NYU WIRELESS and Keysight Technologies Join Forces to Develop 5G Mobile Technology
NYU WIRELESS announced today that Keysight Technologies Inc, joined the university research center as a key sponsor of the fundamental groundwork that the research center is laying for a new generation of wireless technologies, also known as “5G.”
The announcement comes as the Federal Communications Commission explores the potential of mobile radio services in the millimeter-wave (mm-wave) radio spectrum—an area in which NYU WIRELESS is developing fundamental science and mathematical channel models needed to develop 5G equipment and in which Keysight has been selling test solutions for over 25 years.
Today’s mobile broadband networks use longer wavelengths because of favorable propagation characteristics, travelling long distances and through buildings. Yet two years of measurements by NYU WIRELESS of the characteristics of waves of 28, 38, 60, and 73 gigahertz (GHz) are demonstrating that these waves—smaller than a fingernail—hold potential far beyond what experts had expected: merely line-of-sight transmission and reception. Instead, the NYU WIRELESS tests are finding rich scatterings, with waves reflecting off buildings and even people so that they can travel down city blocks.
The FCC’s Notice of Inquiry is viewed as an important validation of a technology that holds the potential for 1,000 times today’s wireless data capacity, but that was sometimes viewed as improbable until recent research breakthroughs. The FCC is seeking public comments through December 16 on the potential and implementation of mobile radio services in bands above 24GHz, and it cited NYU WIRELESS research in its document.
New York University’s Polytechnic School of Engineering launched NYU WIRELESS in August 2012. Focused on mass-deployable wireless devices across a wide range of applications and markets, NYU WIRELESS is the first university center to combine wireless, computing, and medical applications research. NYU WIRELESS includes more than 20 faculty members and 100 graduate students from the NYU School of Engineering’s Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering Department, NYU Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, and the NYU Langone School of Medicine.
As part of its pioneering mm-wave research, NYU WIRELESS is functioning as a hub linking its 11 industrial affiliates as well as researchers at other universities. Its measurements and theoretical modeling work continues to uncover unexpected potential. The center is also developing channel models and researching the potential of multiple antennas, as well as other 5G technology, including medical applications that will become possible with massive increases in data capacity.
“We are gratified to have Keysight join us as a member of our board of affiliated industrial sponsors, and we’re looking forward to reaping the benefits of the deep 5G knowledge that it has developed as it has created its advanced testing technology,” said Professor Theodore (Ted) Rappaport, NYU WIRELESS director and founder. “Our student and faculty researchers, as well as the emerging body of knowledge on wireless communications, will all benefit from this association.” Rappaport holds the David Lee/Ernst Weber Chair in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department of the NYU School of Engineering, as well as appointments at Courant and the Department of Radiology at NYU Langone Medical School.
“As a global measurement solution provider, Keysight is engaged around the world in 5G research. Professor Rappaport’s impressive work in millimeter-wave technology is an excellent addition to our worldwide engagement strategy and is an excellent fit with the expertise we have in our hardware, software, and people,” said Roger Nichols, Keysight 5G program manager. “We are excited to be part of this program and look forward to working with his team and the other affiliates.”
About Keysight Technologies
Keysight Technologies (NYSE:KEYS) is a global electronic measurement technology and market leader helping to transform its customers' measurement experience through innovations in wireless, modular, and software solutions. Keysight's electronic measurement instruments, systems, software, and services are used in the design, development, manufacture, installation, deployment, and operation of electronic equipment. The business had revenues of $2.9 billion in fiscal year 2014. Information about Keysight is available at www.keysight.com.
