# Revealing Development Trends and Key 5G Photonic Technologies Using Patent Analysis
## 5 Conclusions  
### Discussion  
Key 5G photonic technologies were explored using network analysis. The empirical results show that such technologies are mainly related to data transmission, wireless communication networks, and optical components instead of being solely concentrated in a specific field, indicating that the related application and technological development of this technology for 5G networks requires interdisciplinary collaboration. Moreover, an analysis of the major patentees revealed that CommScope Technologies LLC. holds numerous patents, indicating that compared with universities and governmental departments, IT companies are the major players in the development of relevant 5G photonic technologies. This also illustrates the potential for 5G photonic technologies in future market development. Driven by market demand, private companies have been conducting research and development in 5G photonic technologies, which is expected to be introduced into the market for commercial application in the near future. In terms of technological trends, this study revealed that in addition to code H04W components (wireless communication networks), the key 5G photonic technologies have mainly been related to code G02B (optical elements, systems, or apparatuses) components and H04B (data transmission) in recent years, that is, the improvement of data transmission rates through optical communication has become one of the key technologies for the future development of 5G. For example, silicon photonics is used to change electric signals into optical signals to transmit data in order to increase transmission distance and data bandwidth as well as reduce unit energy consumption. The introduction of silicon photonics into the existing complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor fabrication process has become a critical research direction in the related industry. This development trend is similar to that predicted by certain scholars [18; 46]. The results of this study also showed the consistency in the current development trends of emerging fields. Finally, in terms of theoretical contributions, previous research on 5G photonic technologies has mostly focused on technological discussion [4; 14; 17] or market development research [3; 16; 18]. However, these researchers were unable to identify the major technological areas, technological development trends, and network distributions between 5G photonic technology domains. This study addressed the aforementioned shortcomings and adopted a novel perspective, namely that which was related to technological areas, to make observations. In terms of policy recommendations, this study provides valuable information and a technology roadmap of 5G photonic technologies for the government. Key 5G photonic technology developments were studied through a technology network analysis, thus providing relevant information on the promotion of emerging technologies. Specifically, the analysis results revealed information related to the allocation of vital research and development resources and key technologies. For example, this study found that the data transmission field has been the most crucial research field over the past two years, and China has been constantly improving its 5G system spectrum in recent years to comply with the International Telecommunication Union's IMT-2020 Standards, a technology development direction that is consistent with the research results of this study. Additionally, the 5G Testbeds and Trials Programme in the United Kingdom places considerable emphasis on erecting reliable wireless communication equipment to meet the needs of 5G test sites. Furthermore, the technological development of wireless communication networks is one of the focuses of 5G photonic technology in this study. Verizon Wireless and Samsung have devoted substantial efforts to the deployment of 5G systems in U.S. cities.