Adding 5G capabilities to a cell tower often means adding new tower-top equipment, including Active Antenna Systems (AAS) that support massive MIMO capabilities. But 4G LTE and its passive antennas are expected to be around until 2030. Therefore, CommScope has introduced an active-passive antenna platform, known as Mosaic, whose radio-agnostic modular hardware design helps carriers roll out 5G coverage while supporting legacy 4G deployments.
“The CommScope Mosaic platform allows operators to combine active and passive antenna capabilities in a way that simplifies tower top complexity, reduces occupied tower top space and wind loading, while preserving the performance of all technologies,” said Farid Firouzbakht, SVP and segment president, CommScope Outdoor Wireless Networks. “CommScope is removing a significant 5G deployment challenge so operators can prioritize ways to monetize their networks with superfast 5G connectivity.”
Previously, multiple technologies and technology generations at a single site may have caused interference and impacted network performance, according to Firouzbakht. However, Mosaic’s compact design solves this challenge by ensuring legacy 4G infrastructure can co-exist with 5G active antennas.
“Mosaic reduces the required footprint at the top of the tower by providing the capability to mount massive MIMO AAS equipment on the back of a conventional passive antenna using advanced technology and modular design practices,” Firouzbakht said. “The range of available port counts and lengths in the passive antenna module makes it easy to upgrade to 5G mMIMO while supporting all legacy sub-6 GHz bands.”
By J. Sharpe Smith, Inside Towers Technology Editor
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