Beamforming, antenna gain and throughput enhancement in 5G networks using quadature baseband processing.

Abstract

This thesis investigates Beamforming, Antenna Gain, and throughput in Fifth generation (5G) networks. The global 5G deployments are expected to accelerate and scale digital transformations across sectors. 5G private networks answer a critical communications need by providing higher data rates, more robust networks, and improved user accessibility and security. The research presents a Quadrature Baseband (QBB) based approach to intermediary processing stages in 5GNetworks networks with more bandwidth availability by operating at QBB. The world is currently experiencing a huge demand for mobile wireless services in almost every sector. Military, Aviation, financial, health, robotics, and smart agriculture amongst other sectors are all upgrading their services to rely on ICT-based solutions to solve several challenges. 5G communications due to their huge real-time demand must have adequate bandwidth to accommodate several network requests. This research focussed on the following key aspects of 5G technology: Beamforming and Quality of Service (QoS) parameters such as Antenna Gain, Throughput, and Spectrum. A Quadrature Baseband (QBB) based approach to 5G Networks processing was proposed in this work. This approach brings on board the benefit of processing at lower frequencies thus creating more bandwidth availability on the spectrum to accommodate more transmissions. The research analysis was carried out using MATLAB software. OFDM signals were used in the MATLAB simulations to be able to compare results at RF versus QBB. RF-based methods were used as a reference for benchmarking the proposed QBB approach. This research was able to prove and show that working with QBB at specified signal processing stages in a 5G network improves Antenna gain by 3.54%, Throughput by 50%, and Beamforming enhanced. Spectrum utilization was also optimized by a significant percentage of more than 20%. The QBB approach based on the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) also provides the flexibility of parameter adjustment in the frequency domain to ensure improvement in QoS for 5G networks. This frees up much needed space on the spectrum leading to optimal utilization of bandwidth and eventually leading to financial benefits for the telecommunications companies.