The latest R&D project focused on 5G networks comes from a collaboration between the universities of Bristol, UK and Lund, Sweden. This is focusing on massive antenna arrays, with the scientists claiming they can improve spectral efficiency by 12 times using a 128-antenna system – without venturing into the little known territory of millimeter wave spectrum. The design has already been tested, using conventional microwave frequencies, rather than the high frequency spectrum on which many researchers are relying for huge increases in performance and efficiency. The tests used 3.5 GHz spectrum and National Instruments’ LabView prototyping platform. While spectrum above 20 GHz can support massive capacity within small cells, there are still many aspects of millimeter wave workings which are…