ZTE’s proprietary multi-user/multi-stream spatial multiplexing technology demonstrated peak data throughput 3 times higher than traditional base stations in pre-commercial field testing

26 January 2015, Shenzhen, China – ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a major international provider of telecommunications, enterprise and consumer technology solutions for the Mobile Internet, strengthened its leadership in 5G innovations by becoming the world’s first company to complete pre-commercial field testing of multi-user and multi-stream transmission on a Massive MIMO (multiple input multiple output) base station, setting new records in single-carrier transmission capacity and spectral efficiency.

Using ZTE’s proprietary pre5G multi-user/multi-stream spatial multiplexing technology, with user handsets based on existing 4G standards, the company’s Massive MIMO base station demonstrated peak data throughput that is more than three times that of traditional base stations, and average data throughput that exceeds conventional systems by at least five times.

“Being a pre5G technology, ZTE’s Massive MIMO solution is delivering exponential advances to 4G networks without modifying existing air interfaces, making it possible for carriers to provide a 5G-like user experience on existing 4G handsets in an accelerated timeframe,” said Dr. Xiang Jiying, Chief Scientist of ZTE. “ZTE successfully overcame the challenge of doing multi-user and multi-stream spatial multiplexing in a scattered-signal environment, clearing the main hurdle in the development of Massive MIMO technology.”

Several major international telecommunications operators indicated they would deepen their collaborations with ZTE, after they were invited to attend the field test, noting the record-breaking results had exceeded their expectations.

The latest test came two months after ZTE successfully completed pre-commercial test of the world’s first pre5G Massive MIMO base station in November 2014. Based on ZTE’s self-developed baseband processor chipset, the company’s pre5G solutions offer advances in the level of integration. Comprising 128 antennas, ZTE’s Massive MIMO base station uses a frontal area similar to existing 8-antennas. Integrating antennas, base station units and RFs in one module, ZTE’s Massive MIMO base station uses only one-third of the installation space of traditional systems, lowering operating costs and total cost ownership of operators.

ZTE is committed to ongoing investment in the development of 5G technology, which is central to the company’s future strategy. In June 2014, ZTE first articulated its plans for pre5G, focused on development of Massive MIMO solution, as well as core technologies such as MUSA (multi-user shared access), UDN (ultra-dense networks) and virtual cell. ZTE will continue to forge deep and diverse partnerships with other technology providers to accelerate the pace of 5G innovations and shape the future 5G industry landscape.