A study by the American University of California in San Diego (UCSD) has figured out how to increase the battery life of smartphones. However, the proposed solution will not change the mobile world overnight, as the architecture of mobile networks would have to be completely changed.
The research shows that if smartphones used a denser network with smaller 5G base stations, it would be possible to increase the average life of smartphones on a single charge by up to 50 percent. At the same time, there would be a reduction of the carbon footprint in the stopped areas.
Current state (left) and proposed network architecture. In a built-up area, a large transmitter has a large signal loss. Alternatively, it can be supplied by a larger number of smaller, lower power base stations that can be located at lower altitudes. The proposed solution also has a positive impact on smartphone batteries
During the transition from 4G to 5G, a number of networks experienced faster discharge of smartphones. The UCSD researchers believe that this faster discharge is associated with more power being drawn from a single, larger base station that is received over a greater distance.
The study would solve this problem by building smaller 5G base stations that should ideally be located only 15 meters above the ground. So, for example, mounted on street poles, lamps or trees. According to the study, these BTSs would ultimately be more cost-effective than building high-power stations that are backward compatible with older types of networks.
Operators will not want to do that
According to the study, smaller BTSs would consume less power while improving network coverage. A phone signal in a denser network would also mean a more stable connection. If only because when communicating over a long distance from the BTS, there is often a problem with the fact that the mobile signal sometimes has a problem reaching the building, or are reflected differently or different objects stand in its way. The whole solution would simply reduce the carbon footprint – ideally, people would not have to charge their smartphones as often.
However, due to the results of this study, few operators will probably start rebuilding the existing network. Even in the Czech Republic, there is a clear effort to cover as much territory as possible with one base station, which is why operators use the 700 MHz band for 5G, which is the easiest to cover. On the contrary, higher frequencies, where it is possible to use the advantages of a wider band and therefore higher capacity and transmission speed, are “lying idle” for now, with exceptions.
While nothing will change immediately, it’s encouraging that academics are exploring all the different ways to extend the life of smartphones, when mobile manufacturers aren’t really addressing it much. For mobile batteries, Honor currently has the best foothold with its silicon-carbon battery with higher energy density. However, other brands still use lithium batteries, a technology that, despite numerous improvements, is already over 30 years old and no generational improvements can be expected.
Source: Yahoo, arxiv
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