Qualcomm Achieves First Ever 5G Data Connection On Its 5G Modem Processor

Chip making giant Qualcomm has managed to perform a 5G data connection on a 5G modem chip set built specifically for mobile devices. As pointed out by Sherif Hanna, product management and product marketing for mobile at Qualcomm, this achievement is the first ever of its kind across the globe. 

To help accomplish this feat, Qualcomm also built millimeter wave antenna modules. For those not familiar with millimeter waves, just know that they normally do not behave the same as the usual airwaves commonly used in mobile networks. Qualcomm also made the clever decision to incorporate enhanced antenna components, with elements that include Massive MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) and multiple antennas.

And because Qualcomm rendered the antenna modules in nickel size units, they can easily be utilized in smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices. And as we have learned throughout the history of mobile devices, manufacturers will always find a way to make things even smaller and thinner eventually.

Engineers and industry watchers have previously thought that millimeter waves are better suited for fixed wireless as opposed to mobile devices. But Qualcomm has shown that millimeter waves can be used effectively in handsets as well, aside from just fixed wireless. The company has built quite a track record for proving everybody wrong. For instance about a couple of decades ago, just about everybody thought CDMA was not viable, but Qualcomm has since flipped the script on that line of thinking.

Qualcomm also took the opportunity to reveal that it has developed a 5G smartphone reference design. This can be used by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) if they want to text how a prototype 5G device can function in specific ways (for instance, how the device behaves in portrait or landscape mode; how the device switches seamlessly between 5G and LTE connections).

By the way, Qualcomm made full use of its own Snapdragon X50 5G modem processor in conducting its 5G trials in its lab located in the city of San Diego in California. The chip maker also managed to log gigabit download speeds with the use of multiple 100 MegaHertz 5G carriers and successfully demo a 28 GigaHertz data connection. For purposes of the test, the SDR050 millimeter wave RF transceiver integrated circuit, as well as Keysight Technologies’ 5G Protocol R&D Toolset and UXM 5G Wireless Test Platform were also used.

Commercial 5G is expected to become widely available starting on 2019.