A 128-element Dual-Polarized Software-Defined Phased Array Radio for mm-wave 5G Experimentation

Abstract

Multi-antenna millimeter wave communications is on the verge of mainstream commercial deployment. In a not-too-distant 5G-powered future, we expect a dynamic, congested and interference-limited millimeter wave channel that will require us to exploit the large range of spatial diversity afforded by millimeter wave antenna arrays. In prior cellular generations, the development of communications and networking algorithms was significantly aided by software defined radio based experimentation. Similarly, we believe that the challenges of this new era will require the development of algorithms based on experimentation using software defined millimeter wave multi-antenna systems. In this talk, we will present a portable, user-friendly and yet, extremely capable and highly reconfigurable software-defined phased array transceiver platform for experimentation and algorithms development in the 5G era. The platform features 128 independent phase and gain control elements feeding 64 dual-polarized antennas, and supports dual-polarized transmit and receive at 28 GHz. Phase and gain of each element can be controlled, with support for up to 8 simultaneous beams. Key circuit and antenna technology innovations enable calibration-free operation. Moreover, all communications and phased array beam configuration functions are controlled from a single python-based API thereby allowing full beamforming control alongside other software defined radio communications parameters from a simple software interface. Initial 5G related experiments using the software defined phased array is presented.