AGC (formerly Asahi Glass) recently announced that it has jointly developed a glass antenna that can be used as a 5G base station with the Japanese communications giant NTTdocomo. This antenna can be installed on the glass windows of buildings, and plans to spread to Japan in 2020, focusing on urban areas. .
Since 5G has the disadvantage that the signal transmission distance is not far enough, this technology can turn the glass window into a signal relay base station, which will promote the popularization of 5G.
According to AGC, the development of 5G glass antennas is the first in the world. The antenna is 20 cm long, 80 cm wide, and weighs about 2 kg. 5G signals can be transmitted from the base station to a distance of 100-200 meters. The antenna can be installed on the window with AGC's unique construction method. In order to prevent the signal from the base station from being reflected by the window, a special material is embedded inside the antenna.
5G glass antennas can be installed on windows with AGC's unique construction method.
To prevent the emitted signal from being reflected by the window, special materials are embedded inside the antenna.
AGC expects that the demand for this antenna will increase, and it has built a new antenna mass production plant in its glass factory in Japan and has started production.
The company says it can meet the growth in 5G demand over the next few years.
It is difficult for 5G signals to transmit long distances, and the base station is best located in the middle of the sky, rather than on the top of the building far from the ground.
The transparent and unobtrusive design of the 5G glass-off antenna is expected to allow many building owners to allow it to be installed.
The 4G glass antennas of AGC and NTT DOCOMO have been put into use in October 2019.
Based on this, the 5G glass antenna supports the 5G frequency band.
AGC also plans to develop antennas that can transmit signals at wider angles for areas with dense buildings.
AGC expects that the demand for this antenna will increase, so it has built a new antenna mass production plant in its glass factory in Japan and has started production. The company said it "can meet the growth in 5G demand over the next few years".
AGC and docomo's 4G-ready glass antennas went live in October 2019. This product is based on the glass antenna for 4G, and supports 5G high frequency band by adjusting the design. In the future, it is also planned to develop antennas that can transmit signals at a wider angle for areas with dense buildings.