Pivotal Commware this week released a new whitepaper and video that demonstrate how a tier-one mobile operator can use Echo 5G and Pivot 5G repeaters to increase indoor 5G mmWave coverage while reducing deployment costs.
To establish a baseline, Pivotal modelled a one square kilometer American suburb with seven 3-sector base stations deployed in locations determined by standard radio network planning software. Once a baseline of indoor coverage was determined, Pivotal augmented the network, first by adding more gNodeBs (gNB) and then contrasting that with the deployment of only low cost, simply deployed Echo 5G and Pivot 5G repeaters.
In a demonstration at Super Bowl 2020, Pivotal claims that its repeaters delivered speeds in excess of 1.7 Gbps where no connection had been previously available. The Echo 5G is a self-installable, on-the-window, precision beamforming indoor repeater designed to counteract the mmWave penetration, reflection, and structural shadowing losses so it can gently flood an interior with mmWave signal. The Pivot 5G outdoor repeater captures and redirects mmWave signals around obstacles like buildings to extend the range of gNBs. By virtue of its small size, easy permitting, low power consumption and no requirement for fiber, the Pivot 5G ultimately reduces CAPEX, ongoing OPEX, siting costs and deployment time, said the Company.
Brian Deutsch, CEO of Pivotal Commware
The challenge has always been clear for operators, and while sub-6 GHz bands have been suggested as the better option, that spectrum is limited and will unquestionably lead to expensive network densification to meet subscriber expectations over time.
