaptive antenna technology, both
downlink and uplink, that is both to and from the mobile phone.
The joint research trial with the new technology - also in the downlink for
the first time - is being conducted with base station prototypes in
Mannesmann's D2 network in Germany.
Adaptive antenna technology can markedly reduce radio interference in both
uplink and downlink, improving performance in both directions resulting in
substantial capacity gains. Significant service quality improvements are also
obtained. By putting the technology to use in the network "hot spots", an
operator can also achieve significant improvements in overall network
performance with the upgrade of only a few of the base stations.
"The benefits of adaptive antenna technology are of great interest to all of
us in the mobile communications industry," says Rainer Bormann, Project
Manager at Mannesmann. "We have been actively working on the technology with
Ericsson for a few years, and it is that kind of close cooperation that
assured us that we were now ready to move beyond research field trials and on
to actual commercial traffic trials."
Adaptive antenna technology uses 'beam forming' to direct an antenna's energy
in a narrow beam toward the location of a mobile phone (terminal), limiting
the amount of energy needed. As the mobile phone moves, the base station
tracks its location and changes the beam direction accordingly. A conventional
antenna system transmits and receives signals to and from all parts of a cell.
The use of beam-forming technology significantly reduces interference with
other cells in the network by minimizing the amount of energy used during
communication.
"Our joint research with Mannesmann has made it possible for us to be first to
conduct live commercial trials with base station prototypes deploying this
revolutionary new technology also in the downlink," says Henrik Dam, Research
Project Manager at Ericsson Radio Systems.
Ericsson and Mannesmann began their joint research activities on adaptive
antenna technology for GSM in early 1995. A research field trial was first
carried out in DÂsseldorf during 1996 to evaluate radio performance. In 1997,
prototype base stations were developed and, in early 1998, integrated into
Mannesmann's GSM network.
GSM is the world's most widely deployed digital wireless communications
standard. Ericsson is the market leader in GSM worldwide, with almost half of
the 100 million GSM users connected by Ericsson systems. Nearly 120 network
operators in some 65 countries rely on Ericsson GSM systems.
Ericsson's 100,000 employees are active in more than 130 countries. Their
combined expertise in fixed and mobile networks, mobile phones and infocom
systems makes Ericsson a world-leading supplier in telecommunications.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
Patrik Lundqvist, Manager, Antenna Systems Research
Ericsson Radio Systems
Phone: +46 8 404 9296; E-mail: patrik.lundqvist@era.ericsson.se
Bengt Carlqvist, Strategic Product Manager GSM
Ericsson Radio Systems
Phone: +46 8 40 45544; E-mail: bengt.carlqvist@era.ericsson.se
Johan Wiklund, Press Relations Manager
Ericsson Business Area Mobile Systems
Phone: +46 70 560 0134; E-mail: johan.wiklund@era.ericsson.se
GOOD LUCK TO ALL,
Mardy. |
