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Smart antennas can radically boost the capacity of mobile phone networks. Simulations by Ericsson suggest a 600 per cent capacity boost for 3G networks. Ericsson's smaller Swedish competitor Radio Components is developing its own smart antenna system, and claims the technology is the best choice for rural areas.
By increasing the capacity per basestation, fewer but more advanced basestations can handle the same traffic. For instance, Ericsson has shown that the use of smart antennas can increase the capacity of a GSM network by over 100 per cent.
"We estimate that the adoption of adaptive (smart) antennas is economically justified in up to ten per cent of the basestations for 2G networks like GSM," says Sören Andersson at Ericsson Research.
Since today there are several million basestations world wide in mobile phone networks, the market for the technology is huge. Network operators are continuously upgrading their networks in order to increase capacity.
Ericsson has tested the technology together with German GSM operator Mannesmann (D2) and American AT&T Wireless Services. In the case of Mannesmann it was concluded that an exchange of 12 per cent of its basestations would achieve a 40 per cent capacity boost.
Meanwhile, Swedish Radio Components is developing its own smart antenna system for use in metropolitan as well as rural areas. According to company manager Torbjörn Johnsson, the technology is specially suited for rural 3G networks as capacity can be increased gradually with rising demand.
"We estimate that the adoption of adaptive (smart) antennas is economically justified in up to ten per cent of the basestations for 2G networks like GSM," says Sören Andersson at Ericsson Research.
Since today there are several million basestations world wide in mobile phone networks, the market for the technology is huge. Network operators are continuously upgrading their networks in order to increase capacity.
Ericsson has tested the technology together with German GSM operator Mannesmann (D2) and American AT&T Wireless Services. In the case of Mannesmann it was concluded that an exchange of 12 per cent of its basestations would achieve a 40 per cent capacity boost.
Meanwhile, Swedish Radio Components is developing its own smart antenna system for use in metropolitan as well as rural areas. According to company manager Torbjörn Johnsson, the technology is specially suited for rural 3G networks as capacity can be increased gradually with rising demand.
Gittan Cedervall
