Electronically steerable antenna arrays have been a popular choice for analog beamforming in 5G systems, due to the ease of integrating them with RFICs, the market advantages to Si providers who support the architecture and earlier deployments of phased arrays at lower frequencies. They are particularly suited for very narrow beamwidth applications under high mobility. DWA technology presents an alternative approach to phased arrays for use cases involving moderately narrow beamwidths (e.g., 20-degree nominal HPBW) and pedestrian speeds or fixed wireless applications. For these types of cases, phased arrays' flexibility in beam steering becomes overkill, especially when considering the associated cost, complexity (tens to hundreds of antennas and phase shifters), high-power consumption, antenna pattern/gain inconsistency. The cost, performance and complexity advantages of DWA will enable them to play a role in delivering on the promises of 5G.
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