5G cm Wave vs. mm Wave: Key Differences Explained

5g
cm wave
mm wave
frequency spectrum
bandwidth

This article explores the differences between 5G centimeter wave (cm wave) and millimeter wave (mm wave) technologies. We’ll delve into the key characteristics of each, providing a clear comparison to help you understand their respective strengths and weaknesses.

The table below summarizes the key distinctions between 5G variants, including sub-6 GHz, cm wave, and mm wave. As the names suggest, cm wave refers to wavelengths in the centimeter range, while mm wave operates with wavelengths in the millimeter range.

Comparison Table: 5G Sub-6 GHz vs. cm Wave vs. mm Wave

Features5G sub 6GHz5G cm wave5G mm wave
Frequency spectrum0.5 to 10 GHz3 to 30 GHz30 to 100 GHz
Bandwidthapprox. 5 to 40 MHzapprox. 40 to 200 MHzapprox. 400 to 2 GHz
Duplex topologyFDD/TDDDynamic TDDDynamic TDD
Transmit power(DL/UL)>40dBm/ 23 dBm<approx. 30dBm/23 dBm<approx. 30dBm/23 dBm
Modulated waveform (DL/UL)OFDMA/SC-FDMAOFDMA/OFDMASC-TDMA/SC-TDMA
Multiple Access TypeTime and FrequencyTime and FrequencyTime
Multi Antenna techniqueSU/MU Beamforming and Medium RankSU/MU Beamforming and High RankSU/MU Beamforming and Low Rank
TTI (Transmission Time Interval)FlexibleApprox. 0.25 msApprox. 0.1 ms

Source: 5G Research at Nokia Networks

Key Takeaways from the Table:

  • Frequency Spectrum: mmWave utilizes a much higher frequency spectrum (30-100 GHz) compared to cmWave (3-30 GHz) and sub-6 GHz. This higher frequency allows for significantly greater bandwidth.
  • Bandwidth: The wider frequency spectrum translates directly to significantly higher bandwidth for mmWave, offering the potential for much faster data speeds.
  • Transmit Power: cmWave and mmWave generally operate at lower transmit power compared to sub-6 GHz.
  • TTI (Transmission Time Interval): mmWave has the shortest TTI, which contributes to lower latency.
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