How Does Massive MIMO Help Enable 5G?

Massive MIMO provides a key technology to improve spectrum efficiency, coverage, capacity, and user throughput by exploiting the spatial domain. This is achieved by using multi-antenna technologies at both the transmitter and receiver – such as beamforming and spatial multiplexing – which help take advantage of channel and antenna array properties. Moreover, massive MIMO is applicable to both downlink and uplink.

In this article, we discuss how Massive MIMO helps enable 5G through spatial multiplexing and beamforming, along with how you can receive Massive MIMO and other 5G training from experienced engineers at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Enabling 5G through Spatial Multiplexing

Spatial multiplexing allows for the multiplexing of multiple data streams – commonly called MIMO layers – on the same time-frequency symbol. These multiplexed data streams can go to the same device or to different devices. This flexibility can help increase spectrum efficiency, user throughput, and network capacity.

Enabling 5G through Beamforming

Beamforming helps amplify transmitted and received signals by altering the direction of the signals based on the needs of the network. This helps achieve a high gain in the direction of the device to improve link quality, which translates into higher spectrum efficiency and better network coverage, capacity, and user throughput. Additionally, “null beamforming” – a form of beamforming that reduces the beam gain in certain directions where the victim devices or cells are located – helps mitigate inter-cell interference while communicating with devices of interest at the same time.

Receive Massive MIMO and Other 5G Training with Qualcomm Academy

At Qualcomm Academy, we offer a wide range of 5G courses that cover Massive MIMO and other key aspects of 5G. We have the following two courses that focus specifically on Massive MIMO:

• 5G NR Massive MIMO and Active Antenna Systems
• 5G NR Massive MIMO Log Analysis Workshop

We also discuss Massive MIMO in our 5G NR Technical Training course, where we lead a deep-dive into the major components of 5G.

If you represent a company looking for training for your employees, we recommend looking into our Corporate 5G Training Subscription, which gives your employees access to all 50+ Qualcomm Academy eLearning courses, including our in-depth Massive MIMO training.

All Qualcomm Academy training is online and self-paced, and we can offer live training to companies with groups of at least 15 participants.

About Qualcomm Academy

Qualcomm Academy is the educational and training branch of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. Please see below for a brief overview of what we offer:

• Flexible Learning: All courses are taught through our eLearning format, so participants may learn online and at their own pace. We can also set up live in-person or virtual training for groups of at least 15 employees.
• Learn from the Experts: All courses are taught by industry-leading engineers from Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
• Diverse Course Portfolio: We offer a wide range of 5G, AI, and other courses for engineers and non-engineers of all levels.

Start learning today at academy.qualcomm.com or email us at academy@qti.qualcomm.com.