CommScope introduces Mosaic, a new active-passive antenna platform that assists operators with simplifying and accelerating 5G-related tower deployments. The company claims that Mosaic’s radio-agnostic modular hardware design helps mobile network operators roll out 5G coverage while supporting legacy 4G deployments that still have profitable years of use ahead of them. Adding 5G capabilities often means adding new tower-top equipment, including Active Antenna Systems (AAS) that support massive MIMO capabilities.

The CommScope Mosaic platform allows operators to combine active and passive antenna capabilities in a way that simplifies tower top complexity, reduces occupied tower top space and wind loading, while preserving the performance of all technologies.

Mosaic reduces the required footprint at the top of the tower by providing the capability to mount massive MIMO AAS equipment on the back of a conventional passive antenna using advanced technology and modular design practices. The range of available port counts and lengths in the passive antenna module makes it easy to upgrade to 5G mMIMO while supporting all legacy sub-6 GHz bands. Mosaic is designed to help operators accelerate this uptake while supporting their existing 4G networks.

Mosaic’s key features, include:

• Active Antenna Systems (AAS) supports massive MIMO capabilities
• Simplified tower top complexity
• Reduced tower top space and wind loading
• Easy to upgrade to 5G mMIMO