This article provides a systematic review of the evolution of base station antenna technology across mobile communication generations, from 1G to 5G. It traces how antennas have transformed from simple signal transceivers into sophisticated systems featuring intelligent capabilities such as beamforming and Massive MIMO.
Core Technological Evolution by Generation
| Era | Key Technologies & Breakthroughs | Primary Value & Solutions |
| 1G | Omnidirectional antennas, spatial diversity | Provided basic coverage; improved uplink via spatial diversity with minimal interference due to large station spacing. |
| 2G | Directional antennas (sectorization), dual-polarized antennas | Increased capacity and coverage range; dual-polarization enabled one antenna to replace two, saving space and enabling denser deployment. |
| 3G | Multi-band antennas, remote electrical tilt (RET), multi-beam antennas | Supported new frequency bands, reduced site costs and maintenance; enabled remote optimization and multiplied capacity in hotspots. |
| 4G | MIMO antennas (4T4R/8T8R), multi-port antennas, integrated antenna-RRU designs | Dramatically improved spectral efficiency and system capacity; addressed multi-band multi-mode coexistence with growing integration. |
| 5G | Massive MIMO AAU (Active Antenna Unit) | Solved key challenges of weak coverage and high capacity demand via large-scale arrays and precise beamforming. |
This evolutionary path has been driven by the need to balance four core demands: coverage versus capacity, new spectrum introduction versus hardware compatibility, physical space constraints versus performance requirements, and operational complexity versus network precision.
Looking ahead, the 6G era will continue the trajectory toward ultra-massive MIMO, with antenna elements expected to exceed thousands, further establishing antenna technology as the cornerstone of next-generation mobile networks. The innovation in antenna technology vividly mirrors the broader development of the mobile communication industry.
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