5G infrastructure. Massive MIMO. Tower hardware.

5G spans multiple frequency ranges: sub-6 (low/mid band) 600 MHz - 6 GHz, mid band 3.3-4.2 GHz (n77/n78), high band (mmWave) 24-50 GHz (n257, n258, n261). Each range has different tolerance requirements. Sub-6 GHz: ±0.3 mm adequate. mmWave 28-39 GHz: ±0.05-0.10 mm tolerance required on waveguide and cavity features. mmWave precision drives much tighter manufacturing.

32T32R or 64T64R antenna arrays require: precision antenna element positioning (±0.1 mm typical), integrated heat sinking for active electronics behind each element, precision signal routing, environmental sealing. Housing design integrates multiple functions. We work with antenna manufacturers on production-scale housing manufacturing.

Silver plating on aluminum provides lowest-loss RF surfaces. Critical at higher frequencies (skin effect — current flows in thin surface layer). Silver conductivity 100% IACS; aluminum 62%. At 3.5 GHz, silver plating reduces losses 0.1 dB per meter — significant for cascade of components. Typical plating: 5-10 µm silver over 2-3 µm nickel underlayer.

Telecom infrastructure deployed outdoors 10-20+ years. Requirements: IP66 sealing (dust-tight + powerful water jet spray), UV-stable coatings (powder coat 20-year warranty typical), corrosion resistance (industrial atmosphere + coastal), thermal cycling resistance (-40 to +85 °C), wind load capacity (aerodynamic + structural). We design to appropriate standards for deployment environment.

5G infrastructure deployments: tens of thousands of base stations per carrier per year. Component volumes: antenna housings 10,000-50,000 units per design annually, RF filters similar scale. CNC effective for specialty components; simpler standard hardware moves to die casting at scale. We handle both CNC prototype and CNC production for specialty parts.

Prototype programs: 6-10 weeks for new infrastructure designs. Production qualification: 12-16 weeks. Ongoing production: monthly delivery schedules with standing POs. 5G rollout programs typically coordinate 12+ months of component deliveries. We support established production programs with consistent quality and delivery.