NEC has engineered a compact Power Amplifier Module (PAM) designed to cut energy draw in 5G base station Radio Units.
Telcos currently face rising operational expenditures associated with 5G densification. Because 5G networks utilise higher frequency bands than 4G, the coverage area of a single Radio Unit (RU) narrows. This physics constraint forces carriers to deploy more units to ensure coverage behind buildings and across wide areas. Such hardware expansion places upward pressure on energy bills and complicates sustainability targets.
NEC’s announcement addresses this cost driver by targeting the component responsible for the majority of power usage within the radio stack.
Addressing high 5G radio power draw
The economics of running a mobile network depend heavily on the efficiency of the Radio Access Network (RAN). Power Amplifier Modules (PAMs), which amplify signals for long-distance transmission, account for approximately 75 percent of the total power consumed by an RU. Consequently, efficiency gains in this specific module have a direct effect on the site’s operating cost.
NEC has developed a PAM for 5G networks in the sub-6GHz band that utilises Gallium Nitride (GaN) devices rather than traditional silicon-based alternatives. By integrating GaN’s thermal and electronic properties, alongside high-density mounting technology and simulation expertise regarding load modulation, the device achieves a Power-Added Efficiency (PAE) of 50 percent.
In practical terms, this PAE figure indicates the proportion of supplied DC power successfully converted into radio signals. This efficiency rating results in a 10 percent reduction in power consumption compared to conventional PAMs. For carriers managing thousands of sites, a double-digit percentage reduction in the power draw of the primary energy consumer offers a tangible path to lower operational costs.
Integrating NEC’s compact 5G module
Space constraints on cell towers and rooftops drive the need for smaller equipment footprints. The new module features a form factor measuring 10mm x 6mm. Reducing the physical size of internal components allows manufacturers to design smaller RUs.
NEC intends to incorporate this PAM into its own RUs, with new units scheduled for release in the first half of the fiscal year 2026. The objective is to reduce the power consumption of individual RUs, thereby contributing to overall network energy savings.
While NEC will use the technology to bolster its own hardware portfolio, the company also envisions a global deployment of the PAM as a standalone product. This approach allows the technology to be applied in base stations from other manufacturers.
For telecoms leaders, the transition towards GaN-based amplification demonstrated by NEC represents a clear evolution in hardware to counterbalance the rising power draw of 5G radio infrastructure.
See also: Telecom operators are putting more money into AI infrastructure
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