5G Base Station PCB
The development of 5G technology brings huge demand to communication base station equipment PCB. The new construction and reconstruction of base stations will bring incremental opportunities to PCB market.
PCB makers are developing innovative materials and manufacturing techniques to meet the high-performance requirements of 5G base stations. They are also integrating advanced features to provide a range of benefits for users.
Antennas
An antenna in a base station PCB converts high-frequency electric signals into electromagnetic waves that can be intercepted by wireless devices. It also transforms the electromagnetic waves intercepted by the device into high-frequency currents for transmitting.
The design of a PCB antenna is crucial for achieving optimal performance. It must be free of metal objects that can affect the signal’s transmission and reception. It must also be positioned away from plastic surfaces, which can corrupt its performance. Additionally, the design Base station PCB of an antenna’s ground plane can significantly impact its radiation pattern and impedance.
PCB antennas can be directional or non-directional. Directional antennas can send and receive signals over long distances by channeling RF energy in one direction. They are frequently utilized in satellite communication systems to establish a strong and reliable link between ground stations and satellites. Directional antennas can also be used in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems to maintain a steady communication connection with the control station over challenging terrain.
Antennas are sensitive to temperature fluctuations, which can affect their performance. This is because the copper conductor in an antenna is subjected to alternating thermal expansion and contraction. The variation in the temperature causes a change in the dielectric constant of the copper, which can lead to losses in the antenna. To reduce these losses, it is important to choose a circuit material with low Df and smooth copper conductors.
Power Amplifiers
The power amplifier is the stage that amplifies the voltage of the input signal to create a higher output voltage. It does this through gain, which is a ratio of the input signal to the output signal. It also uses various sound enhancement technologies to improve the quality of the amplification output.
Different power amplifiers have different architecture which affect their efficiency and performance. There are many different types of PAs including class A, B, AB, C, D and E amplifiers. Class A amplifiers have the lowest power dissipation due to zero overlap between the voltage and current across the transistor channel.
Class B amplifiers have a small advantage over class A amplifiers due to less crossover distortion. Class D amplifiers have the disadvantage of having high currents in the collector and emitter which can damage the transistor when operated at higher power levels. Class E amplifiers have a higher operating frequency than class D amplifiers but they also have the highest dissipation as the power transistor needs to be switched on and off very rapidly in order to achieve high efficiencies [15].
It is important to note that peak power ratings only show what an amplifier can do for a fraction of a second. Amplifier specifications should always refer to average continuous power (or simply ‘power’) instead of the peak power rating.
Antenna Controller Unit (ACU)
The antenna controller unit (ACU) in a cellular BTS is more than just a power supply and signal processing board. It’s the main control and monitoring point for the entire system. Using the ACU, operators can monitor device status and performance through its user-friendly touch screen windowed interface.
The ACU is also a key component for optimizing the base station antenna. This is because it allows operators to detect and identify the location of PIM contributors, so they can be replaced efficiently. This reduces total system maintenance costs and prevents costly downtime due to unidentified PIM sources.
ACUs are becoming increasingly sophisticated in order to meet Base Station PCB Supplier the demands of modern mobile networks. For example, many ACUs now support Massive MIMO configurations to improve capacity and coverage. They can also be upgraded through hardware or software to incorporate beamforming capabilities.
Another important function of the ACU is to prevent interference from other satellites or terrestrial transmitters. This can be done by performing interference monitoring, which identifies the source of interference. The ACU can then send a signal to the satellite to change its position or frequency. This can significantly improve the quality of the signal. The ACU can also perform polarization control, which is essential for high-quality directional satellite dishes. In addition, the ACU can control and monitor a variety of external devices.
Feeder Network
The feeder network is a key component of the antenna system. It is responsible for separating the signal power into different output terminals. It can be divided into two parts: the directional coupler and the phase shifter. The directional coupler divides the signal power into equal output signals, while the phase shifter changes the phase of the signals at the coupling end. This can reduce the loss of signals caused by the feeder.
The design of the feeder network device is based on the Butler matrix topology structure. It consists of four 3dB branch line directional couplers and two 45 degree transmission line phase shifters. It is easy to manufacture, with a small footprint and high reliability.
In the 5G era, the construction and upgrading of communication base stations will create a huge demand for PCBs. The single-year demand brought by 5G macro base stations and indoor substations will be more than 210 billion yuan.
The global communication base station equipment PCB market is growing fast. The growth of the market is mainly driven by the increasing adoption of 5G technology and the need for more mobile data traffic. Moreover, the global communications base station equipment PCB market is expected to grow further due to the rising popularity of smart phones and broadband networks. The global communications base station equipment PCB market is categorized into Type and Application.