What’s driving the need for transparent antennas? Over the last several years, network operators have been densifying their networks to provide additional capacity and support new use cases. There has been significant new spectrum allocated by the FCC, which will result in more and sometimes larger antennas. The continuing trend in increasing data utilization, 80% of which is either originated or terminated indoors, makes in-building antennas particularly important as a present and future component of 5G communications infrastructure. Additionally, aesthetics is becoming a significant consideration in the proliferation of in-building antennas. Many venues and office spaces have increasingly strict aesthetic
3M Technologies and Network Infrastructure Solutions
3M has technologies that have been instrumental in developing shielding, grounding and absorbing products intended primarily for helping improve the performance of mobile handheld devices. More recently, our Electronics Materials Solutions Division (EMSD), has begun adopting them to help networks address problems in the Network Infrastructure market segment. These applications are early in their development but should be available soon as commercial products. Transparent Antennas Antennas with low visual profile or Transparent Antennas can help provide the ubiquitous connectivity networks require to implement 5G networks, while minimizing aesthetic compromises for in-building high-end venues or outdoor locations. 3M has adapted technology
3M Solutions for Electromagnetic Interference
3M has decades of electromagnetic interference (EMI) experience developing products to help improve the performance of electronic devices. These products can be broadly categorized as shielding, absorbing, and grounding materials. EMI Background Electronic devices all around us emit signals at multiple frequencies, intended or not. EMI (electromagnetic interference) is an electronic emission that interferes with components, RF systems, and many other electronic devices, degrading performance or even causing a complete malfunction. EMI may also be referred to as RFI, or radio frequency interference. Shannon’s Equation in Digital Communication A consistent trend in information devices is toward higher frequency operation to
3M in 5G
5G’s promise of deeper, more reliable connectivity and technology that will revolutionize medicine, automotive, electronics, and other industries is within reach. Once the 5G infrastructure is built out, the experiences that mankind would be able to have will be mind-boggling. Faster movie downloads on our phones are just the beginning- we’re talking real-time critical connections that will expand the internet of things and allow in-the-moment, critical operations – think of automated cars or doctors performing sensitive surgeries from hundreds of miles away via live feed. But building out a fully functioning network is going to take significant infrastructure not to