Joint ICT KTN and Radio Technology SIG Event ‘Millimeter-Wave Radios: Challenges and Opportunities’

Brought to you by The Radio Technology Group

This CW and ICT KTN event will explore advanced millimeter-wave radio technology and signal processing, and the potential innovations in communications and sensing that could result as the potential benefits are driving renewed interest in mm-wave enabling technology and multi-antenna research.

Registration for this event is now closed.

About the event

An agenda of prolific speakers will discuss the opportunities and challenges and engage the audience in an interactive panel session, with the addition of plentiful networking opportunities.
The proliferation of “data hungry” multimedia applications is likely to soon outgrow the current capacity of cellular spectrum. Combined with the availability of large portions of lightly regulated and unregulated portions of spectrum (e.g. 57 to 64 GHz in the US), and the potential for novel sensing methods, this is driving renewed interest in millimetre-wave technology. Already WiGig chipsets are in the market for very short range LANs at 60 GHz, and production vehicles using adaptive cruise control with mm-wave radar sensing have been in the market for some years.
 
Using this vast amount of available spectrum, with its potential to enable gigabit outdoor “low cost” radio access, challenges are faced ranging from the complexities of handling mobility between very small cells, through propagation in an absorbent atmosphere, to the intricacies of manufacturing circuits. The potential benefits are driving renewed interest in mm-wave enabling technology and multi-antenna research.
 
Confirmed speakers include:

This SIG is championed by Brian Collins of BSC AssociatesDiego Giancola of PA Consulting Group, John Haine of u-blox AG and Gerald Miaille of CSR. We are also extremely grateful to our partner ICT KTN for supporting this event and to Rohde and Schwarz for joint sponsorship of lunch. Thank you to PA Consulting for hosting the event.
 
To follow us on Twitter, @cambwireless please use #CWRadioTech
 
Join us for this FREE joint event organised by Cambridge Wireless and ICT KTN. To be able to attend this event for free you'll automatically be registered as an ICT KTN member. Please note membership of ICT KTN is free.

To join Cambridge Wireless as a member and attend future events for free, please visit: www.cambridgewireless.co.uk/sign-up


We have display table opportunities available for this popular event so if you are interested in maximising your organisation’s profile, please contact sponsorship@cambridgewireless.co.uk for further information.


This SIG is championed by Brian Collins of BSC Associates, Diego Giancola of PA Consulting Group, John Haine of u-blox AG and Gerald Miaille of CSR. We are thankful to PA Consulting for hosting this event. To follow us on Twitter, @cambwireless please use #CWRadioTech

Agenda

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The information supplied below may be subject to change before the event.

12:00

Registration & Networking over Lunch

13:00

Introduction to the Cambridge Wireless Radio Technology SIG by Gerald Miaille of CSR

13:10

Welcome from our partner, Stuart Revell of ICT KTN

13:15

Welcome from our host, Steve Crammond of PA Consulting

13:20

Welcome from our joint lunch sponsor, Jamie Lunn of Rohde & Schwarz UK

13:25

Quantifying the benefits of MIMO and millimetre waves: less is more; William Carson, Consultant Analyst, PA Consulting

The spectrum crunch has reignited interest in millimetre wave communications. Huge bandwidths are available at these wavelengths but at what cost? Academia and industry have been addressing potential stumbling blocks that degrade performance, for example, mobility, shadowing and range. This talk illustrates how multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technologies addresses these issues and could deliver the promised increased capacity benefits. Using information-theoretic models and metrics, we discuss how modern communications devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops) should exploit spatial diversity for millimetre wave communications.

13:45

Q&A

13:50

Towards Body-Centric Wireless Communications at Millimeter Wave Frequencies; Professor Yang Hao FIEEE, FIET, Queen Mary University of London

Body-Centric Wireless Communications is referred as to a new means of communications with the use of wearable and implantable wireless sensors connected through body-area networks. Potential applications include healthcare, defence, security, smart home and personal entertainment, just to a name a few. This talk gives an overview of recent development of this research, in particular, the feature of radio propagation of millimeter waves on the body, antenna and system design requirements and future applications at 60 and 94GHz frequencies.

14:10

Q&A

14:15

V-Band Radio Systems - Practical Deployment Considerations; Dr Tim Brown, Lecturer, 5G Research Centre, University of Surrey and Andy Sutton, Principal Network Architect, EE

EE has delivered Europe’s fastest LTE rollout and acquired over 2 million 4G customers in record time. This investment in network capability along with fast adoption from consumers and businesses alike highlight the importance of advanced digital mobile communications infrastructure to the UK economy. To ensure 4G maintains the wow factor it’s essential that the network can scale in terms of capacity density
within high traffic areas. The adoption of small cells and integration with the macro network to form HetNets, will ensure this objective can be realised. The use of point to point links at V-band is one of the solutions available to provide cost-optimised backhaul from the small cell layer. This presentation will detail the challenges from an operator perspective as well as the academic perspective in terms of implementation at this band, which will include device size constraints, path loss issues and will discuss some possible means of overcoming the difficulties.

