Brent's Musings
Brent's Musings RSS FeedRSS

Brent Dietz

Brent Dietz, director of corporate communications at Qorvo, has seen a lot of engineering and technology during 30+ years in the tech industry. His primary role is making geek-speak understandable to the non-geek public, reporters and non-technical analysts. It's challenging — simplifying without distorting — and it helps to have a sense of humor. Brent does, which he shares with Microwave Journal readers from time to time.

4G/5G/Cellular Channel - Wireless News, Products & Content

The Art and Science of 5G

February 18, 2020

While many in our industry focus on the science of 5G, appreciation for its art is often forgotten. The science of 5G seems obvious, spanning sub-6 GHz to mmWave and massive MIMO to beamforming. And yet, 5G is equal parts science and art.

Cell phone tower disguised as a tree.
As proof, look no further than the many attempts to disguise cell towers as trees. 5G cell towers now dot the landscape like arboreal wonders of the world. Some are convincing, some are not. Disguising a cell tower as a tree is like transforming a school bus into a luxury RV — the bus always lies conspicuously beneath.

The tower closest to my own home reaches for the sky like a mighty redwood that’s been transplanted 3,000 miles from its Pacific Northwest home. This majestic “Monopine” is a bit less conspicuous when the trees around it are more fully leafed in spring. It stands proudly, undaunted by changing seasons or unflattering reviews, while faithfully delivering four bars of reliable coverage.

As I drove past this gentle giant last week, I thought about the artist busily modeling the next 5G-enabled ash, poplar, elm, sable palm or saguaro cactus. This artificial arborist toils with steel, fiberglass and acrylic to create trunks, bark, branches and the “faux-liage” needed to convince the passerby. His work inspires me poetically, with apologies to author Joyce Kilmer.

I think that I shall never see
5G lovely as a tree.

A tree whose antenna leaves are prest,
by Raycap STEALTH® at Sprint’s request.

A tree that looks not like a tree,
yet lifts RF and sets her free.

A tree that may in summer wear
balloons and bags blown in her hair.

Upon whose branches snow has lain,
or birds may seek to nest in vain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
but only carriers make 5G a tree.


When not writing poetry, Brent Dietz serves as the Director of Corporate Communications at Qorvo. Follow him on Twitter at @QorvoInc.

You must login or register in order to post a comment.