Software defined apertures for 5G wireless network communications

Commercialized, low C-SWAP (Cost, Size, Weight and Power), software defined communications apertures will substantially increase network capacity in future 5G wireless networks. We advocate using high gain, electronically steerable antennas for small cell radio access networks, backhaul and millimeter wave applications. The steerable beam functionality can provide elevated data rates, reduced power consumption, allow spectrum reuse and enable dynamic network reconfiguration. Additionally, network operating costs would be reduced and deployment schedules would become more flexible. In this paper we elucidate the advantages of using such an antenna in 5G network topologies. We also discuss some of the effects of high-gain, electronically steerable antennas on standards development.