14:50

Q&A

14:55

Refreshment Break and Networking

15:25

Exploiting the Spatial Sparsity of mmWave Outdoor Channels for Beamforming;Djamal Berraki, PhD Student, University of Bristol

The ever increasing demand for data access has pushed the carriers to deploy small cells. As providers attempt to offer higher capacity, they are faced by the shortage in the bandwidth used by the current systems. One prominent solution could be to migrate the carriers to higher, non-licensed or lightly licensed, frequency bands such as mmWave where bandwidths of the order of 100 times larger than those used by existing wireless access technologies are available.
This talk will present a study of the application of the Compressive Sensing (CS) theory to accurately estimate the sparse spatial mmWave propagation channel. This scheme is especially attractive for outdoor mmWave systems where large antenna arrays are more likely to implement beamforming to compensate for pathloss. Current analogue beamforming techniques such as the codebook based 802.11ad beamforming manifest large beamforming overhead for large antenna arrays of typically 16x16 elements. Measurements in an anechoic chamber are carried out to demonstrate the applicability of the CS concept. The impact of noise on the estimation of Directions-of-Departure using CS theory is analysed. Finally the benefit of exploiting the reconstructed Power Angle Profile in beamforming is assessed and compared to the beam searching algorithm adopted in the IEEE 802.11ad standard.

15:45

Q&A

15:50

Low Cost 60 GHz Backhaul: Opportunities and Challenges; Mark Barrett, CMO, Blu Wireless Technology

Worldwide License free operation in the 57 – 64 GHz band has spurred the development of a number of wireless systems targeted at consumer applications – most notably the 802.11ad extension of the WiFi standard marketed as WiGigTM. This is forecast to develop into a mass market measured in billions of devices per annum over the next 5 years. Meanwhile, MSOs are being driven to rollout dense LTE mobile networks to meet the exponentially increasing data demands of their smartphone customers – but without
increasing their monthly bills. This has created the acute need for low cost and flexible wireless backhaul in densely populated urban areas. The question asked is to what extent wireless backhaul can re-use technology developed for the WiGig mass market. This paper explores some of the fundamental radio and baseband technology challenges behind adapting 60 GHz WiGig technology for wireless back haul applications.
We also highlight the need for changes in the European and Asian radio regulatory frameworks to encourage the deployment of low cost 60 GHz mesh networks. Finally, we comment on how this technology base can be extended for future mobile 5G communications.

16:10

Q&A

16:15

Realising 5G Cellular in the mmWave Band; Howard Benn, Head of Standards & Industrial Affairs, Samsung Electronics Research Institute, UK

From GSM (2G) delivering data at 9.6 kbps, to LTE (4G) providing 10’s of megabits per second our expectations grow every year. What will 5G be, is it just higher data rates, and if so how can we deliver this in the sea of tiny spectrum allocations scattered from 700 MHz up to 3.6 GHz? Samsung have been thinking about this. We will show how cellular can deliver 1Gbps in the mmWave (20 – 40GHz) band, starting with the theory then moving to our demonstrator system working at 29 GHz.

16:35

Q&A

16:40

Open Forum, chaired by Stuart Revell of ICT KTN

17:15

Closing remarks from John Haine of u-blox AG and fill in evaluation forms

17:20

Event Closes

Speakers

Mark Barrett - Chief Commercial Officer, Blu Wireless Technology

Mark is a Founder and CMO for Blu Wireless, a leading supplier of millimetre wave wireless technology and products for infrastructure applications.   He has over 35 years of experience in the wireless industry in applications including radar, satellite, cellular and consumer electronics.   This ranges from FMCW radar at W and X bands, digital beamforming for satellite and mobile communications, SoC for automotive and telecommunications and high-volume Bluetooth and cordless telephones.   In 2009 he co-founded Blu Wireless Technology and has played a key role in building the company into a recognised leader in millimetre wave wireless technology.

Howard Benn - VP Communications Research, Samsung Electronics R&D Institute UK

Howard started his career in the fixed telecommunication sector (Plessey) back in 1982, did his degree and PhD at Bradford University, moving into radio based communications in 1989. He started working in ETSI GSM standards committees in 1993, helping create 3GPP and chairing 3GPP RAN 4 from 1998 to 2007. He has been a board member of ETSI since 2008, is currently advising the ICANN board on mobile technology, and a member of a number of advisory boards for UK universities and research programs. His current role is ‘Vice President Communications Research’ for Samsung Electronics R&D Institute in the UK, managing a team of engineers covering ETSI, 3GPP, and GSMA. His team are also very active in the EU Horizon 2020 program with a focus on the 5G PPP activities. He also sits on the UK5G government advisory committee looking at the future of communications technology in the UK, and an advisor to the UK government on international free trade agreements.

