Qualcomm Technologies is set to expand the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ X50 5G modem family to include 5G New Radio (NR) multi-mode chipset solutions compliant with the 3GPP-based 5G NR global system. Supporting operation in the sub-6 GHz and multi-band millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum, these new modems are designed to provide a unified 5G design for all major spectrum types and bands while addressing a wide range of use cases and deployment scenarios.
The Snapdragon X50 5G modem family is engineered to provide wider bandwidths and extreme speeds for enhanced mobile broadband. The modem solutions are designed to support both Non-Standalone (NSA) operation (where control signaling is sent over LTE), and Standalone (SA) operation (where all control signaling and user data are sent over 5G NR), and can enable the next generation of premium-tier mobile cellular devices, while also aiding operators to execute early 5G trials and deployments.
The new members of the modem family can support multi-mode 2G/3G/4G/5G functionality in a single chip, providing simultaneous connectivity across both 4G and 5G networks for robust mobility performance. The single chip solution also supports integrated Gigabit LTE capability, which has been pioneered by Qualcomm Technologies, and is an essential pillar for the 5G mobile experiences as the high-speed coverage layer that co-exists and interworks with nascent 5G networks. This set of advanced multimode capabilities is designed to provide seamless Gigabit connectivity - a key requirement for next generation, premium smartphones and mobile computing devices.
The expanded family builds on Qualcomm Technologies' technology leadership with 5G NR prototype systems as well as joint tests and trials with leading network operators and network equipment vendors. This is exemplified by the recent announcement of its first 3GPP-based 5G NR Connection using Qualcomm Technologies' sub-6 GHz 5G NR prototype, and which demonstrated some of the key technologies and system design principles expected to be part of the 5G NR system and specification, such as scalable OFDM-based waveforms to support wider bandwidths, reciprocity-based multi-user MIMO, advanced LDPC channel coding, adaptive self-contained TDD subframes, and a new flexible, low-latency slot structure.
The Snapdragon X50 5G modem family grows on Qualcomm Technologies’ long history of leadership in developing next-generation wireless technologies that contribute to and facilitate 3GPP standardization. As it did with 3G, 4G and Gigabit LTE, the company is working with leading network operators to ensure timely specification of 5G NR in 3GPP as well as commercial launches of 5G NR. The Snapdragon X50 5G family is designed to support these 5G NR features that are expected to bring connected consumer mobile broadband applications such as virtual reality, augmented reality and connected cloud computing to a whole new level.
The first commercial products featuring Snapdragon X50 5G NR modems are expected to be available in 2019.
