NTT DoCoMo has announced a successful demonstration of 28 GHz wireless data transmission between a 5G base station and a mobile unit inside a car traveling at nearly 190 mph. This test marks a significant step toward enabling high-bandwidth, low-latency connectivity at very high speeds.
The trial was carried out on April 8 at the Japan Automobile Research Institute (JARI) in collaboration with NEC and NTT. Using a modified Nissan GT-R, the test simulated conditions similar to those encountered on high-speed trains, evaluating how a 5G connection performs when the receiver is moving rapidly.
Radio waves at 28 GHz tend to travel in straight lines and are more susceptible to blockage and range limitations than lower-frequency signals. To address these challenges, DoCoMo and its partners employed beamforming techniques at both the 5G base station and the vehicle-mounted mobile station. Beamforming enables the transmitter and receiver to focus signal energy in specific directions, maintaining a stronger link even when the receiver is moving fast.
During the trial, beam directions were dynamically adjusted so the beams could track the moving vehicle and sustain the connection despite the high speed. This adaptive beam steering demonstrated how directional transmission can keep a stable high-frequency link in motion scenarios.
Beyond confirming a reliable connection, the teams streamed a live 4K video feed from the car at 120 frames per second. The feed was compressed using NTT’s HEVC codec to reduce bandwidth requirements while preserving high visual quality. Even with compression, delivering 4K at 120 fps is bandwidth intensive and serves as a notable showcase of what 5G can enable for future in-vehicle entertainment, remote monitoring, and real-time video applications.
The trial included participation from members of the DOCOMO 5G Open Partner Program, Sony Business Solutions Corporation, and DOCOMO TEAM DANDELION RACING manager Dandelion Limited. These collaborations reflect a broader industry effort to validate 5G capabilities in real-world, high-mobility environments.
DoCoMo plans to continue expanding its 5G demonstrations ahead of major public events—most notably the 2020 Olympic Games—where it aims to highlight advanced wireless use cases. Expect additional trials and refinements as the company and its partners optimize beamforming, handover performance, and high-frequency coverage for fast-moving platforms.
What are your thoughts on DoCoMo’s latest 5G test? Let us know in the comments.
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