The 5G standard may not be out yet, but that’s not stopping companies from getting a head start on the new system. Qualcomm became the first to launch a commercially available 5G modem chipset with today’s announcement of the Snapdragion X50.
The chipset is designed to support cellular device original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), as well as aid operators with early 5G trials and deployments, according to Qualcomm.
“The Snapdragon X50 5G modem heralds the arrival of 5G as operators and OEMs reach the cellular network and device testing phase,” said Cristiano Amon, executive vice president, Qualcomm Technologies Inc., in a statement. “Utilizing our long history of LTE and Wi-Fi leadership, we are thrilled to deliver a product that will help play a critical role in bringing 5G devices and networks to reality.”
Opening Up the Millimeter Wave Spectrum
The Snapdragon X50 5G modem will support operation in the millimeter-wave (mmWave) spectrum in the 28 GHz band, the company said. It will also employ MIMO (multiple input multiple output) antenna technology with adaptive beamforming and beam tracking techniques that facilitate broadband communications in NLOS (non-line-of-sight) environments.
The new chipset is also designed to support peak download speeds of up to 5 gigabits per second, thanks to support for 800 MHz bandwidth transmission. The Snapdragon X50 can be used for multi-mode 4G and 5G mobile broadband, as well as fixed wireless broadband devices. The processor also includes an integrated Gigabit LTE modem, something Qualcomm said will be key to providing a wide coverage area for early 5G network deployments.
For mobile broadband operators that are already deploying 5G equipment that uses mmWave, the new modem chipset offers the opportunity to work with Qualcomm on lab tests, field trials, and early network deployments. OEMs that use the Snapdragon X50 will also have the chance to get a head start optimizing their devices for the mmWave spectrum.
Early Field Tests
“Incorporating the Snapdragon X50 5G modem in devices on a live 5G network can yield valuable insight into the challenges of integrating emerging technologies in form-factor accurate devices,” the company said in a statement. Qualcomm said it plans to utilize findings from these early field tests to help accelerate the standardization and commercialization of 5G New Radio, the global standard for 5G.
While the launch of the Spandragon X50 is still a preliminary step in the widespread deployment of 5G technology, it is a crucial one. The modem will help demonstrate what consumers can expect from the upcoming standard, such as faster and more reliable access to mobile cloud services, media consumption and generation, and faster access to data.
The company said the proliferation of 5G will eventually also make it more cost-effective and easier for multi-gigabit Internet service to reach more homes and businesses.
The Snapdragon X50 5G platform will include the modem, the SDR051 mmWave transceivers, and the supporting PMX50 power management chip, according to Qualcomm. Sampling for the chipset is expected to begin in the second half of 2017. The first commercial products that will integrate the chipset are expected to be available during the first half of 2018.
