ETRI 5G communication software technology and
Qualcomm 5G NR Small Cell Modem/RF Technology Integration
Following small cell software, base station development


5G small cells are low-cost, low-power, small-sized mobile communication base stations that provide the same functions as base stations, but can provide 5G mobile communication services within a 1 km radius.

The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) announced on the 13th that it will conduct joint research with Qualcomm to develop small cell technology based on 5G New Radio (NR) based on millimeter wave (mmWave).

With the support of the Ministry of Science and ICT, ETRI has been conducting a 5G NR-based intelligent open small cell technology development project together with SK Telecom, Contela, and Ucast since July 2018. This technology can significantly increase users' transmission capacity in buildings, densely populated areas, etc.

By installing 5G small cells at low cost in areas with poor radio characteristics of macro base stations in line with the commercialization of 5G services, the overall 5G capacity can be increased and the 5G service area can be expanded.

The joint research between ETRI and Qualcomm is expected to contribute to improving domestic 5G equipment-related technologies by combining Qualcomm's 5G small cell modem technology that supports the 3GPP standard 5G NR physical layer with ETRI's 5G NR-based communication protocol software technologies such as MAC/RLC/PDCP/RRC/SDAP to bring the level of completion to commercialization.

The developed technology is expected to be transferred to domestic small and medium-sized enterprises, and is expected to provide new opportunities in line with the expansion of 5G network construction that has been carried out since the world's first commercialization of 5G.

ETRI researchers are also pursuing the world's first commercialization of 5G small cells through joint research with Qualcomm. Additionally, we plan to reduce the time and cost required to commercialize 5G small cell solutions by cooperating with domestic small and medium-sized enterprises.

Kim Il-gyu, head of ETRI’s Future Mobile Communications Research Center, said, “The millimeter wave-based 5G small cell base station software is the culmination of 5G mobile communication technology,” and “By utilizing Korea, the first country in the world to commercialize 5G, as a test bed, we can expect the emergence of competitive small and medium-sized enterprises in 5G small cell base stations.”

Ha Jun-hong, head of the Innovation Network Team at the Ministry of Science and ICT, also predicted, “Domestic production of 5G small cell software through joint research with Qualcomm will lead to early local production of 5G small cell equipment,” adding, “This will enable our country’s small and medium-sized companies to enter the domestic and international 5G equipment markets.”

Meanwhile, ETRI succeeded in developing LTE-A-based small cell software in 2018 and transferred the related technology to Ucast. Ucast is seeking to enter overseas markets with its backpack-type base station product and is also participating in the 5G small cell SW development project.