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5G wireless technology evolution: identifying evolution pathways of core technologies based on patent networks

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Abstract

With the rapid development of 5G technology, studying its evolution path is crucial for innovation and development. This study explores the evolution of 5G technology using patent data analysis. By applying main path analysis and network techniques to a dataset from the IncoPat patent database, the study identifies the main path of 5G technology evolution and analyzes its trends. The Citespace is used to construct citation networks and reveal the main path of the patent citation network, regional citation network, and institutional citation network. Furthermore, the study incorporates the 5G technology lifecycle to dynamically interpret the main path and analyze the major evolution trends of 5G technology. The methodology includes data collection from the IncoPat patent database and the adoption of clustering analysis to identify community structure within citation networks. The Log Likelihood Ratio (LLR) algorithm is employed for community detection, facilitating the analysis of interrelationships among different communities. The main path analysis involves traversal counting and path searching, with the LLR algorithm selected to identify critical nodes in the evolutionary paths of technologies. Additionally, dynamic main path analysis is conducted by incorporating the temporal attribute, enabling the observation of the dynamic changes in technological evolution. The study concludes with important insights into the current development status and evolution of 5G technology, shedding light on key paths and trends in 5G technology evolution.

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Data Availability

The datasets generated and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Funding

This study was supported by the Shaoxing City Philosophy and Social Science Research ‘14th Five-Year’ Plan 2023 Key Project: A Study on the Implementation Path of Rural Revitalization Empowered by Digital Transformation under the ‘Two Mountains’ Theory from the Perspective of ‘Green Common Prosperity’ – A Case Study of Zhejiang Shaoxing (Project Number: 145J073)

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research and Local Cooperation Office, Wenzhou Business College, Wenzhou, China

    Biqiang Han

  2. School of Economics and Management, Shaoxing University Yuanpei College, Shaoxing, China

    Jie Zhang

  3. Business School, Middlesex University, London, UK

    Helen Cai

  4. School of Business, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, China

    Mengyao Xia

  5. School of Arts, Zhengzhou University of Science and Technology, Zhengzhou, China

    Yan Tu

  6. School of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, China

    Jiao Wu

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  1. Biqiang Han
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Correspondence to Jie Zhang.

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Author Biqiang Han declares that she has no conflict of interest. Author Helen Huifen Cai declares that he has no conflict of interest. Author Mengyao Xia declares that he has no conflict of interest. Author Jie Zhang declares that he has no conflict of interest. Author Yan Tu declares that he has no conflict of interest. Author Jiao Wu declares that she has no conflict of interest.

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Han, B., Zhang, J., Cai, H. et al. 5G wireless technology evolution: identifying evolution pathways of core technologies based on patent networks. Wireless Netw 30, 6875–6886 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11276-023-03538-8

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