Tim Brown - Academic in RF, Antennas and Propagation, University of Surrey (ICS)

Yang Hao

Yang Hao is a Professor of Antennas and Electromagnetics at Queen Mary University of London. He also serves in the management team of Cambridge Graphene Centre. Prof. Hao was an Editor-in-Chief for the IEEE ANTENNAS AND WIRELESS PROPAGATION LETTERS between 2014-2017. He won the IET AF Harvey Research Prize in 2015 and was a co-recipient of BAE Chairman’s Silver Award in 2014. He currently holds the Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award. Prof. Hao is an elected Fellow of the ERA Foundation, IET and IEEE.

Stuart Revell

Andy Sutton - BT Fellow & Principal Network Architect, BT

Andy Sutton is a BT Fellow and Principal Network Architect for Wireless Access. The wireless access domain includes 4G/5G RAN architecture and mobile backhaul/xhaul, along with microwave and millimetre wave radio systems, and satellite communications. Andy holds an MSc in Mobile Communications from the University of Salford and has over 35 years of experience within the telecommunications industry. Andy’s current research interests include advanced RAN coordination techniques, including C-RAN and OpenRAN, optical fibre and radio based backhaul/xhaul, along with LEO satellite communications and High-altitude Platform Systems (HAPS), all in the context of building resilient heterogeneous networks. Andy holds the post of Visiting Professor of Telecommunications at the University of Liverpool and the University of Salford, he is a Chartered Engineer and holds Fellowships from the IET, ITP and BCS. Andy sits on the editorial board of the ITP Journal and is a CW SIG Champion for eMBB and Wireless Heritage.

SIG Champions

Mark Beach - Professor of Radio Systems Engineering, University of Bristol (Communication Systems & Networks Research Group)

Mark Beach received his PhD for research addressing the application of Smart Antenna techniques to GPS from the University of Bristol in 1989, where he subsequently joined as a member of academic staff. He was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 1996, Reader in 1998 and Professor in 2003. He was Head of the Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering from 2006 to 2010, then spearheaded Bristol’s hosting of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Communications. He is the Co-Director of this centre. He leads research in the field of enabling technologies for the delivery of 5G and beyond wireless connectivity; which includes the recent award of an EPSRC Prosperity Partnership in the field of Secure Wireless Agile Networks (SWAN). Mark’s current research activities are delivered through the Communication Systems and Networks Group, forming a key component within Bristol’s Smart Internet Lab. He has over 30 years of physical layer wireless research embracing the application of Spread Spectrum technology for cellular systems, adaptive or smart antenna for capacity and range extension in wireless networks, MIMO aided connectivity for through-put enhancement, experimental evaluation and optimization of Massive MIMO, Millimetre Wave technologies as well as flexible RF technologies for SDR modems. With a strong industrially focused research portfolio, he is also the School Research Impact Director.

Brian Collins - Managing Consultant, BSC Associates

Brian has designed antennas for applications including radio and TV broadcasting, base stations, handsets and consumer products, and has operated his own consultancy firm for the last 12 years. He has published more than 70 papers on antenna topics and contributed chapters to several recent textbooks. He operates a small consultancy company, chairs the Antenna Interface Standards Group and is an Honorary Visiting Professor in the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science at Queen Mary, University of London.

Paul Harris - Principal Wireless Architect, VIAVI Solutions

Paul is a wireless technology expert with experience across a range of areas including research, design, implementation and standardisation. He received his PhD from the University of Bristol for evaluating the performance of massive MIMO technology in the lead-up to 5G and is currently a Principal Wireless Architect within the CTO Office at VIAVI Solutions providing thought leadership on new and emerging technologies for 5G, 6G and beyond. In line with this he represents VIAVI within a range of bodies and fora including 3GPP, the O-RAN Alliance, ETSI, the Next G Alliance, the 6G-IA and the UKTIN. His experience prior to joining VIAVI includes representing Vodafone within 3GPP for radio performance aspects, contributing to the development of massive MIMO channel estimation solutions at Cohere Technologies, and working with customers as a domain expert at National Instruments to establish effective research solutions using software-defined radio. He is also a Chartered Engineer, Senior Member of the IEEE, Fellow of the ITP, and an Honorary Industrial Fellow at the University of Bristol.

Peter Kibutu - 5G NTN Market lead, TTP plc

Peter has been working in the cellular industry for over 15 years, specialising in modem system architecture and physical layer development. Before joining TTP, Peter worked in the development of 2G/3G/4G wireless modem products and small-cell base station projects for a number of leading cellular equipment vendors. At TTP Peter has worked with a wide range of clients in the satellite and cellular communication domains, specialising in end-to-end system engineering, modem system development and advising on commercial aspects. Currently Peter is the TTP technical lead for 5G/6G activities and represents the company in range of industry bodies including 3GPP and UKTIN.

Peter Topham - Principal Engineer, Qualcomm Technologies International

Peter has more than 30 years experience of RF and high-speed circuit design, taking chips into production ranging from FM Band II through cellular, Bluetooth and on to UWB at 10GHz. He has been with Qualcomm for 7 years, specialising in low-power RF design for portable and wearable products.

Event Location

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Location info

PA Consulting Group, Cambridge Technology Centre, Melbourn, Herts, SG8 6DP

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