Implications and Considerations of 5th Generation Mobile Networks (5G) for the US Department of Defense

April, 2019
IDA document: P-10594
FFRDC: Systems and Analyses Center
Type: Documents
Division: Information Technology and Systems Division
Authors:
Authors
Ryan R. Wagner, Timothy R. Adams, J. Corbin Fauntleroy, George A. Thompson, Tyler C. Rabren, Cameron D. DiLorenzo, Laura A. Odell See more authors
While 5G mobility promises a huge advance in mobile technology, in reality, 5G represents a number of separate but interrelated advances that provide new capabilities to further the progress made in increasing network speeds. Five key technologies underpinning 5G NR are millimeter wave spectrum, small cells, massive multiple input multiple output (massive MIMO) base station antennae, beamforming, and full duplex communications. 5G will enable vast increases in the number and types of connected devices (both low and high power) and new types of networks with varying requirements (e.g., vehicle-to-vehicle networks, virtual reality over mobile, and mobile industrial automation networks). But 5G also enables new exploitation scenarios from adversaries leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT).