The fifth-generation mobile communication system (5G), which has been deployed since around 2018, has many advantages, such as shorter latency than traditional 4G and a significant increase in the number of devices that can be connected at the same time, but it also has the problem of requiring more base stations than traditional systems. TOKYO-BASED TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY JTOWER HAS DEVELOPED A TRANSPARENT GLASS ANTENNA THAT CAN TURN WINDOWS INTO 5G BASE STATIONS THAT CAN BE SHARED BY MULTIPLE OPERATORS.
5G networks contain more spectrum than 4G and therefore require more base stations than 4G, which means that telecom operators have been grappling with the lack of base station space and the costs involved in deploying 5G networks.
For this reason, JTOWER has developed a glass antenna in collaboration with glass manufacturers AGC and NTT Docomo. The glass antenna developed by JTOWER will be in operation in the Shinjuku 3-chome East Building from August 2024.
For the first time in Japan, JTOWER is using the 5G infrastructure of the Shinjuku Sanchome East Building to share the development signal environment, and the window glass produced by AGC has been turned into antennas for base stations and used for telecommunications shared infrastructure.
"THIS IS THE WORLD'S FIRST ANTENNA THAT CAN TURN WINDOWS INTO 5G BASE STATIONS AND OUTDOORS INTO 5G SERVICE AREAS WITHOUT DISRUPTING THE CITYSCAPE OR THE APPEARANCE OF BUILDINGS," JTOWER SAID. ”
Introduction to antenna features
According to NTT Docomo, a transparent conductive material is used as the basis for the antenna, and the conductive material and transparent resin are sandwiched between two pieces of glass. "The idea of using a transparent conductive material as an antenna is unprecedented," AGC said. By placing conductive materials between the glasses, the durability of the antenna is greatly improved. ”
In addition, transparent antennas can be designed according to the thickness of the glass on which they are mounted, thereby reducing the attenuation and reflection of wireless signals due to the thickness of the glass. "This glass antenna uses our proprietary technology to suppress the scattering of radio waves as they pass through windows," AGC said. ”