Optimizing the environment surrounding base stations for 5G radio wave transmission
Remote control without going to the site
Development of big data and AI-based automatic optimization functions

Technology has been developed to maintain consistent 5G network quality in various environments.

LG Uplus announced on the 24th that it has developed a '5G beam pattern optimization technology' that transmits radio waves in a form most suitable for the environment around base stations, such as urban areas, suburban areas, and roads, and applied it to its 5G network.
Accordingly, not only has the efficiency of 5G radio wave propagation increased, but also mutual interference between radio waves emitted from surrounding base stations has been minimized, allowing customers to use 5G services more stably and with higher perceived speeds.

To this end, LG U+ developed beam patterns (radio wave spread patterns/shapes) of various angles that can be applied to base station antennas, as well as a simulation program to test them.

Massive MIMO, which is essential for 5G networks, has different vertical/horizontal operating ranges depending on the beam pattern. Therefore, in order to optimize 5G coverage, it is necessary to set a beam pattern that takes into account surrounding environmental characteristics such as buildings and terrain.

Massive MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) is a digital signal transmission method that connects to a single base station.This is a multiple-input/output technology that utilizes dozens or more transmitter antennas. It is used to transmit large amounts of data at high speed to a specific user or to transmit data to multiple users simultaneously.

For example, around high-rise buildings, it is advantageous to use a beam pattern with a wide vertical beam width to ensure quality, and in places such as parks or parking lots, it is advantageous to use a beam pattern with a wide horizontal beam width to ensure quality.

Because it is possible to change the beam pattern remotely, it is possible to quickly adjust and optimize the radio transmission angle to provide smooth service in the event of a large-scale event such as a local festival or damage caused by a natural disaster such as a typhoon or heavy snow.

Until now, the only way to adjust the radio wave emission angle was to visit the base station in person and adjust the antenna angle.

LG U+ plans to evolve its beam pattern optimization to automatically optimize it based on big data such as complaint calls and traffic conditions.

LG Uplus Network Development Manager Lee Sang-heon said, “With the development of this 5G beam pattern remote optimization function, we have secured a technology that can dramatically improve the quality of customer experience in the initial 5G network.” He added, “Going forward, we plan to thoroughly prepare to improve and stabilize 5G full quality through 5G network optimization based on big data and AI in stages.”